Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-02-23
The German Education Bill.

The fight on the German Emperor's edu-
cation bill has, it appears, failed signally
to verify the predictions OF the wiseacres,
who commended it would show the exist
once of grave dangers to the integrity OF
the empire and an alarming undercurrent
of disafection towards the rights vested
in the Imperial crown. These contentious
have not only not materialized, but the
education bill agitation has been the
means of bringing to the attention of the
world especially strong evidence Of Ger
man patriotism aud conservatism. While
the opposition to the measure has been
vigorous and has not been confined
to any one class. and while there seems
to be no question that the Emperor's
insistence upon it has had the effect of
uniting what are broadly termed the libe-
raj elements In German politics, there is
no indication that the struggle involves
side issues which threaten the perpetuity
of German unity, or which should raise
doubts as to German loyalty to the
Grown. On the contrary we are confronted
with the fact that in the midst of this
"acute crisis" as it has been characterized
by the prophets of evil. the new govern
ment loans were rapidly taken up. and
that Herr BEBEL, the leader of the Social
Democrats, reiterated over and over in his
speech in the Reichstag that every
member Of his party would fight
in defence of the Fatherland should
Its liberty, Independence. and unity DO
threatened. The truth is that the issue
between the Emperor, or the government.
and the opposition Is fairly joined upon
what appears upon its face. and whether
young WILLIAM triumphs in whole or In
part or is defeated. the great work of uni
flying the German States and making the
people homogeneous will go on. The con-
test has thrown light on more than one
phase OF the situation in Germany. Though
1t has demonstrated that the empire is
progressing IN the directions of freedom
of political speech and thought it has
also made manifest German financial
solidity far beyond what was generally
supposed. and differentiated German So
cialIsm from the socialism Of the rest OF
Europe, which has Anarchy and Nihilism
for its allies. 1t has brought out in bold
relief the fact that tine German revolu-
tionary Socialist is the exception rather
than the rule, and when this is considered
in connection with the record that the
Halle platform is double modification
of the Gotha programme, the movement
assumes much more Ineligible aspect
than it has heretofore presented. That
many of the aims of the social Democratic
faction are irrational must be admitted,
and it is hard 20 understand how
any one claiming to be q statesman can
offer an apology for them. Yet, 1t must
also be recognized that the spirit OF the
party in the main IL far from smbodying
those radically VICIOUS and subversive ten
denotes usually attributed to 1t, and that
the movement Il constantly evincing dis
position to healthy reaction. This reaction
started with the Wyden Congess was &C
centuated in the Halle convention held
after the expiration by limitation
of the snti-Socialist laws. and Is finding
the most emphatic expression in tho cur
rent declarations OF the Socialist leaders.
Time. reflection. and government conces-
sions have in no wise operated on German
Socialism 30 - to commend it to the en-
dorsation Of political economists, seeing
that ct best Socialism Il impracticable and
self-reprobating; but these influences
have unquestionably had the effect Of
eliminating from 1t some Of It's most fanati-
cal features.