Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1893-12-15
SAXONY'S HERO KING.
For Fifty Years He Has Been a
Brave Soldier.
Semi Centennial Anniversary Of the En-
trance Of King Albert Into the
Army-A Leader Among
Germany's Princes.

One of the most interesting figures
among the royal personages of Europe
to-day is without doubt the venerable
King Albert of Saxony, who, on Oc-
tober "a, celebrated the fftieth ami
versary of his entrance into the army.
King Albert early gave proof of his
military prowess and genius. He was
born April %, 1928, as the eldest son of
Prince John, later king of Saxony.
Under the guidance OF, his learned IA
Their he received an excellent educa-
ton, his special tutor being the late
DR.. Won Langen, president of the Ger
man court of appeals. When only nine
teen years old the young prince took
part in the work of the court, and per-
formed his duties so admirably that
Won Langen uttered the words: Late
sigma feres Saxoniae tuae'-thou wilt
carry the colors of thy Saxony far.
The words were indeed prophetic
The young man received his baptism
of fire in the February revolution of
1S49, when he did good service in the
streets of riotous Dresden. But he
first showed his conspicuous talents in
the war with Denmark, and for brav-
cry at Dueppel he received the knights
cross of the order of St. Henry, and
the Order of Pour lie Merite from the
king of Prussia. In the war between
Austria and Prussia in 1866, Saxony
took the side of Austria, and the young
prince assumed the command of the
Saxon troops. He covered himself with
glory at Gitschim and Koeniggraetz,
and his conduct of the masterful re-
treat from the battlefield on July 8,
after splendid defense of the Problus-
Nieder-Prschim position, earned for
him the thanks and decorations of his
father and the emperor of Austria.
Reference to his historical part in
the Franco-German war has often
been made. He was commander in
aided in the operations that ended in
the surrender Of Napoleon at Sedan,
and during the siege of Paris he held
the right bank of the Seine. He alone,
of all the princes, disputed the glories
of victory with the old emperor, Crown
Prince Frederick, Moltke and Bis
marck. Had it not been for his infu-
ence, the king of Prussia would never
have been made German emperor at
the famous meeting at Versailles.
King Albert is handsome, white
haired and white bearded man, with
the ashen-eolored complexion of the
statesman. He is exceedingly demo-
cratic and may be seen almost any day
while in Dresden walking or driving
about the streets alone or accompanied
only by one of his adjutants. He is
kept busy returning the greetings of
his loyal subjects, with some of whom
he often stops to chat. Since the
death of Emperor Frederick his most
intimate friend is the emperor of Aus
tria, whom he visits every year. He
and ''Unser Fritz loved one another
as brothers, and no one in all Germany
took the untimely death of the noble
ruler more to heart than the monarch
of Saxony. 1t is common belief in
Germany that the dying emperor i'm
parted to him many of his fears con-
corning the future of his successor,
Prince William.
Following out the advice of his
father to take Saxony's king as coun-
selor, the young emperor at the outset
of his reign consulted King Albert fire.
quently as to his acts and policy. But
as time went by, the young man be-
came more and more estranged from
his fathers friend and ceased almost
entirely to seek his counsel. The two
men have almost openly quarreled sew
eral times, notably about the date of
Prince Bismarck S dismissal from office,
and much apprehension was felt on
that account in the political circles of
Germany.
Like his sister, the aged duchess of
Genoa, mother of the beautiful Queen
Margaret of Italy, the kings early
life was marked by considerable ro-
nance. He fell in love with a woman
beneath him in rank and almost de-
cided to give up his succession to
the throne to make her his wife. But
pressure was brought to bear upon
him from his father and from many
sides. In consequence he led Princess
Caroline of Vasa to the altar in 1858.
The princess had once declined an
offer of the hand of Napoleon Ill, in
| whose defeat and dethronement her
future husband was destined years
after to play SO prominent a part.
The marriage has not been particular
ly happy, as is natural to expect
The queen is homely and prosaic, and
has never manifested much interest il
the work and career of her famous
husband. No children blessed the
union, and the king will be succeeded
on the throne by his younger brother
Prince George, whose wife is a sister
of the late king of Portugal.
The Grass-Eating Turtle.