For at least every man got his rights in those
days, scanty as those rights may have been, and the official was not
the enemy of the citizen, but his somewhat despotic guardian and
protector. Shall I say all? The most consoling class to me in
Germany to-day are the Social Democrats. They have independence of
spirit, self-denial, character, and idealism. Their ideals are not
my ideals--far from it--but what does that matter? It is relief
enough to find people who have any ideals at all, and who are ready
to suffer and die for them. I fear that not till this generation has
passed away will the German people become once more the upright,
true-hearted, incorruptible idealists they were, who, at every
turning-point of their history, were ready to bleed to death for
freedom of opinion, and other purely spiritual advantages. I take a
very black view of things perhaps. If only the harm done is not
permanent, if only Germany retains sufficient virile strength to
throw off the poison instilled into her veins and recover her former
health!"
In his excitement he had risen, and was pacing the room like an
angry lion in a cage. Wilhelm did not like to interrupt the stream
of words, which seemed to be forced from him by some powerful inward
pressure.
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