New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-04-19
DIR. WINDTHORST.
GERMANY'S GREATEST ORATOR-HIS LONG
FIGHT AGAINST PRUSSIA.
Berlin. March 20.

Berlin, March 20.
The death of Dr. Ludwig windthorst removes
one Of the most interesting and picturesque figures
from the Parliament Of Germany With the pos
sible exception of Prince Bismarck and General
Won Moltke, no man in Berlin was so we'll known
as the Centres favorite leader During the last
few years of his life, however, he seldom seen
In the streets Of the metropolis Failing eyesght
made walking difficult and dangerous. in coise-
quence of his defect he invariably appeared in pub
Lie in the company of member of his party, who
acted at once as his secretary and guide. Onerous
as were these duties they were labors Of love.
DR.. Windthorst idolized by his party, the MEM
bers of which We'd with one another in devising
means to aid or please their hoary leader Almost
daily, during the session, half-dozen Of his fol-
lowers called at his house to accompany him to
the Rechstag, where he sat for so many years
Visitors to the Parliamentary Building in the
Leipzigerstrasse which probably shelters more
learned men than any similar structure in the
world always asked to see Die kleine EXcellenZ.
Sitting in the front row of the Centre, almost OPP
pSsite the chair Of the president, he was one OF
the most conspicuous figures Less than hVe feet
in height with small body and delicate features
he had the massive head and broad brow of
giant Over its crown, almost devoid of its
natural covering he was won't to wear black
silk cap. In front of his gray eyes stood great
blue spectacles which well-nigh covered the small
inquisitive nose. His checks were almost beard.
less His mouth was unusually large, ana WIZ
the lines about his nose lent humorous, CRAFTY
expression to the whole face. He was exception
ally homely, and his peculiar face could not 1all
10 call I'D the Darwnan theory of the origin OF
man. While listening to debate, he ieaneu over
on his desk as though sleeping His feet, failing
| UloA in
fective eyesight precuded the taking of notes. and
! his retentiye memory made such labor unneces-
sary Strangers unacquainted with his ways
would naturally believe him totally Indifferent TO
his surroundings and to the points made by the
sneakers. But in that they were mistaken. lie
kbeard all and remembered all. That member VINO
counted upon bis inattention lived to regret MS
error. ,,
The Rechstag, on ordinary days, differs little
| from the House of Representatives in washington
| Men come and go at will They chat' .iiey
promenade in the neighbOrng corridors; they steep
| in the velvety depths of the corner SOFAS 'heS
| do anything save pay attention 10 tne oruin"iS
| speaker. But when the Pearl Of Meppen, as
Windthorst was lovingly called by his admirers, as
cended the rostrum, leaned with his right hand
upon the desk and cried Meme Herren,' all thao
was changed Members came running from INC
anterOOms, conversation was stopped, the Sea's
were occupied, the aisles became crowded. inc
stenographers at the desks sharpened their pencils
and the people in the galleries leaned forward
| to catch his words His voice echoed without
interruption. No one but Bismarck, when Chan
cellor. could exact the same homage and attract
| the same attention. But DR.. Windthorst was an
| orator: Bismarck was not. Germany, strange 10
| say. has never been nation Of orators IL mas
| had no Pitt, Burke or Fox; no Webster, Clay or
| Calhoun. The masterpieces OF American elo-
| quence, which every American schoolboy deems IL
| his duty to decaim to his fellows at some period
| of his youthful career, have no counterparts IN
the literature of Germany. To this day the school
BOYS and college students declaim poetry; for
| they have only poetry to dcclaim. DR.. Windt-
| horst gifted with a magnificent voice, deep,
| plant and sonorous, was master or
| every art of the rhetorician ana
| the possessor of rich storehouse OF words ana
knowledge But despite his capabilities, he rarely
began a debate He delayed as a rule till other
members had presented their views. His gift OF
seeing flaws in the reasoning and conclusions Of
his opponents was unexcelled He was master
of inyective and sarcasm. To be pitied was the
| man whom he chose as the butt of his wit. SO
often indeed did he make use of his humorous
talents that the members Of the Reichstag almost
| forgot that he could be pathetic in speech Dur
ing q memorable speech upon religious ques-
ton in the hot days of the CulturlSampf, the
Deputies laughed at DR.. WindthOrsts plaintive
pleas. He stopped in the middle of a flowing
sentence then turning to the stenographers' table,
| he cried,
Gentlemen, I wish you to note that the men,
beers of this honorable body have laughed at re-
ligion and the Church"
The unexpected command was magical in its
| no cpnilQc aVQn
disappeared from the mems faces. and the orator
finished his speech amid rounds of applause
DIR. Windthorst's life was passed in uninterrupted
labor. The son of poor peasant, he is another
illustration of the fact that political fame Is
nossible in Germany to men of humble birth and
| breeding His childhood was comparatively I'M
| eventful. In the Fatherland. as in other coun'
| tries. there are fortunately perhaps more great
| bovs than great men. Yet Windthorst was one
| of those promising youths who more than 1uinliea
the hopes of his friends and admirers. AT schooi
be DISTINGUISHED himself above his fellows, and In
the college at Osnabrueck professors for years
smoke Of his meteoric career, and held him up
as an example for other students to initiate.
Even in those days, however he showed qliallty
which always remained distinguishing character
stic He was stubborn. The quality was SO
distasteful to his family and led to so many quar-
relS that his fatner detEInlneu w aPPi'Hoi0" LA"
70 a shoemaker of the village adjoining his farm.
To the prOtestations of bis teachers ana rea,ions
at this time Windthorst alone owes his political
fame. Next. his father wished him to
studv for the priesthood. But his tastes
led him to law. When he was ap-
pointed Hanoverian Minister of Justice, DIR.
Windthorst found it necessary to choose home
in the provincial capital. After numerous trials
he at last found one which suited himself and
family The preliminaries were all attended to
| and the contract was ready to sign.
"And what are your name and position?" asked
| the hostess.
Ludwig windthorst, Minister of Justice was
the reply.
"Ah Then I beg pardon said the woman.
If you are Minister. l cannot give you my