Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1890-07-17
HE is BIsM aAoK sr4LL.
Tho Great Ex-OhanccIior r Speaks szis
nIsad EFeciY,

Correspondence Of tho London Times.
BERLIN, Jdue 49, Yesterday Prince
Bismarck received deputation repre-
eenting 80, goo citizens of Berlin who had
signed an address to the ex-chRncellor
and his reply was Substantially R8
follows.
"Since retiring from office ] have re.
ceived similar expressions Of sympathy
from many cities but feel particularly
touched by this mapifestation from Bsr-
lin, the capital OF the empire. or my IS
years have spent more than 40 there. l
am aware that have not in many ways
been at one with the sentiments prevail
ing in Berlin but l respect these senti-
ments. We are fond OF recalling conflicts
such as we he'd at school and the univer-
Bity and should have be0n delighted to
continue such contestH. / should also
have liked to go on living there but il
was no longer possible. The reasons for
leaving Berlin do not lie with me nor in
that quarter either where so many are in
clined to look for them. They are simply
to be found in the conflicting views of
my colleagues in the government. It is
only the unity OF government that
makes it strong. / was no longer at one
with my colleagues and therefore the
necessary spirit Of unity did not exist
among us.
''At that time had all the responsi-
bility myself, and therefore could not
Btay, but now l have no responsibility,
and so l can freely have my say. l feel
pretty much like Prince Metternich,
with whom 1 would otherwise not like to
compare myself nor seek TO initiate him.
He said, however, that he had descended
from the stage to the pit, and that isjust
the position am now also in. There are
many people who will not grant me this,
but every one who has bought ticket
for pit seat is surely entitled to criti-
else. Only he muAt exercise his right
decently, and not with shrill whistle. 1
feel it to be my duty to express my
opinion to the many who wish to hear
it, both at home and abroad, and not to
hold my peace. An old proverb has 1t that
when God places any one in Office he also
gives understanding to the holder thereof;
but people would now like to reverse the
order of this saying, and declare that
when God depriveH any one OF otiioe he
also dcprivss him Of his intellect. L9t
nae toll yor, however, that l su1 juDt ex-
actly the sRino n1e.l / waa three months
ago, and lay claim to the saina amount of
intelligence az sAen posgOsAod. Nos will
| yield to diotation, though should have
to stand alone. Il is the duty of a man
like me to be FREQ with his opinion, even
in the bigheat quarters. and the1e are
just the very quNeters Inere suoh duty
becomes imperative. A good minister
ought not to fegac'7 the frowns OF the
monarch whom h3 serves, bat out with
his opinion to hlIn, frank and free. In
the event OF az adverse decision, he may
thon choose whether ne will yield or go.
Use soumettre ou no demettre.N
"Bnt, though no longer in Office, l
have still retained the right Of every cit
izen to give free expression to his opin-
ion. 1 cannot demoan myself like o
dumb dog, aud have done nothing be-
yond supporting the peace policy of my
successor, which it was ever my aim to
promote and keep in view. Everything
l say and do is in the interest Of the
dynasty and OF peace. will not indulge
in criticism OF anything-not of the stlp-
ulaiions OF the Anglo-Gcrman agreement.
am accused or having granted inter-
views to foreign Journalists, but cannot
admit the jastlco OF the repronoh, for
formerly, when still in Office, the Russian
press was not available for me to refute
the manifold lies circulating in it. But
now, when in virtue of the repute which
still always enjoy, get an opportunity
OF serving the policy of peace, which has
ever been the task OF my life, by means
OF journal which has circulation in
Russin of hundreds OF thousands (which
journal is this?), people ought to bs
grateful to me instead Of angry with nae
for using it.
''Pacple may get angry with me, but
have always hesn accustomed to act in
accordance with my convictions. can.
not simply blot out 40 years of my life.
We're it otherwise, should have quietly
devoted myself 10 my oats and potatoes,
but to expect of me at this time of day
that should all at once turn farmer and
nothing more-ia it possiblep must he
taken Rs l am. Gantlemen, I shall DO
glad to hear that you agree with these
views Of minis, Rs we'll as that you mean
to adhere to the sentiments expressed in
your address, and which you share with
large majority of the loyal citizens Of
Berlin. the Social Democrats do mot
count as German. And now,
gentlemen, again accept my thanks for
your visit and come and take u bit of
country fare with me-"