The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1895-03-26
BEMARCKS BIRTHDAY.
ALI Germany Preparing to Cele-
brate the Event.
A VISIT FROM THE LAWMAKERS.

Members OF the German Reichstag and tn,
| PrussIan Diet Journey to Friedrichsruh,
to Congratulate the Veteran Statesman
He VIII be Deluged with Gifts.
| BERLIN, March 96.-Three special trains
having on board nearly four hundred
members Of the relchstag and of the Prus-
sian diet, went to Friedrichsruhe yester.
day, and were received at the railroad sta
tion by Count Herbert Bismarck, Count
William Bismarck, Count Won Rantzan,
husband Of Prince Bismarck's daughter,
| and by Count Won Waldersee.
The Populations proceeded to the castle
| front, where they We're received in body
| by Prince Bismarck. Herr Won Koeller,
| president of the lower house of the Prus-
sian diet, made speech congratulating
| Prince Bismarck on the approaching S0th
| anniversary Of his birth. He was followed
by several other members, all of whom
| paid eloquent tribute to the greatness and
enduring character of the great German
Btatesman's life work.
When the addresses were over Prince
Bismarck, standing close to the stone
balustrade, replied in loud, clear voice,
which was distinctly audible to all present.
He spoke for nearly twenty minutes with
wonderful animation, emphasizing his re-
marks with frequent gestures Of tho right
hand. The self dcprecatory remarks with
which he began were answered with loud
cries of "nein."
When, in the early part Of his remarks,
the prince referred to his lever lamented
mastor" he broke down completely, and
| for fully half a minute his lips moved,
but no sound could be heard.
Mt OF ha nj
broken it was with audible sobs and tear
dimmed eyes that he completed the SEN
tence referring to his beloved emperor,
William 1. From that moment on the
prince spoke with energy and earnestness,
and later became more ocular, exciting
alternate cheers and laughter. He con-
cluded with expressing regret that he was
no longer able to tako an active part in
politics, and assured his hearers that in
his retirement he was with them in spirit
perhaps more heartily than was good for u
man Of his years
The prince thanked the Populations for
the high honor conferred upon him by their
visit, and said that the Sachsenwald had
never before seen such a notable company.
He regarded the demonstration, which
personally he had not deserved as being
made Tin behalf of the cause" He added:
"What we have achieved was imperfect.
but still it was the best we could get"
Referring to those who had helped to
build UP the empire and who had passed
away, he said that foremost among them
was his lamented master without whom
nothing would have been achieved. Con
tinufng. he said;
Happily t.o dynasty has taken firm
root in every German land, and so long as
these conditions arc maintained l feel no
misgiyings l would like to see, however
more expression given in the individual
German states to the national sentiment
before which unavoidable party strifes
have been compelled to yield in the Prus.
sian diet"
The conclusion of Prince Bismarck
speech was enthusiastically applauded
and then the venerable statesman led in
cheers for the emperor.
The visiting legislators returned to Ber-
lin late in the evening.
Prince Bismarck received the deputa-
tions despite the unceasing warnings of
his physician. DIR SchweninRer. and of
his secretary, DIR. Chrysander, and he will
practically celebrate his S0th birth.
day next Monday with the whole of the
German people. It is to be hoped that the
CONSEQUENT fatigue will not prove too
much for his age and remaining strength.
A deputation of the commanding gen.
erals of tho German army will wnit on
Bismarck APRIL as the bearers of good
wishes and likewise of n fine t,lft Snlep.
didIy mounted addresses too. will be nro.
scented on behalf of the CONSERVATIVES Ma.
tional Liberal and Anti. Semite parties
The principal celebration. however. will
have nothing to do with politics Tho
crautlcst of all promises to be tho one AR.
ranged to take place i'm the vicinity of tho
GerInunia monument in the Nieierwald
on the Rhine. which will be partioipated
i'm nv representatives of thirtv-six citiea in
tho Rbinish district men belongtpg ia
every shade of political opinion. There
will be N grand "commcrsp in tho even,
ing and the illumination Of the hills an1
mountain monks nearby. tnyetbar Will
great fireworks ON the Rhine will nlso
take place,
In tho Black Forest similar reioicinga
will ocenr All tho summits nf tho ,na,,1-
tnins in that reyion will show bonfires nm
the evening of March a.
In Hamburg the municIpal celebration
outside of that ARRANGED for Inv thu co.
man university stidents will he very ax.
tensiye. a political committee has as.
sumed charge of n "commprs u tn which
3d. On the night following there will bo
great fireworks on the Alster, and on the
night of April q torchlight procession,
in which will Gbo 10 IN,