Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-06-16
Emperor Fredeuck Dead.


The star Of Germany's hope has descended
into the dark valley, and again grief draws
her gloomy curtains around the Fatherlapd.
The brief reign Of the peace-lOving soye-
reign is DER. "Thy servant, FREDERICK the
Emperor" Is dead. What life, what
reign. what a dcathl Not in this century
has there fallen In Europe figure on which
was centred more NJ the admiration oil the
civilized world. Not in this century has
monarch taken up the sceptre for whom
more earnest and universal supplication as
ccnded that be might long be spared 10
WELD It. Not in this century has ruler
come 10 the throne who, saving bis physical
trouble. gave greater promise to his subjects.
TGgDLmcK had been the idol OF the German
masses from his youth. No memories OF
1873 chung about him; no record OF
absolutsm barred his way TO popular
regard, as had been the case with
his grim Old fataer. The last Emperor
won the people by the policy OF blood and
iron BISMARCK had mapped out for him.
FREDERICK won them by being OF them.
Long before be antagonized BISMARCK touch
Ing the freedom Of the press; long before
Koenig,gra,z and Worth be was known
and spoken Of as the "hope Of the land"
Though every zach soldier and every inch
IN emperor, he shone brightest in the paths
of peace. and when breaking down the d.
vinitv " that hedgcd king he leanedupon the
love and me loyaltyoi the populacc The pic
turc OF FEEDrmcK's reign IS one OF the
saddest yet one OF the nOblest ever presented
for the contemplation Of the world. Short
o. It was il will mark an era in the history
Of modern timcs-au era illumined 10y &
grand pcrsonitcltiOn OF duty. His three
months Of imperial power were months OF
work with the hand Of death clutchsd about
him. 81 have no time for rest" he said. lie
held the crown TO be sacred trust; knew
that that night approached wherein no man
could labor, and worked whIle it was
vet day; though the light Of dsy was par
italy obscured by the gathering clouds OF
eternity on the very verge OF the I'M
known his great heart was with the people,
tional absolutlsm with the present liberal
tendencies OF The age without endangering the
unity Of the Fatherland or bringing into
question the loyalty and the patriotism OF
those who had served the empire and his
father faithfully aud well. Could there be
worthcr ambltlonS lie made a fight for
life that he might battle for . broader recog'
milton Of the wisdom and patriotism OF the
mssses. Could there be a more inspiring
spectacle for those VINO are to follow him? To-
day the sympathy ofall civilized nations goes
out 10 Germany, and with her mourn oil who
can appreciate the true, the good, and the
valorOus. FREDEHCK's life as Crown Prince
was life of splendOr, in which his deeds IN
arms were only echpsed by his acts OF kind
ness 10 and his consideration for the humble.
Ills reign was a reign OF forttude such as
la, had few parallels. His death was death
OF glory. For Il il be true. as the old Latin
father says, "Glory follows virtue as II 1t
were It's shadow" then the shadow OF
death that so long broodcd over FREDERICK
was gloriGed-glorilled with sublime, an
almost supernal radiance. For years the
hero Princes name was household word IN
every German family. For all time the hero
Emperor's name will be enshIined In the
German heart. Whatever changes the
future may bring to the empire-whateyer
may be written in the book Of destiny
touching the house OF HOHENzOLLERN-the
memory OF "Thy servant, FREDERICK the
Emperor" Will remain az fragrant as the
perfume Of the yiolets be loved so well, and
never fail TO suggest the nobest type OF
husband, father, soldier. patriot, ruler, and
man