580 Readings in European History and conspiracy, a permanent threat to public order ? To go to Rome is for the Italians not merely a right ; it is an inex- orable necessity. The king's government will be frank and clear upon this matter, even more than upon any other sub- ject. We do not wish to go to Rome through insurrectional movements, — unreasonable, rash, mad attempts, — which may endanger our former acquisitions and ruin the national enterprise. We will go to Rome hand in hand with France ! 485. King William ex- plains to his people the cause of the war with Austria (June 18, 1866). IV. The Austro-Prussian War and the Founding of the North German Federation Bismarck availed himself of the complications involved in the disposal of Schleswig-Holstein to put Austria in the wrong. On June 14, 1866, the king of Prussia declared that Austria had violated the principles upon which the union of 18 15 was founded, and that the union had, accordingly, ceased to exist. A few days later William issued a summons to the Prussian people ("Anmein Vo/k"). At the instant when Prussia's army is advancing to a decisive conflict I am moved to address my people, — the sons and grandsons of those brave forefathers to whom a half a century ago my father (now resting in God) spoke the never-to-be-forgotten words, " The country is in danger." Austria and a great part of Germany are armed against us. It is but a few years since, when there was a question of freeing a German land from foreign domination, I volunta- rily, and without a thought of previous grievances, extended to the emperor of Austria the hand of friendship. From the blood shed together on the field of battle I hoped that a brotherhood in arms would spring which might in turn lead to a firmer union resting upon mutual respect and gratitude. This, I trusted, would bring with it that cooperation which should have as its fruit the domestic welfare of Germany and the increase of its prestige among the nations.
