The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-09-18
GERMANY,s GREAT MAN.
Herr Won Thiedemann's RecOlIectiOns
of Bismarck.
New York Sun.

New York Sun.
Not the least interesting among the many
books and pamphlets about Bismarck that
lished in Leipsic entitled Personal Recol-
lections,' by Herr Won Thiedemann, VINO IN
1873 was chief of the CEancellery and con-
sequently in constant intercourse with the
great chancellor.
The range of Bsmarck's intellect says
Herr Won Thiedemann, was equal to his
self-suficiency. He could undertake any
thing, and he did everything equally well.
On the other hand, it was not easy for him
to recognize the merits of others His col
leagues in the Ministry often found their
labors submitted to criticism that was any
thing but indulgent. The high idea that he
had Of himself, joined with a strong dose of
contempt for men, often led him to Judge
friends and enemies enormously. His
friends, in his eyes, were merely the 1nstru-
ments of his personal plans. chessmen that
he could move at will upon the political
board, and even sacrifice when the game
required it, In his enemies he only saw
tricksterS and imbeciles. He never rendered
full justice to an adversary. He was too
passionate, too impetuous and too COMBAT
I've. Every petty attack irritated him and
induced him to hit back. He was always
ready to exchange a sword thrust for the
prick of pin. Indeed, it may be said that
his combative nature often made him tram
his artillery upon sparroWS.
{" Politics is an art, and not a science. he
often said, but he himself looked upon it
just as a virtuoso would look upon an in
strument of which he was absolute master.
His horizon reached further than his own
vulgar chauvinism. He often called himself
a European He judged everything, per-
sons and events, from pontleal point or
view, banshing from his mind all other con-
siderations. He was never sentimental and
never pathetic. Prodigiously strong and
egotistical in political life, he was gentle
si.le of the family circle he had only very
small circle of friends with whom he was
candid
ION the other hand. he was great friend
of animals particularly dogs and they en-
joyed all sorts of privileges in his home. He
had nothing but words of anger for the
vivisectionists, the butchers of dogs, as he
called them, and any cruelty to an animal
exasperated him. During the last moments
of his favorite dog Sultan, his best friend,
as he often said, / found him. says Herr
Won Thiedemann. seated on the carpet OF
his study with the head of the dying dog
resting upon his knees. For some days after
the death of that dog the Prince never
spoke a word.
His love of nature was also great. His
knowlede of agriculture included the small
est details and he often surprised his farm
ers by remarks which revealed his thorough
among his trees. He knew all his old oaks,
and his beech trees, and he took the great
est care of his nurseries.
Bismarck never received anybody With
out a previous request for an audience, and
the King of Saxony, who failed one day TO
make an appointment, was declined an aud
fence. At another time a regn1ng grand
duke requested a hear ng ana the prince
fixed the hour of his reception at o'clock
Won Thiedemann. II was with the chan
celor He told me that he had to change
his costume. and he called his valet and
ordered tunic with the grand cross of the
Grand Ducal Order. At a quarter past 8
the prince rung for his valet and when the
latter appeared he said to him: Bring back
my other tunic and turning toward me
added: No royal highness need imagine for
a moment that will wait for him any long
er than quarter of an hour few moments
afterward the grand duke arrived, but the
prince was already busy again over his
papers The grand duke approached the
table and saluted. Bismarck arose and bow
would not do me the honor of coming. 1t is
now twenty minutes past by my watch