POLITICAL ACTIVITY. 247 



and no one questioned the sincerity of the personally 

 popular and highly esteemed monarch, whose efforts 

 were directed to that end, but there was much doubt 

 in regard to the practicability of his plan. Faith in the 

 historical mission of Prussia for effecting the unification 

 of Germany and in Prussia's star had sunk too low. 

 Even the most eager enthusiasts for Germany's unity 

 and future greatness, nay even preeminently Prussian 

 patriots, deemed it therefore incompatible with their 

 duty to load Prussia with this new, and as it seemed 

 exorbitant, military burden. The representatives of the 

 people rejected, in large part certainly with heavy 

 heart, the reorganisation plan of the government, and 

 after repeated dissolutions the people confirmed this 

 vote at the new elections. 



It was especially hard for me personally to vote 

 against the proposition of the Government, as in my 

 innermost heart I still maintained my old faith in the 

 vocation of Prussia, and it might also look like in- 

 gratitude if I opposed the desire of a monarch, who 

 had once personally shown his good will to me. 

 Moreover, from the attitude of the ministers von Bis- 

 marck and Roon in the chambers and from their de- 

 meanour and utterances in the bitter war of words 

 that often took place, I had gained the conviction that 

 serious action was before us, for which an increased 

 army would be required. But my political friends 

 quieted me by saying, that an active movement on 

 the part of Prussia for creating a united Germany 

 under the guidance of Prussia would necessarily lead 



