The Washington times., 1915-03-28
"Bise'' Tradition
Often Assailed.

The "Bise" tradition has been as
sailed, archaeoloGists claiming that the
earliest spelling of the name Of Bis
marck on record Gin the early part OF
tho thirteenth century, was Bischofs-
mark, nearly all Of Germany at that
time being divided into marks
(marches). 1t was the bishop of IaveI-
berg, who at that period was in con-
troll of the district which contained
the mark of the Bise. The mansion is
very old structure. and was inhabit-
ed by the family long before their
earliest record in the heyday of the
German empire.
The Bismarcks are q numerous race.
their territorial designations denoting
their abode, such as Bismarck -Schown-
hausen, Bismarck Hohlen. Bismarck
kuesterity. Bismarck-Juelz and others.
But they are all descended from the
family settled in the Mark Branden-
burg, which attained noble rank in
the fourteenth century. Even before
burgomastery of stendal one Rudolph
Bismarck, a member of the guild OF
tauors (cioth mcrchants). There were
also two of that name, who were book
the other at Wolfenbuettel. in Bruins
wick; both chronicled as ''degenerates"
in a family that scorned trade, deyot-
ing themselves to hunting. farming,
ana, SDONS all. TO URntlnB.
In BismarCk's veins flowed some of
the best blood of North Germany. in
cluding that of the Great Frederick $
famous cavalry generals, Ziethen and
Derfflinger. Most Of the iron chancel-
lors psternal ancestors had been
mighty lighting men of the old Mark
Brandenburg, the kernel of the present
kingdom of Prussia. Bismarck's father
was major in the Prussian army dur
ing the declining years of Frederick the
whom
1883. when the old king referred to tho
formers grandfather. who fought ir
the seven years war and was killed al
CZaslau. These memories prompted the
future empire builder, not to end his
days as a land -junker." But still
more enduring must have been the I'M
preston upon the boy about the In
Vasion of the Fatherland by the Ma
poleonic host, which the boy gathered
from the descriptions of his parents
Bismarck's mother, Louise Wiihclmin(
Menken, was the only commonCr tha
had over married into an ancient FAINT
~ But though she did not add to theil
luster by high sounding noble nam"
it. was she who bcqueathed TO her bo!
mis- powerful brains. She was highll
intellectual with an exceptionally fin
education. She was the daughter o.
that well-known Privy Councillor Men
ken who was the Great Frederick
main dependence in the management o.
the foreign affairs of his kingdom. Bis
marck's entry into the political arena
was in the snte-revoiutionary days .
1878, wheT the German people awok'
10 their rights and demanded con
stituion. What the intelligent Prus
slams strove for was parliament. Blu
the most that their weak king ooult
bring himself to grant was the expert
ment of an assembly, composed of tn
members of the eight provincial diets
endowed only with consultative and pc
tltioning powers There was to be NJ
constitution for" said the King =
sheet of paper never should interfcr
with God in Heavan and his subjects.
Bismarck Sent to
Berlin as Alternate.
The regular member of that distric
being i'll. Bismarck, the fiery youni