Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-05-10
ROYALTY AND THE EXPOSITION.

Globe Democrat.
1t was to be expected, of course, that
few of the big monarchial countries
would give any sort of recognition to the
exposition which has just been opened
in the capital of the French republic.
The events which the exposition COM
memorates were not designed for the
benefit or glorifcation of royalty, but
the reverse. The national assembly
which arose on the ruins of the old state
general hundred years ago deprived
the monarch of his power and after
ward executed him, destroying the
feudal system and establish the republic.
This is a record which is not particularly
inspiring to royalty, and which royalty,
even at the distance of a century from
the event has neither forgotten nor for
given. France may hold publications at
the burial of kingcraft decreed by the
memorable convention which met on
May 5, 1899, but the kings themselves
do not propose TO JON in the festivities.
1t is somewhat surprising, though,
that the British minister should have alb
sented himself from the ceremonies at
tending the opening of the exposition.
The presence of the German, Italian and
Austrian ambassadors was hardly ex-
pected. The monarchs of the countries
to which the three latter officials belong
have no sympathy for freedom, even in
the sense and to the extent which it was
striven for by Mirabeau, Sieyes. Lafay-
cite and the other illustrious moderates
who led the national assembly before the
terrorists got the upper hand. But
France had some reason to look for diff
ferent treatment from England, even
though the tories are in the ascendant
in that country. The French revolu-
tionary movement was an attempt to
substitute constitutional government
for despotism. The excuses COM
miUted by the Marats, Robespierres
and St. Justs are regretted as deeply and
condemned as severely the French re-
publicans as by monarchists. In its
earlier stages the movement was orderly
and as little subversive of existing inter
ests and prerogativeS as was possible I'm
der the circumstances, and 1t is the CEN
tennial phase of the revolution and not
of the reign of terror which is being eel
ebrated. England, even the tory por-
ton of England, is scarcely friend of
despotlsm as against constitutionalism
no matter how much the pettiness and
folly of its ministry and ambassador at
Paris may make it appear TO be.
However, the United States has moth
ing but good will for the French in their
centennial season. France was a valua-
bic friend to the Americans in their war
for independence and show
ed its friendship in way
which was as agreeable 10 US as
it was effective against our foes. At
that time, it is true, France was under
the rule of the Bourbon monarchy, but
it was the freedom-loving spirit of
France and not primarily the French
government which sent over the armies
which rendered such good service tc the
patriot cause. France, of course. is still
far from being republic in the Ameri-
can acceptations of the term. 1t Is
neither the local liberty nor the toler-
ance for free discussion which are so
prominent in the American government
scheme. Still Americans are aware that
repubiicanisIn on the European CONT
nent is surrounded with difficulties and
limitations which were never present on
this side of the Atlantic. and therefore
wish all success to the republic. and 10
the exposition which commentaries the
first establishments of the Republican sys-
tenn in France.