The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1888-06-21
GERMANY.

Emperor Frederick died on Friday,
the second to die of the rulers of the
German Empire within a few months
Frederick's death is greatly regretted.
He was liberal man in his sentiments
and much was expected of his reign
should it have been prolonged, He he'd,
moreover, bravely won his laurels in the
Franco-Prussian war and we eminenty
a ruler given to peace. His son, VIII
liam, who now succeeds to the IT, zone
is warlike fellow, He was evidently
born 300 years too late and ir sentiment
is far in the rear OF this XIXth century's
civilization. His father had hardly
passed away ere he issued proclamations
to both army and navy and boosted the
imperial purple colors over his residence
This unseemly haste to assume regal an.
thorlty is variously commented upon,
but the dread Europe feels over his ac
cession to the throne may or may not be
well founded. The proclamations to the
army and navy were weak papers inte'-
lectually-"wtr lord" and other mediG-
val expressions ACQUIRING with tantogi-
cal frequency, but later pronuncia-
miento bears the impress of Bismarck $
hand, and is as follows
To Ny People Gods decree has once
more plunged us into the most poignant
sorrow, The tomb has scarcely closed
OYER the mortal lemains of my never to
be forgotten grandfather, when His
Majesty, my war rly-loved father, is
also called from this life into everlasting
peace. The heroic energy prompted by
the christian self.slcrificS with which,
despite his suffering he knew how to
fulfil his kingly duties, seemed to justify
the hope that he would be preserved 20
the fatherland still longer. GCd willcd
differently. The royal sufferer, whose
heart beat responsive to all was great
and beautiful. He only bad a few
months granted to him to display on the
throne the noble qualities of mind aud
heart which won him the love of his
people. The virtues which adoi ned him
and the victories which he achieved on
the battlefield will remain grateful re-
membrance as long as German hearts
beat. An imperishable glory will j. u
mine his chivalrOus figure in the history
of the fatherland.
Called to the throne Of my fathers,
have assumed the government loOking
up to the king of kings, and have vowed
to God that after the example of my
fathers | will be a just and element
prince to my people, that l will foster
Dlety and fear of God, that | will pro-
mote the welfare of the country, aud
that | will be a helper of the poor aud
distressed and II lie ( lardian of the
right. In praying to God for strength
to fulfill these kingly duties, which his
will imposes upon me, am supported
by the cOnii ience IN the PIusjian PEP
pie, which a glance at our past history
gives mo. In good and in ev days the
Prussian people have always stood by
their king.
Upon this fidelity, which my fathers
have found an indissoluble bond at all
times of difficulty and dang'r, reply.
with a Consciousness of returning it
from the bottom of my heart as the
faithful prince of faithful people, both
equally strong in their devotion to their
common fatherand, From this CON
seriousness Of tie reCiprocated love unit
irg me and my people, | derive conf
denCe that God will vOuchsafe me-
strength and wi dom to exercise my
kingly office FOR the welfare Of the faith
erland. WILHELM