South Centerbury Times, TUESDAY, AUGUST 29, 1882.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2941, 29 August 1882, Page 2

South Centerbury Times, TUESDAY, AUGUST 29, 1882.

Prince Bismarck’s countrymen have not yet learned to do him justice ; and the day is probably still far distant when the world will recognise the real greatness of this wonderful statesman. Everybody does homage to his genius, bis iron will, his persistent devotion to his objects ; but most people regard these as merely feeders to an insatiable ambition. There was probably never a great man more misjudged. A candid observer, though he be a liberal of the liberals, and a hater of tyranny and military despotism, may find that the greatness of the objects of Bismarck will dignify even these. To have accomplished the unification of Germany is to have performed an unparalleled feat of statesmanship. The unification of Italy was a great work, but the peninsular position of that country was favorable to the enterprise, and there was unanimous enthusiasm in favor of it, both of which conditions were wanting in Germany. Having accomplished the work in Italy the country might safely be left to the good Government which the revolution had established. Its extensive seaboard enabled it, under its new conditions,to develop its trade, and to assume a position of independence. With Germany the case was 1 different. She lay in the very heart of Europe. She was surrounded by powerful and aggressive nations ; the Rhineonly divided her from France whose unstable character was a constant menace to her; a range of mountains was the only barrier between Austria and herself, and the enormous and dangerous power of Russia threatened her continually. Besides these mere external disadvantages, the promoters of her unification had to contend against clashing interests, petty jealousies, and vested interests innumerable. Yet despite all this, the consolidating policy of the great- Chancellor made steady progress. He never wavered from it, and when at length France was rash enough to “ beard the lion in his den,” Germany was able, thanks to the foresight that had observed the coming crisis, and the energy that had prepared for it, to inflict upon her assailant the most tremendous defeat ever sustained by any nation of modern times. In that critical time, the Germans lost sight of all the disturbing elements that had hitherto retarded the union of fatherland, and saw only that it was about to be speedily accomplished. It was accomplished, but the world then, while applauding the genius and patriotism that had brought it about were smitten With apprehension of the vast military organisation that now held the European Continent in awe. A military despotism had been established by a victorious dynasty, and the rights and liberties of men were to be trodden under its armed heel. Bismarck had counted upon all this, and prepared for it. All revolutionary doctrines, all opposing forces, he promptly set his foot upon, and preserved Germany from becoming, in the hour of her emancipation, the theatre of socialistic disorder and bloody revolution. It may be that these harsh measures have retarded the development of popular liberty, but, if we mistake not, they are in reality carrying the nation on towards the enjoyment of a sound liberty in the future. United Germany’s very existence for years to come,, depends upon her military organisation, and her military organisation would be nothing without a dynasty. Were the dynasty dethroned to-morrow, and Germany proclaimed a republic, in an uncommonly short space of time she would bo torn to shreds by internal dissensions, and the unity so patiently, so devotedly worked out by genius and patriotism, would bo a thing of the past, and in her disintegrated condition, she would be an easy prey to surrounding nations. Time softens all things; France has, contrary to expectation, settled down into a respectable peaceloving, business-like republic ; but all Germany’s neighbours have not yet done so. WRea that day arrives, and

I the nations of Europe have withdrawn their attentions from territorial ques- ' tions, and fixed it upon the development of industry and commerce, — I Germany may lay aside the iron policy - of her great Chancellor and take her ; part among the nations as a home of liberty. It is thus considered that the figure of the greatest statesman she ever produced, appears in its true glory. If he has not been a direct instrument for the achievement of popular liberty, be has done as great a work. He has prepared a very remarkable people for the enjoyment of liberty on a sound basis ; and, years hence, his name will be honoured as that of a patriot and a builder-up of the liberty and glory of his nation.