Bismark and Christianity.
By J. H. W.
A foolish story is going the rounds of the papers to the intent that Bismark told a newspaper reporter, who “interviewed” him, that the recent movements in Prussia were not directed specially against the Catholic church, but against Christianity; that it was his intention to root out all ideas of Christianity, and to lead the people to acknowledge no allegiance except to the empire; and that neither the emperor nor the prince were aware of his designs. We call this a foolish story, so foolish that we wonder that it is so extensively published, and more that some seem to credit it. Bismark would scarcely talk over to a newspaper reporter, matters of State policy which he had concealed from the prince and the emperor; and it is exactly what the Catholic church would like to have the world believe. The days of “pious frauds” have not passed away.