The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-03-09

1 commentaries the event, and elbows how truly
magnificent it was The King is seen standing
before the altar, in the center OF the old cathe-
dral, surrounded by the grandees of Prussia.
the foreign dipiomates, and the generals and
| Ministers. He wears rich uniform, and from
1 his powerful shoulders falls, in rich folds, royal
| mantle of ermins and red satin. From pillow
Of gold he has taken the bejeweled crown. and
| is placing il on bis head with bis hands, as
If tn indicate that ne mas received it from heaven
and not from the people
| The new monarchs pathway sas by no me ans
devoid of Obstacles may be readily under
stood from the policy of the ne'Nly-formed MIN
istry. A majority or the Prussian House OF
their hearty support. but the feudal party and
the First Chamber united in opposing it the
hing. IN attempting to overcome this opposition,
appointed number of notaoles mem bers OF the
First Chamber in order to Offset the influence
OF his opponents The Prnssian government,
however, Notwithstanding these Conflicts, had sue
ceeded IN regaining her formerly digniied posi-
ton In the eyes of foreign governments, al
though internal dissensions followed IN rapid
succession. A few months snficed In bringing
about rupture between the King. the PrussIan
Congress and the people. Dissatisfaction with
the new government became widespread and
painfully manifest The conflict. once begun in
earnest, increased IN size, and finally culmiu-
ated IN the formation OF a reacsionary Cabinet
This happened in March, 1862 Bismarck at
this time German minister at Paris was recalled
and placed at the head of the Cabinet His ap
pearance caused great Indignation among the
peoDle and threats were made against the
Premier's Life Bismarck had up to that time
never shown himself man of progressive ideas,
but kept tenaciously einging to all reaetiouary
measures hoary with age and entirely devoid of
any liberal spirit. The King seemed bent
forcing a fight with the House of Deputies and
even Went so far directly charge them with
oversteppinG their constitutional authority,
which was nothing less than treason. Mean
while Bsmarck's policy took decided national
turn, like as if he was preparing for the unifica-
ton OF Germany. But the idea was not popu-
lar one, for the charge of aiming at aggrandize-
ment and attempting to Prussauize Germany
was laid at his door. Indignation ran high, and
IN 1864, al the outbreak of the war against
Denmark, the Chamber of Deputies de.
clined to vote the demanded loan
OF $4,000, 900 of thalers. Notwithstanding
this uncalled-for refusal the war was begun and
triumphantly concluded, the King himself TAX
ing an active part and showing neither fatigue
nor fear. As must naturally be expected popu-
lar septment relaxed considerably in view of
the glorious results attained. but the conflict
between the King and the ChaAbe of Deputies
did not cease here. The Chamber did not favor
the annexation of the two provinces. Scheswig
and Holsteln, which, political and most ad-
vantageous result of the war, were to be wrested
from Denmark. Austria, Prussia's allv, made
satisfactory settlement with King Williams
government as TO the spoils, and finally the
Prussian crown took possession of Schleswig
and Holstein The Prussian constitution
nj conflict still keps on but the Austrian
doomed up in the distance. May g. 1866,
the King ordered the dissolution Of the Chamber
OF Deputies, and without further notice pro-
cured the means necessary to carry the war
from the treasury. and, mobilizing the army,
war began in earnest
william In person took command OF the
and led it on to victory. The battle of Koenig-
gratz decided the fate of Austria. and after six
DAYS lighting the Prussian army had been VIC
tolious. Popular sentiment now greatly
Influenced in the Kings favor. and the election
for the Chamber of Deputies resulted in gov
eminent majority. 1T the opening of the ses-
sion William Acknowledged having acted hastily
and without lawful support In taking money
from the treasury after having dissolved the
Chamber. This act of the King was pronounced
as having been made in the most coneiliatorv
William ivad0 on
the best OF terms. The Reichstag of the North
German Confederation was opened by William
Feb "a, 1867, and by the terms of its Constitu-
ton the presidency of the Federation. as well
as chief command over its military forces was
conferred on the crown OF Prussia. William
formally accepted these rights. privileges and
duties July &C. 1867, and Bismarck was ap-
pointed Chancellor of the Confederation. Dur
ing the month preceding WIllism had, in COM
visited the worlds exposition Paris. and both
monarchs were EXTENDED cordial reception by
Napoleon I'LL
This cordiahty of feeling, however. wasE'not
of long duration. At the beginning of July 1870. 4
the crown of Spain being without any one
privileged to wear it. rendered the Prince
Leopold of Hohenzollern and his candidacy for
the Spanish throne had the unqualified approval
of William. Napoleon, however. insisted to
force leopold to renunication of any and all
claims on Spain. and on July II the French EN-
peror's Minister. Benedict, appeared at the
watering place of Ems. where William lad gone
in search OF health and recreation. A most
dramatic scene enacted at King Williams
hotel. Benedett who had been very pressing
in his demands, desired to force the King into q
position from which it would have been i'm
possible for him to extricate himself. Becom-
ing discourteous in his demeanor and language,
the King ordered one of his adjutauts to inform
the Minister that he had nothing further to
communicate to him. Benedict left, and in an
instant the whole OF Germany was aroused. The
same monarch who had been hated and desnised
was now an object of popular alteration. How
William shared the hardships of war with his
troops; how his patriotism manifested itself on
every occasion of victory how the German
nation gloried in his victories--aH this and
more is still fresh in the mind of the reader and
needs no repeating William commanded in
person at Graveotte and Sedan, sometimes be-
ing kept in the saddle for days and nights. A
most momentous day in the history of Germany
may be called the 10th of December, 1870. when
at Versailles that the plan of a regeneration OF
the German empire had been favorably acted
on by the sovereign princes and the free cities
OF the county The so-called imperial deputa-
tioE of the North German Reichstae was re-
ceived by the King on Dec. 18 and on Jan. IL.
1871, William was, with most imposing core
monies, crowned Emperor. March Is he re-
turned TO Berlin, after peace had been declared,
and he was received with unboundsd enthusiasm.
achieved these successes, unsurpassed In all his
tory, but he knew how TO rely on Bismarck for
diplomacy and on Moltke for strategy and he
shared the tolls and dangers of bis armies,
while his son and nephew stood at the heads of
them. He was now the ruler of the most pow
erful empire on EARTH and he meant to advance
IL on q pain markeu out =Uy mOuorSte LuOeraTSm
Liberalism involved It in struggle with Ultra
montanism. not yet ended, and too great moder-
alton in Liberalism provoked new regicidal at
tempts
Twice before the formation of the empire the
hands of assassins had been raised to strike him
down. On June IL. 1S49, unsuccessful at
tempt was made upon his life at Nieien-Ingel-
helm, while he was on his way TO Baden to-take
command against the insurrectionary republic
an forces. In July, 1861. just after he had suc-
ceeded to the throne of Prussia. a student named
Oscar Becker attempted to kill him. because he
considered him incapable of effeeting the unity
of Germany. the accomplishment of which |
proved to be the salient feature of his reign. |
Becker approached him as he walked up the
Alice de Lichtenthal at Baden, attended by two |
three of his suite. and fred at him twice with
pistol when almost near enough to touch him.
Both balls missed the monarch and lodged |
in an oak behind him. The wouid-be assassin |
was at once sliced, and soon congratulatory dis
be- ir.tc h.