The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1888-03-16
THE DEAD KAISER.

Emperor William is dead, and an en-
pire mourns the loss Of u king uniyer-
sally loved aud honored by his subjects.
The devotion Of the German people to
their old monar,ll WAS mol entirely due
to that admiration which all citizens
have for one who secures to his country
national eminence and internal prosper
ity. No other people more than the
Germans hold sacred the home or honor
domestic virtue; and in their monarch
they had an example which is rare i'm
deed IN royalty Of prince who lived a
life of absolute social purity. To this as
much as to Emperor Williams success
in securing United Germany is due the
regard Of his people for their king.
The old Emperor has not, however,
always been the beloved ruler he died.
In 1913, while yet Prince, ne became
so obnoxious to the people of Prussia
that for personal safety he was for time
compelled to TAKE refuge in England.
Ascending 10 the throne in 1861, of a
power which commanded only second
class position among nations, he had
great obstacles TO contend against.
Though inspired with an ambition to ell
eyate his kingdom to prominence and
Importance, his theories of monarchlal
authority came entirely from the idea
of military power, and his methods were
those of the soldier. This brought him
in direct antagonism with the liberal
party, and the resentment ran so high
that it at last resulted in an attempt up
on the life of the king.
Under these circumstances the plan
for united Germany seemed fool
hardy, but white the conflict was at its
height, Bismarck was recalled to the
head of the Cabinet and gave his atten-
ton to unification. Tbe policy was still
opposed by the various States, but the
success of the war against Denmark had
a modifying effect upon the people, and
when in 1866 the war with Austria broke
out and was successfully brought to a
peaceful end, Wilhelm had won half the
battle. The confidence of the people had
been secured ,'and the establishment of
the new German confederation was COM
paratively easy. Unity was promoted
among the different States, and the pow
er and importance of Prussia greatly in
creased. 1t was the war with France,
however, that consummated WilheIm's
victory over the prejudices of his own
people, and when. in January, 1871, in
the splendid palace at Versailles, he
was, with magnificent pomp and glori-
Gus circumstance, proclaimed and
crowned Emperor of Germany, he was
the imperial idol of the German people
| From this time forward he lived in
the very hearts of his subjects, at once
gloried in and loved, not more revered
as the Emperor than honored as the
man. The Germans entertained per-
sonal sentiment for the Kaiser. Bis
marck was respected as the instrument
of Germany's greatness, was the object
of national pride and satisfaction, but
with this regard there went feeling of
awe of the great Chancellor to whom ag-
grandizement of country was more than
the elevation of the people. But in
thought of the Emperor no sentiment of
fear disturbed the filiaI affection that
made the sight of him a pleasure, that
caused crowds to throng about his pal
ace, or line the way of his drive or prom
enade to catch but glimpse of him, or
bare the head with loving respect as he
passed.