Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-06-24
Bismarck Speaking.
A SCENE IN THE REICHSTAG,

Berlin Correspondence of the n. Y. Tribune.
During ordinary sessions the German parlia-
ment presents scene similar to q sitting of
Congress. The wonted number of seats are
vacant; some drowsy representatives drop for
ward on their desks in sweet communion with
the god of dreams; the busy mass throng the
aisles, buttonholing one another and demon
straflng the "falllacy of the last speaker argu
ment; the country member writes letters; the
entire assembly is manifeStly inattentive, pro-
uuclng as much confusion as physical faculties
Will furnish or the speakers gavel permit. But
there are days when this changes and stiffness
falls uron the tumultuous house. Such quiet
fell upon the Saturday preceding the close
of the present session AS / entered ssTri-
bune b, the unwonted calm in the body of the
house and the interest shown by the spectators
indicated that somethin. unusual was about to
here and there in the boxes, stretched their
necks TO ostrich-like proportions, in vain en-
Gated that the chancellor was present-which a
nod from the porter soon certified. To hear
Bismarck is treat which does not often fall to
rare intervals. succeeded in wedging myself
into the first row and held 1t the entire AFTER
noon, not dismayed by the fact that my neigh
bors were socialists, nhilists and peace-breakers
OF the worst type. The Sunday labor question
was ION the boards, and Bismarck was strongly
attacked by the Opposition" The chancellor is
in some respects disappointing. He is not the
colossus in appearance that his photographs in
not the bulldog likeness attributed to it, but the
iron WILL the stubborn, aggressive nature, shows
in every line of his face. He Summers a little;
the door of his verbal treasury does not always
open at his bidding. He fairly gasps Tor word
at times, clears his throat, throws back his
head, waves his arms;-but when the word is
found 1t demolishes some puny opponent. The
princes speeches are not unadorned; they
abound in classical quotations and citations
and pathoS flow from his tongue with the same
unchanged mien; no smile crosses his face, no
line of sadness becomes apparent on his brow.
His voice is not that of an old man; all the SON
orous vigor of youth seems to animate it, and
though indistinct it ,penetrates to every corner
OF the great room. While sitting under attack
this particular afternoon, he became restless,
pinched the table, crossed his legs, folded his
arms arms and finally picking up huge penholder,
Looking toward the president he said: "The
gentleman has imputed to me the crime of rep
words before, but If have it is only IA proof of
the unity of my, course and policy. Perhaps,
when the gentleman has reached three score
and ten, as have l, he too may be guilty ola
known, fall into the habit Of repeating the
same story He spoke nervously, and the
"bravos" seemed to excite him. The paper he
held trembled; sometimes his right hand
thrown behind him: sometimes he twirled
dened its yellow stock; yet wthal his gestures
were Websterian in their almost studied SIM
came noisy: the aisles were emptied. Bcdlam
reigned supreme. Again attacked, the chan
cellor arose a second time. Men app ared from
every corridor, the sleepy ones awOke and rose
from the yelvety depths of the corner sofas and
elbowed their way through the fast concentrate
ing crowd; the confusion was hushed,
even the nihilists in the galleries ceased
their munching and pricked up their ears.
Proudly and clearly, with raised head and
ringing tones, Bismarck cried: 'The gentleman
wishes the labOrer to follow him rather than
the Chancellor. 1t is natural that he should at
tack me-natural that he should say the mo-
ment had come when could fulfill my pron.-
ises did desire to do so; that he should say
stand with the people of Manchester Oh the side
of the employer and not of the employed: that
all L have formerly uttered favOring the OPP
pressed was hypocrisy and simulation Intended
only to subserve some political purpose. l do
not demand that the gentleman be Just to me;
but shall say to Others and to my country that
he does me bitter I'M Justice. stand neither
the side of the employer nor of the employed.
l stand on the side of this nation and her COM
mercial prosperity, and will perform what, in
my Judgment tindependent of desire for pOpu-
larlty with either parity, can defend and back
with the signature of my hand.' 1t was II dra-
matte scene; for once the cold eyes flashed fire
and defiance. 4 storm of applause greeted the
outburst; bravo "bravO" echoed from the
ranks of every division. Confident of his vim
dication, Bismarck closed his letter-chest,
picked up his cap and left the house silently
he came,