The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1879-04-17
THE ROTHSCHILDS.
Sketch of the Great Financiers,


A short time after the battle OF jena,
in which Napoleon broke down the
armed opposition of Prussia, William
l. Elector Of Hesse Cassel, flying
through Frankfort Summoned to All
audience q prominent banker of that
city.
Il am one of those,' he said swho
trusted to the faith of that faithless per
jurer and enemy of his race, Napoleon
Bonaparte. He promised to preserve
my territory from violation and to
treat me as a neutral prince. He has
forced me to fly from my old domain,
has seized it, is to obliterate it and
make it q part of the Kingdom OF
Westphali. have with me about five
millions. Take theml Keep them in
security until my rights are restored
and recognized. How much interest
will you allow meT
In the disturbance of the time re-.
piled Meyer Won Rothschild, can
promise nothing. It must be very
low rate if any. You have to trust me
to pay what I can, when l am able to
afford it,
Z sVery well,' said the Elector, my
chief purpose is to secure them. From
what learn of you cannot do better
than to trust you. must bid you
adieu.'
Rothschild departed, received the
Electors treasure on deposit, was en-
abled to loan 1t and reloan 1t to some
advantage, but paid no interest on 1t
for eight years, after which he paid
two per cent. for nine years, and re-
turned it to the Electors son in 1924.
Such, at least, according tho legend
is the origin Of that wonderful house
of Rothschild, whose existence and
operations are surrounded with some
thing of the mysteries and dazzling
spectacular displays found chiefly in
fairy romances and Arabian Nights
tales.
During all the troubles of Europe in
the early part of the century Roths-
child remained undisturbed. He ne.
gotiated two loans, four millions each
for Denmark, which contemplate
sum now were enormous then. A
large wholesale Yankee notions or
drygoods house might surpass them
to-day. Meyer Rothschiid had the
faculty of turning all chances TO good
account.
just before his death in 1872, he
called together his six sons-Nsthan,
Solomon, Anselmo, Karl, Meyer, and
James-and said to them:
Il want you to promise me on your
solemn oaths always to remain united
in carrying On the operations of our
house,
They swore as he asked, but after
his death separated, or rather diyided
Europe between them. They establish
their homes at Paris, London, Frank
fort, Vienna, and Naples. Each ont
shared in the general operations of tn,
house, but had individual supervision
over his particular field. 1t was no
q central bank with different branches
there were five different branches
there were five different houses, whicl
if occasion required, acted as one.
The emperor of Austria ennoble'
all of them as if they were all the eldes
which is an Austrian custom. Thei
arms are five golden arrows. BY re
markable coincidence, an ancicn
writer predicted that Charon, who
according to the old myth, ferried peo
pie over the Styx, or river of death
and who gets his pay from the passen
gers, would have large income in tn
year 1856, and in that year, Nathan
the eldest, and Solomon and Karl al
died. Everybody expected, az eacl
one dropped of, to learn at least tn
secrets Of that enormous bankinl