Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1888-06-15
frederick WILLIAM-WILLIAM VIC
TOR.

in comatose condition. We speak of
him, therefore, as having practically passed
away and left the reins of power to be
held by other hands.
Because this event has been SO long
expected it creates little or no sur
prise. But far more than the death of his
father is it momentous for Germany.
Wilhelm had rounded out and finished his
career, making German unity realization
and compacting Heretofore jealous States
into an empire second for all true elements
of greatness to no other. Frederick, how
ever, had but just entered upon a course
of political activity that, could its full
purpose have been accomplished, would
have made Germany not only stronger
but have advanced her upon the path of
progress to broader political freedom for
her people than is enjoyed by those of any
other monarchy Of Europe
Frederick was born October Is, 1881.
He received a scientific education and was
clothed with regalia as the Rector of
Konigsberg University. In 1858 he
married Victoria Adelaide, the Princess
Royal of Great Britain. To the pair six
children have been born, the eldest, Will
lam Victor, now succeeding to the Inn
perial throne. Frederick commanded the
second Prussian army in 1866, and con-
tributed to the decisive victory of Sadowa
by his timely appearance at Chlum. In
the Franco-German war of 1901 he
commanded the South German forces. He
achieved a remarkable victory at Weissen-
berg August 4th, and another August 9th
at Worth, defeating Marshal Mcmahon
disastrously. He took leading part in
the greater triumphs Of the war, and es-
pecially during the seige of Paris. He
was made General and Field Marshal for
his intrepidity and wise conduct of his
campaigns. He was cool-headed, conserv-
alive in his views, studious, liberal in
thought, and was in harmony with most
progressive German movements. He was
recognized as cultivated man and
Prince Of more than usually thoughtful
turn, and of strong domestic tastes. Ger
many reposed great confidence in him, and
he was looked forward to as the ideal of a
wise and successful ruler
Emperor Frederick recognized what
every far-seeing politician of Europe
clearly sees, that behind German society
are liberalizing forces which cannot be re-
sisted without grave injury to the Empire.
He saw long ago that while it would be
impossible to turn the heart of his father
from his idea of military strength as the
one chief factor of imperial integrity, that
nevertheless, the democratic spirit is
growing in Germans; that liberal ideas
are gaining ground daily throughout the
Empire, and that its future bond of union
must be that Of intelligence and political
freedom, rather than of military strength.
He knew and frankly confessed it, that the
idea of full representation of the people
has for years been occupying German
thought, and that what may be called re-
publican sympathies have been taking root
in the German heart; that reforms that
will eventually render the relations be-
tween Kings and subjects only tolerable.
are on foot in Germany, and that before
them Emperors and Princes must bend.
Instead of attempting to stem tide that is
irresistible, he choose to labor for the direc-
tion of its course. Had he been spared a
few years longer Germany would have been
found under a broader constitution, and
enjoying representative forms and guar
antees, and maintaining very much less of
the rigor of Imperialism than now. An
evidence of this fact is to be found in the
warm partisanship of Frederick for the
new franchise bill for Prussia, which is al
most the counterpart of the English sys-
tenn.
As Frederick the Emperor dies, the EN-
peror, Frederick William Victor, his son,
lives. He was born in January, 1859, and
hence ascends the Imperial throne very
young man. He is reported to be almost
the exact opposite of his father in states
manlike qualities, caution, foresight and
In the direction of his ambition for Ger
many. He is said to be so intensely Ger
man that he is lacking in that natural re-
spect due his mother because she is Eng
hsh. Ii present estimate of his character
is correct, he is hot-headed, intolerant and
extreme in his views concerning the ne
cessity for maintaining the military
strength of the nation. But it is possible
that the crown will bring with it some
thing of conservatism. 1t is unthinkable
that the young mans blood should con-
time radically hot when he is brought
face to face with the responsibilities of ad-
ministering the affairs of the first nation
of Europe. But, at the best, Germany
has reason to entertain fear. William, as
We have said, is iptoleram, tempestuous
and SO radically German as to be said to
AdNoi oSNStS mSdsuTeS against Glasses OF re-
hgionists not in accord with the dominant
faith. Bismarck is not strongly attached
to the young man; there are few ties TO hold
him to the ruler, such as existed few
weeks ago between the Minister and the
Emperor. He has reached the years
when retiraey is very inviting and Ger
many is becoming secondary to the com
forts old age demands. There will be called
very soon, therefore, new Minister to
stand at the helm and counsel the Imperial
pilot. If rumor is OF any truth there is
woman already influencing William, whose
wisdom is not such as supports States or
directs the affairs of nations. The dowa
ger Empress will be in disfayor with the
throne, and her councils receive little or
no attention. 1t is reasonable therefore,
to look for some radical changes in Ger
man policy within the year, and they will
not, in all likelihood, be promotive of cor
dial relations with other powers. For
eigners in Germany will find that the new