The sun., 1891-06-21

E, Tho storm OF dlsapproval aroused by The
Sfince Of WAnEs's connection with the
Efanby Croft scandal has by no means died
away. Tho Non-conformist religious bodies
continue to pass resolutions OF oensure; and
1ho working CLASSES, with whom the heir to
tho throne used to be popular. now denounce
him with 30 much violence that hostile
demonstrations in the streets are feared,
thould he carry out q long projected plan OF
vistang Birmingham. The attack begun
last week by certain Radical members In
the House Of Commons Is to be renewed in
tho debate over the army estimates, and
the Waf Secretary will again be called up
on 10 explain the non-enforcement Of the
ermy'regulations which required the offence
committed by Sir WILLIAM GoRDoN-CUM-
MING b bo Immediately reported to his COM
msnding officer. Meanwhile the Prince has
BEEN severely leotured by his nephew, the
young German Emperor, and tits extremely
probable that his mother has expressed her
opinion Of his conduct In plain terms. Hard
est Of all to bear must be the consciousness
that among gentlemen In England and all
1over the world, the impression is deepening
that. however heinous may have been Cum
M1Na's offence. and however richly deserv-
ing of the severest penalty. his treat
ment at the Princes hands cannot be de-
scfibed as fair. while the Princes motives
for his strenuous backing OF the WILSON
family will not bear close investigation.
Az people on both sides Of the Atlantic have
ehown an inclination to take sides on this
question. and have failed for the most part
todiscussit In judicial way, we would repeat
that our own view OF the Prince OF WALHs's
relation to the affair is not affected by the
slightest sympathy for Sir WILLIAM Con-
DoN-CUsiMINa. Tho latter invited the de-
cislon Of a Jury, and the verdict has been
against him. In the face OF the document
signed by him we do not SEQ how any other
verdict was possible The notion that an
honest man would sign virtual con-
fession Of cheating at cards from
chivalrous wish to save his future
sovereign from possible annoyance Is
Of course. preposterous. To imagine
such a sacrifice being offered or accepted, Ia
to strangely misconceive the ideals govern
ing the perfect knight. when knighthood
was reality. One has bu. TO ask oneself
what answer would have Lren made by the
Chevalier BAYARD had he been asked to per-
form such shameful service for FRANCIS I. |
Tho true ideal OF chivalry was expressed by
LovKLACE In tho famous line: II could not
love thee. dear. 80 much, loved not honor
more" Besides, they who know anything
at all OF tho London world. or who have
caught even tho most casual gllmpses be-
hind the scSnes, would be revolted at the
isnputation OF chivalrous sel'-imnolation
70 Sir WILLIAM GoRDoN-CUMMING. The
man had been notorious for years for
boasting indoors and out OF his successes |
With married women, and had boon branded |
with the odious nickname OF "WILLIAM
TELL" Those who are familiar with his base |
behavior in this particular, were prepared to |
believe him guilty Of any other lniquity: and |
II they for time supposed that no |
misht hesitate to cheat at cards, 1T was
.olely because they recognized tho difficulty |
bf playing the sharper with impunity. |
There 10 no man or woman In London ac-
ouainted with CUMMINGS career who has |
any pity TO waste on him; and the notion |
expressed in the Nsw York TSmss that he |
would be treated with tolerance. and even |
In this country, reflects nocredit |
ppon those who entertain II.
Yet there is truth In the vulgar proverb
that wo should give the devil his due. Insuf- |
forably base as CUNNING was known 10 be In |
his relataohs 10 women. the Prince OF WALES
had condoned bis bassness. had continued /
70 treat him a. sn intmsts hienA and had
kIxpiaed Wish that heshould h invited to l