Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-02-04
DIR. HENRY GEFFCKEN.
A Brief Sketch Of His Character and
Career.
From the Pail Man Gazette

From the Pail Mali Gazette.
A short but comprehensive biographical
sketch OF the man who has just lately suffered
from the revengeful displeasure of that in
scrutable master of muscular diplomacy.
Prince Bismarck, may not be devoid of inter-
est to newspaper readers. Dr. Geffcken is a
wiry little man, considerably past middle age,
Tor when in 1855 he was charge affaires al
Berlin for the then free city of Hamburg. his
birthplace, he was twenty-five years old. An
earnest. persevering but some what noisy poll
tcian OF strong national aspirations, he OBJ
tanned ready recognition from many notabili-
ties OF the diplomatic world. But of higher
social rank than these partisans, the late Prince
Anthony Of Observation-Disclosures had
more than an ordinary feeling of respect for
his abilities, while the present Emperor VIII
liam III, who had known him at the university
OF Bonn, treated him as friend and compan-
Ion AT the time OF the German crisis. which
had its inception in the ''war of the duchess
and terminated at the battle of Sadowa
Gefcken made no secret of his partialities
and dislikes. His sympathies were rather with
Germany a confederation than with Prussia
as nation. Later on, Hamburg having lost
the right Of accrediting diplomatic agents TO
foreign countries, his fellow-townsmen. by n
vote of July 49, 1859, elected him a member Of
their syndicate
In that position he might have remained. in
useful but inglorious activity, had not the polt-
ical storm OF 1870 afforded him another oppor-
tunity OF answering the calls of a destiny
which even the influence of Hamburgian aspi-
rations was not sufficiently powerful 20 control.
DIR. Geftcken, the popular member Of the svn-
dictate, sent in his resignation, being deter
mined to try his fortune with the hubbub Of
political and social commissions where the man of
active mind often finds the road which leads TO
success and distinction. Armed with his diploma
OF Dr. der recf,te I'd. {. l.. he joined the aglta-
ton which had for it's aim the foundation OF
a Strasburg university. Here the choice of
professors was based on a principle of a wide
tolerance in the matter of political and reli-
gious belief 1t was by no means a sine qua
non that they should be fervent disciples of M.
de Bismarck. What was principally required
OF them was that they should instil into the
minds of their pupils the essential conditions
of the GermBnic system of civilization Dr.
Gefcken was appointed professor of civil law
at this university, where he pursued his CALI
ing with credit to himself and benefit TO the
youths of Alsace
When Marshal Manteuffel made his appear
ance on the scene as statthalter (governor), he
not only renewed his friendly relations with
Prof. Geffcken, but he accepted him az a COL
league, by comforting upon him the title Of
councillor Of state. About this time the
doctors health began TO be affected and pos.
sibly also his scholastic duties became irksoms
TO him. He had never succeeded in freeing
himself entirely from his political aspirations;
and even at Srasburg he was the determined
opponent OF Bismarck's plan of revision of the
old church laws, the 'kulturkampf," and in
consequence incurred the grave displeasure OF
the Iron chancellor, who plainly intimated to
him that he would have to 60 to '-Canossa"-
that is to say, apologize for his presumption;
and indeed the professor had to 60 70 '-Canossa"
in fulfilment Of that prediction.
Later on DIR. Geffcken published an inter-
esting work on the Crimean war. with
transcripts Of letters on the subject written
by Prince Frederick William, and copies of
dispatches exchanged between the courts Of
London and Berlin.
In the chancelors official report, which was
the preface to the arrest Of Dr. Geffcken,
there occurs, as every reader knows, the
extraordinary statement that the late Emperor
Frederick had disclosed state secrets TO the
court Of st. James. That such a slur should
have been cast on the memory of Frederick by
Prince Bismarck has possibly not surprised
many people. One thing, however, is certain,
that while the unfortunate Count Arnim was
undone, and ultimately driven 70 despair and
death, in his resistance TO the will of the Iron
chancellor, in this instance, with regard 10 Dr.
Geffcken, he has indeed reason 10 rejoice that
he has not been left TO the tender mercies Of
his unrelenting and unforgiving antagonist.