The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-12-03
FRANCE OYERTHIROWN.

IaxA4NC1L Wv N.
In 4S hours after the declaration of
war two million men, the best equipped
and organized in the world, were on
their way to the French borders. War
was declared on the 10Th day of July
and by the Sd Of September the whole
OF the French army with the Emperor
Napoleon himself was at the mercy of
the Germans The march to Paris was
begun and in Versailles on the 10th
Of January the union of all Germany
under Prussia was declared, the empire
was established and it was through and
through Prussian with some exception
In Bavaria After the war was over
and Alsace-L Lorraine and one billion
dollars had been taken from France,
Bismarck sat down and dictated the
present constitution of Germany. 1t
was not work of months of careful
study and compromises as was ours in
1881, bur simply what one man thought
best was written out and submitted
to the States of q country that dared
not reject it. 1t is needless to say this
constitution provided for an independent
minister and for AN Emperor by the
grace OF God. An Imperial Council
In which Prussia has IL votes besides
that of the President who must always
be Il PrlIsSian was establish
ed; this gives Prussia ma
jority Of one in all affairs coming
before the council-a body very much
like our Senate, except that its mem
beers are named by the princes of the
different States. The constitution pro-
yides for a Reichstag which is elected by
popular vote throughout the Empire, but
only once in I'VE years; the Reichstag
has nothing to do with appointing the
as does the English parliament,
neither does majority of the Reichstag
prevent the government from following
its own policy or necessitate the resig
nation Of the ministry. The Supreme
Council or Bundesrath above
mentioned has rights in the
Reichstag but only in presenting
the plans OF its own members
or those of the government All initia-
tive rests with the Emperor, and the
Reichstag may be dismissed three times
in succession by him, new elections fol-
lowing each dismissal. The Chancellor
or prime minister is elected by the Em-
peror and is accountable alone to the
Emperor.
HylCal<aIttgA - tTil(lLAAl al NOlbh.
This is them the work of one man, and
in a period of eight years. 1t means a
great deal for the world and was the
cause Of the present system Of politics
not only in Germany, but in all coun
tries OF Middle and Northern Europe.
1t is a reactionary policy that has DOM
mated Europe, England not excepted
in spite of Gladstone, since 1870 and
the people at least of Germany are large
" reactionary, ultra-conseryative in
opinion; they are decidedly Bismarckian.
As a result of this powerful MANS work
we have united Germany and pros
porous one. The German name has been
made to be respected the world over.
They, the country people and peasants
of Germany, say that the promises of
the great Barbarossa have been fulfilled
that the golden age Of prosperity has
ccme, that the pear tree again blossoms
in the valley, that the old Emperor him
self has come back to rule his people in
peace and prosperity. History does not
know "a greater man than Bismarck, and
it will be a long time before men cease
to gaze in wonder at the mansoIenn
there in the Sachsen Wald where his last
remains have been laid away.