The Dallas weekly herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1885, 1882-01-19
BEHIND HIS TIMES

real SlgnlllCanCe OF lllclT p'sltI'Il' ~ Wis
regard of those not similarly placed Their
takes possession of them, and they have al
last in modification and disgrace to recog
nize their blunder in misinterpreting the
intelligence and strength OF the people
The. developments of politics in Germany
within . short period just passed, furnish
some excellent illustrations OF the truths
Just stated, and look as if they were the
beginning of the end of the long and iron
rule of the great German Chancellor
For n number of years Prince Bismarck
has occupied a conspicuous station il
Europe and'one Of great power and has by
many been regarded as Il statesman OF re-
markably brilliant abilities. Notwithstand
ing this fact, during the period of his reign
as Chancellor, with the destinies Of the
empire in his keeping and control, dissen
sions have existed religious troubles have
been agitated almost to revolution and
isms of every conceivably crude shape and
purport have arisen and harrassed the gov
eminent, and general discomfort has eX-
listed. AT the same time hali-million
subjects annually have sought homes else
where. We would not infer from this rec
ord that the Prince management of affairs
had been very satisfactory internally after
all. 1t is true he has increased wonderfully
the military power and prestige of the Ger
man people, and has made them perhaps
the finest soldiers in Europe. But such
craftsmanship, such proves, such aims
were better fitted to command respect and
ensure national welfare two or three hun
bred years ago than now. The world has
reached that point where craftsmanship, il
it be entitled to the name, must inter-
est itself about other questions than
those of war and enormous military equip
ments, and judged by this standard the
great German Chancellor is found wanting.
He is, in short, behind the times, and SO
far as his country or people are concerned,
would have been more useful to Frederick the
Great than he has been in the day of
Emperor william. Liberty and liberal
ideas have grown remarkably in Europe in
the last decade, and in Germany as well as
elsewhere they have learned that it is a
correct political premise TO assume that
they individually and collectively,
as the people are part and par
eel of the government and justly entitled to
say-so in the management and determi-
nation Of questions affecting their most vi
tai interests, This is now but a simple
principle, and recognized as such by the
truly enlightened citizen and the broad
minded statesman throughout all the civil
lized nations. And yet, within the past
fortnight, we find rescript emanating, as
all know, from his Chancellor, and pub
lished by the German Emperor, declaring
in effect, to the Reichstag and the masses
that the Ministry are responsible alone @
the Emperor, he alone responsible for .Iri-
acts and that he is. in fact. the State Bis
marck's family, ambition, determination
not to Stare his individual power with an
other, and his consequent bitter perscr.-
-rfon of rivals, are well-known, but two
weeks ago the statement would not have
been credited that any statesman Of The
present day, unless in Russia or the Ils.,
would dare say TO the Parliament and the
people, 81 am the State, and you have
nothing specially to say or do about my
determinations, but only obey them Yet
the Emperor William ostensibly, but
Bismarck really, has said in sub
stance this very thing and within
period of only two weeks since
The obvious inference is that Bismarck's
craftsmanship is 700 EarrOH-mindcd, too
illiberal, too far behind the times to judge
the temper Of his people or realize the point
the world has reached % the march Of poll
tics and civilization, and stamps him as a
tyrannical Digot, inmical to the great well
fare, and indeed pressing needs, Of his suf-
iering subjects, and is but an attempt TO
bring back the iron rule OF tie middle ages.
In this way, too, may be explained the un-
happy condition and large emigration Of
his people, and If the spirit Of opposition to
absolute and irresponsible rule has not
grown too strong for the Emperor and bis
Prime Minister, even greateroppressio and
more Of the Louis XIV rescripts may be
anticipated. But the mani CT in which the
one issued a few days since has been re-
ceivod. gives hope even under the iron
ment and love Of freedom andconstitutional
have become too mighty 10
permit usurpation. The tendency, indeed
In every nation, Is 20 an increase 81 powers
in the people, and a corresponding decrease
Of those ofthe governing heads. The move
meut in tins direction has gone 20 far that
any serious effort % tluart il cannot
but meet with rebuke. either by the
ballot. or. where that is denied, revolution. I
The matter is attracting universal attention
and the outcome between the government
and people thus brought 10 bead By this F.
''menacs aeainst national tendencies I
Erested By Bismarck from the palsied hand /
of d0taeer vii be watched By politicians
and political philosophers with Interest |
and nuristy. The Frussian press has given /
note indeed q more serious alarm /
lhan the Empsror's 1i-a8vised Threat
rlusss. but g may b. notioed that The
liberal journals confront IRE nfu and try
Iug erneresnrg prepared 81 Ire r1ters. with
bofh frruness and crtifien1l. We r-rlliaf
iilai the result uin sh1r q irenenlats
stride fouurIls fle utli-llirirr ~ Ger
uuf.v. ard ID g. o. rlras1-l ta rt-l-rf rnd
alllasr1hize uro- . orc rr ta-fs
= fl.sas. rhert -rt t-rl ~ .-rtai
.rs.- rti1r rrl-r o. Jerking In tit r-s-.l or
rniiru1ir r.1iliaaii1a ofa mere ra.e
= HEAEE HOs