Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-06-02
Frederick III.


Every one who last June witnessed the glorious
procession OF the queen to and from Westminster
Abbey will ever remember one royal figure tower
ing above all the rest-the crown prince OF Ger
many, as he was then, Respondent In his silver
helmet ana white tunic OF the PrusSian cuiras-
siers, the very picture Of manly strength. He is
now the emperor OF Germany. and when we think
OF him as travelling from San Reno TO Berlin
through storm and snow, wrapped up In his gray
HohenZollern cloak, sad and silent man, is there
In all history a more tragic contrast? But there
beats In the breast OF Frederick iii same stout
heart that upheld Frederick III at Hochkircben.
he does not know what danger means, whether it
comes from within or from without. II face my
Illness he said TO his friends, 'aS faced the bull
lets al koniggyatz and Worth" And forward he
rides undiSInayed, following the trumpet-call OF
duty, and not swerving one inch from the straight
and rugged path which now lies open before him.
There was a time when his friends imagined
very different career for him. They believed that
he might succeed 10 the throne in the very prime
OF manhood His father, the late emperor then
prince OF russia, had been the most unpopular
man since 1878, and II was considered by no means
impossible that he might think IL right to decline
the crown and To abdcate in favor OF his son. The
star OF Prussia was very low In 1S4S, and 1t sank
lower and lower during the last years OF the af-
tllcted king, Frederick William ". Few people
only were aware OF the changes that had taken
place In the political views OF the prince OF PruS-
STA, chiefly during his stay in England, and the
best spirits OF the time looked upon his son. Prince
Frederick William, as the oaly man who could be
trusted TO 1naugufate a new era In the history OF
Prussia His marriage with the princess royal OF
England gave still stronger ZeSt to these hopes for
while he was trusted as likely to realize the ma
tional yearnings after a united Germany she was
known as the worthy daughter OF her father and
mother, at that time the only truly constitutional
rulers in Europe. England was then the ideal OF
all German liberals, and close political alliance
with England was considered the best solution OF
all European difficulties. Young men and old
men, TOO, dreaInt dreams, little knowing how dis
tant their fulnllment should be, and how dashed
with sorrow, when at last they should come to be
fulfilled.
Tine nrtnce himself knew ,,rohab,v ano,,
the hopes that were tEen conferred on him. but for
a man OF his yigor and his eagernesS TO do some
useful work. the long years OF inactivity which fol-
lowed were a severe trial IL has been the tradi-
ton In Prussia that the heir to the throne is
allowed less power and influence than almost any
body. He may De a soldier, but, whether as sol.
der or politician, he is expected TO stand aloof,
10 keep silent, and to obey. In the violent consti-
tutional conflicts which began soon after his
fathers accession to the throne the young crOwI
prince felt himself isolated and unable to side
with either party In struggle the nature OF
JectS OF which he was not allowed to foresee
what could be more trying TO him than this en-
forced neutrality, when he and those nearest and
dearest TO min felt, whether nightly or wrongly,
that the safety OF the throne waS being leop.
arded, and the great future OF Pr ISsia, as the
leader OF the German people, forfeited forever?
IL would, however, be a mistake TO Imagine that
the years OF his manhood have been passed In
idienesS. Good care Is taken In Prussia that no
one, not even the heir TO the crown, should enjoy
a sinecure IL required hard work TOR the crown
prince TO make himself soldier such as he has
proved himself In two wars but he never flinched
from these military duties, whether they were
cOngenial 10 him or not. Then came his social
duties, his constant visits 10 foreign courts his
representative functions on every great occasion
II Germany or In Prussia.
Ana besides these public duties he made plenty
OF work for himself IN which, helped and Inspired
by the crown princess he could more freely follow
the natural bent OF his mind and his heart The
pupil OF Prof. CurtiuS, he preserved through life
warm interest In historical and archaeological re-
searches. When he was able To help he was ready
TO do so, and a limited sphere OF Independent ac-
ton was at last given him, as the patron
OF all museums and collections OF works
OF art In Prussia The conscientious dis
charge OF these duties, often under con-
siderable difficulties, has borne ample Iruit and
Will not easily be forgotten by those who worked
under him and with him And, as the crown prin-
cess assisted him, so he was able 10 support the
crown princess In her interchangeable endeayors to
improve the education OF women, the nursing OF
the poor, the sanitary state or dwellings, aud In
many other social reforms which were far from
popular when they were frst started In Prussia by
which were 50 near his heart he had no voice nav
his own IDEAS had often to be kept concealed lest
they might encounter even more determined op-
position than they would II advanced by Others
The political Views OF the crown prince and those
who thought with him have often been Criticised
and The best answer TO them has been found IN
the success OF that policy OF which neither he nor
bis father, when he was still prince OF Prussia
could fully approve. Men think, because they are
wiser now, they were wiser Them but q successful
policy Is not necessarily the wisest policy.
There is a divinity that shapes our ends
Rough hew them how We Will.