The Russellville Democrat. [volume] (Russellville, Ark.) 1875-1898, 1888-03-15

first undergone the S.S. ~ SS
most careful preparation, he was given seat
and voice in the Council Of State. In 1slO
and after the accession OF his childess brother
Frederick William the Fourth, to the throne,
the subject OF this sketch became known as the
heir apparent and Prince OF Prussia. About
the same time he was appointed Governor OF
Pome ania, and two years later, during the alb
sence ofhis brother in England the conduct OF
the civil as well as the military affairs OF the
Kingdom was ntrusted TO him.
In March, ISis, when the insurrection broke
out in Berlin, he withdrew for awhile to En-
gland in order to escape the popular odium
then fastened upon him OF being an absolutist.
In the summer OF the following year he re-
turned 10 Prussia and commanded the army
which was sent to put down the insurrection in
Baden and the Palatinate, a task which, difi-
cult as it proved, he accomplished in six weeks.
II was while on his way from Niedus Ingelheim
10 Baden, June n 1s49, that an unsuccessful
attempt was made 10 assassinate him. In 0c-
tober OF the same year he was appointed Mill.
tary Governor in Westphalia and on the Rhine,
with his headquarters at Coblentz, also Gov.
crnor OF the federal Fortress Mayence or
Mentz. About the same time, too he was
made Grand Master OF the Free Masons, in
which order he, during his whole life, took the
lliveest interest.
Meanwhile his answering loyalty to his
brother, the King, well as his recognized
ability as counselor, was such that on all i'm,
portant matters his opinions were sought and
not inf equently his advice taken, or h is sug-
gestons adopted. In 1887, when the King was
taken ILL., Prince William acted IN his stead; in
October, ls s he was formally installed as Re,
gent, and was finally crowned King January 2
1861. Prior 10 his ascending the throne Prince
William had been recognized as the silent head
OF the party which was striving to effect tho
union OF Germany, and accordingly in him were
centered the fondest hopes OF every German
patriot. How completely those hopes we're re
allied, the history Of the reign viii tell His
policy from the outset while far from satisfy
ing the extreme Liberals OF his subjects, yet
showed the grandness of the mans aims and
ideas, and Indicated plainly the reforms he con
templated bringing about July IA, 1881, the
student, Oscar Becker Liberalist extremely
fanatcal in his views made futile attempt to
assassinate the King while he was walking on
the Promenade at Baden-Badeu. He urged, as
an excuse for the deed, the utter incapacity OF
William TO effect the union OF Germany, the ac-
complshment OF which, however. may now be
pointed TO as one Of tho notable acts OF long
and splendid reign.
In 1862 he placed Bismarck at the head OF
his Cabinet, as Minister Of Foreign Affairs,
and two years later, after procuring the co.
operation OF Austria in the Schleswil- -Holsten
war ach eyed a splendid victory for Prussia. IA :
sagaeity in selecting able statesmen and skilled
Generals, was only equaled by his unyielding
support, sustaining them against an opposi-
tion. His unbounded confidence in Bismarck,
as Well us in Won Room aud Moltke, was fully
confirmed by the rapid and brilliant successes
attending his forces in the war against Austria.
This wsr, in which he personally took an active
part extinguished Austria as a German Power
and pla, ed him at the head OF the new North
German confederation with Sohleswig- -Hol-
stein. Hanover Hesse-Cassel, Nassau and
d yFr.f L.
On the gath ofFebruary, 1861, he opened the
Constituent Reiohstag and on July OF the
same year made Bismarck Chancellor.
In June, 1867, in company with his nephew.
Alexander the Second OF Russia he visited
Paris, ana while sojourning in that city was
received as the honorcd guest OF Napoleon the
Third, then on the throne OF France. From that
time on the friendly relations between Prussia
and Russia were strengthened, especially as
the two Chaneelors--Bism BismarclS and Gortscha-
koff-were as much in accord were their re-
spectiye sovereigns As VIII be seen later on
this mutual feeling between the two powers
was no small factor IN the ultimate victory over
France, and In the hnal realization OF German
unity II has been elaimed by some writers that
King William. Ia his determination 70 have his
dynasty maintain its position as the protector
OF the Protestant faith. sought 81.
crush out Roman Catholicism. The facts
are /. appears, that HIS efforts were not direct
cd against the freedom nor the existence OF the
Catholic Church, but only against a dominant
party in that church, which sought 70 stite
popular education, forbid free thought. and
with the consequences. necessarily following
.eriogsly anect the happiness ana welfare OF
hts people.
The candidacy Of Prince Leopola, of Hohen-
solieyn for Che throne OK Spau, and tho Kin
objections against furthea interview with 10
French Ambassador, C0nnt Bonadetii 90 hjs
court becai1a the pretgxt upon which thi
French Government declared war aguinst Prus
sia; although .he real reason lay in the fNci
lhal NAnNln0n was lar lr0In sAl-snol WIN lhe