The speech, however, which will infallibly carry the Bill is
that of Herr Hasselmann against it. This able Socialist leader made a most powerful speech, rather on the lines of "Jack Cade" Radicalism than of Socialism, declaring that under the existing social system the poor got nothing, and the rich all. This was true even in the Army, where the Staff were endowed out of the French Indemnity, while the rank and file got nothing, "not even a diminution of taxes,"—a drop of vitriol which must have been felt. He warned the Chancellor that the Bill left Socialists no refuge but force, and rising to a height of passion rarely witnessed in a German Assembly, broke out,—" I am not personally in favour of revolution ; I prefer pacific means. But if we are forced to fight, we shall know how to fight ; and I shall be proud to lay down my life and die on the field of honour. Let Prince Bismarck remember the 18th of March, 1848." It is thoroughly creditable to the German Parliament to have let him say this, instead of bullying him down, as the House of Commons would have done ; but dis- cussion ends there. It is not debate, when the debater threatens that if the vote goes wrong he will take the lead in a Civil War.
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