360 SOCIAL POSITION. 



though it is conceded that inherited possession of the 

 soil binds by tradition and education the owner more 

 firmly to the state, and is therefore more conservative 

 than land easily transferable and capital altogether 

 moveable, it yet no longer suffices to protect the state 

 from impoverishment and decay. This protection can 

 only be secured to-day by the conscious co-operation 

 of all the spiritual forces of the nation, the mainte- 

 nance and further development of which is one of 

 the most important problems of the modern state. 



Although the fact, that I owe my position in 

 life to my own efforts, has always afforded me a 

 certain satisfaction , yet I have always gratefully 

 acknowledged that my path was smoothed by my ad- 

 mission into the Prussian army and therewith into the 

 State of the great Frederick. I regard the cabinet 

 order of Frederick William III., which accorded me 

 the entry into the Prussian army, as the opening of 

 the only path then possible, in which my energies 

 could be developed. I have often, in my later life, 

 had opportunity to perceive how true had been the 

 utterance of my father that, in spite of all discontent 

 with the Prussian policy of the Holy Alliance, Prussia 

 was yet the only firm point in Germany and the only 

 anchorage for the hearts of German patriots. I have 

 therefore always bestowed my, I may well say, inborn 

 affection to the German fatherland first and foremost 

 on Prussia, and have always been faithfully and grate- 



