Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1882-10-23
BISMARCK.
The Wonderful Career of the Bl00d-and-
IRON Psina. Minister.
CD

The Wonderful Career of the Blood-ana-
IRON Prime Minister.
!, London Times, Sept. 90.
| Tomorrow the German admirers OF
Prince Bismarck-and the phrase is syony.
nous with the entire population of the
Fatherland-proposet to celebrate with the
customary tribute of gifts and rejoicing
the twentieth anniversary Of the first ap-
pearance ofEthe great statesman at the
head of Prussian affairs. The world has
moved SO far and so fast since then, and
Germany, most of all, is SO fundamentally
TRANSPORTED, that it is not easy to persuade
oneself tnat it was only in September.
1862, that Count Otto Won Bismarck Shon-
hansen was invited by the king of Prussia
to quit the career of diplomacy, in which
he had hitherto distinguished himself, and
take upon his shoulders the whole weight
OF government under circumstances of un-
precedented embarrassment. The then
king OF Prussia, the present emperor of
Germany, had always entertained stubborn
notions concerning the royal prerogative,
and, in spite of the constitution which the
revolutionary period Of 1S4S had wrung
from the PrusSian crown, had never aban-
doned his belief in the divine right of the
russian dynasty to govern according to
It's notions of what was best for the Prus-
sian people. Amongst these was a con-
vic.lon that, in the interests of the honor
and permanent welfare of the realm, a
considerable military expenditure was in
dlspensable. It was found impossible.
however, to persuade the Prussian legisla-
ture of the alleged necessity; and appeal
after appeal was made TO the country. first
by Manteu1fel and then by Won der Heydt.
against the refusal of parliament to grant
the supplies asked for. On the 23d of Sep
TENDER, 1868, the Prussian chamber reject
ed the government proposals for military
expenditure by the enormous majority of
3OS votes to IL. Won der Heydt resigned.
and the king then sent for Connt Bismarck
The choice could hardly surprise any one
who had reached the conclusion that the
crown did not intend to be baked of its
purpose, for Count Bismarck had distir-
guIshsd himself not only in the legislature,
but In society, and even in the bierGartens
OF Berlin. by his uncompromising support
OF the throne and his undisguised contempt
OF public opinion. The story ran that he
had flung beer-jug at the head of one in
dividual who had ventured to speak disre-
specially of the sovereign and to air his
theories too crudely concerning popular
rights. There is reason to believe that
Bismarck had found the opportunity, at
Venice. some time previously, of acquaint-
ing the king, while the latter was
still only regent, with his political views,
and it argued some penetration in the SOW
ereign that he should have discerned that
perfect instrument for the purposes of
the executive was at his disposal. The
peers passed the military bill after Count
Bismarck acceded to power; but their COM
plaisance only produced a rupture between
the two chambers, and on the 18th of Oct
ober the session was closed, and the king
announced his intention of governing
without the aid of the constitution and
with the assistance of Count Bismarck.
1t might serve to temper the confidence
with which Liberalism to-day announces
and disseminates its verdicts were people
to turn to English Liberal newspapers of
that date and read the contempt with
which they treated the new minister, the
fate they predicted for him, and the ruin
that, in their opinion, would overtake
Prussia, unless this arrogant, ignorant and
servile politician was got rid Of This was
the view entertained by the Liberal politi-
clans throughout Europe, and in Russia it.
self the prophecies IF woe were almost as
dismal as these ventured upon in this
country. The new minister, however, paid
no attention to these political Cassandras,
but buckled to his task with calm deter
ination that soon convinced more wary OBJ
servers that he knew what he was about,
and that he was the man for whom Ger
many was longing, and of whom Germany
had been dreaming since the days of Ar
minus. The army was perfected in every
branch, taxes were collected summarily
and without mercy; and the reign of ''blood
and iron" was commenced in good earnest.
The result is in everybody's recollection.
In the Austro-Prussia campaign against
Denmark it was Prussia that won the most
brilliant laurels; and when the spoils had
to be divided between the two conquerors
it was Prussia that insisted on having the
largest share. 1t soon became plain that
Count Bismarck was bent upon forcing
quarrel upon Austria and redeeming
Prussia. if possible, from the stigma of
Olmutz. But in working towards this end
he had taken care to provide Prussia with
an ally that could make a valuable diver
sion against Austria in the south at an op
perfume moment. It is pretty certain,
however, that so perfect was the military
machine which Prussia had organized in
the teeth of the legislature and the consti-
tuition that, even in Italy. then coveting
ing Venetia, had remained quiet. the Aus
trian armies, despite their gallantry, would
have been overthrown. Such, however,
was not the general opinion. The war was
an unpopular one in Prussia, for the ma
ton did not believe 1t would succeed, and
it had been declared, without consulting
parliament or the people, by a domineer-
ing Junker minister. Bismarck himself
was so we'll aware of the prevailing senti-
ment that he has since declared that he
would never have returned to Berlin alive
if the campaign had terminated disas-
trously. He would have worn his Cuirras-
sier uniform in earnest, and got himself
shot by an Austrian jaeger. Better that
than trial, condemnation and death by his
irritated countrymen. AS it happened,
however, every thing turned out precisely
as the valiant statesman had calculated.
successful war is always popular war,
and Count Bismarck saw himself at
bound enthroned in the affections of the
very people who had denounced. and who.
had he failed, would have willingly hanged