The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1874-07-14
OneeQ VlcS1ria.


Queens accession to the throne, and has
been celebrated by the usual display Of
flags on the public offices, and the royal
salute fired in St. James Park In the
gray dawn of this day just thirty
years ago distinguished party were at
the gates of Kensington Palace, e,trying to
rouse the porter from his deep repose-
The Archbishop of Canterbury and the
Lord Chamberlain had left Windsor at
o'clock in the morning, Immediately after
the Kings death, and after rapid drive
of two hours reached Kensineton, where
the Princess Victoria was living with her
mother. They had to knock, ring and
thumpfo considerable time before any
one answered. Atlast the gates were
opened, and they were shown into one of
the lower rooms, and apparently forgot
ten. Itwas supposed that they would
wait quietly until the Princess got up at
her usual hour. But their business was
too important and peremptory to admit
of this delay. They rang the bell and
insisted upon having an interview with
the Princess at once. The attendan
pleaded that the Princes was in such
sweet sleep that she could not venture to
disturb her at such an early hour. They
then said 1--WE are come to the Queen on
business of state, and even her sleep must
give way to that" In few minutes the
young Queen came into the room Gin
loose white nightgown and shawl, her
nightcap thrown off and her hair falling
1pon her shoulders; her feet in slippers,
tears in her eyes. but perfectly calm and
digni6ed." At noon there was privy
council, at which proclamation was
drawn up announcing the accession of the
"high and mighty Princess Alexandria
Victoria," who thereupon was pleased to
make a declaration, In which she said that
she trusted Divine Providence, which had
called her to this work, would give her
strength for the performance of it, and
that she should find in the purity of her
intentions and in her zeal for the public
welfare that support and those resources
which usually belonged to more mature
age and longer experience. She added
that she placed her firm reliance upon the
wisdom of Parliament,and upon the 10y.
atty and affection of the people, and that
educated in England, under the tender
and enlightened care OF "a most affection
ate mother, she had learned from her in
fancy to respect and love theConstitution
of her native country" 1t is expected
that the Queen would have retained her
name, "Alexandrina Victoria" but she
preferred to be known simply as ''Victo-
ria" 1t is interesting to look back to
the day when the young girl was sum-
moned to the responsible duties which
she has discharged in so exemplary q
manner. The troubled and dangerous
condition of the country during the early
years of her reign is beginning to fade
from recollection, butt can hardly be
doubted that the course of English histo-
ry, during the last thirty-seven years,
would have been materially altered if, in
stead of Princess Victoria, the Duke ofI
Cumberland (afterward the King of Han
over had been called to the throne. On
ly tWoof the ministers who greeted the
Queen on her accession are now alive,
Lord Russell and Earl Grey (then Lord
Howick Mr. Disraeli entered the new
Parliament which followed the necessary
dissolution on the death of the sovereign,
but Mr.. Gladstone had already sat then
for four or five years. 1t is but mere
formal compliment to say that the Queen
is the depository of more official expert
ence than any of the acting politicians Of
the day. She has been placed in intimate
confidential relations with succession of
statesmen, and has watched with close
and intelligent attention of affairs from
the center of the system. Its understood
that the Highland diary which she has
publishedis only a fragment of a contin-
ed record of her life, and it is impossible
to exaggerate the political and historical
importance of such an autobiography if
everit is given tothe world.