Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-01-28

Taking into consideration mo two -
repressnted and their respective civinsAr
lions, no Roman Emperor returning VIC
tor,oua from war wan ever decreeo .
greater triumph than that which was
accorded bismarck on his return to ber-
lin Friday. Not only did the people OF
the German capital rise up en- masse
n greet him and demonstrate their dehshs
over tho occasion Of his visit. but tho
nress of all Europe. by the Importance
II attached to the event. paid tribute 70
tho man who was not the least OF the
three who made German unihcation an
accomplished fact.
The quarrel between the Iron Chancellor
and the Emperor was quarrel between
self-willed and autocratc old man
accustomed to having his own way IN
everything he undertook. and an equally
self-willed and autocrauc young ruler,
who had determined to override oil oppo-
sltion to whatever policy he might deter
mine upon. The question was. whether
Bismarck should continue master. Dc
facto. of Germany, as he had been under
the old Emperor. or yield that position to
Young William, who was master Of the
Empire. de Jure. Under these circum-
stances a serious breach was inevitable.
and when 1t was precipitated by pub,ica-
lions, alleged to be from Frederick's diary.
which sought to rob Bismarck Of all
credit due him In tha great work OF
founding new German Empire. the
Ill al To- nd
the young Emperor made the most OF
the unfortunate affair. Bismarck sulked.
and, forgetting that time and history
would vindicate him against the asperslon
that he had been false TO the policy he
had enunciated upon his first entrance
into public life became garrulous and
vindictive. William. forgetting what his
house owed to his grandiathers most
faithful and loyal friend and counsellor.
became arrogant and at times threaten-
ing.
But. happily, all this IL now a thing
of the past. Bismarck has softened under
the influence OF the infirmities Of age
and to tho young Emperor. experience
and the responsibilities OF his station
have brought not only discretion but
charity, magnanlmity. and consideration.
There seems no doubt that the reconcilia-
ton between the two. which took place In
Berlin Friday. was sincere and complete.
In a sense, It was also triumph FOR
William. for some months ago the young
Emperor took the generous initiative.
Ia Io,,hg1aco t,-fH IN hA Tho
general impression. that this happy termi-
nation OF long-stsnding estrangement
has no direct political significance. and
that 1t will not. as has been intlmated
from sources hostile TO the government,
weaken Won CaprivL In It's Indirect
bearing. however. 1t IL matter OF the
first magnitude to Germany. Bismarck
is too old and feeble to assume the bur-
dens Of office. But he Is still the idol
of the German people. 1t IL still recog-
nized that but for him German unity
would have been long delayed, II, indeed,
It would not have been impossible OF
accomplishment. Whatever he may have
said or done after his, retirement from the
chancellorshp, his loyalty 10 the Father
land has never been successfully chal-
lenged and his influence has never ma
terially waned. In some respects he has
been stronger out Of power than In power.
The fact that he and the Emperor are
reconciled cannot fail to strengthen the
latter's hands with all patriotic Germans.
No less will It increase German prestige
generally in that 1t emphasizes German
unity and must tend 10 eliminate from
the internal political questions OF the
Empire a great deal OF friction. In bring
ing Bismarck into the full glare OF the
sunshine of popular reverence again,
William has added lustrs TO his own
reign and intensified the popular love for
himself and his house. The comments OF
the European press upon the reconcile
alton shows that this is accepted by both
the friends and the enemies OF Germany.