St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1893-10-01
CARDINAL AND PRINCE.

CARDINAL AND PRINCE,
Who has not read, or seen upon the
stage, that superb creation of Bulwer's
genius, ''RIchelieu?" And vino has not
been fascinated by the mastery por-
trayal of character unique in history,
intense in It's ideafism, consummate i'll
its craft and comprehensive grasp of
human frailties, strong in its human
love, grand in the fervor of ITS patriot
ism? 1t is drama that will live as long
as the human race. II is picture of
human passion in its baSer as well as its
most exalted phases. 1t is an illustra-
ton Of how intrigue may be circum-
vented and overcome by counter-in-
trigue welded by master of the art.
And III its elimination the genius of the
dramatist scars into the realm of the
superb. Mastery in its every detail, it
adheres to historical accuracy while
possessing a powerful element of ro-
nance, absorbing In interest and limned
with an artists touch.
Cardinal Richelieu. in the reign of
Louis XIV, was the veritabie dictator
of France. The king, a weakling. given
over to self-indulgence, had committed
all affairs of state into his hands. At
his beheSt the pr0udest mobiles Of the
kingdom were cast into the BaStille and
their estates confiScated to the state.
Yet his great power was not abused.
Filled with an alI-eonsuming patriotism,
Richelieu bent his every energy to tn g
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT of his beloved France.
I 10 No ~
diplomacy, engineered the domestic
affairs Of the nation. He was crafty,
and he had need to be, for in those days
the kingdom was honeycombed with
stratagems the most desperate and
daring. His power was absolute, for he
held in his hands the two most powerful
weapons of the age In which he lived
the autocratic sway of the crown in
matters temporal, and the absolutism of
the church of Rome in things spiritual.
These he welded to their utmost limit,
that he might attain his highest ambi-
ton, the glory of his dearly beloved
France. For Richelieu was not am
bilious for himself. He was content to
be the instrument through which tn e
dominion of his king might be extended
over Europe. His was mighty intel
lect, his a SURPRISING genius, his an I'M
selfish patriotism.
That there were plots against the
prInce-c ardinal was matter OF course.
The chief instigator of these conspir-
acies, De Baradas, almost wrought his
ruin. Richelieu, exiled from royal IA
vor. and protected from the Bastille only
by his sacred robes, with burning heart
saw France assaulted by her enemies
abroad and rent by sedition at home.
His dearly beloved ward. Julie, was
coveted by the king, and about to be
torn from him to become the royal mis-
tress. The first endeavor was frustrated
by the awful curse Of Rome upon
whomsoever dared assaIl her. Then,
when the king himself. accompanied by
his courtiers, appeared upon the scene,
strategy came to the rescue. Couriers
arrived and announced the invasion of
the border by the armies Of Spain, and
their rapid advance upon the cap
ital. The army was rebellions, the pop
ulace riotous, protesting against the
profigacy of the court and demanding
the kings abdication. One woe was
treading Oh another's heels. so fast they
followed. Richelieu feigned physi cal
collapse, the approach of death. The
| kings new favorites were impotent,
and. dismayed by the impending dis
aster, Louis frantieally appealed to the
seemingly expiring cardinal: "Live,
Riehelieu, reign-if not for me-for
! Francew The words had a magical
effect upon the dying man. Richelieu
revived, his enemies and the enemies of
the state were discounted, and once
more he was the dictator of France,
| powerful to save her from her enemies
and to avenge himself upon those who
| had sought to destroy him.
There is now being enacted in Ger
many drama singularly like that of
"Richelieu." The chief actor is, as
| Richelieu was, the towering genius of
his time. Without aid of priestly robe
or crimson hat, Bismarck became the
creator of the mightiest empire of all
Europe. His genius planned the union
| of states of common blood and an
cestry that today stands as the mar
vel of the world. "rhe man of
duu HUI was dS
mate in his craftsmanship as was
Richelieu, though the conditions that
surrounded him were vastly different.
His master mind in years now passed
conceived the possibilities of the pres
emf, and with an unselfshness
and patriotism that command our
highest admiration he bent his
mighty energies towards the reaIi-
zatiou of his dream of empire.
His work was accomplished, and with
what fidelity we all know. But as with
the cardinal, so with the prince. Jeal-
ousy and intrigue have beset him on
every hand. The youthful emperor, in
fiuenced by his courtiers, and forgetting
that to Bismarck he owes the brightest
diadems in his crown, treated the aged
chancellor with contumely, and heaped
reproaeh upon his head. An exile to
his estates, Bismarck has for years re-
manned like Gagged lion, yet maintain
ing that dignity which becomes so great
a man. A few months ago the
prince was taken i'll, and death