New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-07-31
PRINCE BISMARCKS ILLUSTRIOUS CAREER
YEARS
orc ANCESTRY EXTRAORDINARILY
49, ~proop AND EMPEROR


declared that the rising Of the people in 1913 had |
saved the throne. and the Nation had right to !
dev'and a constitution The Assembly was In |
ferment A large st ongiy built man. with |
piercing eyes, rudy countenance. heavy blond |
beard and commanding presence assembled the |
tribune. II was Bisma.ck's first speech, and ii |
made great uproar. 1t was a bitter attack |
upon liberalism and democracy. The people had |
risen in 1913 to shake off foreign yoke. and |
not domestic tyranny. and their patriotism had !
gwen then no right TO demand constitution. |
storm of Kisses and cries drowned his voice |
but to show his utter contempt for his opponents |
ne ceased speaking. and, drawing a newspaper |
from his pocket. leaned nonchaanty against |
the railing and read until order was restored.
THE OBJECT OF LIBERAL HATRED
From this moment the hatred of liberalism and |
OF the press was concentrated upon Bismarck |
He became the champion Of the Conservatives |
He was the most vehement opponent Of liberal |
measures. When the news arrived of the rcvolu- |
ton in Paris he felt that the signal had been
given for the revolt of the Prussan subjects
against the King. When a constitution
granted by the King. H. protested against it as
dangerous concession. and retired TO his coun~
try seat. In lS49-50. a member of the second
chamber of the Prussan Diet. he urged the con-
solidation of the German nationality by the joint
action of Prussia and Austria. He opposed the
schemes Of union and confederation discussed at
the Frankfort and Erfurt Paraments sub
versive of the true basis OF Prussian power. The
revolution had stimulated a desire for union.
and he had no sympathy with it. The army"
said he. "chershes tri-colored enthusiasm.
1t is content to be called Prussian. They all
know and love the sound Of the Prussan hymn,
the Dessauer' and Hohenfredberg marches;
but l never yet heard 4 Prussian soldier sing
Was ist das Deutschen vaterland?" In his
-eactlonary zeal ne defended the Treaty Of
Olmutz, and declared that Prussia should
subordinate herself to Austria so that they
might conquer German democracy together
Strange words from the man who In few years
to force the Emperor Of Austria TO renounce
all interference in German affairs,
Bsmarcks loyalty to the King was illustrated
strikingly one day in beer-cellar. man at an
adjoining table had used an offensive expression |
respecting a member of the royal family Bis |
marck turned to him and Numbered forth: "Out !
OF the house! If you not off when have |
drunk this beer will break this glass on your |
head He drained his glass and brought IT |
down on the offenders mead so violently as to |
fell the man TO the floor and smash the glass. In |
the quietest tone he inquired: Waiter. what is
TO pay for the broken glass;"
AT FRANKFORT.
In May, 1851, Bismarck sent to the Diet
Of Frankfort as first Secretary Of Legation. and
three months later he was promoted to the rank
of Ambassador He occupied this post for eight
years and during this period his political views
underwent a radical change which he described
in 1866 In an interview with the correspondent of
the Paris "Siecle" which has become historical; |
Sixteen years ago was living as country
gentleman. when the King appointed me the
envoy of Prussia at the Frankfort Diet had
been brought up to admire, 1 might almost say
to worship Austrian policy Much time, how
ever. not needed to dispel my youthful illu-
sions with regard to Austria, and became her
declared opponent The humiliation Of my cOun-
try Germany sacrificed TO the interests Of a for
eign nation. crafty and perhdious line or pol
icy-these were not things calculated to give me
satisfaction. l did not know that the future
would call upon me to take any important par.
In public events. but from that period conceived
the idea, which at the present day am stlll
working out the idea Of withdra wing Germany
from Austrian pressure: at any rate that part OF
Germany whose tone Of thought, religion man
ners and interests identify her destnles with
those Of Prussia speak Of Northern Germany.
In the plan which I brought forward there
has been no question of overthrowing thrones, of
taking duchy from ruler or some petty DO
main from another But neither all this
nor the opposition which have had to struggle
against in Prussia could prevent my deVotng
myself heart and soul TO the idea Of a Northern
Germany constituted in her logical and natural
form under the aegis OF Prussia.
AT ST PETERSBURG AND PARIS
At the outbreak of the Italian Of 1859 he
was too pronounced enemy of Austria to be
retained at Frankfort, although his political con-
victions were shared by the Prussan Court. and
he was G, Mt to St Petersburg In letter 10
the Minister of Foreign Affairs he summed up
his Frankfort experience in these significant
words: 49, r,.-, A ~
in0rmity which, sooner later, we shall nave 10 !
heal ferro ct ign unless we begin IN good as e TO
We're completely dissolved to-day and nothing else
the negative acquisition better and more I natural
relations would be established between PRUSSIA ana
her German neighbors than those which now exist
MINISTER AND CHANCELLOR. ;
In May 1862 Bismarck was appointed Minister
TO Paris and soon after presenting his creden-
70 long | .
ence with Lord Palmerston in reference to his
ant-Austran policy. At Biarritz he met the
French Emperor and made conquest or Merl- |
NEE who in his letters to the Incognita, evinces
appreciation Of his extraordinary genius lie
IS apparently utterly destitute Of soul (gemuth)
hut all mind" This was Merimees comment;
and then he adds. with one of his abrupt transit
tions: He brought with him wife with the
largest feet beyond the Rhine, and a daughter
who walks In her mothers footsteps ,
On October g. 1862 Bismarck was summoned |
bv King William 20 Berlin to take the post Of
Premier and Minister of Foreign Affairs. 1t was
not the same Bismarck who had led the Con-
servatives and been a thorn In the side OF the {
Liberals of 1S4S He a Kings man sun; |
horn feudalist who believed in Nngship and
hated social anarchy. But at Frankfort and ST
Petersburg he had studied diplomacy under
great masters. and his political horizon had
widened hearty advocate Of the kings plan (
for the reorganization Of the army ne realized
the need Of a frmer consolidation Of the de-
fensive powers OF Germany. and was not a
alarmed by the Idea of National representation
IN q confederation or "Zoll" Parliament. lie y
was willing when the time was ripe TO place a
Germany on a National basis. The Opposition
,ybo had control of the House of Deputies and :
who had voted down the Increased military $
budget which the King had demanded. only I
recognized on the Ministerial bench their ola !