Los Angeles herald., 1891-07-10
1T WILL ACT AS A BOOMERANG.

1t is perhaps very unwise thing to
thrust upon the attention OF the people
of Great Britain, who are supposed to
be thoroughly leavened with the demo-
cratic sentiment, the splendors that
hedge around monarchy. Sew.
enty-five years ago such specta-
cles as those which signalize
the Kaiser's reception in England
were much more impressive than now,
and there was not 30 much of boomer
ang in their effect. The city of London
has become an empire in itself, and it is
safe to say that of the many millions who
compose it's population only few hum
dred thousand at the most
are in sympathy with the abso-
lutist ruler of Germany. Away
back in the opening days OF the nine
teenth century grand ovation was ex-
tended to the Emperor Alexander l. on
the occasion of his visit to the British
metropolis, but Alexander was a much
shrewder man than the young William.
He was content to be despot but
sought to cultivate the masses. He in
dulged in no rude speeches. An un-
limited constabulary and guards galore
press the people back from the pageants
that are now dazzling noodles in Eng
land. But great deal Of thinking is
going on, all the same. The German
emperor has seemed to lack, in signal
degree, the tact which .reconciles many
persons to force. His speeches have
often been characterized by the down.
right brutality OF unchecked power, and
the liberty-loving Englishmen-ljberty-
loving at least as respects themselves
are not apt to be captivated by man
who more resembles Charles XII OF
Sweden than any ruler OF modern times.
His declaration as respects the German
empire, II alone am master here, and |
will suffer no man before me-" is not
calculated to gain him many friends in
country whose people would permit none
but a constitutional government to live
for moment in the "tight little. right
little isle." No man in the past sixty
years has impressed himself more
indelibly upon thought and events in
Europe than Bismarck, and to see the
young ruler contemptuous of the life
and services of one of the great trium-
virate which created the puissant Ger
man empire, having no better word for
him than "an ungrateful vassal," may
please Salisbury and the elegantes of
the Cleveland street episode, but it will
not commend itself to the many headed
multitude. 1t is indeed doubtful
whether the pomp and parade of the
German emperor's visit will have the
effect it's projectors anticipated. The
venerable queen would have done wisely
to have forbidden it, or at least to have
received her grandson with more pri-
vacy. William has already made one
indiscreet speech, in his reference to the
English volunteers, and the spectacle OF
gorgeous exclusiveness which the whole
ceremonial of his stay in England in
wolves will add fuel to the democratic
fame which has spread so widely dur
ing the last quarter OF a century.
Macaulay, in one of his incompatible
bursts of eloquence, says of the bril-
liant raiment which at one time en-
closed the persons OF the nobility of
Europe, that it had been cast contempt
uously aside, like the discarded frippery
which grand dame throws to her maid.
The age had become too serious
and intellectual to tolerate the
spectacle of men masouerading
like peacocks. All the fanfare,
pomp, pride and circumstance
which accompany the emperor's visit,
seem to people of sense just as out of
place as would be the trumpetings and
play of chivalry which signalized the
tournament OF Ashby de la Zouche. AS
the democratic masses are thrust back
by hireling halberds from near view
of their imperial and royal majesties,
the gray matter in their brains will
busy itself with inquiries as to the use
OF it all-not only as to the use OF it, but
as to the appalling loss and scandal of
allowing the right divine of kings to
have another days grace on earth.