He was the leader of the free traders, and after 1878 refused to follow Bismarck in his new policy of protection, state socialism and colonial development; in a celebrated speech he declared that the day on which it was introduced was a dies nefastus for Germany.
He was one of the few prominent politicians who consistently maintained the struggle against state socialism on the one hand and democratic socialism on the other.
It was not confined to any one departmeiit of life, but included Protection as against Free Trade, State Socialism as against individualism, the defence of religion as against a separation of Church and State, increased stress laid on the monarchical character of the state, continued increase of the army, and colonial expansion.
Another form of state socialism was the acquisition of railways by the state.
Probably owing to his early study of socialism, he was very ready to support the new state socialism of Bismarck.
