The National tribune., 1881-08-27
THE IRON CROSS OF PRUSSIA,


In March, 1911, Frederick William III, of Prus-
sia father of the present sovereign instituted the
Order of the Iron Cross, for peculiar military or
civil distinction in the war then carried on against
Bonaparte. At that time Prussia, long depressed.
had taken a place in the van, and her troops were
part of the great German Army of Liberation.
The so-caled Confederation of the Rhine" of
which BOnaparte had been head, had been dis
solved Frederck's motto was " Honor and our
Country" and this was also adopted by Alexan-
der of Russia. Frederick William had invited
his subjects to pour their gold and silver orna-
mentS into the public Treasury, whence they
would receive iron ones fashioned in the same
form. to preserve in their families-indicating
past wealth and present patrotism-and the call
had been nobly responded to. Bracelets, neck
laces rings brooches crosses sOtaires earrings of
gold and Jewels were taken to the treasury, and
there exchanged for similar biiouX beautifully
worked in bronze, and inscribed give gold for
iron, 1873" From that time until the war was
ended. golden ornaments never worn, and
hence arose the Beautiful Berlin bronze Orna-
ments, so well known and so highly priced
throughout Europe, as well the order of the
Iron Cross of Prussia.
The present King Of Prussia has revived this,
the most honorcd and honorable national decora-
ton, conferred only for service and high merit
during the War of Liberation in 1913 and 1915.
No other rank will be handicapped for the chase
Of this reward for courage exhibited on the field
of battle, or in shielding the household gods at
home. but that of merit The soldier of Prussia
has now before him two classes and grand cross.
The trSt-clasS medal and ribbon is to be worn the
instant he wins it, on the left breast, where his
heart beats: the second-class in the buttonhOle,
where of all places should be sported the flower
of valor: the third double size medal to dan
gle round his neck as a cross round the throat of
a Crusader. But to possess the second he must
make good his title to the first. The Grand Cross
will be the recognition of nothing less than signal
victory accomplished the conquest of an import
ant position place. or the brave defense of a
fortress. The Iron Cross was the glory of glOries
during the wars Of Liberation. Even when you
had won it, it yet remained to be won; for the
number Of these precious badges were limited
and its recipient had not only to distinguish HIM
self against the foe but to wait till of his for
tunate countrymen died. He might, however
have handed it down to his son as an heirloom.
Here then bit of cast iron, whose intrinsic value
would be magnifcently paid for by few cents,
becomes more valuable, to a brave man. than the
Sancv diamond or the Kohinoor could possibly
be- for it is the perpetual testimony of valor, hon
or. love of freedom and the tatherland. Louis
Napoleon may distribute baskets full of the in
sigma of his uncle's celebrated order bnt what is
their value compared with that of the simple iron
cross of Prussia, in itself trophy and a history,
1t has been revived, King William declares to his
German friends and subjects, I" in consideration of
the serious situation in which the country is
placed, and in grateful memory of the heroic ac-
tions of fathers during the War of Liberation.