Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-03-15
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH.
History of the Emperor's Long and Eventful
Career Summed up-His Successor.
Emperor Frederick Ludwig Wilhelm
was born March %, 1897, and was the
second son of Frederick Wilhelm III,
king of Prussia. He was educated for the
army, and at the age of II took part in
the war which terminated in the defeat OF
Napoleon at Waterloo. He continued a
military career, and when his brother
assembled the throne in 1910, he was ap-
pointed viceroy of Pomerania. The rev.
dictionary spirit of 184S made him so
unpopular that for time he sought
refuge in England, osLensibly upon q
special mission. Returning in 1849 he
took command of the Pruasian army to
check instructions IN Baden and Bavaria,
and made himself military gov
ernor of the Rhine provinces. In Oc-
tober, 1857, he was appointed re-
gent of the kingdom of Prussia,
and continued to administer IFS affairs
until January, 1861, WHEN he assembled
the throne. When he vas crowned. he
put the crown on his OWE head, declaring
that he held it from God alone. and had
apparently acted upon that idea ever
since, directing his energies to the ag-
grandizement of Prpssis in the mainten-
anoe of strong military government.
This devele pment of authority and pre-
negative was attended By contest with
the popular elements in the chamber of
deputies. To strengthen the national
element he decreed the substitution of
the German language instead of French
in Prussian diplomatic dis patches and in
1862 Dissolved the chamber on account Of
their resistance to the military expendi-
lures of the government. La the emer-
gency he called to his aid
tho great abettor of this policy, his
friend and advisers of Bismarck, sum
moning him from Paris, where,
having been recently appointed, he was
acting as Prussian ambassador, to as
sumo the premiership and ministry of
foreign affairs. From that day forth they
worked to establish the royal authority at
home and strengthen the government
abroad. Various disputes with Austria
finally eliminated in a declaration of var,
June Is, 1866, and some severe fighting,
which ended in Austrian defeat at SadOwa,
July 3, an event which made Prussia the
leading power of Germany, and gave it
hold on the smaller kingdoms and prin-
CAPABILITIES which have since been absorbed.
Negotiations and treaties gradually
strengthened Prussia until July IS, 1870,
when France declared war against her,
and practically cemented the North Ger
man confederation in bands of steel.
The history of that war is still fresh
in the minds of the people. 1t was
a succession of German victories, and in
cluded the capture of the French emperor
first and his country and capital after
wards, the latter making stubborn resist
ance, and surrendering Jan. %, 1871,
after siege of 131 days. The terms of
the treaty Of peace imposed upon France
the loss Of fifth part of Lorraine, in
GLIDING Metz and ThionviIIe, snd Alsace,
less Belfort, as we'll as the payment of a
war indemnity of five m1lliards of francs,
or about one billion dollars in specie,
which enormous sum was to be paid by
successive installments extending over a
period of three years, or up to the month
of May, 1874.
Meantime the North German parliament
inserted the word emperor" in the con-
stitution, and by that title the victorious
Wilhelm was greeted on his triumphal re-
turn to Berlin.
Since that time the emperor's life has
been devoid of startling scenes, except
on Saturday, May IL, 1878, when Emil
Hoebei, g tinsmith, aged q years, tried
to ess8sssjnaie him at Baden. ard fired
five shots before he was disarmed; and
three weeks afterwards, when a volley of
buckshot struck him from house near
the scene of the first assault. When the
police rushed into the room they found
DR.. Charles Edouard Nobling, with two
bullets IN his head, and apparently sink
ing. He lived for four months. and then
died in a hospital. Hoebel was tried,
convicted and executed Aug. Is, 1878.
Both men were socialists of the most ex.
treme stripe.
The condition of the wounded emperor
was precarious for several weeks, and
the reins of government were entrusted
to the crown prince, with the hope of
removing the emperor from danger of
further attempts on his life.
Emperor Wilhelm, although a perfect
picture of q soldier and monarch, and
as perfect picture of kingly old age as
the mind coold conceive, was as eager for
amusement as boy, and his old phys
ic. n has frequently declared that The
most srying duty of his life has been 30
persuade his distinguished patient that
ne was over 40 years old.
He was married in 1929 to Maria
Louisa, of Saxo-Weimar. There are now
living as the issue of that marriage but
one son, the present crown prince, whose
death may be daily expected, and Maria
Louisa, present grand duchess of Baden.
As sovereign the emperor has been
especially venerated by the German peo-
pie, and his death Will be universally de-
plored by them. He has built up from
the materials which came into ais hands |
one of the most powerful empires Of the |
world, and his death, coupled with the |
probable fatal illness of the crown prince
his natural successor, will be felt through |
out tho empire. IN the event Of the |
death of the crown prince, the crown viii |
fan to his eldest son, Prince VIII
liam. Lit IS now no longer con- |
cealed that the crown princes SON Is |