Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1898-08-01
BISMARCK'S EARLY CAREER.
Daredevil Student. Court Reporter, Legis-
lator, Embassador.

Daredevil Student. Court Reporter, Legis-
lator, ambassador.
There was little promise of brilliant
career in the youth Of Otto Won Bismarck.
by strange irony of fate he was born on
April Fools day ut Schoenhausen, the
home Of his ancestors, in 1915. At the age
OF 6 he was sent to u boarding school at
Berlin, and when IL years old he was re-
moved to the gymnasium, or public classical
school, and remained five years in such in
stitutions
AT Gottingen university, whittier he was
sent from the Berlin schools, young Bis
marck was typical specimen of the reck-
less, daredevil student He was then \
tall, slim, pale faced youth, active and
healthy enough, hut with little sign of the
broad shouldered, stalwart man he after
ward became
From Gottingcn university Bismarck
went to the University of Berlin, where he
soon passed an examination in law and was
appointed augcultator, or official reporter
ut one of the courts a year of court re-
porting and law was enough for Bismarck.
He resigned his position, and after travel
ing several months he settled down to the
4 life of n practical farmer on the family es-
Rtes.
In 1877 he was welded to the Fraulein
Johanna Frederick Charlotte Puttkamer
The marriage proved union without a
flaw. IL stcadied the impetuous young
German, brought him for the first time face
to face with the serious business of life and
was the turning point of his great career.
Soon after his marriage Bismarck was
made member of the Frankfort diet. At
that time Germany was composed of loose
ly organized states and had little influence
in European affairs. The revolution of 1913
Infused new hopes into the hearts of the
people. Radical ideas were spreading and
the occupants Of thrones trembled for their
safety. Ii did not take Bismarck long to
decide which side he should take He was
firm believer in the divine right of kings;
he inherited intense contempt for the peo-
pie rs factor of governmental power.
The swift rising current of democracy
threatened to engulf his beloved Prussia.
Frederick William granted "a constitution.
and n deputation from the new national
parliament offered him the imperial crown
of Germany. But with the traditional dis.
dain Of his race the king was not disposed
W aSOcIS HuuOT III tue li1iluS OF the people.
Empire derived from that source was de
spised by man who claimed his authority
direct from God. The offer was rejected,
and jealous hatred arose between Prussia
and Austria which was soon to ripen into a
war Tor the humiliation Of the latter
Bismarck threw himself heart and soul
Into the cause Of the king a. against the
people. lie upheld the royal prerocatives,
fercely opposed anything in the nature OF
liberalism and gave way with bad grace to
the concessions which Frederick William
eventually deemed wise to grant to popular
sentiment.
As reward FOR his loyalty Bismarck wos
appointed envoy To the diet NJ Frankfort in
1851. This body did rot represent the peo-
pie, bus was in reality nm assemblare O,
princes and their proxies. who kept n tipb,
hold on Individual rights while RESISTING
eolidly everything like encroachmeut or
the part Of foreign powers.
From the bund Of Frankfort, where h,
had shown markell ability as diplomat
Bismarck was sent rs ambassador to ST
Petersburg. where he was retained snti
1851. Then William | succeeded to tn
throne OF Prussia. and he returned to Ber
lin rs the head of the ministry, filled witt
Wisgivingsas to the vanities and vexation