The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1888-06-16
TILE EAlpEROR'S SHORT REIGN.
The Career and NIIsfortunss of Frederick
uI-AscendinE the Throne to Die.

The Career and MIsfortunes of Frederick
uI-AscentIinG the Throne to Die.
The fates are rapidly making history
in Germany. But flew months ago died
the ruler whose life had spanned per
iod OF surprising events. In his infancy
William saw Prussia great Power. In
boyhood his native land was Inundated
by the First Napolean and lost one-halt
its territory. Asa youth he fought with
the armies that overthrow the Great
Napolean. With Blucher he paraded
the streets OF Paris. Becoming King
when au old man, lie conquered Aus.
tralia, overthrow the second French En-
pirc. again marched the streets OF Paris,
united Germany, and was made En-
pcror on French soil. He left the crown
TO his son Frederick, and within short
time after his coronation the new Em-
peror is overtbrOwn by death.
No blood has been spilled under
Frederick's kingshi, but his briei reign
has been 4 most tragic one. He has for
Il brief season stood ut the threshold OF
the great possibilities which lie within
the grasp OF Il ruler OF one OF the fore
most nations OF the earth, but between
him and this career has constantly stood
the certainty OF an early surrender to
his malignant and unrelenting foe. His
tory presents few figures more melan-
choly than this OF Frederick, ascending
the throne in his prime, but with the
death rattle in his throat. "There was
time when his friends imagined very
different career for him." says Max Null
Ter in the Contemporary Rcriew. They
believed that he might succeed to the
throne in the very prime OF manhood.
His father, the late Emperor, then Prince
OF Prussia, had been the most unpopular
man since 1913, and it was considered
by no means impossible that he might
think it right to decline the crown and
to abdicate in favor OF his son. The
star OF Prussia was low in 1878, and
it sank lower and lower during
the last years of the afflicted
King, Frederick William ". Few
people only were aware OF the changes
that had taken place in the political
views OF the Prince of Prussia, chiefly
during his stay in England, and the best
spirits OF the time looked upon his son.
Prince Frederick William, us the only
man who could be trusted to inaugurate
anew era in the history OF Prussia His
marriage with the Princess Royal OF
England gave still stronger zest to these
hopes, for while he was trusted as slikcly
to realize the national yearnings after n
united Germany, she was known us the
worthy daughter OF her father and
mother, at that time the only truly con-
stitutional rulers in Europe. England
was then the ideal OF all German Libcr-
ais, and close political alliance with
England was considered the bes: sOlu-
ton of all European difficulties. Young
men, and old men too, dreamt dreams,
little knowing how distant their fulfill
ment should BE-, and how dashed with
sorrow when at last they should come to
be fulfilled"
Frederick William Nicholas Charles
was born October Is, 1881, entered the
military service at MI early age, rose tC
the rank OF General, and filled several
important appointments. In the! wal
with Austria in 1866 he led an army oi
l25, 900 men through operations OF great
difficulties and dangers. BY series Oj
brilliant operations he pushed his way
through the mountains, fighting foul
severe engagements. July3, 1896, ht
Suddenly and unexpectedly appeared or
the field of SadowG, struck the heart o
the Austrian position; and decided the
fortunes OF the day. His marches ant
his victories finally established his repu
tation as an energetic commander. II
the war between Germany and Franc,
the Crown Prince played mos
important part. The close Of July
1870 found him on the Rhine frontier
in command OF the Third German
army, comprising 100000 men and 50l
guns. August 4 he vigorously attacked
the position held at Weissenburg b,
that portion OF Marshal Mcmahon
corps which was commanded by Gen
Abel Douay. The French were rcpulscC
and dispersed after severe struggle
Following up this important victory
I the Crown Prince attacked the unitet
army corps OF Gems. MaCMNhon, Failly
r and CanrObert, drawn up in position Il
Woerth. MacMahon had under hin
$4,000 men in all, and occupied stron
, defensive position on the slopes OF tn
/ Vosges. The Crown Prince arrive,
from Weissenburg In the evening witt
I 10000 men and began the attack at
. the next morning. The French line wa
r turned ut two points, and their left AM
g centre broken, Notwithstanding a des
perate charge OF cavalry ordered by Mao
s Mahon us a last resort. At the memol
) able engagement near Sedan, Septembe
/. |, his troops and those OF Prince Fredel
0 iCk Charles were engaged against mo!
L all OF MacNIahon's forces, and the qe
r. mans succeeded in crossing the Rive
|. Meuse, this difficult feat being ctfecte
c by the Crown Prince with the prussiar
and Wurtenbergers, supported by IL
@ BayariQns under Gen. Won der Tam
Il He next made his way towards Pari
L entered Versailles September 20, con
1t menced to throw additional trool
y around the Capital, and remained
K the vicinity OF the invested eli
q until after the conclusion OF pcaC
!. On October 2S he was created
!. Field Marshal OF Prussia, and Mover
!. Der s, Russian Field Marshal. Aft
Q, the termination Of the war, the impC
" ial Prince, as he had been styled sin
4 his father was proclaimed Emperor
IS Germany, paid visit TO England lJul
IL 1871, accompanied by the Princes
OF The Prince married January %, Isl
rs Victoria Adelaide, Princess Royal
es Great Britain, by whom he has sev,
no children, Frederick William Victor !
le bert, born January 81, 1859; Victol
n Elizabeth Augusta Charlotte, born Ju
ng "a, 1860; Albert William Henry, bo
August 20, 1852; Frcderica Anne
er Wilhelmina Victoria, born April
ch 1866: Joachim Frederick Ernest Wall