The Savannah morning news., 1900-06-30
MEN WHO HAVE MISSED CROWNS.
Some of Those Who Could Have
Been Kings Had They Wished.


The English crown has been rejected
only once and Cromwell was the man
who refused the honor. Nevertheless.
practically as much power was attache i
TO the proteetorship. though il was with
out the regal emblem.
The crown Of Greece has been refused
more times than any other. Lord Derby.
one Of The greatest statesmen of the Vie
torian era, might have worn it had H.
chosen, for il was offered TO him thirty
eight years ago upon the expulsion OF
Otto and owing TO the friendly feelings
he exhibited toward Greece. After some
consideration. however he decided thai
his position as a British statesman pre-
vented his being a monarch, so he re-
fused the throne and the $4,000 a year
attached TO it.
Englishmen seem to have found favor
in Greece at chat time. for no sooner had
Lord Derby refused the throne than IL
was offered 10 the Duke OF Edinburgh.
the Queens second son. He would in all
probability have accepted il had it not
been for the objections of other Euro
pean sovereigns, who considered that a
son OF Queen Victoria as King Of Greece
would make that country an ally of Great
Britain in the event OF war, although the
formers military strength was as insig-
nihcant as il is now The Duke OF Edin-
burgh was. therefore. obliged TO be con-
tent with his British title. so the chrome
was then offered 20 and accepted by the
present King. George OF Denmark. broth
or OF the Princess OF Wales.
Garbaldi. the great Italian patriot.
might have been King OF Sicily had he
not refused the pronered throne. Victor
Emmanuel thought that nothing short %
a kingdom would be sufficient reward for
the great services he had rendered 70
Italy, so he resolved 70 cut OF Sicily and
make ii a kingdom under Garibaldi. but
subject to tire Italian government. More
over. the great soldier was the IDOL O.
the Italian people and It was feared that
Victor Emmanuel himself would easily Dc
deposed in his favor II a rebellion were
organized. Garibaldi however, disliked
honors as he did riches. and rejecting
the offer. retired into obscurity as soon
as he had done what ne considered to be
his duty.
Much as the great Napoleon loved pow
or. he once refused che monarchy o.
Spain. this being the third consecutive
time it had been declined. Ferdinand VII
frst OF all passed il on 20 his father
who, in turn. rejected # in favor OF Ma
poieon- The Little Corporar' would IN
doubtedly have resigned rs King OF Spain
as well a Emperor OF France. only the
Spaniards showed every inclination o.
rising II ne attempted 10 do so.
Another man who might have been 2
King had he wished was Bismarck Not
only did Prussia crush Austria In the
great war OF 1855. but several minor
states rs well. and for his services 70
bringing the campaign 70 a successful s.
sue. Bismarck was offered the shrone OF
one % those kingdoms which now come
under Prussian surveillance.
The throne OF Austria was refused n
ls4S BY the father OF the present Emperor
Francis Joseph. He was the Archduks
Carl and wnen Ferdinand I ahdicated or
account Of internal strife In the year
mentioned he absolutely refused 70 have
anything 90 do with the monarchy. though
ne was the righrful heir. The crown was
then offered TO his sen and accepted. bu,
the father remained ArchEuke FOR some
years afterWard
Some years ago "a Prince Napoisor
nenhew Of the great Bonaparte died in
exile after refusing the first OFFER orb
crown or Roumania when IL was convers.
al into a kingdom. He was a man n.
great ambitions. ard fully believed thai
al future date Re would be oHsrsd ths