The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-11-19

SiiS> thliu newspapers III NTcFlHdUs Ill
1913 or read the proceedings Of the
celebrated Congress of Frankfort can
not but wonder how Germany has be-
come what it now is. The Germans Of
that generation were as democratic a.
Americans themselves; and they were
about to bring about union of all
the German States ON such a basis.
Nothing was nearer accomplished than
that event until the reaction imme-
diately succeeding the revolution of
1913. The reaction turned everything
backwards again. And as a result Of
this reaction was the Punishment of the
noblest men then in the country. Thou
sands came to America and have had
Il share in building UP our great West
Karl SJ'aUrz is one of these 'tAcht-und
Nierziger' as they were termed. As
just said, the Fatherland was about t.
realize it's long cherished hopes of becOm-
ing a great liberal Federal ton of States
mot essentially different from our own
United States 1t is surprising, too. TO
see how we We're then held UP as 4
model before the world; every paper
except organs of the courts was con-
stantly setting before its reade.s the
woldIous workings of our republic; and
the conditions ON which the Imperial
CROWN was offered to Frederick William
Ill by the delegates of the German peo-
pie were very similar to those on which
our government came into existence III
1889. According to the teachings of all
similar events in history, an aceepfa-
tiom en- the part of Frederick William
Ill would have brought about govern
ment very similar to ours and Germany
woisld have been today quite other than
what il IS
BUT things took another tan: the
Prussian monarch did not accept be-
cause plussian Influence would have been
weakened, as he thought; to Prussia
union on the basis of the Frankfort
Parliament would have i3een Prussia
becoming German and liberal, inst aad of
what did take place-Germany beconl-
ing IFussian and reactionary. II haG
been the fixed policy of the Hohenzol-
Terms to absorb Germany as fast a.
possible. In 1913, however, the liberal
wave that struck Europe swept away
almost all the despotisms that had Hour
ished since 1915 and the Prussian peo-
pie became democratic, demanding a
voice in their own governmental af-
fairs; a small party of conservatives. one
of whom was Otto Won bismarck, man
aged, however, to stem the tide anu
prevent the granting of such demands.
These demands, had they been granted,
rather followed up, for the King did
grant them in a way, would have de-
stroyed the barrier between Prussia and
the other German States, thus clearing
the way for the ratification OF Germany
with Prussia ON the above mentioned
basis. Berlin diplomacy prevented all
this, preferring the chances of future
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT to a unification that
would have relegated the princes 10
secondary position; and tins diplomacy
was carried cat by bismarck. the Prus-
sian Ambassador at Frankfort from
1853 ON. Surely no man ever served the
cause Of absolutism more faithfully or
advantageously than Bismarck did dur
ing these very years. 1S53-1S60.) As Il
result of this policy Prussia became the
best mated Of all the German States
and the then Prince of Prussia-later
the beloved William Twas the elnbodi-
ment of this hated policy: Prince VIII
lirm's Punishment caused great rejoicing
throughout Germany. Meanwhile Pms
STA was pursuing its old policy militar-
ism and ACKNOWLEDGEMENT. 1t was at tbs
tlme England and France interfered TO
save one of the cantons of Switzer-
land from being seized by Prussia
refer to the Neuchatel affair.
In 1857 Frederick Williams " be-
came insane and the government fell to
the regent Prince William, who had
been allowed to return to his country.
The changes made i'll Prussia's policy
were for six years of no importanee-it
was the time Of the steady growth OF
the ultra-conservatiye- "das Preussis
che Jungerthu1m" The struggle of this
party for supremacy came in 1868, while
we were in the very thick of our great
struggle with the North. The repre-
sentative of this ultra conseryatiye par
ty was the young Bismarck, at that time
ambassador at st. Petersburg William
/ had become King and was not little
changed from what he had been IN
1850. lit cost him a struggle Of NJ
little Importance to decide whether or not
the boldest of the conservatives should
be asked to form a ministry. The Is NJ
at last yielded and Won Room, Bismarck's
intimate friend was appointed 70 send
the welcome news Bismarck was shHn
in Paris on leave, rather awaiting the
news. for his plans had been maturing
for months. No sooner than the new
ministry assumed office all Prussia frokc
ont in the most determined opposition,
for we must remember Bismarck was no
leader of majority in Parliament: the
Kings will was the only ground On
which the new Prime Ministe" stood.
The summer OF 1863 King William vas.
according to custom, spending in Baden
Baden: it was an exciting lime in Ber-
lin and every hour brought news Of the
increasing dangers to the monarch him-
self if ne did not give up bismarck.
One day the latter visited incognito
the BadenIBaden baths; it was night as
the future Iron Chancellor arrived at
the great railway station then -neDn-
plete. He learned at once that the
King was about to leave for Berlin. bis
narck says in his Reflections and Rem
iniscences that he found William seated
alone ON "a wheefbarTow outside OF the
station; he approached the future En-
peror, finding him very much si0wncast.
After few moments they both entered
a SINGLE first class car that stood wait
ing for the Berlin train taking seats
and turning out the lights After some
moments silence the King said "They Il
never be satisfied till they see my head
aud vot1rs 9.ut off l.igbfs Nj tlnara bafarf.