Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1883-01-06
GERMAN NrEILHcruAL ASPIRATIONS.

It is the ambition OF the present rulers |
of Germany to create for their country, |
and especially for It's capital, a reputation |
which shall make it one of the worlds in.
tellectual centers. They are not content
with the weight which belongs to mere
physical force, and which the strongest
nation must share with the most untutored
hordes of Central Asian marauders.
1t is sought to make Germany the rival of
Paris in all that appertsins to Art, and
Literature, and intellectual development
generally. And to further this purpose
the German Government has of late been
spending very considerable sums in enrich
ing the state possessions in art and itera-
ture as for instance by purchasing the
Pergamos marbles, and by procuring the
excavation of the ruins at Hissarlik and
more recently, by securing the precious
and almost priceless collection of manu-
scripts formerly belonging to the Dake of
Hamilton's library. The English Govern
ment and people regret too late that this
noble and most important collection was
not purchased for the British Museum,
but few British Ministers would have
| dared without the consent of Parliament to
authorize SO large an expenditure. The
German Government paid $3.50, 600 for the
manuscripts, and it is the opinion of the
highest authorities that they were great
bargain. But when Germany has aecumu-
lated at Berlin all the art and literary
treasures she can gather together, how will
the desired expansion of her intellectual
life consist with the memorable require
ments of her military position? She has
chosen for herself condition which de-
mands for its maintenance incessant vigl-
lance. She holds her supremacy by the
sword, and therefore she cannot put Off her
harness. And how can a nation hope to
develop the best fruits of intellectual
culture while service in the army is the lot
of every citizen; while none are allowed to
shape a career which does not include in.
struction in the art of wholesale murder /;
while the State insists upon branding
every man with that brand of degeneracy
and ferocity which inforced military service
inevitably signifies and implies? The ex-
pertinent is an ambitious one, and the de-
sire which animates it is natural and
praiseworthy. But there will have to be
laying aside of arms and a relaxation of
the stern rules which for years have
made all Germany little else than an
intrenched camp, before the best
results of the new intellectual movement
can be obtained. And IL cannot be forgot
ten that the iron policy which has raised
that country to her present political and
military eminence has also driven from her
borders some of her most enlightened and
energetic children. From 1916 to 1880 not
less than 100000 Germans emigrated,
and the majority of them came to the
United States. It is here that they have
found the opportunities for peaceful devel-
opment which they lacked in their place of
birth. And yet with all the opportunities
the United States possess for intellectual
advancement, it must be confessed that our
Government and people have thus far
evinced little or no desire to take advant-
age of the peaceful leisure at their dis
posal. The German Government spends
$780, 900 upon single collection of manu-.
scripts. At Washington the Congress of
the United States hesitates to pass a
bill providing decent receptacle for the
national library,