Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, Transmitted to Congress, With the Annual Message of the President, December 3, 1888, Part I
No. 451.
Mr. Pendleton to Mr. Bayard.
Berlin, March 17, 1888. (Received April 3.)
Sir: I have the honor to inclose herewith the originals and translations of a proclamation to the people of Germany, and an open letter to Prince Bismarck, as the head of the ministry, both made public last Monday by the Emperor Frederick III, immediately after his arrival at Charlottenburg last Sunday evening. It seems to me that there is a noble frankness about both documents, delineating a policy to be pursued by the acceding Emperor, full of promise for the German people, and extremely creditable to him.
I have, etc.,
Proclamation of the Emperor.
To My People:
The Emperor has completed his glorious life.
In the much-beloved father whom I weep, and whom, with me, my royal house mourns with profoundest grief, Prussia’s faithful people has lost its fame-crowned King, the German nation the founder of its unity, the re-established Empire the first German Emperor.
His revered name will remain inseparably connected with the greatness of the German fatherland, in whose recreation the persevering labor of Prussia’s people and prince has found its brightest reward.
In elevating with never-tiring sovereign care the Prussian army to the height of its grave mission. King William laid the sure foundation for the victories won by German arms under his guidance, which led to national unity. He assured thereby to the Empire a position for which every German, until then, yearned, but hardly dared to hope.
What he achieved for his people hi hot, sacrifice-entailing conflicts, it was vouchsafed to him to strengthen and promote by long years of laborious work in times of peace.
Secure in the consciousness of her own strength, Germany stands respected in the council of the nations, craving only to be permitted to enjoy the peaceful development of what he has achieved.
The accomplishment of this we owe to Emperor William—to his never-wavering fidelity to duty, to his unceasing activity, consecrated only to the welfare of the fatherland, supported by the self-sacrificing, undeviating devotion shown by the Prussian people, and shared by all branches of the German race.
Upon me have now devolved ail the rights and duties which are connected with the crown of my house, and which, during such time as God’s will may allot to my reign, I am determined to faithfully observe.
Profoundly impressed with the magnitude of my task, my sole endeavor will be to continue-the work in the sense in which it was begun; to make Germany a stronghold of peace, and in accord with the united Governments as well as the constitutional bodies of the Empire and Prussia to promote the welfare of the German land.
In my faithful people, which, throughout centuries of history, in good as in evil days, has stood by my house, I place my unreserved trust. For I am conviced that upon the foundations of the un separable bond between prince and people, which, independently of all changes in the life of the state, constitutes the imperishable inheritance [Page 622] of the Hohenzollern race, my crown will ever as securely rest as does the prosperity of the country to whose government I have been called, and to which I promise to be a just and faithful King, in joy as in sorrow.
May God grant me blessing and strength for this work to which my life shall henceforth he dedicated.
Emperor Frederick III to Prince Bismarck.
My Dear Prince: At the commencement of my reign it is a necessity for me to turn to you, the first servant, well tried through many years, of my father, who now rests in God.
You are the true and courageous counselor who gave form to-the aims of his policy and secured their successful accomplishment.
To you, I and my house remain indebted with warmest thanks.
You, above all, have therefore the right to know the stand-points which will be the guiding principle in the conduct of my Government.
The constitution and laws of the Empire and of Prussia must above all rest on the veneration and morals of the nation. The concussions which frequent changes in State institutions and laws produce are, therefore, to be avoided when possible.
The promotion of the aims of the Imperial Government must leave undisturbed the firm foundation upon which the Prussian state has hitherto securely rested.
In the Empire the constitutional rights of all the united governments must be as conscientiously respected as those of the Reichstag; but from both the same respect for the rights of the Emperor are to be expected. At the same time it must be borne in mind that these reciprocal rights are intended only to promote the public welfare, which remains the supreme law, and that newly appearing undoubted national needs must always receive the full measure of attention they deserve.
The necessary and surest guaranty of the unimpeded execution of these tasks I see in the undiminished maintenance of the defensive power of the country, of my tried army, and of the promising navy, upon which important duties devolve in consequence of our acquisition of possessions beyond seas; both must at all times be at the height of excellence and of perfection in organization, which has founded their fame and assured their continued efficiency.
I am determined to conduct the Government in the Empire, as in Prussia, with a conscientious observance of the provisions of the constitutions of each. These have been founded by my predecessors on the throne in a wise appreciation of the unquestionable needs and of the difficult problem of social and state existence, and must he respected by all in order that their strength and efficacy may be assured.
I intend that the principles of religious toleration which have been for centuries held sacred by my house shall continue to protect all my subjects, to whatever religious sect or confession they may belong. Each of them stands equally near to my heart; have not all equally shown complete devotion in times of danger?
In unison with the views of my Imperial father, I shall warmly support all efforts calculated to further the economic prosperity of the various classes of society, to reconcile conflicting interests, to alleviate to the best of my ability unavoidable evils, without, however, encouraging the idea of the possibility of putting an end to the ills of society by the intervention of the State.
As closely connected with the social questions, I regard that of the education of youth. If, on the other hand, higher culture is to be made accessible to larger circles, we must avoid the creation of serious dangers by superficial education, which gives rise to ambitions which the economic resources of the nation can not satisfy, and at the same time take care that misdirected efforts for higher culture do not lead to neglect of suitable education.
Only a generation growing up on the basis of the fear of God, with simplicity of morals, will possess sufficient powers of resistance to overcome the dangers which, in a time of rapid economic activity, arise for the entire community through the examples of habits of exaggerated luxury in individuals. It is my will that no opportunity be lost to oppose in the public service the temptation to disproportionate expenditure.
To every proposition of financial reform my unprejudiced consideration is assured in advance, if the long attested economy in Prussia should not permit the avoidance of the imposition of new burdens and a diminution of demands heretofore made upon the country.
The right of self-government accorded to the greater and lesser communities in the state I regard as beneficial; on the other hand, I submit for consideration whether [Page 623] the right to impose taxes conferred on these communities, and exercised by them, without sufficient regard for the burdens imposed at the same time by the Empire and state, may not disproportionately bear upon individuals.
It will in like manner have to be considered whether, in the organization of authorities, a simplifying change appears admissible through which a diminution of the number of the employed would make an increase in their compensation possible.
Should we succeed in preserving in their strength the foundations of state and social existence, it will afford me peculiar satisfaction to promote to full development the richest flowers which German art and science put forth.
For the realization of these my intentions I reckon on your oft-proven devotion and the assistance of your tried experience.
May it thus be vouchsafed to me, acting in unison with the Imperial bodies, with the devoted activity of the representatives of the people and of all the authorities, and with the trustful co-operation of all classes of the population, to lead Germany and Prussia to new honors in the domain of peaceful development.
Regardless of glory, of renown-bringing deeds, I shall be content if it can be some day said of my Government that it was beneficial to my people, useful to my country, and a blessing to the Empire.
Your well-inclined,