Bismarck steht neben dem sitzenden Wilhelm und liest aus einer langen Schriftrolle die mit "Petition" überschrieben ist. Bildunterschrift: Bismarck (reads from 3000 Citizens of Cologne): "In view of the miserable condition of the country – in view of a civil war, with its attendant sufferings and ferful calamities- we couch a solmn protest against engaging in such a war-" King of Prussia: "WHAT IS THAT? DARE MY SUBJECTS OBJECT TO BE SLAUGHTERED! WHAT NEXT, I WONDER?"