The Sunday herald. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1866-1887, 1886-06-06
BISMARCK AND GERMANY.
Tho Empire Founded by the patien
Thought aHd tho IabOriOWs suiter
Tugs of the People.

| 1t is an old fashion for unthinking men to
| dsdnce the most contrary results from the
| same cause. Thus, persons who have for
years attributed England's greatness and
prosperity to her admirable parliamentary
system, and to the Manchester school in par
ticular, will now have us believe that
Germany has obtained her present position
only because she is despotically governed,
and that any one can govern well for time
with large army at his absolute disposal.
But this is not true. Were II true IL would
be very strong argument in favor of despot-
ism, which is, after all, the worst form of
government conceivable, excepting of course
an absolute democracy. Neither Germany
nor Prussia has been a despotism since lSlS.
The Prnssian army ia no pampered hireling
of tyranny, rs the French army has been
during tho greater part Of the present
century. With short and universal service
the army cannot form u body separate from or
opposed to the people any more than all the
school-boys or all tho apprentices could. 1t
is magnificent and mighty weapon for
| national defense, but III safe, as no army
ever was, from the danger of being used
against the nation. Its constitution, indeed,
makes it almost safe from being used for
wantGn war of otfanse. When German
| complains of militarism, 1t il not because II
| is an instrument of despotism that he objects
| to the army; tits rather because 1t swallows
| up so much ofthe brain aud the muscle and
| the earnings of the country and because he
thinks so costly a sacrifice to he unnecessary.
We are not of that opinion. To us it seems
| that Prussia, surrounded as she Is by mighty
neighbors, two of whom are of alien and uu-
sympathetic, # not hostile, races, and de.
Tended by no scisntific frontier, is only pru
deut in adhering to the tradition of her wise
princes, aud maintaining her powers of de-
Tense at high pitch. The superior strength
of 40 thoughtful and moderated nation Is not
| a danger to o her countries, as that of France
has been. On the other hand, mighty
force in the midst of Europe, by practically
keeping the other military nations apart. is
great maintainer of peace. With reference
to arbitrary government Bismarck and his
master have shown regard for forms and
have frequently yielded to opposition, in and
out of parliament. The Minister in his ear
lier period, it is true, raised taxes without
parliamentary sanction; but after the vic.
tory over Austria he begged and obtained a
bill of indemnity, although he did not admit
that his action had leen illegal. IN no part
of his policy has the Chancellor shown him
self more masterfIl, more self-willel, per
haps, than in his struggle with Papacy.
| Yet only a few weeks ago the ArchepiscOpal
City of Cologne, the chief seq of Germany,
which had been without a pastor for years,
was gaily decorated for the reception of DR..
Eremsniz, its new archbishop; and 4rcL,epis-
copgS reinp was greeted hy all ths highest
civil and military authorities. Now, DR..
Kremeniz, as Bishop of lirmeland, was the
first prelqta with whom the State made open
| breach, leaning TO the c0ntsoatiOn of his rev
enuas, at the commencement of the Kuliur
kdmpt. Again, within the last f-w days the
Chancellor has endured patiently thu almost
| sGornfTl rejection al his pat Spirits Monopoly
bill by the Reichstag.
II is therefore by no means trne to say
that the prussian government is other than
constitutional, although it does moi deem il
necessary to abandon its functions and 10
reserve the nations policy merely because
one of tlia Chambers airs some abstract views
on spirit duties, or On small farms, with
which the government does not agree. Not,
then, by selfish tyranny, not by violence
has the German Empire bsen founded. No.
is foundations were laid in the patient
thought and in the laboriOns suiisrings and
achievements of the German people; in their
moderation in the hOnr of triumph. aud
above all, from the first to last. in their
reason and discipline. Princes aud people
alike, they are more thoughtful than Other
nations, aud they are certainly not less
courageous or less ready for sacrifice. Wher
they have determined that an object Is
worthy TO bs pursued, they pprsue It., how
ever slowly, with resolution and with order
SHRINKING from no cost OF blood or of comfort
and they give their leaders generous conf
dence and obedience. BIT they require tina
their leaders shall hs msn--shall no rea
leaders. II Ia for these reasons and hscaus,
they are also strong and temperate that they
have gained and will maintain their gre at
ness. And il is because they have rscog