96 



Prince Bismarck and his Policy. 



haps, too cultured to indorse a constitution : we are too 

 critical. Public opinion changes; the press was not pub- 

 lic opinion ; it was well known how the press was upheld. 

 Germany does not contemplate the liberalism of Prussia, 

 but her power. Bavaria, Wurtemberg and Baden might 

 indulge liberalism, but they are n*ot, therefore, called 

 upon to play the part of Prussia. Prussia must hold her 

 power together for the favorable opportunity, which has 

 already been sometimes neglected. The great questions of 

 the day were not to be decided by speeches and majorities, 

 but by iron and blood." 



The chamber answered by the resolutions of October 

 7th, by which all expenditure was declared unconstitu- 

 tional, if declined by the national representatives ; to 

 which Bismarck replied : According to this resolution, 

 the royal government cannot, for the present, anticipate 

 any result from the continuance of its attempts to arrive 

 at some settlement ; it must rather expect from any renewal 

 of the negotiation a heightening of party differences, 

 which would render any understanding in the future 

 more difficult." 



At the close of the session of the Diet, October 13th, 

 Bismarck said : " The government is perfectly aware of 

 the responsibility which has arisen from this lamentable 

 crisis, but at the same time, it is also observant of the 

 duties it owes to the country, and in this finds itself strength- 

 ened to press for the supplies necessary for existing state 

 institutions and the furtherance of the common weal, be- 

 ing assured that at the proper time, they will receive the 

 subsequent sanction of the Diet." 



After assuming the ministry in December, 1862, Bis- 

 marck entered upon negotiations with Austria. In the 

 famous circular dispatch of the 24th of January, 1863, 

 he says : 



