The Independent. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1895-1895, 1895-05-01

And | cannot suppress the feeling
that to Bismarck, as to all mortals
"who cook with water" the poets
word applies that man grows
with his higher aims and that
aims sometimes grow with men.
But let it be granted that Bis
marck's interest in the nations
and in Prussia's greatness were
one and the same, both because
his fine maneuvering in the
Schleswig-Holstei question and
his moderation after the Prusso-
Austria war as we'll, tend to show
that, and because it will endear
him to the German heart. 1t
does not add molecule to his
greatness as a statesman. The
mere fact that being a German he
strove to strengthen the German
name does not lend him greatness.
That should be q matter Of course.
No Frenchman would ever dream
of being glorified because he has
the interest of his nation at heart
instead of that of the depart
ment" in which he was born. AS
German patriot, Bismarck finds
his equals in tens of thousands
who are willing to leave their
life-blood on the battlefelds of
the Fatherland.
The merit of taking up the
problem of the national idea
would have been nothing wonder
full if his overwhelming success as
master.diplomat of the century
had not enabled him to realize it.
The national idea in itself has
had more spirited advocates than
Bismarck, who have failed to
attract more than passing notice.
Even that adventurer on an
emperor's throne, whose over
throw was Bismarck's MASTER
work, grasped it as the one lead
ing principle in his adventurous
career. Indeed, Napoleon Ill.
was much quicker to cater to the
political feeling of Europe as the
advocate of national unity, and
much more outspoken.
But aside from all this, what is
Hecuba to us What is national
unity to country where members
of all nationalities live in blissful
prosperous peace2 What is the
glory Of the unitor of one nation
to the glorious coalition Of all ma
tions under free, self-constituted
Of the people, for the people !?
IL the theory of Bismarck and
Napoleon III, wore the only saw
ing one, the United States would
be an impossibility. AS matter
of fact, Bismarck has never look
ed with loving eyes upon German:
seeking u new field of activity il
new countries under different anC
necessarily freer governments
"The German admiration for al
that's foreign, "said he in speech
in the Reichstag, dealing will
the Polish question, "a certain
admiring jealousy with which We
look upon compatriots who live
in foreign countries, is only equa
to the peculiar capability of {
German to leap out OF his ski
into that OF any foreigner-say I
Frenchman or.an American. !
any one returns from Americ,
after having been there three
years, he speak of our side of til,
water, and, horrible dictu, use
English idioms." This is YER,
sad indeed, but coming from
! such lips it seems to be splen.
did testimonial to the fitness o
the greater part of Germany
sons to become excellent Amer
!, lean citizens.)
Even in such cursory exami
Z nation of the claims of Bismarcl
s to remain forever upon the higl
/ historian pedestal upon which hi
: own thankful age has placed him
g it is impossible to overlook hi
n legislative activity on burning
g economical and social problems
p an activity that commenced at a
# age when other mortals hay
i finished their life's task. Hi