The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1888-04-07
sroRIEs OF BISMARCK.
The AudscIty and self Possession OF the
Iron Chanceilor.

The AudscIty and self Possession OF the
Iron Chanceilor.
A recent number Of the Antologia
Nuova di Roma contains an interesting
article on the political and public ca
reer Of Prince Bismarck, from which
select couple of anecdotes, which
seem to give one good exemplifica-
tion of his Independent and at times
audacious disposition.
Bismarck had been sent by his mas
ter, the King of Prussia. to represent
him as deputy in the restored Diet,
which had met at Frankfort in 1857.
His sympathies at that period were all in
favor OF Austria, whose power in the
Diet was almost absolute. He consid-
cred her necessary ally of Prussia in
combating the spirit Of revolution which
was then SO prevalent and threatening.
not only in Germany, but in most of the
European countries, and up to that
period. under the policy and leading Of
Prince Metternich, in Austria. the rep
resentatives of these two Germanic
Powers had usually acted in concert.
Soon after his arrival at Frankfort
he was one day presen at a meeting Of
the Diet, in his capa city of delegate
from Prussia. Count de Thun, the
Austrian delegate, was in the chair.
and he was smoking. 1t must be men,
toned as curious illustration of the
manners of those days. and as exem-
plifying the absolute proponderance OF
Austrian authority, that the Austrian
delegate alone had the right to smoke
during the sessions of the Diet
Bismarck, an inveterate smo ker from
his earliest days. watched the prcsid-
ing officer with envious eyes. At tlength,
unable any longer to resist the tempta-
ton, he approaches the Presidents s
desk, and, selecting cigar from a
bunch of fine Havanas which were
there, he lights it and begins to smoke.
The scandal was immense; Prussia
had dared to smoke.
So seriously was the matter taken up,
that the delegates from the other States
represented in the Diet communicated
the astounding fact to their respective
Governments and demanded instruc.
tions for their guidance in future. But
this took some time, and meanwhile the
Austrian and Prussian delegates con.
tinued to enjoy their cigars at each ses.
sion of the Diet.
The other episode took place some.
what later, at the period of the Crimear
war. 1t is well known that Austria
and Prussia, with the other German
States, preserved strict neutrality up
on that occasion, and the Governments
of France and England were quite wei
aware that the counsels of Bismarck
had had much influence in producing {
current of public opinion in Germany
contrary to the policy of the western
powers. Hence efforts emanating from
London and Paris, had been made tt
weaken and undermine his authority
in the Diet and at the Prussian court.
The Marquis de Moustier, Frencl
ambassador at the court of Berlin, meet
ing Bismarck one day in society, sait
to him: This policy is going to con
duct you to jena" 'And why not tt
Leipsic or WaterlooP" was the spirited
reply of Bismarck.
The Marquis de Moustier was so i'll
judged as to complain to the King o
Prussia of this reply; hut he gainet
nothing by the step, as the King ap
proved and enjoyed the rep artee of hi
delegate. Boston Transcript