Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-09-25
ccasingly in the good cause from now
until the 9Th OF November.
Fredersolx.s Diary.

The recently published extracts from
tho diary of the lato Emperor FREpE-
RICK of Germany are revelation. and
not only stamp him as much more inn
portant factor in shaping the destiny OF
Europe than even his greatest admirers
had supposed, but seem to bring into
question much OF German history as it
is written almost from the days Of the
coalition OF 19l3-l5 10 the pres
emit time. Certainly they would
appear to discredit o vast deal that has
been accepted ss fact since BISMARCK
came to the front on the stage OF Euro
pean politics However, it would be
well to separate the text Of these extracts
SO far as given from the comments OF
correspondents before joining those who
would snatch from the iron Chancellorand
the old Kaiser all the laurels they have
been held entitled TO in the matter of
eifecting German unity. II would be
we'll TO pause and hear more-hear the
other side before entering upon a
crusade Of iconoclasm. This can DO
said without rejecting in the least upon
the memory OF FREDERICK or impugn'
ing what he has written. This can be
said without taking one cubit from his
statue, which stands for the ideal soldier,
prince, and patriot. History is very
plain touching the events that led to
the re-essablisbment OF the German
empire. That contamination may be
said to have been in accordance with the
logic of events as shaped by Prussia.
To those who have studied the story
OF the rise Of Prussia from the ashes
in which NAPOLEON ]. Frustrated her the
new empire appears to have been a
matter of manifest destiny. The atti-
tude of Prussia after the dissolution
of the old empire and through
all the vicissitudes attending Ger
man confederation shows That the
hope of forming new German en-
pire, with Prussia at its head, never
died out. 1t is even held that as far
back as 1Sl9 FREDERICK WILLIAM ".
threw away an opportunity OF realizing
that hope. Prussia's various conten-
tons with Austria, diplomatic and other,
had for their object the securing
of Prussian leadership OF the Teutonic
States, and these contentious final
" eliminated at Koniggratz, where
the Austrian logions were shattered
and all hope of Austria's becoming the
nucleus of German union was ended.
The Austro-German war was recognized
as, after Schleswig- Holstein. the first great
practical step towards forming the new
empire. 1t was recognized and accepted
as n detail Of BIsMARCK's great scheme
for the unity OF the Fatherland, in which
he took tremendous risks. The Franco
Prussian war finished the work that
Koniggratz had so auspiciously be-
gun. in that it united the German States
in common cause against hereditary
foe, and until the publication of FBEDE-
mcK's diary it was never suggested that
the grim old Chancellor and the old
Kaiser had needed urging to make them
snatch prize so long coveted and appa-
rently SO clearly within their grasp. Their
hesitation can only be reconciled with his
tory upon the hypothesis that the oppor-
tune moment came and was seen by
FREDERICK before BIsMARCK's pro-
gramue in its full conception had been
carried out.