Huntsville gazette., 1882-04-29
The Oldest of Emperors.

OH MdICu q w lIIdu l., Eli Uiol -
Germany and King Of Prussia, completed
the eighty-fifth year of his life. His
career is equally remarkable for its
length aud its striking historical fea-
lures. He entered Paris as Captain in
the victorious German army in 1914 and
again in 1915. In 1913, when the revo-
luton had overpowered his brother,
King Frederic William W., he fed to
England, covered with derision. In 1349
he commanded the army which was to
give the coup de grace to the revolution
in Germany, escaped an attempt on his
life, quelled the Baden insurrection, and
by his rigor made himself an object OF
execration. In 1857, as the Lieutenant
sof his mentally disabled brother, he in
augurated. amid general plaudits, the
s'new era" in Prussian politics. Crowned
King in 1861. he proclaimed himself
ruler by right divine, was shot at by
Oscar Becker, democratic student,
and, through Won Bismarck -Schonhau-
sen, opened the period of ''cont1ict"
with the Parliament. This was ended
by the armed conflict with Austria and
South Germany in 1866, and, returning
in triumph from the battlefield OF
Sedowa, he became the master of North
Germany and the royal hero of the
German nation. In 1870 he boldly took
up the gauntlet thrown down to him by
Napoleon I'LL, invaded France, and
sent her Emperor and her armies cap
tives to Germany, and in 1871 had him.
self proclaimed Emperor of the united
Fatherland at the chateau of Versailles,
reduced Paris, dictated peace, and an
nexed Alsace-Lorraine to his empire.
1t was not his own genius or sword
which achieved these successes, unsur-
passed in all history, but he knew how
to rely on Bismarck for diplomacy and
Moltke for strategy, and he shared the
tolls and dangers of his armies,
while his son and nephew stood
at the heads of them. He was
now the ruler of the most powerful En-
pire on earth, and he meant to advance
it by path marked out by moderate Lib
eralism. Liberalism involved it in a
struggle with ultramontanism, not yet
ended, and too great moderation in Lib
eralism provoked new fegicidal at
tempts. Hodel's bullets, in May, 1873,
inflicted no harm, but Nobiling's shot
nearly proved fatal ,and caused acute pain
and long illness. The Emperor bore his
sufferings and perils with fortitude, and,
after employing some rigorous meas
ures, allowed his Chancellor to adopt
a scheme of social reforms partly coin
Gliding with the demands of the political
camp from which the murderous as
saults had emanated. When his
nephew, Alexander H., fell victim to
the fanaticism of more relentless foes,
William refused to resort to exceptional
measures of precaution, declaring all
such to be futile. In January, 1882, in
an incipient new conflict with the Parli-
ament, he emphatically asserted his
right not only to reign but to govern.
FIrmness and vigor, in fact, character
ize the whole of this remarkable career
qualities which new trials may possibly
show in even brighter light, or ultimately
battle. This career may still be pro-
longed land the teaching of the Athenian
sage forbids US to declare it happy
before it is ended.
Long reigns are rare in history-long
royal lives much rarer still. Princes oc-
cupy one of the lowest levels in the
whole range of longevity. The air of
courts is destructive of health, nerve,
and vigor. Lives which early corrup-
ton, luxurious and effeminate habits,
unchecked passions, and unceasing ex-
element do not undermine, are fre-
quently shortened by consuming ambi-
ton or care, warlike toll and peril, or.
the murderous hand of conspiracy.
Among the remarkably long reigns in
history are those of Uzziah of Judah
(fifty-two years), Mithridates of Pontus
(fifty-seven), Sapor IL. of Persia (sev-
enty-one), Alfonso /. of Portugal (sev-
enty-three), Frederic ILL., of Germany
(fifty- -three), Christian w. of Denmark
(sixty), Louis XIV. of France (seventy
two), George Ill. of England (fifty-
nine), Ferdinand ". of Naples (sixty-
five), and Pedro III. of Brazil (ifty-one
till now. But Uzziah was a youth
when he was placed on the throne,
Mithlidates a boy,- Sapor newborn
babe, Alfonso an infant Christian II
years old, Louis 4, Ferdinand 8, and
Pedro 5; and of all the monarchs men
toned only George LII. reached the age
of fourscore. Poland had one King
who lived to the age of 8S, Stanislas
Leszczynski; but he reigned only five
years, and survived his throne fifty-six
years, living, in quiet retirement. We
must 90 back to the days of antiquity to
find William Is royal peers in age, and
the only ones we discover are Hero IL.
of Syracuse, and Masinissa of Numidia,
both of whom ended their reign at the
age Of about 80. The reign of Rameses
H., Paraoh Of Egypt-the. Sesostris Of
the Greeks-is believed by some Egypt
ologists to have lasted about sixty seven
years, and his life about 100, but others
reduce both his reign and his days to
normal proportions. ThRs no Emperor
known to history, no reighing King in
Christendom, ever reached the age of
William Ia. K. Erening Post.