The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-03-19


Owing 10 the meagre information attain
able al this moment, due 10 the suppression
ofnews by the officials Of the German Gov
ernment. 10 is impossible 20 fully under
stand the causes which have led 20 the res
donation of Prince Bismarck. Certain 10 is
that the reasons which have induced "the
man of blood and IRON 10 give up the I'M
portant charge Of directing the desiinies Of
of the great German Empire.-a charge
which he mas faithfully and ably carried
out for over a quarter of ceniury-must
have been unusually potent. From all the
lights before as, the following conclusions
are reasonably deducible.
First. II is evident that Prince Bismarck
is greatly dissatisfied with the result Of
the recent German elections. Accustomed
40 long TO almost autocratic sway, it cuts
him 10 the quick % know that he cannot
henccforth indulge his personal VIII wilh-
ont enecting political combinations with
the Centrist party, which has always OPP
posed his absolutism. Under these cir
cumstances his individual ipse diXit no
longer holds good, and that fact alone must
be peculiarly CALLING TO nature like his so
proud and FESTIVE under restraint.
second. 40 doubt the manifest tendencies
of Germany towards Democracy. as demon
strated hy the labor conference, called to-
gether by imperial rescript and now in SEA-
sion In Berlin. had much to do with decid-
ing the course of the Chancellor Being a
firm believer in the divine right OF Kings
and i'm an iron-hound government central
lied m the hands Of the Emperor
be looked with the utmost disfayor
npon the complaints of the people
being made the subject of imperial aiten-
lion and personal interest. This is why he
opposed the rescripts issued by the Emperor
converting the Labor Conference, and, as is
well known. he has taken no pains to con-
ceal his dislike 10 movement which he re-
cards ms only tending % promote socialism
tv webbing 10 the clamors OF, ss he believes,
an professionally DISCONTINUED populace.
But the most important and interesting Of
all the conclusions 90 be deduced from Bis
marck's action is the third, which il that
the Young German Emperor is both sagaci-
ous and bnn. and is determined 10 be the
ruler Of his own realm. lie sees the driit Of
events. and has decided that it is better
IN lead i'm the new course, so plainly
marked out for him, than 10 im-
potently oppose social revolution
which j. resistless. These, doubtless are
the reasons which induced him, notwith-
standing the opposition Of so powerful a
statesman as Bismarck, 70 present to the
world the unwonted spectacle Of emperors,
KINGS aud potentatos personally consider
ING the amelioration of the condition Of la
boring men-a class heretofore regarded as
mainly useful only either TO work so as to
add 10 the imperial exchequer In peace, or
TO stop the bullet Of a zoe in war. He feels
tbeDower ofthe growing observation-disclosures
racy. and rather than refuse Il recognition,
,,e prefers even 70 do without the counsels
of the man who was the mainstay Of the
throne Of his father and grandfather The
world will watch with intense interest the
future Of the young Emperor IN the bold
new departure which he has marked out
for himself and his falherland.