The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-03-26
First of Weeks Demonstrations
Made Yesterday by Members of the
Refchstax and Diet.
SPEECH BY THE AGED PRINCE
FEELING TRIBUTE TO HIS FRIEND
THE LATE EMPEROR WILLIAM.
The Ex-ChancelIor's View of Duty of
LegisIators-Chcers for the Present
INaiser-Scenes at Friedriehsruhe.

FRIEDRICHSRUHEy March 25.-Bluff
old Prince Bismarck, who, in the zenith Of
his fame and power, was known the
''rnan OF blood and iron, and the Iron
Chancellor" whose word was law in the
land he virtually ruled, was greeted to-day
in a manner that must have blotted out
memory of the affront given by the Reichs-
tag Saturday.
Though the eightieth anniversary of the
ex-Chancellor's birth does not come until
All Fools day, it's celebration by the peo-
pie of Germany began to-day. Three spe-
cial trains having ON board nearly four
hundred members of the Reichstag and of
the Prussian Diet arrived here this after
noon and were received at the railroad
station by Count Herbert Bismarck, Count
William Bismarck, Count Won Rantzau,
husband of Prince Bsmarck's daughter,
and by Count Won Waldersee. The deputa-
tions proceeded to the castle front, where
they were received in a body by Prince Bis
marck. Herr Won Koeller, President of the
lower house of the Prussian Diet, made
speech congratulating Prince Bismarck on
the approaching anniversary of his birth.
The Prince in reply made a speech thank
ing the deputations for their kind wishes.
The weather was sunny this morning aft
er a stormy night. The first train arrived
ID.
pavilion was specially erected the
platform to accommodate the visitors, who
were in the most varied attire, some wear
ing evening dress and opera hats and 9TH
ers wearing morning or travelling costumes.
Conspicuous by his light-blue uniform was
the venerable Oberfoerster Lange, who was
evidently well known to msny of the visit
ors and who actively assisted in their re-
ception just as the train bearing the final
contingent steamed into the railroad sta
ton Prince Bismarck appeared OH the plat
form, having walked from the house, a dis
tance of only $50 yards. He wore the uni
form of the Halberstaedter Cuirassiers, COW
cred by long light-gray cloak with yell
low facings and wide fur collar. The
FURNISHED helmet on his head glttered in
the suns rays. AS he walked down the
double row of bowling visitors. Prince Bis
marck whose bearing was as erect and sol
diery as ever, though he was leaning light
ly on a cane, exchanged greetings with his
former colleagues and friends, having a
pleasant word for each, and now and then
.indulgng in a Jest which excited burst of
laughter. AS he passed the point where
the correspondent was stalSSiing the latter
heard him remark:
well, you have come to me in my
wilderness. We are not accustomed to
such grand visitors in these parts, 1 can
tell YOU
This sally evoked fresh outburst Of
merriment The Princes eyes were keen
and undimmed and twinkled kindly and
good-naturedly while he chatte1 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,
apologizing for the poor accommodate ton it
afforded and intimating that more formal
reception would be held there. Count Her
bert Bismarck repeated the invitation in a
louder voice and the company walked in a
long, struggling procession to the house.
On reaching the garden the guests proceed
ed to the rear of the house where there is
a wide square balcony or terrace over
projecting wing Of the building, which was
shaded by the trees of the Sachsenwald,
through which the sun was glinting
Prince Bismarck, accompanied by his
sons, his daughter and his son-in-law all
in deep mourning, appeared the terrace
and were received with loud cheers by the
visitors massed below. When the cheering
had subsided spokesmen from the several
branches of the legislature made speeches
briefly conveying the fervent hope that
Prince Bismarck would long be spared to
enjoy his well-earned repose. Each speaker
paid an eloquent tribute to the greatness
and enduring character of the great Ger
man statesman's life work. Prince Bis
marcl< listened attentively to the speeches.
leaning against the gable of the house and
bowling and touching his helmet to each
round of applause.