Pike County press. (Milford, Pa.) 1895-1925, 1897-06-25

"But the concentrated and irrepressl-
BILE Joy and cry which preceded, ac-
dnpipanied and followed the queen like
a resistless torrent, surpassed anything
ever witnessed before. Though many
races and many tongues participated
the dominant and absorbing expression
was English. and the glory was Eng
lands. Peers and commoners, masters
and workmen, millionaires and the null
titude were welded by a tremendous
force. This concentration of loyalty
from the remotest corners of the earth
into one wild, frantic mass of patriotic
enthusiasm had an effect upon observ-
ers which can be llkened to nothing
SO much as to the north and south cleo
trified by the first gun fired at Fort
Sumter or by the Seventh regiment
marching down Broadway to the de-
Tense of the capital
The enthusiasm and shouting were
far different from those evoked by the
triumphal procession Of a Roman con-
queror. Men and women eagerly ex-
pressed to each other and emphasized
to foreigners as the cotonlals marched
by that they were not captives chained
to the chariot Of their conqueror, but
willing subjects. free citizens Of our
worldwide empire, following their SOW
ereign.'
A Panorama of Power.
White, yellow and black soldiers
| trooped by each accelerating and in
creasing the tidal wave Of enthusiasm
| and presenting a panorama Of power
! unequaled In history. The seeds of this
| power were in the American Revolution,
and It expanded into this wonderful
/ spectacle by the principles of self gov.
ernment SO trlumphantly ind'N. ted by
| the founders of the United StaHs The
sovereign and the British statesmen
who believed the colonies should be gov
erned from London and taxed for the
benefit Of the mother country lost for
England the American colonies, and the
sovereign and statesmen, taught by ouI
success, who have left to each settle
ment absolute independence and home
rule, have bullded upon these founda-
tions and have vastly strengthened by
this reunion the British federation of
empire
Among the American spectators
there was no jealousy nor stint of
praise and applause. We could both
glory In the vitality and virility of the
mother country and rejoice nightly.
We were not marching in the process
sion, but we were present as the proud
equals in all that constitutes a free peo.
pie and a great nation.
1T was pleasing to note our neighbors
of Canada. They easily took the lead
among the colonials, and the fact that
the province of Quebec was in re-
bellion when Victoria came to the
throne and that her premier, now here,
is a Frenchman and a Catholic appeal
ed to English Imagination. That the
| descendants of Montcalm and his coun-
.-t,, rrt1
Wolfe and his soldiers in their loyalty
and that Canada has made a beginning
| by favoring Great Britain as against
other nations in her tariff have touched
both the British heart and pocket
LilSened to the Ovation to Washington.
Il can conjure no tribute like the
popular ovation given to the queen ever
being given to any human being, ex-
cept the reception to Washington by
the people on his way from Mount Yer
| non to New York TO assume the posi-
ton of first president of the United
States. Respect, reverence, love OF
gratitude are words too tame, and there
is no intermediate expression between
them and alteration. This practical
age does not worship; but leaving out
the idea Of divinity, this greeting to the
| queen and empress is it's equivalent
That she was deeply moved is evident;
| but she seemed more absorbed by the
insignihcance of the event than con-
scious of her past. Therein she i'm
pressed me as proud and happy with
this grand tribute of her, but at the
same time sharing with them the uni
versal joy in the thought of both op-
pressed and elevated that there has not
been such a so years in recorded time
that all nations have enjoyed its bene-
fits and blessings and none more thar
our own. But for this time and place
the crowd only saw what Great Britain
has gained during her reign and ac-
corded praise therefor to her. Hel
reign has been a period of emancipa-
tion in English history The preroga-
tives of the throne have diminished, and
by her rule and conduct its power has
so increased that this welcome came
with such acclaim and unanimity from
the free people, governing themselves
who gave It its might and majesty.
Making due allowance for the exal-
tation of the hour, Victoria will occupy
a great place In the history of the nine
teenth century. Her influence for peace
has been of momentous consequences &c
Great Britain, Europe and civilization.
"She has always been cordial in hei
friendships and anxious for the lofties
relationship with the United States
Her messages. sweet, tender and wo-
manly, to the widow of Lincoln and the
wife of dying Garfield gave her warn
welcome and a permanent memory II
our American homes. In estimating hei
influence we must picture what NIGH
have occurred with warlike or cor
rupt sovereign and recognize her power
of accommodating a force of so years OF
wisdom as a ruler and as the best ex.
ample as woman, wife and MOTHER