“Direct election and universal suffrage I consider to be greater guarantees of Conservative action than any artificial electoral law; the artificial system of indirect election and elections by classes is a much more dangerous one in a country of monarchical traditions and loyal patriotism.  Universal suffrage, doing away as it does with the influence of the Liberal bourgeoisie, leads to monarchical elections.”

There was in his mind a vague ideal, the ideal of a king, the father of his country, supported by the masses of the people.  He had a genuine interest in the welfare of the poorest; he thought he would find in them more gratitude and confidence than in the middle classes.  We know that he was wrong; universal suffrage in Germany was to make possible the Social Democrats and Ultramontanes; it was to give the Parliamentary power into the hands of an opponent far more dangerous than the Liberals of the Prussian Assembly.  Probably no one had more responsibility for this measure than the brilliant founder of the Socialist party.  Bismarck had watched with interest the career of Lassalle; he had seen with admiration his power of organisation; he felt that here was a man who in internal affairs and in the management of the people had something of the skill and courage which he himself had in foreign affairs.  He was a great demagogue, and Bismarck had already learnt that a man who aimed at being not only a diplomatist, but a statesman and a ruler, must have something of the demagogic art.  From Lassalle he could learn much.  We have letters written two years before this in which Lassalle, obviously referring to some previous conversation, says:  “Above all, I accuse myself of having forgotten yesterday to impress upon you that the right of being elected must be given to all Germans.  This is an immense means of power; the moral conquest of Germany.”  Obviously there had been a long discussion, in which Lassalle had persuaded the Minister to adopt universal suffrage.  The letters continue with reference to the machinery of the elections, and means of preventing abstention from the poll, for which Lassalle professes to have found a magic charm.

One other remark we must make:  this measure, as later events were to prove, was in some ways characteristic of all Bismarck’s internal policy.  Roon once complained of his strokes of genius, his unforeseen decisions.  In foreign policy, bold and decisive as he could be, he was also cautious and prudent; to this he owes his success; he could strike when the time came, but he never did so unless he had tested the situation in every way; he never began a war unless he was sure to win, and he left nothing to chance or good fortune.  In internal affairs he was less prudent; he did not know his ground so well, and he exaggerated his own influence.  Moreover, in giving up the simpler Conservative policy of his younger years, he became an opportunist; he would introduce important measures in order to secure the support of