The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-07-31

him in his mistaken estimate Of his ability.
He did not succeed in binding Prosper
MeTmee to his genius, though. AS far back
as 1863 in one of his "Lettres une Incon-
nue. (once supposed to be the Empress
Eugenie) Merimee wrote of him: 'He is a
tall German, very polite and not at all sim
pie. There is no sentiment about him, but
plenty of wit. He has quite captivated me, "
and later, writing to Panizzi, the Librarian
of the British Museum, he remarked:
There is only one great man left and that
is NJ. De Bismarck"
BLUNT BUT DEEP AND CUNNING.
throughout his career Bismarck cultivat-
ed the supreme diplomatic art of hiding
deep schemes beneath the mask of frank
ness. When convenient he was candid to
excess; so candid that his frankness was
thoroughly distrusted. AT other times he
was silent as the tomb, springing his deep
laid plans upon the world like mines. So he
gained double character-for brutal blunt
ness and Machiavellian witness. BY using
each in turn he managed to bewilder his
enemies and even his FRIENDS, and attained
many of his most longed for objects.
Bismarck did not remain long in his new
position. Early in September or the same
year he received a telegram calling him TO
Berlin, and on the oath of the same month
he was appointed minister of state and
president of the council-the double dignity
of Prussian premier and German chancellor.
From then till his resignation of the cham
cellorship, in 1S91-that is to say for twenty
nine of the most memorable years in the
history of civilization-he was the foremost
figure in Europe and the incarnate genius or
his country. Acting on his counSelS, PruS-
STA in turn vanquished Denmark, acquired
the Schleswg-Holstein provinces. crushed
Austria humbied France, regained Alsace-
Lorraine placed Prussia at the head, made
Germany an empire, and welded together
the scattered fragments of the fatherland
into a real and living nation
His Accession to office was felt, and very
rightly felt. to be a threat to German liber-
it was soon dispelled by his first ministerial
speech. The count had been invited by the
King to quit the career of diplomacy, IN
which he had hitherto distinguished himself,
and take upon his shoulders the Whole
weight of government under circumstances
of almost unprecedented embarrassment.
peror of Germany, had always entertained
stubborn notions concerning the royal pre-
rogative, and, in spite Of the constitution
which the revolutionary period OF 1S4S had
wrung from the Prussian crown, had never
abandoned his belief in the divine right OF
the Prussian dynasty to govern according
Prussian people. Among these was a con-
viction that in the interest of the honor
and permanent welfare of the realm, a con-
siderable military expenditure was indis-
pensable. 1t was found impossible. however,
to persuade the Prussian legislature of the
alleged necessity; and appeal after appeal
was made to the country, first by Man
teuffel and then by Won der Heydt, against
the refusal of Parliament to grant the sup
1862. the Prussian chamber rejected the
government proposals for military expendi-
ture by the enormous majority of 3OS votes
to II. Won der Heydt resigned, and the
King then sent for Count Bismarck One
of his first acts was the dissolution OF the
Chamber of Deputies for rejecting the
budget The newspapers which protested
against this despotic act were proceeded
against with great severity, as were numer-
Gus public officials, magistrates and others,
who openly expressed views hostile to the
but Bismarck pursued his course; he took
great delight in referring to himself as the
most hated man in Prussia and otherwise
manifesting no desire at retreating. Various
in a speech in the House of Representa-
tives he declared: The great questions OF
our times. the consolidation of empires, are
not decided by fine speeches and by ma or-
ity votes, but by blood and iron. The
Austrian question became more and more
involved. Bismarck was the greatest ng-
ure in the controversy, and generally MS
will governed the policy of his government.
He never concealed his views. and after the
that war with Austria was inevitable. Doubt
as to the position of France in case OF war
between the two leading German powers
became a great factor in the diplomacy of
the day plan for the formation of new
federation, including Austria. was offered by
the Austrian government and promptly ac-
cepted. Bismarck declined entering the
membership of Prussia, and a rupture be-
tween the two governments seemed inevi-
table; indeed many rumors of war were
prevalent. and Austria seemed prepared for
the blow Bismarck as about to strike.
MAN OF BLOOD AND IRON.
He now became known throughout the
empire as 1.-THE man of blood and iron.' This
remark had caused profound sensation
throughout Germany, as it was in direct
contrast with the naturally peaceful, and
the go-as-you-please as well as come-what-
may disposition characteristic of the Ger
Of no in
causes of the many vicisstudes through
which the country, during the early years
of the present century, was compelled to
pass The chancelor's remark opened the
eyes of the nation, and caused a general
wake-up, and from that time Germany
pushed along on the pathway Of progress.
Frederick VII, of Denmark, changed, for
the time being, the entire aspect of affairs.
Bismarck concluded to await a more aus
Austria, and we him Turing the latter
into a trap put up for her with A most cum
ming hand. Bismarck was promoted to the
rank of count at this time: Under some
pretext he detailed a Prussian army corps
to move into Schleswig: Austria, seeing
this, followed suit, and Bismarck had every
thing his own way. When finally Austria
discovered the part he was playing she ex-
pressed an urgent desire to favor the claims
of the Duke of Augustenburg as the sover-
eign of Schleswig. but consistency required
her to follow in the footsteps of Bismarck.
Inc result OF the DdIllSH war IL well hIlOWIl,
Austria did not receive any share of the
newly acquired provinces, which were ST.
| lently pocket by Bismarck. Disgruntled as
she was, Austria grew restless and would
have gone to war without further notice II
| Bismarck had not succeeded in somewhat
uuieting her irritable temper and holding
| her in check until he had formed an alliance
with Italy. In 1866 Bismarck issued a circu-
! lar to the German government in which
| they were requested to declare their inten-
lions in case of war between Prussia and
Austria The gauntlet was openly thrown
| down when, on the 9th of April, the Prus-
sian representative in the Diet demanded
| the convocation of a German Parliament,
| to be elected by universal suffrage, to con-
| slider the question of federal reforms. AT
the same time he looked for allies in every
direction and soon came to a perfect un-
Outstanding with the Italian government,
and entered into active correspondence with
| Kossuth and Mazzini.
! Among the people Bismarcks high-handed
game encountered strong opposition, and
many were the explanations of regret that
| Ferdinand Cohn, a StepSOn of Karl Blind,
| had not succeeded in his attempt on the life
of the prime minister, May 8. 1866. at Berlin.
| This attempt, however, showed Bismarck as
man of considerable personal courage. In
stead of calling for help and protection,
Bismarck grabbed his antagonist, wrenched
| the weapon from him and, effecting his ar
rest took him TO the nearest station house.
| Turn to the papers of that date and read
the contempt with which they treated the
new minister, the fate they predicted for
would overtake Prussia, unless this AFRO
! CANT, ignorant and servile politician was
| got rid of. This was the view entertained
J by Liberal politicians throughout Europe