The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1889-05-11
DIR. HENRY GEFFcKEN.
Tho Editor-Professor Who Excited
Blsmarck'S Enmity.

nc EQiCCF.FFOISSSOF Wno GNStSSSa
Blsmarck's Enmity.
A short but comprehensive biograph-
ical sketch of the man who Sas
just lately suffered from the re-
vengeful displcasure of that in
scrutable master OF muscular diplo-
macy, Prince Bismarck, may not be de-
void of interest to newspaper readers.
DIR. Geffcken is why little man, con-
siderably past middle age, for when in
1855 he was charge d'affaires at Berlis
for the then free city of Hamburg, his
birthplace, he was twenty-five years
old. An earnest. porsevering, but
somewhat noisy politician, of strong
national aspirations, he obtained ready
recognition from many notabilities OF
the diplomatic world. But OF higher
social rank than these partisans, the
late Prince Anthony of Hohenzollern-
Sigmaringen had moro than an ordin-
airy feeling of respect for his abilities.
while the present Emperor William III.
who had known him ut tho University
of Bonn, treated him as n friend AMI
companion. At the time of the German
crisis. which had its inception in tho
.'war OF the duchess" and terminated
at the battle OF Sadowa, GetfclSen made
no secret of his partialitics and dis
likes. His sympathies were rather
with Germany rs confederation than
with Prussia rs nation. Later on,
Hamburg having lost the right OF
accrediting diplomatic agents to
foreign countries, his follow townsmen
by a vote of 18th of July, 1869, elected
him II member of their syndicate.
In that position he might have re-
manned, in useful but inglorious uctiv-
ity, had not the political storm of 1870
afforded him another opportunity OF
answering the calls of destiny which
even the influence of Hamburgian as
piratiOns was not sufficiently powerful
to control. DIR. Geffcken, the popular
member of the syndicats, sent in his
resignation, being determined to try
his fortune with the hubbub of politi-
cal social commissions, where tho man
OF active mind often finds the roal
which leads TO success and distinction.
Armed with his diploma of Dr. der
rechte o.. {. L.), he joined the agita-
ton which had for its aim the founda-
ton of Strasburg university. Here
the choice of profc ssors was based on
a principle OF wide tolerance in the
matter of political and religious belief.
1t was by no means sine qua non that
they should be fervent disciples of M.
de Bismark. What was principally re-
quired of them that they should intstil
into the minds of their pupils the es-
sential conditions of the Germadic sys.
tenn of civilization. DR.. Geffeken was
appointed professor of civil law at this
university, where he pursued his call
ing with credit to himself and benefit
TO the youths of Alsacc.
Whom Marshal Manteufrcl made his
appearance on the scene as statthalter
(governor), he not only renewed his
friendly relations with Prof. Geffcken,
but he accepted him as a colleague, by
comforting upon him the title of coun-
cillor of state. About this time the
doctors health began to be affected,
and possibly also his scholastic duties
became irksome to him. He had
never succeeded in freeing himself en-
tirely from his political aspirations;
and even at Strasburg he was the de-
termined opponent of Bismarck's plan
of revision of the old church laws, the
"Kulturkampf," and in consequence in
Cured the grave displeasure of the
iron chancellor, who plainly intimated
to him that he would have to go to
"Canossa" in fulfillment of that pre-
diction.
Later on DR.. Geffcken published an
interesting work on the Crimean war,
with transcripts of letters on the sub
jcct written by Prince Frederick Will
liam, and copies of dispatches ex-
changed between the courts of London
and Berlin.
In the chnncellor's official report,
which was the preface to the arrest
Of DIR. Geffcken, there occurs, as
everyday readers knows, the extraordi-
nary statement that the late Emperor
Frederick had disclosed stlto secrets
to the court OF ST. James. That such
a slur should have been cast or the
memory of Frederick by Prince Bis
marck has possibly not surprised many
people. Ono thing, however, is cer-
tain, that while the unfortunate Count
Arnim was undono, and ultimately
driven to despair and death, in his re-
sistance, with regard to DIR. Geffcken,
he has indeed reason to rejoice chat he
has not been left to the tender mercies
of his unrelenting and unforgiving an
Pail Mall Gazette.