audacity. Like his grandfather, the Emperor holds
the conviction of what monarchy by the grace of God represents, but his
vivid and modern intelligence recognizes and accepts modern conditions.
At the same time that he is romantic, feudal and a supporter of the
agrarian conservatives, he is also an up-to-date man who seeks practical
solutions and shows a utilitarian spirit. In him are correctly balanced
instinct and reason."
Germany, guided by this hero, had, according to Hartrott, been
concentrating its strength, and recognizing its true path. The
Universities supported him even more unanimously than the army. Why
store up so much power and maintain it without employment? . . . The
empire of the world belongs to the German people. The historians and
philosophers, disciples of Treitschke, were taking it upon themselves
to frame the rights that would justify this universal domination. And
Lamprecht, the psychological historian, like the other professors, was
launching the belief in the absolute superiority of the Germanic race.
It was just that it should rule the world, since it only had the power
to do so. This "telurian germanization" was to be of immense benefit
to mankind. The earth was going to be happy under the dictatorship of a
people born for mastery. The German state, "tentacular potency," would
eclipse with its glory the most imposing empire of the past and present.
Gott mit uns!
"Who will be able to deny, as my master says, that there exists a
Christian, German God, the 'Great Ally,' who is showing himself to our
enemies, the foreigners, as a strong and jealous divinity?" . . .
Desnoyers was listening to his cousin with astonishment and at the same
time looking at Argensola who, with a flutter of his eyes, seemed to be
saying to him, "He is mad! These Germans are simply mad with pride."
Meanwhile, the professor, unable to curb his enthusiasm, continued
expounding the grandeur of his race. From his viewpoint, the
providential Kaiser had shown inexplicable weakenings. He was too good
and too kind. "Deliciae generis humani," as had said Professor Lasson,
another of Hartrott's masters. Able to overthrow everything with
his annihilating power, the Emperor was limiting himself merely to
maintaining peace. But the nation did not wish to stop there, and was
pushing its leader until it had him started. It was useless now to put
on the brakes. "He who does not advance recedes";--that was the cry of
PanGermanism
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