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.