THE LETTER TO PRINCE BISMARCK.

Te Aroha News, Volume V, Issue 253, 25 April 1888, Page 5

THE LETTER TO PR INC E BISMARCK.

The Empeioi has al-o written a lertei to Prince Bi-maiek, or which the following die the principal poition- -- "My dcii Prince. — At the commencement of my reign it i- neee--ar> for me to turn to you, tor man) %eai? the much trusted chiet seivantof my late fathei, who now rest.- m (lod. You aie the tine and courageous councilloi who craAe to his policy its aim and foim. and secured it- complete fulfilment. You lam in dut) bound warmly to thank for the maintenance ot m\ house, and \ou have therefore a right before all others to know w hat ai c rhe -tandpoints which w ill be the guiding principles foi the upholding oi mv (4o\ eminent "The ordinance- of the constitution and the right- of the empue and of Piu-sia must befoie all be consolidated in \eneration and the cu-tom-. ot the nations. Condition- whicli tiequent change? of State i emulation- .*nd mea-ure- bung about are there foie to be a\oided a- much a- possible. The advancement of the administration of the Imperial <lo\ eminent mu&t be left undi-tinbed on the turn foundation on which the Piu--ian State ha- hitherto rested in -eeurit\, In the empne the constitutional right- of all Federal Oovernmenb mu-t be con-cientiou-ly ie.-pected as tho-e of the Reichstag, but fiom both a similar respect foi the rights oi the Emperor must be expected. At the same time we mu-t keep befoie otu eye- that these mutual right- mu.-t only -erve foi promoting the public wehaie, which le-main-i the supreme law of the land, and which must alway- be employed in fulh satisfying an\ farther undoubted national requirements which ma} arise. " Tlie nece^=ai\ and the suit-st guarantee loi the unimpeded execution of these tusks J see in the unabated maintenance of the warlike power of the country ot m\ welltried army, and ot thona^y gi owing up, tor which impoitant dutico ha\e been in the acquirement ot Tians-oceanic posfces -ions. Both mu-t at all times be maintained by the full completion oi their organisation, upon which ha-.aheacfy formed the foundation for theii fame, and which injure- theii iuithei eiiective service-. "I desiie that the basis of religious toleration whicli for centuries pa-t has been held sacred bb t > im House shall continue to be extended to all my subjects, of whatexer teligioufe community and of whate\er creed. E\eiy one of them stands equally near to my heart, for all have equally shown their complete de\otion in times of danger. "In agieement with the views of my imperial father, I shall warmly suppoit all efforts calculated to impiove the economical prosperity of the different classes of society, to conciliate their opposing interests, and a& far as may be in my power to alleviate unavoidable perplexities, without, however, raising expectations as though it were possible to put an end to all ills of society by the intervention ot the State. "Closely bound up with the social question I regard that of the education of youth, and efforts to this end must be on higher .scale and be 1 endered more widely accessible. AYe must therefore avoid creating dangers by participation, and awakening demands whicli the economical powers, of the nation cannot satisfy. We must also take care that through the one-sided efforts of increased knowledge, the task of education shall not remain neglected. Only a generation growing up upon a sound basis of the fear of God and simplicity of morals, can possess sufficient resisting power to overcome the dangers which in time of rapid economical movements arise to the entire community through the examples of the highly luxurious life of individuals. 'It is my will that no opportunity be lost in the public service to offer every opposition to the temptation of disproportionate expenditure. My unbiassed consideration of every proposal for financial reform is

assured in advance unless long-proved economy in Prussia does not permit of burdens, and of ejecting an alleviation of avoiding the imposition of fresh demand hitherto made on the country. " The self-government granted to greater and lesser communities in the State 1 consider to be beneficial. On tho other hand, I would suggest forexaminatiouthequestion whether the right of levyinir taxes conferred upon these communities, which is exorcised by them without suilicient logard for burdens simultaneously imposed by the empire and the State, may not weigh untairh on individuals In like manner it will ha\e to ho considered -whether simplifying change does not appear admissible in the organisation of authorities. In which a 1 eduction in the number of ollieials would permit an meiea^e in t heir emoluments. Should we succeed in maintaining in their srieiiiith the basis of State and social lite, it will alloid me special giatilic.it ion to lfiinn to it-N hill development blossomwhich art and science .--how in mi much mea^uie. " t\n the icalNatiun ot these m> inten tions 1 count on \our well-proved devotion • mil ujion the suppoit ot \our tried e\penouce ( aieles? of f-plcndour ot yloiious .u-hic\ement-, 1 *hall be content it it can heieafter hv -aid ot ny, Co\ eminent that it h.»» been beneficial to my peojile, useful to m\ country and a bles^inn to the einpiio. '