New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-04-04
BISMARCK.

The announcement that Prince Bismarck has
formally resigned his position as Chancellor OF
the German Empire, but has been induced ny
the Emperor Wilhelm to withdraw it on con-
dition of receiving years leave OF absence,
seems TO have OccasiOned more surprise and
excitement in Europe than are really war
ranted. In Germany it has been well under
stood from the first that the great labor and
responsibility of his position have been in
creased by the cautiousness and occasional
indecision of the Emperor, the existence OF
many personal jealOusies and animosities, and
the secret intrigues of the members OF more
than one reigning family. His policy, although
so vigorously sustained by large majority OF
the people, has wounded three classes to the
ouick-tbe princes and mobiles of feudalistic
views, the Catholic hierarchy, and the rigidly
orthodox PrOtestants. He played the boldest
stake of any statesman that ever lived, IN order
to gain the first victory which gave him genu-
inc power. That was a little more than ten
years ago; and since then, in spite OF the I'M
exampled success of his policy, every step OF
his way has been followed by fear, jealousy,
and hate.
By nature, Prince Bismarck is frank, i'm
and severe experience could have taught
him the impassiveness and reticence requisite
for the part he has played, and no amount OF
exercise can quite relieve the strain OF these
qualities upon him. 1t has been long known
that, in spite of his powerful constitution, his
incessant labOrs have brought upon him much
physical suffering. Three or four years ago
he remained nearly six months on his estate
at Varzin, and was supposed to have actually
resigned his Office. But, although withdrawn
from the world, he was not idle: he still con-
tinued to direct the policy of the Imperial
Government, and returned to Berlin when he
was strong enough to resume the OLD routine.
In all probability such will be the case now.
He will escape a great deal of official worry,
transfer to others the Gre of all necessary yet
tiresome details of the position, and still re-
main within reach to be privately consulted
in any emergency, and to be recalled, on his
own terms. in case of necessity.
Prince Bismarck's position as Chancellor of
the German Empire has been specially Onerous.
1t is one thing to direct the affairs OF an old,
settled nationality, possessing its own prece-
dents, usages, and clearly defined parties; but
very different thing to be obliged to con-
struct a new nationality upon the ruins OF
crumbled system, to clear away and rebuild,
establish and organize, and, above all, 10y the
aid of men who have either enjoyed no politi-
cal education or have been taught in narrow
schools by methods which must be unlearncd.
The occasional impotence and irritation which
Prince Bismarck has manifested are easily cA-
planned by the character of his duties as
statesman and the wear and tear OF his
nervous system. The later report that his
proifered resignation does not include his Office
of Minister of Foreign Affairs, which he will
retain in any case, is undoubtedly correct.
Here he stands upon familiar and compare
lively easy ground: the representatives OF the
German Empire in other countries are his
subordinatcs, not his rivals. He has distinct,
prearrangcd policy, and is able to direct the
foreign interests of the nation without too
great an expenditure of energy. His temporary
retirement from the CHARACTERISTIC, therefore,
will not be accompanied by any material
change in the policy or prestige of the Gov
eminent, either at home or abroad.