Democratic Sentinel, Volume 18, Number 40, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 October 1894 — BISMARCK'S EPITAPH. [ARTICLE]

BISMARCK'S EPITAPH.

Tributes Vailed Forth by the Clianco'lor’s Pathetic Remark. The rumored i oports of Prince Bismarch’s failing health servb to recall the circumstance that soon after his retirement irom public life—the consequence of a rupture with Emperor William—he remarked pathetically: “I have only one ambition left. I should like to have a good epitaph." This mournful expression excited a good deal of comment at the time, and, curiously enough, epita hs upon the ex-Chancellor were attempted by a number of writers, although, to quote from a contemporary, “to discuss during a man s lifetime the form to be adopted for his epitaph is a questionable proceeding.” Many ot these experiments in epitaphy were very clever. Here is one that is exceptionally meaty: Bismarck Iles here, early and late He strove to make his country ureat Did he succeed? Let Sedan, Paris, tell; But silence keep on how. himself, he fell Much more conventional is the following, which, as we recollect, was submitted by a writer for the London newspaper press; Around this tomb hovers the spirit great Which for too brief a span did animate The mighty frame that silent lios below. Leaving the world to wonderment and woe, Bismarck, the lion Chancellor, whose nod The anxious nations watched, as of a god He forged an empire, swayed It In Its pride. And then, to show that he was mortal, died. And these other contributions aro not wholly without merit: 1 ruled as king, and not in vain; I tamed the Austrian and the Dane; I curbed proud France (for Europe’s good), I placed her borders where she stood; I made Germania Que and Free, I felt I saw adversity.

Look kindly on this spot Here Bismarck lies Death kissed away the terror of his eyes; And the brave heart by leisure has been made A child’s of which the world was once afraid. Cleansed is the 'blood,’ the ’iron'lost in love, And now earth's prlnco is crowned a king above. Here on the verge of Prussia’s border. Moulder the bones of Prussia’s warder; Sound may he sleep when the coming thunder Shall rock his castle walls asunder. The most graceful of the many epitaphs called forth by the ex-Chancel-lor s pathetic words appears to have leen the following: If dust ye seek and dust alone. Prince Bismarck sleeps beneath this stone; But If ye seek his soul, depart— His Germans keep that In their heart.