The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-07-31

There was little promise OF brilliant
career in the youth of Otto Won Bis
marck. BY a strange irony of fate he
was born on April FOOLS day at Schoen-
hausen. the home of his ancestors, in
1915. At the age of he was sent to "A
boarding school at Berlin, and when II
years old he was removed to the GYM
nasium. or public classical school, and
remained five years in such institu-
tions.
At Gottingen university, whittier he
was sent from the Berlin schools. young
Bismarck was typical specimen of the
reckless, daredevil student. He was
then a tall, slim. pale faced youth, ac-
tive and healthy enough. but with little
sign Of the broad-shouldered, stalwart
man he afterward became.
From Gottingen university Bismarck
went to the University of Berlin. where
he soon passed an examination in law
and was appointed official reporter at
one of the courts. A year of court re-
porting and law was enough for Bis
marck. He resigned his position. and
after travelling several months he set
tied down to the life of "A practical
farmer on the family estates.
In 1S47 he was welded to the Frau
lain Johanna Frederick Charlotte Putt
kamer. The marriage proved a union
without a flaw. 1t steadied the impet-
uous young German. brought him for
the first time face to face with the seri-
Gus business of life and was the turn
ing point of his great career.
Soon after his marriage Bismarck was
made a member of the Frankfort diet.
At that time Germany was composed
of loosely organized states and had lit
tie influence in European affairs. The
revolution of 1s4s infused new hopes
into the hearts OF the people. Radical
ideas were spreading and the occupants
OF thrones trembled for their safety.
The swift rising current of democracy
threatened to enguf his beloved Prus-
sia. Frederick William granted a con-
stitution. and a deputatfon from the
new national parliament offered him
the imperial crown OF Germany. But
with the traditional disdain of his race
the king was not disposed to accept
honor at the hands OF the people. En-
pire derived from that source was de-
spised by a man who claimed his au-
thority direct from God. The offer was
rejected. and jealous hatred arose be-
tween Prussia and Austria which was
soon to ripen into a war for the humil-
iation OF the latter.
Bismarck threw himself heart and
soul into the cause of the king as
against the people. He upheld the roy
al prerogatives. fiercely opposed any
thing in the nature of liberalism and
gave way with bad grace to the con-
cessions which Frederick William
eventually deemed wise to grant to pop
ular sentiment.
As a reward for his loyalty Bismarck
was appointed envoy to the diet at
Frankfort in 1851. This body did not
represent the people. but was in reality
an assemblage of princes and their
proxies, who kept a tight hold on in
dividual rights while resisting solidly
everything like encroachment on the
part Of foreign powers
From the bund of Frankfort. where
he had shown marked ability as dip
lomat. Bismarck was sent as ambassa-
dor to st. Petersburg. where he was re-
tained until 1861. Then William 1. sue
ceeded to the throne OF Prussia. and he
returned TO Berlin as the head of the
iiAAAAShiSE WIN iiiiskiNAiES az 70
the vanities and vexations OF the world.
with the great plan Of German unifica-
tion taking shape in his massive brain.
Guiding Prussia's Affairs.
II was in 1861 when William l. of
Prussia recalled otto Won Bismarck
from the court Of ST. Petersburg to nil
the post OF premier al Berlin that he
was made a count. The Schleswig- Hol-
stein war was the first serious test Of
his policy.
II was six months campaign under
taken by Austria and Prussia TO wrest
the two duchies from Denmark on the
pretense Of broken engagements. Den
mark was beaten easily enough, and the
allies were soon haggling over the spoils.
There was no alternative but 10 fight
one another. and then commenced that
fierce struggle. ending with Sadowa on
July ?. 1866. which blotted out the mill
tary glory Of Austria and added impsr-
ishable fame TO the Prussian eagles.
Napoleon looked on with a jealous
eye. The Austrian campaign had raised
Prussia 10 one Of the mighty powers Of
Europe His modification spread % the
people. and a bitter hatred sprang up
between the nations. The public jour