The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-03-09
TIE OLD EMPEROR.
sketch OF the Life OF the Great Sow
crcign.

William Friedrich Ludwig Wilhelm
king of Prussia, and, since 1871, Empe-
ror OF Germany, was the second son OF Fred
erick, William ILL.,, aud was born March
%, 1901. lie joined the army at an early
age, and was engaged in the campaign Of
lsl3-ll against France. On the accession
Of his elder brother, Frederick William
w, TO the throne in 1910, William became
Governor Of Pomerania, and afterward sat
in the prussian Diet and vigorously sup
ported the absolute party. In consequence
he was SO much disliked by the poo
pie that on the outbreak Of
the revolution OF 1913 he was
compelled to flee TO England, though he
returned some months aiterward and was
elected TO the national assembly. How
ever, from this time he interiered little in
the quarrols between the Constituencies
and Absoluiists, th0igh he gladly accepted
the command oil the troops dispatched 10
put down the rising in Baden, and in
October, 1857, the King having become in
capaci,ated for business, William was COM
missioncd TO act as regent, commission
ncnt installation in October, 1858. At this
time he was very popular in Prussia, owing
10 his supposed opposition TO some OF the
obnoxious measures OF the Kings minis
tiers, and TO his vigorous advocacy
OF conjoint action with Britain and France
in the war OF 1884, and his election as re-
gent was consequently opposed by the
arisiOcr1tic and pieiistic parties, who were,
al Ie..Nr
and more liberal ministry formed. On
January 2, 1861, William assembled tho
throne, and on the occasion OF his coro-
nation at Konigsberg, ON October IL, fol-
lowing. he himself put the crown on his
head, declaringthat ho ruled byt favor
of God, and OF 10 one else" The result
OF the elections 10 the Chamber OF Depu-
ties, which were being carried on at the
same time, being much In favor OF the
Liberal party, William, who was quite
asionished at the fact Of the party whom
lac looked upon az the opponents oil
the crown having n majority,
attributed IL 10 the intrigucs Of secret enc
mics. and in his address nj the opening OF
the Chambers, SAYING that he ''nevcr could
permit the progressive development Of our
inner political life TO question or 10 endan-
of Prussia" disclosed the principle OF his
policy, n policy which, with all the un.
| tagging perseverance aud unconqueable
obsiinacy, he pursued 10 the last. The
first Chamber, which sat after his corona
ton, was dissolved, despite the protest Of
a large majority OF the members, but the
succeeding elections further increased the
Liberal majority, and though some popular
measures were brought forward, aud some
obnoxious taxes abolished, the new Cham
Der proved M refractory ~ It's predecessor
| and refused It's consent 10 the extensive
changes In the Prussian military system
1.-THE Kings pet schomc) and 10 the raising
/ OF money by loan, 20 be applied for that
and other ministerial projects, tall it's con
siitutional powers were fully ackn0wl-
edged. On September % 1862, Herr Won
| Bismarck .Schonhnuscn formerly the EN-.
bassador at Paris, was made prime minis.
| ter. and the deputies having not only NJ
| iccted the ministerial budget, but resolved
that the expenditure OF moneys not sane.
toned by them was q breach Of the con.
stitution, the Chamber WIS dissolved on
October IL, the King declaring by message
that, as the three estates could not agree
he should continue TO do his duty 10 the
people without regard 30 Those pieces o
napcr called constitutions" In which he
had no faith. The number oi Liberals was
further Increased ~ the folloWin,
year, and the contest continued; the
deputies displaying the same iifInness and
extreme moderation rs before; while the
King and his ministers made II plainly
understood that II the lower chamber dil
what the government asked II 10 do, al
would be we'll, but II not, the King would
"io his duty" without is aid. However
this strife between the old icudal and III,
modern liberal doctrines was shelyed n
the close Of 1868 by tho ablo strategy o
Bismarck, who revived the old dispute
with Denmark regarding It's government
OF Schleswig.l lolstcin, and by forcinI
Austria 10 conjoint action, continued 4
make the question ono OF German" In
tcrcst. Then came the war between Prus
Ala and Austria William became thl
I'm 1867. At Ems, In July, 1870, tool
place the memorable interviews between
William and tho French embassado
Bencdetti, which ended In the war of 1870
II. William accompanied tho army, an
commanded at the decisive battles 9
Grayelotte and Sedan. On January II
1871, William was proclaimed Emperor Q
Germany In the palace Of the frcnc
kings az Versailles, and now, ~ complete
ly 20 rchabilitnto the old imperial title, Oh
ancient cnmity between Pope and Emperc
J was fully revived by the educational mca'
ures Of that period. In May, 1873, N
Emperor was twice shot NJ, being scriousl
wounded the second time. These q
iempis were attributed, directly
= indirectly, TO socialist inilucnc'
: and have led TO the legislation tending
suppress socialism.
During the past ten years the Empero
though maintaining n constant presence
Z Affairs, has contcnied himself with giyln
4 indorrmeut 10 the policies and acts OF Bii