New-York tribune., 1901-09-22
KING ALFRED.

II was Freeman we believe, who pronounced
Alfred the Great to be 'the most perfect charac-
ter in history" The declaration was particu-
larly sweeping generality, which less positive
writer might hesitate to make. Certainly there
are other characters in history, sacred and pro-
fame. deserving of careful consideration before
the judgment of supreme excellence is irrevo-
cabIy pronounced. And yet, when we come to
contemplate the character. of Alfred, IL perfec
ton be freedom from faults we must concede
that il pretty thoroughly realizes it. 1t is true,
we do not know much about him. But it is
also true that all we do know is good. Whether
or not it is because he was so largely the histo-
rian of his own times. there is nothing recorded
Of him TO his dscredit. So far as our knowl-
edge of him goes. his character and career were
fiawless. This is the more significant when we
remember how praise and blame are COM
mingled in the records of other sovereigns of
those days of whom know as little or as
much as we do of him.
The commemoration OF the one thousandth
anniversary of his death. which was last week
conducted in England, would doubtless have
received much more attention here had it not
been eclipsed by an appalling national tragedy.
Certainly the occasion was and even yet is well
worthy Of our notice. That may be said for
the reason already expressed A man whom
high an authority as Freeman declared to be
the most perfect character in all history, and
who has so strong claim to that distinction, is
certainly worthy of the whole worlds study.
We have said that we know little Of him. But
all that do know is both good and great. 1t
was great thing to found the English nation.
1t was great thing to found English literature.
1t was great thing to found the sea power Of
England. It was great thing to found the
English legal and constitutional system. And
these things Alfred did. To have done any
of them would be sufficient to insure for him
everlasting and grateful remembrance. To have
done all four places him upon eminence Of
greatness not easily to be rvaled.
These achievements titles to worldwide
fame. But they peculiarly commend Alfred to
our grateful memory. For. with all credit to
other racial elements which have largely en-
tered into the making Of its greatness, this
nation primarily and chiefly of English
origin. and it owes such origin to the achieve
ments OF Alfred which we have named. 1t
sprung, in both the New-England and the Vir-
ginian colonies, from that English nation which
Alfred founded, through the exercise of that
sea power which also had its beginnings from
him. 1t organized upon, and even yet
largely retains, the English legal and constitu-
tional systems which date from him. and it
uses the English language and inherits the Eng
lish literature, to the world compelling great
ness OF which he gave the first impetus. The
United States does not owe much to many
kings But 1t does, in common with all the
Anglo-Saxon and all the English speaking world,
owe debt of much grateful remembrance to
the illustrious sovereign who was able to say Of
himself with truth: $50 long as l have lived
"have striven TO live worthily and after my
"death to leave to my descendants my memory
"in good works"