The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-02-04
And Then "Let Us Have Peace
Without BayOnetS.
Resigna tons and Abdications
in the Past.
PRESIDENTS for His EIcellency TO Ponder, from
Diocletian to Amadeus.
WHAT OUR EXCHANGES SAY

The question Of the designations OF rulers Of ma
tons IL . topic concerning which the American
people are beginning 10 entertain lively interest.
The Ullted States Is too youthful Power TO ex.
pcct any instance Of the kind chronicled In its his
tory, but IN Older communities they are not at all
unfrequent. In the South American Republics
such events are not, however, very haro to nnd.
Rulers in both ancient ana modern times have
found 1t incumbent on them, In obedience to popu.
lar sentiment, to make virtue or necessity and
retire from stations that the public good could not
allow them to occupy. and even looking back over
fifteen years many things have occurred within
our own territorial limits OF far less startling
character 1t Is needless to point them out. 1t has
been conceded BY the greatest historians that mon.
archs, some Of whom are to be named further on,
have. BY their voluntary retirement from power,
brought about the happiest results and their acts
IN this respect were considered the wisest or their
political careers. Kings who have abdlcated
at the right moment have been allowed that de-
gree OF Indulgence which the proverbiai, II not
practice, OF the world extends to those who no
longer remain among men; and In many cases
the only course lett TO prevent the evil they
caused living alter them and the good they per-
formed being inferred with their bones for the
rulers 10 seek retirement IN the shades OF private
lie. 1t isa debstable point whether or not In
getting to be as autocratic and to consider them
selves irresponsible the czars and Kaisers OF
the last century.
GLANCE At TIE PAST.
The brief notice OF the abdication OF Dtocletian
and Maximian. successful military adventures
Of low origin, who became Caesars at the point OF
the sword (gtven below. is worth read
ing. They were sore prosecutors OF good
men, and IN course OF time resigned the i'm
perial once. Charles ", Emperor OF Germany
and Spain, and the First Napoleon yielded up their
sceptres; Louis Philippe, In ls4s. and Charles X.
In $780, ceased, by their own acts entertain any
pretensions to the crown OF France; John CAST
MR. before King OF Poland, a cardinal abdicated
in 1862 Spain Is noticeable for the number OF Its
apdicating monarchs Philip v. abdicated in
1924. Charles Nv. in 1904, and Queen Isabella not
many years since, In favor OF her son, who as
Alfonso XII. Is now recognized as the regning
monarch OF that country. The house OF Savoy can
count among others Victor Emmanuel. who apdl-
Gated in 1921 Charles Albert in lS4s, and Amadeus
son OF the present King OF Italy, who resigned
the crown OF Spain in February, 1873, after two
years. experience, considering 1t q fortunate cir
cumstance that he Was able to retire safely, with
mis- family, TO his native land.
FROM SUCCESSFUL SOLDIER 10 CAESAR.
Diocletlanus Valerius was born A. D. 2l5. He
hts way In reaching the imperial purple. he was
originally called Dtocles, from the small town or
Dtoclet, the birthplace OF his mother; but on his
elevation TO the throne he assumed the more
aristocratic name OF valerius, ana added the
Lattnized form Dtocetan as q surname, He
served many years in the army, and after some
time attracted favorable attention and.was in
trusted during the troublous period In which he
figured with many important commands. On the
death OF the Emperor Canus and OF hts son Nu-
merisnus. Diocletian was installed with supreme
power oy rhe Army OF the East, and be imme.
diately marched homeward to meet Caninus, who
had shared
TIE IMPERIAL DIGNITY
with Numerianus. and was recognized in Italy az
his successor. The rival armies met, and battle
ensued, in which the troops OF Dtocletiau had
already given way. when Caninus was killed by
one OF bis own followers. Both parties then united
in recognizing the right of the surviving claimant
TO the throne OF the Caesars in 2s5. Diocletian
found the Empire IN critical condition. 1t was
assailed on many sides by barbarlans and
on one ny the unruly Gauls He could not
conduct the defence at all che points threatened,
and he knew well. from the fate OF many OF his
predecessors IN ONCE, that was unsafe to invest
any subject with the command of the army. I'm.
der these circumstances he associated with him.
sell, as q colleague, Marcus Aurelius Maximian
one Of MS most experienced generals. 10 conduct
the war in Europe, while Di0cetlan himself under.
TOOK the defence OF the East. Some years later ic
was found necessary to still further divide the I'M
perisl authority, and accordingly two other gen.
erals were
INVESTED WITH THE PURPLE
and the title OF Caesar conferred upon them to dis.
tingusn them from the TWO senior emperors, who
were styled august. DIocetlan now chose the
~ n Egypt ana Persia sn ana brought the
Nicomedia, and on hts journey was attacked with
serious illness. Findlng 9imself unable any longer
IN me faY ha oar S nf MI ho
cate and pass the remainder OF his life In retire.
ment; the ceremony Of abdcauon took place
same day at Milan. The Uniform military success
OF the Emperor lett no doubt as to his ability as
DRY BY the persecuilons carried on during =, the
latter part OF ms reign against the Chrisans. The
persecution was the greatest re- the Church ever
was nominated Emperor was for ages known as
the era Of the martyrs:
The father Of the late Napoleon III. found It to
be hts duty wnIe occupying the throne OF Hol.
aud was In consequence OF the flrst emperor
asserting almost alb Olute dominion over his
ana mad Himself v S01 fSe
tons OF MS subjects. He preferred resigning TO
sa f. n asst % He
Louis twho dien IN chlldnood), ana Charles LOUIS
Napoleon !tne late EMPEROR MS successors, with
dress 10 the Legislative body Louis remarked-
''My brother, so violently irrItated against me- Is
only obstacle to the reconciliation oil this country
with France. May the end OF my career prove to
that had e ann the true
the country; tnat the faults may have committed
are 70 be oscrined only to my zea winch induced
practical means OF overcoming dlificulres.u
WILLIAM OF THE NETHERLANDS.
William !. (0f the House OF Orange), King OF the
Netherlands, abdcated IN 1s40 thirty years after
Louis Bonaparte nad given up The crown OF that |
country. This step seems TO have been long con-
tempated. and the supposed cause was roman |
tic attachment he had formed to the Countess !
d'Oultremont. Roman Catholic lady who pre- |
ferred ieaty to her religion 10 wearing the diadem
OF queen. William had long wished TO marry |
her; but the opposition Of his own family was SO |
volent--so the story goes-tnat lie was compelled
to submit to their wishes and as IL was only in !
private station thai ne could gratlfy his hearts
desire ne determined to resign the crown These
reasons King William however In his royal proc
lamaton IN which he announced 10 his subjects
with
FEMALE VIRTUES AND CHARMS.
n am r1a mn rtafi md