New-York tribune., 1900-08-26
ANOTHER IRE GALANTUOMO"f

These young kings are uncertain subjects-for
a king may be a subject. TO an editor! William
of Prussia, German Emperor, for example.
Upon his accession men prophesied the unutter
able. He would commit more fOles than Kai
Kobad ever dreamed of, and out-Bonaparte
BonaparVe himself in the number and variety
of his wars. And when, Sir John Tenniel
portrayed him. he dropped the pilot. the Man of
Blood and Iron, all the world looked to see him
and his empire run amuck. And all the world
has been most happily disappointed The young
Emperor has grown to be middle-aged EN-
peror. He has had not war, but on the
contrary has been positive and efficient force
for making and for keeping peace He has
committed some follies, perhaps-as who has
nOt?-but on the whole his career has been
marked with sobriety, discretion and wisdom.
He has done scarcely any of the bad things
predicted, and he has proved himself to be al
most everything he was supposed not to be.
1t begins TO look though we should pres
emily have the pleasure of recording something
TO the same effect Of young Victor Emmanuel III
of Italy Enough has been said against him. in
all conscience. He has been pictured as a
weakling IN mind and body, who would sink
beneath the weight of royalty, and as clerical
puppet, who would in day sacrifice the Free
Church Free State principle which his father
and grandfather had established through so
many years of patriotic effort. 1t was pitiable
men said, TO see such frail crea ture put into
the place OF the stalwart Humbert and the
gigantic Victor Emmanuel II. And they listened
TO hear with what futile pipings he would voice
his advent 70 the throne They have heard and
they and the world have heard the voice of a
strong man. He has pledged himself ITO main
tain the traditions of my house"-the traditions
founded by Charles Albert and esta blished by
Victor Emmanuel II in spurning the tempting
bribes Of Austria He addresses himself to
the great tasks before him with clear brain,
a strong will and steady hand, as one worthy
of the historic name he bears.
1t is, indeed, no strange and marvellous thing
this rising Of young princes to meet the occa-
sion. In the first place, they are as a rule
probably much better and ADLER men than Cos
sip has made them seem. for baseless scandal
as we'll as death, loves shining mark In the
second place, the principle noblesse oblige is a
practical and potent force The consciousness
of kingship and Of its responsibilities has a
SOLDERING and enlightening effect The crcum-
stances and traditions Of the place impress the
new sovereign powerfully This we may read
lily appreciate, for the same process prevails here
More than one man in our own history Presi-
dent, Secretary, or what not has in his high
place developed qualities of mind and heart
with which he was never before credited We
should say indeed, that in the great ma iOrlty OF
cases men rise to some degree to the height of
occasion in office. Most men prove themselves
better in office than they had been supposed to
be out of it. The abhorrent cases of prostitu
ton Of office to the baseness of the man are
exceptions to the rule