Moreover，thenationhadjustescapedaterriblecatastropheatthelastgeneralelection;theignorant，careless，andperversevotehavinggonealmostsolidlyforafinancialpolicywhichwouldhavewreckedustemporarilyanddisgraceduseternally。
Timewill，nodoubt，developamoreconservativesentimentintheStateswherethisvoteforevilwascast;ascivilizationdeepensandadvances，betterideaswilldoubtlessgrowstronger;butitissurethattheadditionofCubatotheUnitedStates，ifitevercomes，meanstheaddingofavastilliteratemassofvoterstothosewhoatthatelectionshowedthemselvessodangerous。
OnalltheseaccountsIhadfeltveryanxioustoputoffthewholeCubanquestionuntilourRepublicshouldbecomesomuchlargerandsomuchmorematurethattheadditionofafewmillionsofSpanish—Americanswouldbeofbutsmallaccountinthetotalvoteofthecountry。
Then，too，IhadlittlesympathywithaspirationsforwhatSpanishrevolutionistscallfreedom，andnoadmirationatallforCentralAmericanrepublics。Ihadofficiallyexaminedoneofthemthoroughly，hadknownmuchofothers，andhadnobeliefinthecapacityofpeopleforcitizenshipwhoprefertocarryongovernmentbypronunciamtentos，whoneveracknowledgetherightsofmajorities，whoarereadytostartcivilwarontheslightestpretext，andwho，wheninpower，exerciseadespotismmorepersistentandcruelthananysinceNeroandCaligula。NoRussianautocrat，claimingtogovernbydivineright，haseverdaredtocommitthehigh—handedcrueltieswhicharecommoninsundryWestIndianandequatorialrepublics。Ifeltthatthegreatthingwastogaintimebeforedoinganythingwhichmightresultintheadmissionofthemillionstrainedundersuchinfluencesintoalltherights，privileges，andpowersofAmericancitizenship。
ButtherecamethedestructionoftheMaineintheharborofHavana，andthenceforwardwarwascertain。ThenewswasbroughttomeatagalarepresentationoftheoperaatBerlin，when，oninvitationfromtheEmperor，theambassadorswereoccupyingalargeboxoppositehisown。HardlyhadthetelegramannouncingthecatastrophebeenplacedinmyhandswhentheEmperorentered，andonhisaddressingmeIinformedhimofit。Hewasevidentlyshocked，andexpressedaregretwhich，Ifullybelieve，wasdeeplysincere。Heinstantlyasked，withapiercinglook，"Wastheexplosionfromtheoutside？"MyanswerwasthatIhopedandbelievedthatitwasnot;thatitwasprobablyaninteriorexplosion。Tomygreatregret，theofficialreportafterwardobligedmetochangemymindonthesubject;butIstillfeelthatnoSpanishofficerortrueSpaniardwasconcernedinthematter。IthasbeenmygoodfortunetoknowmanySpanishofficers，anditisimpossibleformetoconceiveoneoftheirkindashavingtakenpartinsofrightfulapieceoftreachery;
ithasalwaysseemedtobemorelikelythatitwasdonebyapartyofwildlocalfanatics，therefuseofaWestIndianseaport。
TheEmperorremainedfirminhisfirstimpressionthattheexplosionwascausedfromtheoutside。Evenbeforethiswasestablishedbytheofficialinvestigation，hehadsettledintothatconclusion。Ononeoccasion，whenalargenumberofleadingofficersoftheNorthSeaSquadronwerediningwithhim，heaskedtheiropiniononthissubject，andalthoughthegreatmajority——indeed，almostallpresent——thenbelievedthatthecatastrophehadresultedfromaninteriorexplosion，headheredtohisbeliefthatitwasfromanexteriorattack。
OnvariousoccasionsbeforethattimeIhadmetmycolleaguetheSpanishambassador，SenorMendezyVigo，andmyrelationswithhimhadbeenexceedinglypleasant。Eachofushadtriedtokeepupthehopesoftheotherthatpeacemightbepreserved，anddowntothelastmomentItookgreatpainstoconvincehimofwhatI
knewtobethetruth——thatthepolicyofPresidentMcKinleywastopreventwar。ButItooknolesspainstoshowhimthatSpainmustaidthePresidentbyconcessionstopublicopinion。Mypersonalsympathies，too，werearousedinbehalfofmycolleague。
Hehadpassedtheallottedthreescoreyearsandten，wasevidentlyininfirmhealth，hadfivesonsintheSpanisharmy，andhisson—in—lawhadrecentlybeenappointedministeratWashington。
Noticeofthedeclarationofwarcametomeundercircumstancessomewhatembarrassing。Onthe21stofApril，1898，beganthefestivitiesatDresdenontheseventiethbirthdayofKingAlbertofSaxony，whichwasalsothetwenty—fifthanniversaryofhisaccession;andinviewofthehighcharacteroftheKingandoftheaffectionforhimthroughoutGermany，and，indeed，throughoutEurope，nearlyeverycivilizedpowerhadsentitsrepresentativestopresentitscongratulations。InthesetheUnitedStatesjoined。ThroughoutourcountryarelargenumbersofSaxons，who，whilethoroughlyloyaltoourRepublic，cherishakindlyandevenaffectionatefeelingtowardtheirformerKingandQueen。
Moreover，therewasaspecialreason。FormanyyearsDresdenhadbeenacenterinwhichverymanyAmericanfamiliescongregatedforthepurposeofeducatingtheirchildren，especiallyintheGermanlanguageandliterature，inmusic，andinthefinearts;
nocourtinEuropehadbeensocourteoustoAmericansproperlyintroduced，andinvariouswaysthesovereignshadpersonallyshowntheirgoodfeelingtowardourcountrymen。
ItwasinviewofthisthattheSecretaryofStateinstructedmetopresentanautographletterofcongratulationfromthePresidenttotheKing，andonthe20thofAprilIproceededtoDresden，withtheembassysecretariesandattaches，forthispurpose。Aboutmidnightbetweenthe20thand21sttherecamealoudandpersistentknockingatmydoorinthehotel，andtheresoonenteredatelegraphmessengerwithanenormouslylongdespatchincipher。HardlyhadIsetthesecretariesatworkuponitthanothertelegramsbegantocome，andalargepartofthenightwasgiventodecipheringthem。Theyannouncedthedeclarationofwarandinstructedmetoconveytothevariouspartiesinterestedtheusualnoticesregardingwarmeasures:
blockade，prohibitions，exemptions，regulations，andthelike。
Ateleveno’clockthenextmorning，courtcarriageshavingtakenusovertothepalace，weweregoingupthegrandstaircaseinfullforcewhenwhoshouldappearatthetop，onhiswaydown，buttheSpanishambassadorwithhissuite！Bothofuswere，ofcourse，embarrassed。Nodoubthefelt，asIdid，thatitwouldhavebeenmoreagreeablejustthentomeettherepresentativeofanyotherpowerthanofthatwithwhichwarhadjustbeendeclared;butIputoutmyhandandaddressedhim，ifnotsocordiallyasusual，atleastinakindlyway;hereciprocatedthegreeting，andourembarrassmentwasatleastlessened。Ofcourse，duringthecontinuationofthewar，ourrelationslackedtheirformercordiality，butweremainedpersonallyfriendly。
InmybriefspeechondeliveringPresidentMcKinley’sletterI
tenderedtotheKingandQueenthePresident’scongratulations，withthanksforthecourtesieswhichhadbeenshowntomycountrymen。ThiswasnotthefirstoccasiononwhichIhaddischargedthislatterduty，for，ataformalpresentationtothesesovereignssometimebefore，Ihadtakenpainstoshowthatwewerenotunmindfuloftheirkindnesstoourcompatriots。Thefestivitieswhichfollowedwereinteresting。Thereweredinnerswithhighstateofficials，galaopera，andhistoricalrepresentations，givenbythecityofDresden，ofaverybeautifulcharacter。OntheseoccasionsImetvariouseminentpersonages，amongotherstheEmperorofAustriaandhisprimeminister，CountGoluchowsky，bothofwhomdiscussedcurrentinternationaltopicswithclearnessandforce;andIalsohadratheraninterestingconversationwiththepapalnuncioatMunich，morerecentlyinParis，Lorenzelli，withreferencetovariousmeasureslookingtothepossibleabridgmentofthewar。
Onthethirddayofthefestivitiescameagreatreview，andasightsomewhatrare。TogreettheKingtherewerepresenttheEmperorofGermany，theEmperorofAustria，andvariousminorGermansovereigns，eachofwhomhadintheSaxonarmyaregimentnominallyhisown，andleditpasttheSaxonmonarch，salutinghimashereviewedit。ThetwoEmperorscertainlydischargedthisdutyinaveryhandsome，chivalricsortofway。Intheeveningcameagreatdinneratthepalace，atwhichtheKingandQueenpresided。TheonlyspeechontheoccasionwasoneofcongratulationmadebytheEmperorofAustria，anditwasverycreditabletohim，beingtoallappearanceextemporaneous，yetwellworded，quiet，dignified，andmanly。TheceremoniesclosedonSundaywithagrand"TeDeum"atthepalacechurch，inthepresenceofallthemajesties，——thejoyexpressedbythemusicbeingdulyaccentuatedbycannonoutside。
Imaysay，beforeclosingthissubject，thatThomasJefferson’sfamouslettertoGovernorLangdon，describingroyalpersonagesasheknewthemwhileministertoFrancebeforetheFrenchRevolution，nolongerapplies。TheeventswhichfollowedtheRevolutiontaughtthecrownedheadsofEuropethattheycouldnolongerindulgeinthegoodoldBourbon，Hapsburg，andBraganzaidlenessandstupidity。ModernEuropeansovereigns，almostwithoutexception，workfortheirliving，andworkhard。Fewbusinessmengothroughamoreseveretraining，oralongerandharderdayofsteadywork，thandomostofthecontemporarysovereignsofEurope。Thisfactespeciallystruckmeonmypresentation，aboutthistime，tooneofthebestoftheminormonarchs，theKingofWurtemberg。Ifoundhimahearty，strong，active—mindedman——thesortofmanwhomweinAmericawouldcall"level—headed"and"aworker。"LearningthatIhadoncepassedawinterinStuttgart，hedetainedmelongwithamostinterestingaccountoftheimprovementswhichhadbeenmadeinthecitysincemyvisit，andshowedpublicspiritofasortverydifferentfromthatwhichanimatedtheminorpotentatesofGermanyinthelastcentury。ThesamemaybesaidoftheGrandDukeofBaden，who，inalongconversation，impressedmeasagentlemanoflargeandjustviews，understandingtheproblemsofhistimeandthoroughlyinsympathywiththebestmenandmovements。
RepublicanasIam，thisacknowledgmentmustbemade。Thehistoricallessonsoftheeighteenthandnineteenthcenturies，andthepressureofdemocracy，areobligingthemonarchsofEuropetofitthemselvesfortheirdutieswiselyandtodischargethemintelligently。Butthisistrueonlyofcertainrulinghouses。Thereseemstobea"survivalofthefittest。"AtvariousperiodsinmylifeIhavealsohadoccasiontoobservewithsomecarevariouspretenderstoEuropeanthrones，amongthemthehusbandofQueenIsabellaofSpain;PrinceNapoleonVictor，theheirtotheNapoleonicthrone;theDukeofOrleans;DonCarlos，therepresentativeoftheSpanishBourbons;withsundryothers;
anditwouldbehardtoconceivepersonsmoreutterlyunfitorfutile。
AstotheconductofGermanyduringourwarwithSpain，whilethepress，withtwoorthreeexceptions，wasanythingbutfriendly，andwhilealargemajorityofthepeoplewerehostiletousonaccountofthenaturalsympathywithasmallpowerbattlingagainstalargerone，thecourseoftheImperialGovernment，especiallyoftheForeignOfficeunderCountvonBulowandBaronvonRichthofen，wasallthatcouldbedesired。Indeed，theywentsofarononeoccasionasalmosttoalarmus。TheAmericanconsulatHamburghavingnotifiedmebytelephonethataSpanishvessel，supposedtobeloadedwitharmsforuseagainstusinCuba，wasabouttoleavethatport，IhastenedtotheForeignOfficeandurgedthatvigorousstepsbetaken，withtheresultthatthevessel，whichinthemeantimehadleftHamburg，wasoverhauledandsearchedatthemouthoftheElbe。TheGermanGovernmentmighteasilyhavepleaded，inanswertomyrequest，thattheAmericanGovernmenthadgenerallyshownitselfopposedtoanysuchinterferencewiththeshipmentsofsmallarmstobelligerents，andhadcontendedthatitwasnotobligedtosearchvesselstofindsuchcontrabandofwar，butthatthisdutywasincumbentuponthebelligerentnationconcerned。ThisevidenceofthefairnessofGermanyItookpainstomakeknown，andinmyaddressattheAmericancelebrationinLeipsicontheFourthofJulydeclaredmybeliefthatthehostilityoftheGermanpeopleandpressatlargewasonlytemporary，andthattheoldgoodrelationswouldberestored。KnowingthatmyspeechwouldbewidelyquotedintheGermanpress，ItookevenmorepainstoshowthereasonswhywecouldbideourtimeandtrusttothemagnanimityoftheGermanpeople。OfonethingIthenandalwaysremindedmyhearers——namely，thatduringourCivilWar，whenournationalexistencewastremblinginthebalanceandourforeignfriendswerefew，theGermanpressandpeopleweresteadilyonourside。
Theoccasionwasindeedapeculiarone。OnthemorningoftheFourth，whenwehadallassembled，badnewscame。CertainGermanpresseshadbeenveryprompttopatchtogetherallsortsofaccountsofAmericandefeats，andtopresenttheminthemostunpleasantwaypossible;butwhilewewereseatedattableintheeveningcameadespatchannouncingtheannihilationoftheSpanishfleetinCubanwaters，andthisputusallingoodhumor。
OnecircumstancemayservetoshowthebitternessatheartamongAmericansatthisperiod。Onenteringthedining—hallwithourconsul，Inoticedtwothings:first，thatthehallwasprofuselydecoratedinawayIhadneverseenbeforeandhadneverexpectedtosee——namely，byintertwinedAmericanandBritishflags;and，secondly，thattherewasnotaGermanflagintheroom。I
immediatelysentfortheproprietorandtoldhimthatIwouldnotsitdowntodinneruntilaGermanflagwasbroughtin。Heatfirstthoughtitimpossibletosupplythewant，but，onmyinsisting，alargeflagwasatlastfound。Thiswasspeedilygivenaplaceofhonoramongtheinteriordecorationsofourhall，andallthenwentonsatisfactorily。
AsthewarwithSpainprogressed，variouscausesofdifficultyarosebetweenGermanyandtheUnitedStates，butIfeelboundtosaythattheGermanGovernmentcontinuedtoacttowarduswithjustice。Thesensationalpress，indeed，continueditsworkonbothsidesoftheAtlantic。OnoursideittookpainstosecureandpublishstoriesofinsultsbytheGermanAdmiralDiederichstotheAmericanAdmiralDewey，andtodevelopvariouslegendsregardingthesetwocommanders。Asamatteroffact，eachofthetwoadmirals，whentheirrelationsfirstbeganinManila，wasdoubtlessratherstiffandonhisguardagainsttheother;butthesefeelingssoonyieldedtodifferentsentiments。
Thefoolishutterancesofvariousindividuals，spreadbysundryAmericanpapers，wereheartilyechoedintheGermanpress，themostnotedamongthesebeinganallegedafter—dinnerspeechbyanAmericanofficerataNewYorkclub，andaCongressionalspeechinwhichthepersonwhomadeitdeclaredthat"theUnitedStates，havingwhippedSpain，oughtnowtowhipGermany。"Still，thethinkingmenintrustedwiththerelationsbetweenthetwocountrieslaboredon，thoughattimestheremusthaverecurredtousasenseofthedivineinspirationofSchiller’swords，"Againststupidityeventhegodsfightinvain。"
OfcoursethetaskoftheembassyinprotectingAmericancitizensabroadwasespeciallyincreasedinthosetimesofcommotion。AtsuchperiodsthenumberofwaysinwhichAmericancitizens，nativeornaturalized，cangetintotroubleseemsinfinite;andhere，too，evenfromthefirstmomentofmyarrivalinBerlinasambassador，IsawevidencesofthesameevilwhichhadstruckmeduringmypreviousmissionsinBerlinandSt。Petersburg——namely，theconstantandingeniouseffortstoprostituteAmericancitizenship。Amongthemanifolddutiesofanambassadoristhegrantingofpassports。Thegreatmajorityofthosewhoaskforthemareentitledtothem;buttherearealwaysaconsiderablenumberofpersonswho，havingleftEuropejustintimetoescapemilitaryservice，havestayedinAmericajustlongenoughtoacquireAmericancitizenship，andthen，havingreturnedtotheirnativecountry，seektoenjoytheadvantagesofbothcountrieswhiledischargingthedutiesofneither。Evenworsewerethecasesofthedescendantsofsuchso—calledAmericans，mostofthemborninEuropeandnotableeventospeaktheEnglishlanguage;worstofallwerethecasesofsundryRussians——sometimesstigmatizedas"predatoryHebrews"——who，havingleftRussiaandgonetoAmerica，hadstayedjustlongenoughtoacquirecitizenship，andthenreturnedandsettledintheeasternpartofGermany，asneartheRussianfrontieraspossible。ThesewerenaturallyregardedasfraudulentinterlopersbyboththeGermanandRussianauthorities，andmuchtroubleresulted。Someofthemledalifehardlyoutsidethelimitsofcriminality;buttheyneverhesitatedonthisaccounttoinsistontheirclaimstoAmericanprotection。WhentheywereremindedthatAmericancitizenshipwasconferreduponthem，notthattheymightshirkitsdutiesandmisuseitsadvantagesinthelandoftheirbirth，butthattheymightenjoyitanddischargeitsdutiesinthelandoftheiradoption，theyscoutedtheideaandinsistedontheirright，asAmericancitizens，tolivewheretheypleased。Theircommunicationstotheembassywere，almostwithoutexception，inGerman，Russian，orPolish;veryfewofthemwroteorevenspokeEnglish，andverymanyofthemcouldneitherreadnorwriteinanylanguage。Forthehard—workingimmigrant，whetherJeworGentile，whocomestoourcountryandcastsinhislotwithus，totakehissharenotonlyofprivilegebutofduty，Ihavethefullestrespectandsympathy，andhavealwaysbeengladtointerveneinhisfavor;butinterventioninbehalfofthosefraudulentpretendersIalwaysfelttobeagallingburden。
FortunatelytherulesoftheStateDepartmenthavebeenoflateyearsstrengthenedtomeetthisevil，andithasfinallybecomeourpracticetoinformsuchpeoplethatiftheyreturntoAmericatheycanreceiveapassportforthatpurpose;butthatunlesstheyshowaclearintentionofreturning，theycannot。Verymanyofthempersistintheirapplicationsinspiteofthis，andonecasebecamefamousbothattheStateDepartmentandattheembassy。ThreeRussiansoftheclassreferredtohademigratedwiththeirfamiliestoAmerica，and，aftertheusualmanner，stayedjustlongenoughtoacquirecitizenship，andhadthenreturnedtoGermany。Oneofthemcommittedacrimeanddisappeared;theothertwowenttotheextremeeasternfrontierofPrussiaandsettledthere。AgainandagainthePrussianGovernmentnotifiedusthatundertherightexercisedbyeverynation，andespeciallybyourown，these"undesirableintruders"
mustleavePrussianterritoryorbeexpelled。FinallywediscoveredattheembassythatasecretarrangementhadbeenmadebetweenGermanyandRussiawhichobligedeachtoreturntheundesirableemigrantsoftheother。ThisseemedtoputthetwofamiliesingreatdangerofbeingreturnedtoRussia;and，soonerthanriskanewinternationaltrouble，aproposalwasmadetothem，throughtheembassy，topaytheirexpensesbacktoAmerica;
buttheyutterlyrefusedtoleave，andcontinuedtoburrowinthewretchedsuburbsofoneoftheGermancitiesnearesttheRussianborder。Reamsofcorrespondenceensued——alltonopurpose;aspecialmessengerwassenttoinfluencethem——allinvain:theypersistedinlivingjustasnearRussiaaspossible，andincallingthemselvesAmerican，thoughnotoneofthemspokeEnglish。
FromtimetotimeappearedinourowncountryattacksagainstthevariousAmericanembassiesandlegationsabroadfornotprotectingsuchAmericancitizens，andaverycommonfeatureofthesearticleswasanunfavorablecomparisonbetweentheUnitedStatesandEngland:itbeingclaimedthatGreatBritainprotectshercitizenseverywhere，whiletheUnitedStatesdoesnot。Thisstatementismostmisleading。GreatBritain，whilesheisrenownedforprotectinghersubjectsthroughouttheworld，——bringingtheresourcesofherfleet，ifneedbe，toaidthem，——makesanexceptionasregardsheradoptedcitizensinthelandoftheirbirth。Thepersonwho，havingbeennaturalizedinGreatBritain，goesbacktothecountryofhisbirth，doessoathisorherownrisk。TheBritishGovernmentconsidersitself，undersuchcircumstances，entirelyabsolvedfromthedutyofgivingprotection。ThesimplefactisthattheUnitedStatesgoesmuchfurtherinprotectingadoptedcitizensthandoesanyothercountry，anditisonlyrankdemagogismwhichcanfindfaultbecausesomeofourthinkingstatesmendonotwishtoseeAmericancitizenshipprostitutedbypersonsutterlyunfittoreceiveit，whofrequentlyuseitfraudulently，andwho，asmanycasesprove，arequitereadytorenounceitandtakeuptheiroldallegianceiftheycangainadvantagethereby。
Anothergeneraldutyoftheembassywastosmooththewayforthelargenumberofyoungmenandwomenwhocameoverasstudents。
Thisdutywasespeciallypleasingtomenow，asithadbeenduringmylifeasministerinBerlintwentyyearsbefore。Atthattimewomenwerenotadmittedtotheuniversities;butnowlargenumberswereinattendance。Theuniversityauthoritiesshowedthemselvesverycourteous，and，whentherewasanydoubtastothestandingoftheinstitutionfromwhichacandidateforadmissioncame，allowedmetopassuponthequestionandacceptedmycertificate。Almostwithoutexception，Ifoundthesecandidatesexcellent;butthereweresomeexceptions。Theapplicantswereusuallypersonswhohadbeengraduatedfromsomeoneofourowninstitutions;but，fromtimetotime，personswhohadmerelypassedafreshmanyearinsomelittleAmericancollegecameabroad，anxioustosecurethegloryofgoingatonceintoaGermanuniversity。CertificatesforsuchcandidatesIdeclinedtosign。TodosowouldhavebeenanabusesuretoleadtheGermanauthoritiesfinallytorejectthegreatmassofAmericanstudents:farbetterforapplicantstosecurethebestadvantagespossibleintheirowncountry，andthentosupplementtheirstudyathomebyproperworkabroad。
InsketchesofmyformermissiontoBerlinIhavementionedvariousapplications，someofthempsychologicalcuriosities;
theseIfoundcontinuing，thoughwithvariations。SomecompatriotsexpectedmetoforwardtotheEmperorbeggingletters，orletterssuggestingtohimnewideas，unawarethatmyriadsofsuchlettersareconstantlysentwhichneverreachhim，andwhichevenhissecretariesneverthinkofreading。
Otherssentbooks，notknowingtheruleprevailingamongcrownedheads，nevertoacceptaPUBLISHEDbook，andnotrealizingthatifthisrulewerebroken，notonebookinathousandwouldgetbeyondtheofficeofhisgeneralsecretary。Otherssentmedicinewhichtheywishedhimtorecommend;andonegentlemanwasverypersistentinendeavoringtosecurehisMajesty’sdecisiononawager。
Thenthereweresingersorperformersonwindorstringinstrumentswishingtosingorplaybeforehim，sculptorsandpainterswishinghimtovisittheirstudios，andwritersofmusicwishinghimtoordertheircompositionstobebroughtoutattheRoyalOpera。
Alltheserequestsculminatedintwo，whereinthegentlereaderwillseeamixtureofcomicandpathetic。Thefirstwasfromaperson（notanAmerican）whowishedmygoodofficesinenablinghertoobtainacommissionforabrilliantmarriage，——shehavinginreserve，assheassuredme，arealItaliandukewhom，foraconsideration，shewouldsecureforanAmericanheiress。Theother，whichwasfromaneminentlyrespectablesource，urgedmetoinducetheimperialauthoritiestostationintheUnitedStatesayoungGermanofficerwithwhomanAmericanyoungladyhadfalleninlove。AndtheseproposalsIwasexpectedtofurther，inspiteofthefactthattherulesforAmericanrepresentativesabroadforbidallspecialpleadingofanykindinfavorofindividualinterestsorenterprises，withoutspecialinstructionsfromtheStateDepartment。Discouragingwasittofindthatinspiteoftheelaboratestatementpreparedbymeduringmyformerresidence，whichhadbeenfreelycirculatedduringtwentyyears，therewerestilltheusualnumberofpeoplepersuadedthatenormousfortuneswereawaitingthemsomewhereinGermany。
Oneapplication，fromatrulydisinterestedman，wasgroundedinnoblermotives。ThiswasaneffortmadebyaneminentPolishscholarandpatriottowrestAmericancitizenshipforpoliticalpurposes。HehadbeenaninstructoratvariousRussianandGermanuniversitieshadshowninsomeofhisbooksextraordinaryability，hadgainedthefriendshipofseveraleminentscholarsinGreatBritainandontheContinent，andwasfinallysettledatoneofthemostinfluentialseatsoflearninginAustrianPoland。
Hewasamostattractiveman，wideinhisknowledge，charminginhismanner;butnotofthisworld。Havingdrawncrowdstohisuniversitylectures，hesuddenlyattackedtheEmperorFranzJosef，who，morethananyother，hadbefriendedhiscompatriots;
wasthereforeobligedtofleefromhispost;andnowcametoBerlin，proposingseriouslythatIshouldatoncemakehimanAmericancitizen，andthus，ashesupposed，enablehimtogobacktohisuniversityand，inrevolutionaryspeeches，biddefiancetoAustria，Russia，andGermany。Greatwashisdisappointmentwhenhelearnedthat，inordertoacquirecitizenship，hewouldbeobligedtogototheUnitedStatesandremaintherefiveyears。
Ashewastryingtonervehimselfforthissacrifice，Ipresentedsomeseriousconsiderationstohim。Knowinghimtobeamanofhonor，IaskedhimhowhecouldreconcileitwithhissenseofveracitytoassumetherightsofAmericancitizenshipwithnointentiontodischargeitsduties。Thissomewhatstartledhim。
Then，fromamoreimmediatelypracticalpointofview，Ishowedthat，evenifheacquiredAmericancitizenship，andcouldreconcilehisconsciencetobreakthevirtualpledgehehadmadeinordertoobtainit，thegovernmentofAustria，and，indeed，allothergovernments，wouldstillhaveafullright，underthesimplestprinciplesofinternationallaw，toforbidhisentranceintotheirterritories，ortoturnhimoutafterhehadentered，——therightofexpellingundesirableemigrantsbeingconstantlyexercised，evenbytheUnitedStates。Thisamazedhim。
HehadabsolutelypersuadedhimselfthatIcould，bysomesleightofhand，transformhimintoanAmericancitizen;thathecouldthenatoncebeginattemptstoreestablishthefineoldPolishanarchyinAustria，Russia，andGermany;andthatnooneofthesenationswoulddareinterferewithhim。Itwasabsurdbutpathetic。Myadvicetohimwastogobacktohislecture—roomandlabortoraisethecharacteroftheyoungergenerationofPoles，inthehopethatPolandmightdowhatScotlandhaddone——risebysoundmentalandmoraltrainingfromtheconditionofaconqueredandevenoppressedpartofagreatempiretoacontrollingpositioninit。Thisadvicewas，ofcourse，invain，andheisnowbuildingair—castlesamidthefogsofLondon。
InmylifeatBerlinasambassadortherewasatingeofsadness。
Greatchangeshadtakenplacesincemystudentdaysinthatcity，andevensincemylaterstayasminister。Anewraceofmenhadcomeuponthestageinpublicaffairs，intheuniversity，andinliterarycircles。GonewastheoldEmperorWilliam，gonealsowastheEmperorFrederick，andBismarckandMoltkeandahostofotherswhohadgivendignityandinteresttothegreatassemblagesatthecapital。Gone，too，fromtheuniversitywereLepsius，Helmholtz，Curtius，Hoffmann，Gneist，DuBois—Reymond，andTreitschke，allofwhom，intheolddays，hadbeenmyguestsandfriends。Themainexceptionsseemedtobeintheartworld。
Thenumberofmyartistfriendsduringmystayasministerhadbeenlarge，andeveryoneofthemwaslivingwhenIreturnedasambassador;thereason，ofcourse，beingthatwhenmendistinguishthemselvesinartatall，theydosoatanearlieragethandohighfunctionariesofstateandprofessorsintheuniversities。ItwasagreatpleasuretofindAdolfMenzel，LudwigKnaus，CarlBeeker，AntonvonWerner，andPaulMeyerheim，thoughgrowngrayintheirbeautifulministry，stilldailyatworkintheirstudios。
ThreeonlyofmyfriendsoftheoldergenerationintheBerlinfacultyremained;andasIrevisetheselinestheworldislayingtributesuponthegraveofthelastofthem——TheodorMommsen。
Withhimmyrelationsweresopeculiarthattheymaydeservesomemention。
DuringmyearlierstaysinBerlinhehadalwaysseemedespeciallyfriendlytotheUnitedStates，anditwasthereforewithregretthatonmyreturnIfoundhiminthisrespectgreatlychanged:hehadbecomeaseverecriticofnearlyeverythingAmerican;hisearlierexpectationshadevidentlybeendisappointed;weclearlyappearedtohimbig，braggart，noisy，falsetoourprinciples，unworthyofouropportunities。ThesefeelingsofhisbecameevenmoremarkedastheSpanish—AmericanWardrewon。Wheneverwemet，andmostoftenatacharminghousewhichbothofusfrequented，heshowedhimselfmoreandmorebitter，sothatfinallyourpathsseparated。TherecomesbacktomevividlyoneeveningwhenI
soughttoturnoffasharpcommentofhisuponsomerecentAmericannewsbysaying:"Youmustgiveayoungnationlikeoursmoretime。"Onthisheexclaimed:"Youcannotpleadthebabyactanylonger。Moretime！YouhaveHADtime;youarealreadythreehundredyearsold！"Havingsoughtinvaintoimpressonhimthefactthatthepolicyofourcountryisdeterminednotwhollybytheolderelementsinitscivilization，butverylargelybynewercommonwealthswhichmustrequiretimetodevelopapolicysatisfactorytosedatejudges，heburstintoatiradefromwhichItookrefugeinatotallydifferentdiscussion。
Somedayslatercameanotherevidenceofhisfeeling。Meetinganeminentleaderinpolitical，andespeciallyinjournalistic，circles，Iwasshownthecorrectedproofsheetsofan"interview"
ontheconductoftheUnitedStatestowardSpain，givenbyMommsen。Itwasevenmoreacridthanhispreviousutterances，andexhibitedsharplyandatgreatlengthourallegedsinsandshortcomings。CertainlyarepresentativeoftheAmericanpeoplewasnotboundtomakesupplication，insuchamatter，eventosoeminentascholarandleaderofthought，andmycommentwassimplyasfollows:"Ihavenorequesttomakeinthepremises——ofMommsenorofanybody。Thearticlewillofcoursehavenoeffectonthewar;ofthattherecanbebutoneresult:thetriumphoftheUnitedStatesandtheliberationoftheSpanishislandsoftheWestIndies;butmaytherenotbesomeconsiderationsofaverydifferentorderasregardsMommsenhimself？Whynotaskhim，simply，wherehisfriendsare;hisreaders，hisoldstudents，hisdisciples？WhynotaskhimwhetherhefindsfewercloudsoverthepolicyofSpainthanoverthatoftheUnitedStates;ofwhichcountry，despiteallitsfaults，hehasmosthope;andforwhich，inhisheart，hehasthegreaterfeelingofbrotherhood？"
HowfarthisanswerinfluencedhimIknownot，butthearticlewasneverpublished;andthenceforththereseemedsomerevivaloftheolderkindlyfeeling。Atmyowntableandelsewherehemorethanoncebecame，inameasure，liketheMommsenofold。Oneutteranceofhisamusedmemuch。Mywifehappening，inatalkwithhim，tospeakofacertainpersonageas"hardlyanidealman，"heretorted:"Madam，isitpossiblethatyouhavebeenmarriedsomeyearsandstillbelieveintheidealman？"
HisoldbetterfeelingtowardAmericacameoutespeciallywhenI
nextcalleduponhimwithcongratulationsuponhisbirthday——hislast，alas！Butheartiestofallwasheduringthedinnergivenatmydeparture。Myspeechwaslong，——overanhour，——forIhadamessagetodeliver，andwasdeterminedtogiveit——amessagewhichIhopedmightimpressuponmygreataudiencereasonsforafriendlyjudgmentofmycountry。AsIbegan，Mommsencametomyside——justbackofme，hishandathisear，listeningintently。
Theretheoldmanstoodfromthefirstwordtothelast，andonmyconclusionhegraspedmeheartilywithbothhands——ademonstrationrareindeedwithhim。Itwasourlastgreetinginthisworld。
Wouldthattherewerespacetodwelluponthoseinthepresentgenerationofprofessorswhohonoredmewiththeirfriendship;
butoneisespeciallysuggestedhere，sincehewasselectedtomakeafarewelladdressontheoccasionabovereferredto——AdolfHarnack。AtvarioustimesIhadheardhimdiscourseprofoundlyandbrilliantlyattheuniversity，butcametoknowhimbestatthebicentenaryoftheBerlinAcademy，whenhehadjustaddedtothelonglistofhispublishedworkshishistoryoftheacademy，infourquartovolumes:awonderfulwork，whetherconsideredfromanhistorical，psychological，orphilosophicalpointofview。Hisaddressonthatoccasionwasmasterly，andhisconversationatvarioussocialfunctionsinstructiveandpithy。Irememberinoneofthem，especially，hisdelineationofthecharacteristicsandservicesofLeibnitz，whowasoneofthefoundersoftheRoyalAcademy，anditwasperfectioninthatkindofconversationwhichisworthyofmenclaimingtopossessimmortalsouls:foritbroughtout，especially，examplesofLeibnitz’samazingforethoughtastoEuropeanpolicy，whichseemedattimeslikedivinelyinspiredprophecies。HealsogavemeanumberofinterestingthingswhichhehadnotedinhisstudiesofFredericktheGreat。SomeofthemIhadfoundalreadyinmyownreading，butoneofthemIdidnotremember，anditwasbothcomicalandcharacteristic。AruralProtestantpastorsentapetitiontotheKingpresentingagrievanceandaskingredress。ItwastotheeffectthathischurchwasononesideofariverinSilesia，andthatayoungerpastor，whosechurchwasontheoppositeside，wasdrawingallhisparishionersawayfromhim。OnthebackofthepetitionFredericksimplywrote，"Tellhimtogoandpreachontheothersideoftheriver:thatwilldrivehispeoplebackagain。"
HearingHarnackandhisleadingcolleaguesindiscourseattheuniversityoracademy，orinprivate，whetherintheirloftierorlightermoods，onecouldunderstandwhytheUniversityofBerlin，thoughoneoftheyoungest，istheforemostamongtheuniversitiesoftheworld。