government about the Social Democratic teacher, Rettich. I could not control the man. Herr von Wulckow knows"—the Mayor winked his eye—"that I would have done it if I could." They looked at one another in silence for a while. Jadassohn blew his nose as if he had heard enough. But Diederich could not be silent any longer. "Liberalism is the beginning of Social Democracy. Such people as Buck, Kühlemann, Eugen Richter, make our workers impudent. My factory imposes upon me the heaviest sacrifices in work and responsibilities, and on top of that I have conflicts with my workers. Why? Because we are not united against the Red peril, and there are certain employers with socialistic leanings, as, for example, the son-in-law of Herr Buck. Herr Lauer's workmen have a share in whatever profits the factory earns. That is immoral. It undermines law and order, and I hold that order is more necessary than ever in these difficult times. Therefore we need a strong government like that which is led by our glorious young Emperor. I declare that I stand fast by His Majesty in all circumstances.…" Here the two others bowed profoundly and Diederich replied, his eyes flashing. Unlike the democratic balderdash in which the departing generation still believed, the Emperor was the representative of youth, the most individual personality, charmingly impulsive and a highly original thinker. "One man must be master, and master in every field! " Diederich made a full confession of the strongest and most strenuous opinions, and declared that an end must be made, once and for all, in Netzig of the old liberal routine. "Now comes the new age!"
Jadassohn and the Mayor listened quietly until he had finished, Jadassohn's ears growing longer all the time. Then he crowed: "There are loyal Germans in Netzig also." And Diederich shouted: "We will go after those who are not loyal. We shall see whether certain families are to enjoy the position they now have. Apart from old Buck, who are his supporters?
