Year: 1871

sREEcuEs by THE EMPEROR WILLIAM AND HIS


son, THE CROWN PRINCE,


During the recent feteS in Berlin nu-
merous addresses were presented to the
Emperor and his family. In reply to
the address of the burgomaster of Ber-
lin the Emperor William spoke as fol-
lows:


You may imagine, gentlemen, with
what feeling am standing before you
to-day, on the spot where l took leave
of you about eight months ago. Only
audacious self.sufiiciency could have
presumed to foretell the events that
have occurred in the interval. 1t was
the will of Providence that such great
things should be accomplished by US.
Let us acknowledge that we have been
instruments in the hands of the AL.
mighty. The army has behaved so
gallantly that it can afford to dispense
with praise But L am moved to thank
you, gentlemen, for all the people have
done for the army. Our warriors were
supported by the consciousness that the
country was taking care of their famil-
les, an that those disabled in war might
count upon the active sympathy of their
compatriots. AS regards the new insti-
tutions of Germany and my personal
position in the empire, took the field
seeking no advantage for myself, and
hardly expecting that we should attain
so much as we have. In the short span
of life still left to me, will endeavor
to develop the seed sown. My successor
will see the young tree grow and bios.
som. The German heart has long yearn-
ed for this conSummation. The dawn
has come at length. Let us strive that
the day may be long and fair.


After the speech the king bowed,
which the deputations returned, with
the usual cheers They then waited
upon the crown prince, when the burgo-
master of Berlin acting as spokesman,
addressed his highness. The Crown
Prince then said:


thank the representatives of the capi.
tai for the eloquent wnrds with which
they greet me on my return home. l.,
too, remember of 1876, and the day
when had the pleasure of seeing you
assembled around nj. for a similar pur-
pose. The campaign of 1866 was i'm por-
tant for Prussiaand Germany, ,inasmuch
as it laid the foundation of the unity of
the fatherland, but without anticipating
its eventual results, has crowned this
work. Equally unprecedented as its
course is its reward. Germany is uni
ted. The emperor and the empire are
once more realities. The security and
power of fatherland have been firmly
and, with Gods help, permanently es-
tablished. You have thanked the
Third army for its share in the war, and
with sincere qualification i accept your
appreciation in the name of my gallant
companions in arms. The Third army,
as well as The entire people, thought it q
good oufen when we were unabled tC
strike the first decisive blow in strug.
gle the prize of which we foresaw might
be German unity. From the very out.
set of this sanguinary combat north and
south were united in the army under
my command. With great satisfaction
therefore look back upon the days ol
| Weissenburg and Woerth, which firs
made tangible reality of this grea
national desideratum. Our successes
could not be obtained without the mos
melancholy sacrifices. We shall faith
fully remember those who have fallel
to preserve to us all that we most dearl,
prize. Those who have been disabled
may be sure of our active solicitude
which l hope to be able to manifest ol
my part, as ] did in 1864 and 1866. Wit
you l trust that Providence will permi
us, safe from foreign enemies and stron
in domestic concord, to reap the fruit
sown in this eventful period. May al
the blessings of peace he reserved {
tatherland! May all sources of ciyi
and political prosperity flow more abuI
dantly than ever. And may our cap


tai derive fresh happiness and wealt


from the new life infused by the issu


of the war. The people and army will


never forget the patriotic behavior {


Berlin during this serious struggle. Ia


me once more thank you for the prom


generosity with which the town and /


representatives have seconded OF
efforts during the war.