National Republican., 1884-02-26
Gnn,I rImn 10 Go Slow.

Good Time TO Go Slow.
The real crisis of the Lasker. Bismarck in
cident has not come yet. The first sensation
Of incredulous surprise with which the an-
nouncement was received that Bismarck had
returned the resolution Of the house was
followed by one of mingled amusement and
Indignation when the rumor was confirmed.
This was succeeded, when the text of Bis
marck's dispatch was published, by q pretty
general expression of admiration at its
courteous and dignifod tone, and at the very
skillful and diplomatic manner in which he
discharged very delicate, though, perhaps
not to him very disagreeablo, duty; for. 1t
must be admitted that the returning of the
resolution, considering tho previous friendly
relations of the two governments, was deli
cate duty, though we suspect Bismarck rather
enjoyed the opportunity of emphasizing his
dislike of Herr Lasker's political principles
and Of administering O satirical rebuke to
tho "illustrious house of representatives"
which had made the mistake of setting up
Mr.. Ochiltreo's views of German politics
against those of the veteran German states.
man. Tho princes polite suggestion that ~
should not venture to oppose my Judgment
to the opinion of such an illustrious body Us
tho house of representatives If had not, by
more than thirty years active participation
in tho internal policy of Germany, gained an
experience which justified me in attaching a
certain value to my judgment in questions of
home Affairs" is rare specimen of diplomatic
satire. Possibly Mr.. ochiltree may construe
it as q compliment in disguise and an intima-
tion that he is only q little lower than u
statesman, but the .iudicious will not cease to
grievo that the house should have permitted
itself to be led into position where it is fairly
subject to so sharp and scathing rebuke.
But, as we have said, the real crisis of the
affair has not como yet That will be when
Prince Bismarck's communication, together
with the returned resolutions, shall have
made its way through the regular official
channels and be laid before the house. The
house will then havo an opportunity of show.
ing whether it can handle a somewhat deli
cate matter in a wise and digniied way, and
whether, having committed one egregious
blunder, it can get out Of the predicament
without committing another 1t is important
that the matter should be treated in the right
spirit. Some of the German American papers
loudly assert that Bismarcks action is an in
tolerable insult, and should be treated
as cause of war, or at least as
ground for demanding an alb
ject apology. This is absurd. The
occasion is not one for "gostrating," nor for
wild appeals to the American eagle. The
plain truth is that the house Of representa-.
tives made a mistake, and the question now
to be considered is how to extricate itseli
without too great a sacrifice of dignity. The
h ouse very often sacrifices its dignity on
small occasions, and to ON almost unlimited
extent, but this is q conspicuous occasion
and the eyes of two continents are on it. II
is prominently an occasion for the house to
go slow, and especially to avoid the folly
sometimes committed by ignorant and hot
headed men of trying to justify mistake by
persisting in it after it has been pointed
out. This is the cheapest kind of consist
ency and the poorest possible sort of wisdom
The blunder OF the Ochiltree resolution was in
giving an official Endorsement of Herr Las.
ker's political career and requesting Prince
Bismarck himself to add at least a quas
official Endorsement by presenting the resolu
tion to the reichstag. How to retreat grace
fully from that position and get out of it.
present predicament without exciting either
bad blood or ridiculo is the problem which
will confront the house when the text o
Bismarck's communication shall be laid be
fore it officially.