The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-11-18
rhe Dangers of : Laureate.

Ine O0HE0tS Oh . LouiSoSSs
one Of the periis Of imperialism which
did not occur even to Mr.. Erving Wins
low is brought very forcibly before the
mind by a perusal OF the latest eRusions
from the pens of England's ofnciai ana
her unoficiai iaureates. Even II We should
escape the danger Of . state vsrsifer. It
might easily happen to Us also to have
young poet OF grace and strength, and
expansion might 80 TO his head like strong
wine until he hymned our praises well
but not too wisely round the globe.
Alfred Austin's latest poem. entitled
THE Mercy Of the Mishtifui." IL = per-
fectiy respectable ana mediocre celebra-
tion in verse of the close Of the South
African war--if It Is closed. There IL moth
ing in It to excite the jeers Of the I'M
kindly unless II 10 perhaps . somewhat
too free sprinkling Of capital letters, ana
It ends after this fashion:
LET concord's portals henceforth stand
ajar.
Guarded BY Justice ana Liberty and
Peace"
OF course, this isn't very stunning po-
etry, but still 1t Is sufficiently innocuous
to escape observation.
Kipling's latest poem Is entitled THE
Young Queen" 1t also II entirely respect
able and innocuous verse-and It Is moth
ing more. 1t was written to commence
rate the federation of the Australian colo
MES. and the subject Is really one to
stir the blood Of q msn who has been
supposed to be the uncrowned laureate
Of the Ansio-saxon world. what Kipling
makes Of It IL q pretty plsce OF verse.
nbout on level with good ordinary vers
de societs. in which he represents Eng
land ana Australia a. interchansing COM
pliments on the occasion. II there 10
theme for poetry in the Australian feder-
alton, II lies in the spectacle Of the surety
ana steadiness with which the Anglo
Saxon race works out it, ultimate demo-
cratic destiny. no matter whore you put
It in the world. n there isn't theme for
poetry in the matter, why aid Kipling-
Kipling. Of all peopiel-want to try his
hand at making poetry out Of III
The answer seems to be that II II death
to genius to be even an unofliciai and
seif-appcinted laureate. The tacit obiiga-
ton to say something nice about Eng
land whatever happens is too much even
for Kipiing's stalwart talent. A poetic
gift fed upon SNUG complacent patriot-
ism soon loses its muscle. From the stand
point Of futurity II II better to be Mr..
william watson. who thinks his dear
country II ana has been all wrong. ana
tells her so In impassioned sonnets that
may not be popular but are mighty good
poetry, nevertheless. Tho Purple East
will remain to Increase the great inheri-
lance Of English song long after such,
perfunctory and unworthy performances
A. ''The Young Queen" have descended
into dust ana been forgotten.
Gen. Greedy earnestly recommends the
construction Of military telegraph lines in
Alaska. An examination has convinced
him that they are necessity both az
regards the government business and the
immense private commercial enterprises
that have grown up during the past few
years. He shows that future development
win be retarded without adequate msans
OF rapid communication. and his recon-
mendations will no doubt carry great
weight with both the war department ana
conrrpsa