Waldfried Part 51

"I feel a.s.sured of that; but speak out fearlessly."

"I have fought, thought, and lived for this during my whole lifetime.

If we are to gain a real Fatherland, the princes must relinquish their claim to sovereignty: that belongs only to the whole.

"The growth of the idea of German unity has been in geometrical progression. During the period of the rotten restoration, from the battle of Leipzig down to 1830, those who entertained it might have been counted by hundreds, or, at most, thousands, and they were to be found only among the cultured or learned cla.s.ses. After 1830, they were counted by hundreds of thousands, and after 1848, by millions; and to-day the thought of German unity is alive in all who know that they are Germans.

"One system of laws within our borders, a united army, and united representation in foreign lands. But the league of the states, that through joy and sorrow have achieved unity for themselves, should be faithfully preserved. The forest is one united whole, and yet every tree has its individual life.

"Your Highness, I live near the borders. The obstinacy of the Vienna congress has so cut up the country that we are obliged to go out of our state to get salt. I have fields and woods beyond the boundary post, and this has given rise to a thousand and one annoyances. Even the protection of the forests, on which depends the life of our landed interests, is obstructed by the diversity of laws. The hailstorm we had last week paid no regard to boundary posts."

From the depths of my heart, I said: "Your dynasty, you and your house, should remain our chief; but they should be subject to the greater commonwealth."

"Subject?" said the Prince. He evidently expected that I would withdraw or modify the word; but I felt that I could not do so.

And then he took my hand in his and said:

"I knew that these were your thoughts; I a.s.sumed as much. But I feel grateful that you have allowed me to hear them from your own lips. Do you believe that the majority of my--or our--people feel as you do?"

"No, I do not believe so. That is, they do not feel so to-day, but they will to-morrow. Deeds--deeds of sacrifice--are the most powerful instructors; they teach men what they should think, and even find a voice for what has been slumbering in their souls, but which--through pride and anger, or through want of courage--they have not even dared to think of."

"You are not an enthusiast."

"I do not believe I am one. The people love the princes from force of habit, and will be none the less glad to love them when reflection and reason permit them to do so."

"Have you ever had the desire to occupy a position of authority under the government?"

"Certainly; it was my greatest desire, and I believe--"

"You ought to be President of the ministry."

I replied that I was a practical farmer, and had never been in the government service.

"Tell me how you have become what you are," said the Prince, taking a seat opposite me.

CHAPTER IV.

"I shall gladly tell you all."

"The less reserve on your part, the greater my thanks."

"I was one of those who were persecuted on account of what at that time was called demagogism.

"The soldier who guarded me--he is now a servant in my employ--informed me that I had been sentenced to death, and offered to change clothes with me, in order that I might escape. I refused the offer and remained. We were not sentenced to death, but to imprisonment for ten years. Ten years! A long, long night stared us in the face.

"Your Highness has taken me by the hand. Your father declared that he would never voluntarily offer his hand to me or my confederates, although it were necessary to do so if we meant to give him a pledge of our allegiance.

"You cannot remember the circ.u.mstance.

"After being imprisoned for five years, we were pardoned, and I and two of my prison-mates were elected members of the Parliament.

"The Jurists objected to our a.s.suming the privileges of citizenship.

"The House which acknowledged our election was dissolved, naturally enough, by Metternich's order. A new one met, and, as we had in the meanwhile been re-elected, it confirmed the validity of our election.

Your father--I fully acknowledge his many acts of benevolence--was obliged to extend his hand to us in order that we might take the oath.

"There are no words that fitly describe the wicked man who lived in the imperial city, and to whom the sovereign German princes were obedient subjects. In future days it will seem incredible, that, in obedience to orders from Vienna, the German princes ordered our youth, under heavy penalties, to desist from improving their physical strength by gymnastic exercises.

"Perhaps you never knew that even singing clubs were forbidden, and that officials who had been connected with them were regarded with suspicion.

"Is it conceivable that a government which forbids physical development by means of gymnastics, and spiritual elevation by means of song, can for a moment have faith in its own stability?

"I am not easily moved to hatred; but, even now, the name of that man fills me with indignation.

"What crime had we been guilty of? Why, only this: with a youthful confidence in solemn promises, we had simply held fast to the idea that Germany had freed itself from the Corsican yoke in order to become a free, united empire.

"You cannot conceive, your Highness, how many n.o.ble-hearted men were thrown into dungeons, or driven into exile in those days. Who can measure what n.o.ble gifts ran to waste.

"When I think of these things, a sad picture presents itself to my mind's eye.

"Among our fellow-prisoners at the fortress, there was a young man who had already begun to lecture at the university.

"His father was an eminent philologist, and had been removed from his professorship for permitting himself, while lecturing, to indulge in expressions in favor of liberty. In a material sense, he was, fortunately, well-to-do. His family owned a large estate in the forest country, whither he repaired, taking with him his collections of antiques and his books.

"The son sickened while in prison, and a wasting fever undermined his youthful strength; and, as his days were numbered, the physician at the fortress requested the authorities to release him.

"I have positive information--as the sister of that young man afterward became my wife--that our Prince, your father, was willing to grant the discharge. But, before it could be carried into effect, it was necessary to ask for Metternich's permission--and Metternich refused it.

"The commandant of the fortress held me in great esteem, and permitted me, on his own responsibility, to be placed in the same cell with the sick prisoner.

"I nursed him faithfully, and watched his every movement. I shall never care to recall the thoughts that pa.s.sed through my mind during the long days, and still longer nights, that I pa.s.sed at his bedside. He was slowly sinking; for confinement was killing him, and yet no word of complaint ever fell from his lips.

"His father came and--could you imagine it?--was not allowed to converse with his son except in the presence of a guard.

"Then came his sister, only fifteen years old--but of that no matter at present.

"The n.o.ble martyr died. He was buried in the village at the foot of the fortress.

"While these things were going on, there was dancing and dining at Court, and Metternich was writing witty _billet-doux_.

"You, of course, have never heard of these things.

"Through the bars of our prison, we could look out into the fortress-yard and see the coffin placed on the wagon that was to carry it to the grave. But why should I revive the anger and sense of disgrace that filled our hearts at that moment? And who, on the other hand, would have the right to condemn us prisoners if, when at last free, we should indulge in deeds of vengeance?

"Your Highness will understand that I am only telling you of these matters so that you may have an idea of the sacrifices that were made to bring about the result which is now to be consummated through a struggle of life and death."