The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1898-08-03

t1e weaEe est ADD least respected or Sli
t5e great powers, at sbe head of all the
states of Europe
The North German Confederation,
With Prussia at its head, was establish.
ed 10 place Of the old buud. while with
the South German States an offensive
and defensive alliance was concluded.
giving the king of Prussia supreme
command Of all their troops in time OF
war OF the North German buod,
Count Bismarck was created chancellor
ani president Of the federal council
10 addition to these successes, Count
Bismarck obtained great popularity for
creating representative branch of the
new federal government, oo the basis
of manhood suffrage The diet, which
first assembled 10 1867. consisted of
delegates representing nation of 2S.'
900. 600.
Biemarck's next achievement was to
prevent the attempted annexation OF
Luxembourg by Nspoleon III
In 1868 Bismarck Withdrew for some
months from active public life. but be
vas in power again befoee the end of
the gear. Then came the Franco Ger
man war of 1870. after campaign. /.
consisting of an unbroken series Of vic
tories, largely due to the strategic
genius of Count Won Mol.ke. King
William vas able, through his chsncel-
lor, TO dictate terms Of peace to ais
helpless assailant
In his domestic Legislation Prince
Bismarck has been far less fortunate
tbaa in his diplomatic negotiations. In
his economical policy, after beginning
as free trader. be adoped protec-
Zionist policy. While he thus alienated
the Liberals, bis May laws, which were
afterward repealed, interfering with
the religious liberty Of the Catholic
priesthood, led to long and bitter
struggle with the Catholic church and
made all its adherents his bitter ene-
mics. Equally severe was his policy
with regard to Social Democrats. his
draconic measures against whom pro-
duced the profoundest discomfort
among the aorking classes iu the large
cities.
Prince Bismarck took prominent
part 10 connection with the triple slli-
ance between Germany, Austria aud
Italy, which is understood to be direct
ed against possible alliance between
Russia and France against the German
powers.
The publication Of the late Emperor
Frederick's diary in September 1883.
threw a new light upon some of the
imperial transactions in which Prince
Bismarck has been engaged. Much
sensation was caused both in Germany
aud elsewhere by the revelation Of the
diary respecting the authorship of the
ides Of German unity. The late empe-
ror claimed TO have proposed this poll
icy snd to have experienced great diff
fculsy 10 persuadiug Prince Bismarck
of its Practicability.
The reported resignation of Bismarck
as Prussisa minister aud chancellor
was announced 10 February in 1890,
but did cot actually occur uutil March
II, of that year, when divergeucies of
opinion between him aud sbe emperor
led to dis retirement. His departure
from Berlin was made the occasioo of
great popular demonstration
10 1893 the prince fell seriously i'll,
aud the emperor sent hima a telegram of
sympathy and offered him the use of
one oehis castles to assist his GONZALES.
ceuce. This offer the priace gratefully
and gracefully declined, bat the ex-
change of courtesies between him and
the emperor served to make very mani
fest ,ne desire Of the German people
for the reconciliation This desire was
granted in 1895. The eu uperor sent a
present of wine to Fredriehsruhe aud
au autograph letter congratulatiug the
prince on his recovery from an attack
of influenza. Prince B:smark at once
responded to this gracious advance by
going to Berlin and paying his first
visit to the emperor since he had left
Office. The emperor afterward return
ed bis visit to Friedrichsruhe
Two attempts were made 90 Prince
Bismark's life. the first by a man
pamed Blind, 90 May I, 1866. at Ber
liz the second oo July IA. 1874. 6y
Kullmaon, at Kissingeu.
Princess Bismarck died at Barzioa
November Il, 1894.