The Wilmingtonian., 1886-06-26
Nictoria's Anniversary.

ment of the fiftieth year of her reign upon
the British throne
For fifty years Victoria has reigned the
supreme ruler of the greatest empire the
world ancient or modern has seen.
No records, no history, tells the story of
such extended sway. Neither Egyptian,
Greek, Roman, Early nor Middle-age history
of Europe or Asia recounts anything ap-
proachiDg it.
Either of Englauds greater colonies,
Canada or Australia, almost equalling the
territory of the United Safes in extent, not
to speak of IIindostan with its $4,000, 900
population and added territory OF Amman
Farther India and Burmah stretching up
| with the new concession to the confines of
China making togethe: another region equal
including its dependencies, to the United
States East of the Mississippi and North of
Colorado.
Englands African possessions are stupen.
dous in contemplation. Egypt, South to the
Blue Nile and The Northern confines of the
eq lator are practically hers. The possession
of that country is hers did she desire it.
What an empire to sway !-and for fifty
years. Think of fifty years ago What
events have trauspired since 1887, the date
when Victoria, IA pretty child of eighteen
years assembled the throne of England and
received the homage of the proudest court
in chrstendom.
one individual. OF all the mouarchs of En-.
gland since Egbert of the Heptarchy but
three, the three "thrds" have exceeded this
term, Henry III, Edward III, aud George III.
| Just reflect on the position of this country
fifty ugo-and her standing now Half
century ago, in 1886, Andrew Jackson's
administration was in the midst of the throes
| of the most troublesome financial question
that ever puzzled the government. We
were 10 the midst OF an unparalleled commer-
cial distress Clay Cllhoun, Benton, Hayne,
Webster and Van Bureu were the prominent
political characters. Michigan and Arkan-
sas has been admitted as States. The great
States of California Texas, Wisconsin,, Iowa,
Kansas, Nevada, West Virginia Nebraska,
| Minnesota aud others were not known to us
when Victoria was crowned Queen of En-
gland. What an array of events in both
America and Europe have transpired since
then. What Kingdoms and Empires tum
bled to the earth, dynastes wiped out and
new ones arisen during fifty years of the
second tate kingdom Germany has stepped
to the front as the first martial nation OF
continental Europe. Russia has swelled her
borders, until from the Baltic in the West
to Kamtschatka in the East she embraces
half circuit Of the world
Since Victoria's accession the great Napo-
leonic dynasty has arisen again under the
auspices of Napoleon III has brilliantly
shone and for generation impressed the
politics of Europe then suddenly hickered
and gone out, Italy has arisen on the en-
bers of Austria and become one of the great
powers of Europe. Spain is slowly awaken
lug from decay. France has barely maintain
ed her status in European councils.
Greece has appeared again in stronger
promise of independent nationality after
centuries of sleep. Norway has arisen to
the second or thhd position in European
commercial marine. Turkey is slowly dy-
ing.
Africa is coloniz ID from the Niger to the
Congo, from the Kimberley mines to Cape
Colony, and on the Fast Of that continent
from Durham, the entrepot of the Transvaal
and Zululand, to Ztnzibar, along to the re-
cent Italian settlements on the Red Sea. All
these belong to the record of Qreen Victor
las reign. The French s. ttlcments in Al
giers were being carried out at the begin
ming of that date.
Since her accession to the throne of Eu
gland, great commercial. and political events
have occurred in this country. The most
notable of course in the United States is the
terrible war of the Rebellion. To this may
be added the incident Of the French Invasion
of Mexico, and the terrible collapse of tbs
undertaking. The court martial and shoot
ing Of the miserable Macmillan and the
living death of his unfortunate wife Queer
Charlotte.
1t was Queen Victoria's husband Prime
Albert Of SAKE Coburg Gohl who introduc
ed the idea of Worlds exhibitions in erect
ing the Crystal Palace in London Cat Syden
ham) in 1859, which had its mitators in tn
great Paris exhibition, and also that of Phil
adelphia in 1876.
} Victoria's reign undoubtedly covers th
most notable pages in the = cord Of III
: worlds modern history.