Idaho news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1887-1891, 1891-09-19
DOWNFALL OF BISMARCK.
A Little Inside History by Dr.
Geffcken.

portions OF his diary, kept in 1873,
were published, which showed the
hesitating part played by Bismarck
in the Franco Prussian war. Intense
followed this publication,
and DR.. Geffckcn was arrested on
criminal proceedings on the ground OF
ii the diary was not gen.
inc, and for revealing state secrets II
the diary was genuine. On this two
edged Indictment he was tried, but ac-
quilted with the censure oil the court.
To this DIR. Getfcken, now Imperial
Privy Councillor, submitted quietly
and awaited his turn, which soon
came in the fall OF Bismarck
And thestory OF thefall OF Bismarck,
with greater detail than it has ever be-
fore been published, at least for English
readers, DIR. Getfcken now tells IN the
July number oil The Forum, The
Iron Chacellor had, naturally perhaps,
assumed that his long and valuable
service and his great influence
amounting in many matters OF State
TO control over the old Emperor
William and his retention during his
brief reign by Frederick would insure
his continued power under the young
William H. Not only this, but hehad
for many years so conducted Imperial
affairs and so disposed OF men about
him as to make young Bismarck his
successor, aiming to establish nm
hereditary chan ellorship.
h'paFt . h5g, hivi, V,iTtR4ssl4 ~ af.bgaarss.
ment and OF expectation his sudden
and unexpected dismissalis one OF the
most dramatic incidents in political
history
The central idea in the critical re
view OF Bismarck career, made bv
DIR. Geifcken in this article, IS set fort h
in the following extract;
The true test oil the highest order OF
craftsmanship is its degree OF success
in forming a school. Such statesmen
were Pericles, Cesar, Charlemngne,
Lord Chatham, Washington, Pitt,
Stein, and in our days. Cavour, When
they died they left successors able TO
continue their work, and the reason
is that they believe in institu-
tions rather than IN men. /.
With Bismarck in was the reverse;
he always adhered to the Ctesarian
systematic zone man" who I'M.
dertakes TO think Tor the whole people.
To govern was, according TO his
idea, not to persuade, but TO com.
mand, and representatives government
was to command with a flourish OF
speeches, which should always end in
a subserviency 20 the ruling minister.
In fact, his opinion was, IL Empire
c est moi, and enemies oil tho En-.
pire We're always those who opposed
his policy OF the hour, his impcrious
nature rebelliug against all control.
Such a man could form no school; "a
soon as he saw rising talent he press.
ed it INTO his service or crushed il.
Therefore when he was dismissed.
Germany had able diplomatists aud
administrators, but no statesmen
He represented the corruption as
well rs the ubsoutist tendency OF an
order Of monarchy that is now every.
where dead except in Russia.
On the other hand, the young
Emperor, as described by Geiickcn,
in spite of his strongly military
utterances, recognizes the TACT that he
is a constitutional monarch An out.
line Of the portrait OF him, drawn by
his Privy Councillor, is as follows
William III, undoubtedly the most
remarkable sovereign OF the present
time. He is modern man, notwith,
standing certain prOcliyities which still
adhere to him, like pieces OF the shell
OF an egg from which the bird has il.
sued. With restless activity he SEXES
upon all questions which agitate our
time, be they large or small Today he
speaks on great European affairs
opens new issues to German commerce
and proclaims social reform; tomor
row he opens an art exhibition and
takes personal part in theperiorm
ance OF Nildenbruch's patriotic drn.
ma, "The New Lord" He preside.
over his Council and shows himself n
ready debater, opens u sCholastIccon
ference, laying, down his educational
plans, and indefatigably travels an
over his country in order to see eyery.
thing with his own eyes. Much in all
this may be attributed to his active
temper, but the moving principle is un.
doubtedly the high conception oil
his duty as "the first servant
of the state" This conception i
bound up with n strong consciousness
OF his eminent position; he feels him.
self to be the pillar OF the state called
to carry out "A great mission. As be.
fore the dismissal OF Bismarck he said
that he would crush any one trying
to obstruct his path, 80 he declared
in his last speech at Dusseldorf:
'Only one IS master in this country;
] shall suffer no other" II would he
unjust to see in such utterhnres.
caused by high consciousness OF his
power, absclutist tendencies on the
part OF the Emperor! lie il n consti.
tntional prince aud hasrigidly respect.
cd parliamentary rights. But in n
time when the principle OF authority
and order il undermined in mnny
ways, the youthful sovereign feels that
he lb the centre OF monarchicnl dis.
ciplinc, without which the Stnte cnu
neither exist nor progress, md hc il
resolved to maintain his authority
against Social Democrats rs well rs
a. - 1fsN 4