New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-08-12
can party of the North in their struggle against
the Bourbon Democracy
B1sNARCH's NEW COMBINATIONS.

DIohHHCA' ~ NEW COhBINAIIONS.
The electoral canvass in Germany is now at
white heat. The party newspapers have been
exchanging broadsides at close quarters and
the excitement is so intense that there have
been many street riots. The tone of the Gov
eminent press appears to be peculiarly exas-
pcrating. Bismarck is evidently making Wig
Orous effort to deal the National Liberal party
o staggering blow. His closest political ALI
ance is with the Conservatives, as was the ease
during the last general elections. He appeals,
however, to all factions and classes for aid
against the National Liberals as the common
enemy-to the Catholics, on the ground of re-
sistance to the Culturkampf; to farmers
ana manufacturers on the score of opposition
to free trade; and to the working people on
the plea that his recent measures devised for
their relief were either rejected outright or
rendered imperative by those who professed
to represent the liberalism of the Fatherland.
The Conservative party, which the Chancel-
Tor is striving to make dominant force in the
Reichstag is divided into sections, the Impe-
rial and the Conservative proper, the latter be-
ing an OutgrOwth of recent date. The former
embraces the aristocracy and the civil service,
and always stands ready to give the Govern
ment an unquestioning support. The latter is
composed mainly of landed proprietors who are
opposed to constitutional changes and popular
privileges and side with the Government rs the
only real conservative force in the country.
In 1874, the influence of these two factions
was at its minimum, their combined strength
being 50 votes, on n political division. to 1919
cast 10y the National Liberals and the Party of
Progress. In 1877 their voting strength had
risen to rs, and in 1878 to 115, the two Lib
eral factions declining to 1G1 and 125 in the
resnpctiVp yeors The exnactofion Of tJ,o ~ nv,
eminent now is that the Conservatives will
gain at least thirty seats from the opposition
and exert commanding influence in the new
Reichstag
Bismarck, however, is one of those prudent
tacticians who believe in making assurance
double sure by forming more than one COM
bination. He discerns the political stability of
the Catholic Centre, Il party which mustered
only fifty seven votes in 1871, but increased
steadily from election to election until it
numbered 103 in the last Rcichstag, with
working allies III the minor factions such as
the Poles and the Alsace deputies This COM
pact party, which has been built up under the
pressure of the Cuturkampf is likely to hold
the balance of power in the new Reichstag as
it has in the last two. The Chancellor has
deemed it wise to make concessions to this
party in advance of the elections There have
been no mysterious negotiations with the
Nunco Masella at Kissingen. The clergy have
been allowed to exercise some of the impor-
tant privileges of which they were deprived
when the war with Rome opened, and
the Vatican, which has had reason to
be well satisfied with the success of its
policy of passive resistance, now finds it.
self in a position to ill the vacant
bishoprics, and to advise the political leaders
al he IN 10 i'll.
cellor. These concessions may have the double
effect of inducing Catholics to vote for Con-
servative Deputies, and of tempting the repre-
sentatives OF the Centre who may be elected
to side with that party on all questions of
public policy. The astute Chancellor who has
so often pittcd one political force against
another In the parliamentary life of the Father
land, is nominally in retirement this summer.
His hand is felt everywhere. He is never SO
dangerous as when he Processes to be recruit
ing his health.