After six years of domiciliary visits, suppressions, and summary expulsions of offending journalists, the Prussian Diet at length assembled at Berlin. In his opening speech the king addressed the deputies thus:
"Recollect, gentlemen, that you are here to represent the interests of the people, but not their sentiments."
A little later in the year, Frederic William inaugurated his Divine Right by observing as he tore up the Constitution:
"I shall not allow a scrap of paper to stand between my people and their God!" meaning, though he did not dare to say it, "between my people and me."
Then the revolution of 1848 burst forth, and did not spare Berlin, which was soon in full revolt. The king lost his head completely. In leaving the town he had to drive past the dead bodies of rioters killed in the struggle. There was a shout of "Hats off!" and the king was obliged to remain uncovered while the people sang the famous hymn composed by the Great Electress.
"Jesus, my Redeemer lives."
Every one knows how Absolutism succeeded in dominating the National Assembly, and how presently reaction brought the following leaders into power:
Manteuffel, whose policy led to the unfortunate Austrian triumph at Olmutz.
Westphalen, who revived provincial councils, and brought the king to the famous Warsaw interview.
Statel, a converted Jew and Protestant Jesuit, a Grand Inquisitor who had missed his vocation.