It was conceded that, in military matters, William’s judgment was good, but the Liberals did not much like these great military expenses.
William even thought of breaking the deadlock by abolishing parliament and ruling alone, or abdicating his throne!
He had already written out his abdication, so the story goes, and it was lying on his desk, all signed, awaiting the moment of proclamation.
¶ At the eleventh hour, William bethought himself of an invincible fighting man, Otto von Bismarck, widely known for boldness and independence.
¶ “I am willing to carry out your policy, whether Parliament is agreed or not! I will rather perish with my King than forsake Your Majesty in the contest with Parliamentary government!”
¶ And William tore up the abdication paper and replied, “Let’s get down to business!”
42
The four years’ conflict era—Here Bismarck is at last revealed in his true character—King’s Man supreme!
¶ Ten years of rough-and-tumble fighting in the blind alleys of political intrigue have now prepared Otto von Bismarck for great things. In the solemn years to come, all is yet to be dignified by the formation of an Empire, through blood and iron.
¶ The King’s ambition grew on what it fed upon—a desire for Prussian aggrandizement, at all hazards, and the ultimate solution of the German problem through Prussian power of arms. He made up his mind, accordingly, that he ought to reorganize the army; for this purpose he had asked the Chamber for 12,000,000 thalers.