Los Angeles daily herald., 1888-03-10
The ncad EnlperOr,


In the death of the Emperor of Ger
many the central figure in European
affairs is removed from the scene of
action. 1t is permitted few mortals to
inhabit the flesh for SO long a term as
did Emperor William. To a still
smaller number of men does it come
to see such great events as have taken
place in his time. His life covers the
most memorable century in history.
Great wars in his time have shaken
the political fabrics of the world to
pieces. The great Napoleon ran
his meteor like career while
still the Emperor was child. Twice
in year he entered the capital Of
France with the allied armies of
Europe, whose total forces were barely
sufficient to subdue that gallant
nation led by the unparalleled genius
of the Corsican subaltern. He who
as boy thus saw the man who had
trodden down his country brought to
bay, lived to see his own armies cap
ture the same capital and drive from the
throne the remnant of the Napoleonic
dynasty. AS an interested onlooker
he twice saw the combined forces
of Europe drive back the fell
powers of Russia into the lair OF the
Northern bear, and snatch the coveted
prey from the paws of the despoiler.
He witnessed and aided in the re-
uniting Of Italy. And as the great
work of his life, the ambition of his
heart, he saw Germany made one in
government and laws, as it is in Ian
guage and blood. His was great
achievement which crowns his name
with imperishable glory. And, how
ever much we may differ from many
of his views on the best
modes of government, we must
all honor the singleness of
purpose, the high aims, the noble
ambition, the purity OF character, the
large patriotism, and the high trust
in God, which were the lights by
which he always sought to guide his
steps. Greatness was stamped on all
he undertook, and there was no lit
tleness of mind in any act of his life
to mar his reputation before the
world.
In material things, what vast de-
velopments have the eyes of the En-
peror. now closed in death, seen
brought about The art of printing,
at his birth, was a crude and imper-
feet matter. How great the progress
to modern perfecting press, such as
a metropolitan newspaper is obliged
to use! Railroads, steamships
and .telegraphs were unknown
until half the Emperor's life
had been passed. The material
wealth Of the world has increased
more in the century covered by EN-
peror Williams career, than it did in
all the centuries of the Christian era
preceding his birth.
In all intellectual and social affairs
quite as great progress has been made
as in mechanical arts and their ap-
pliances. His own Germany has
been lifted up to most exalted plane
ofmental betterment as compared with
the condition of the people when the
century began. No man before him
ever saw such vast movements for the
betterment of the race in all the ele-
ments that make life worth living. In
all those grand achievements the dead
Kaiser bore himself proudly, and was
one of the prime factors in all
branches OF this stupendous progress.
Elsewhere in the HERALD will be
found q complete sketch of his life,
which has been prepared for few
days past and was intended to appear
simultaneously with the announce
ment Of his death. The lateness of the
hour on Friday morning when this
sad news wss made 4 certainty pre-
cluded the possibility Of making room
for it IN the issue Of yesterday.
As to the future Of the Empire and