St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1895-03-26
MEMBERS OF RElcHsTAG
Make a Pilgrimage to Erie
drichSruhe to Greet the
0etogenarian.
THE KAISER AND THE PRINCE
Today Will Meet - Celebra-
tions General Throughout
Germany.

BERLIN, March 25.-The celebration
of the eightieth anniversary of the
birth of Prince Bismarck. which occurs
April l, may be said to have commenced
today, as 800 members of the reichstag
and of the Prussian diet started during
the day for Friedrichsruhe, in order to
congratulate the eX-chancellor
FR1EDRICHSRUHE March Is
The weather was sunny this morning.
after stormy night. The first train ar
rived at 1880, but few reporters and
half dozen gendarmes constituted the
greater part OF those who greeted the
visitors at the, station. But there was
scene of great animation when Count
Herbert Bismarck, Count William Bis
marck, Count Won Rantzau and Gen.
Count Won Waldersee arrived. in order
to meet the nearly 400 members of the
reichStag and PruSsian diet who came
here on three special trains large
temporary wooden pavilion was spe-
cially erected near the platform, to ac-
commodate the visitors, who We're in
the most varied attire, some wearing
evening dress and opera hats and 9TH
erS wearing morning or travelling cos
tunes. Conspicuous by his light blue
uniform was the venerable Oberfoerster
Lang, who was evidently we'll known
to many of the visitors, and who act
lively assisted in their reception.
Just as the train bearing the final
contingent steamed into the station,
Prince Bismarck appeared on the plat
form, having walked from the house,
distance of only $50 yards. He wore
the uniform of the Halberstedter Cut
rassiers. covered by long light gray
coat with yellow facing and a wide
fur collar. The FURNISHED helmet on
his head glittered in the suns rays.
AS he walked down the double row of
bowling visitors. Prince Bismarck, whose
bearing was as erect and soldierly as
ever, though he was leaning slightly
on a cane, exchanged greetings with
his former colleagues and friends. hav-
ing pleasant word fr each, and now
and then indulging in jest which ex-
cited a burst of laughter.
AS he passed the point where the
representative of the Associated Press
was standing, the latter heard him re-
mark: We'll, you have come to see
me III my wilderness. We are not ac-
customed to such grand visitors in
these parts, l can tell you This sally
aWoke a fresh outburst of merriment
Inc princes eyes We're keen and I'M
dlmmed, and twinkled kindly and good
naturedly while he chatted pleasantly
with all on Sundry subjects.
Having walked the entire length of
the platform, the prince invited the
visitors who were thronging around to
accompany him to the house, apollo
slzlng for the poor accommodation
IL AFFORDED, and intimating that more
formal reception would be held there.
count Herbert Bismarck repeated the
INVITATION In louder voice, and the
company walked in a long, Struggling
procession to the house.
Upon reaching the garden the
guests proceeded to the rear of the
mouse, where there is a wide square
balcony. Prince Bismarck, accom-
panied by his sons, his daughter and
his son-in-law, all in deep mourning.
appeared on the terrace, and were
RECEIVED WITH LOUD CHEERS
by the visitors below. When the
cheering had subsidized, spokesman
from the several branches of the
conveying the fervent hope that
Prince Bismarck would long be
spared to enjoy his well-earned re-
pose. Each speaker paid an eloquent
tribute to the greatness and endur-
ing character of the great German
statesman's life work. Prince Bis
marck listened attentively to the
speeches, leaning against the gable
of the house and bowling and touch
ing his helmet to each round of ap-
plauSe.
When the addresses were over.
Prince Bismarck, standing close to
the stone balustrade, replied in a
loud, clear voice, which was dis
tinctly audible to all present. He
spoke for nearly twenty minutes
with wonderful animation, empha-
sizing his remarks with frequent
gestures of the right hand The
self-deprecatory remarks with which
he began were answered with loud
shouts of "Nein." When, in the early
part of his remarks, the prince re-
ferred to his "ever-lamented mas
ter" he broke down completely, and
for fully half a minute his lips
moved, but no sound could be heard.
When at last the painful silence
was broken it was with audible sobs
and tear-dimmed eyes that he COM
pleted the sentence referring to his
beloved emperor, William l. From
that moment on the prince spoke
with energy and earnestness, and
later became jocular, exciting alter
nate cheers and laughter. He con-
cluded with expressing regret that
he was no longer able to take 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 a man of his
years. The prince thanked the dep
utation for the high honor conferred
upon him by their visit, and said
that the Sachsenwald had never be-
fore seen such a notable COMPANY.
He regarded the demonstration,
which, personally, he had not de-
served (cries of ''Yes'0 as being made
lin behalf of the cause" He added
What we have achieved is imper-
feet, but still it was the best we
could get" Referring to those who
helped TO build UP the empire, and
who had passed away, he said that
foremost among them was his Ia
mented master, without whom moth
ing would have been achieved. Con-
tinuing, he said:
Happily the dynasty has now taken
firm root in every German land, and so
long as these conditions are maintained
l feel no misgivings. L would like to
see however, more expression given in
the individual German states to the ma
tional sentiment, before which I'M
avoidable party strifes have been com
PEELED to yield to the Prussian Diet.
National politics should also be given
more prominence in debates and the
minister of foreign affairs should be
guided by this sentiment. In the fed