Would the Government now press their victory and use the enthusiasm of the moment permanently to cripple the Constitution?
This is what the Conservative party, what Roon and the army wished to do.

It was not Bismarck's intention.

He required the support of the patriotic Liberals for the work he had to do; he proposed, therefore, that the Government should come before the House and ask for an indemnity.

They did not confess that they had acted wrongly, they did not express regret, but they recognised that in spending the money without a vote of the House there had been an offence against the Constitution; this could now only be made good if a Bill was brought in approving of what had happened.

He carried his opinion, not without difficulty; the Bill of indemnity was introduced and passed.