The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1901-03-06
KING EDWARD AS HE Is.
A Contemner OF Royalty Thinks
Well of Him.
.LOnlOn Truth.

(LOndOn Truth.)
The Egyptians sat in judgment over
their kings after they had--died. Had
such a court been impaneled, its YER
diet in favor of queen Victoria would
have been unanimous. King Edward
VII is on the throne. What will be the
verdict on him, when he, too, passes
away, will depend upon his reign.
Apart, however, from the courtly adu-
iatiOn that always greets a new SOVer-
eign, we have, 1 think. fair grounds for
anticipating that he will tread in the
steps Of his mother. An heir to
throne occupies a most difficult posi-
ton. the late queens dislike of the
pageantry of d court, ard the compare
tive retirement in which she lived,
threw upon the Prince Of Wales many
of the ceremonial obligations incident
to sovereignty. In all these he acquitted
himself admirably. 1t is to be pre-
sumed that he had his own opinions
like other Englishmen on political is
sues, but what they were he never al
lowed to transpire. and he was on cor
dial terms with political leaders of all
shades. He showed his readiness TO
sacrifice his ease in order to support
by his presence and by his advocacy
associations to promote art and char
ity, and to better the condition of the
masses.
He has Travelled much and been
brought into close contact with all sorts
ana cOnQlIlOnS OF men. lie Is a INOT-
Ough man of the world, with an eXcep-
tional measure of that tact which goes
to the making Of one It was observed
of Charles II that he never said a fool
ish thing and never did wise one.
King Edward has done many wise
things, and no one can charge him with
ever having said a foolish one. He has,
| indeed, a curious happiness of express
sion on great and small occasions.
While he has made many warm friends.
he has no enemies He is neither
bOOkWOrm nor pTig, and he possesses
that civilitas which the old Romans
lauded so strongly as the soul of social
amenity. He is sympathetic, because
he always seems to enter into the Occu-
patton of the moment. and to like it,
and he has boldly stood by his personal
frierds sometimes even when their
action may not have commended itself
to his tUdgment-a habit which is as
rare as it is praiseworthy.
1 see that the servile lingo news
papers urge him to give evidence of his
wisdom by directing our policy in the
way that they would have it move, and
one of them actually recommends him
to insist at once upon becoming en-
perOr of the British and king of Aus
tralia and of Canada. Judging by his
conduct as Prince of Wales, it is not
likely that he will throw himself into
the arms of any political party, and
having become king of Great Britain
and Ireland, he viii, 1 think, agree
with Mr.. Gladstone that this is a title
..unequaled in the glory of its histor-
ical associations" and Will hardly be
inclined to substitute for it that of
Emperor of the Jingoes." AS the first
gentleman of England, he will probably
prefer to remain what he is. AS king
he will accept no responsibility that the
constitution does not throw upon him.
He will frankly accept the policy that
his responsible advisers submit to him
suggesting, perhaps, notifications,
seeking TO tone down asperities that
may needlessIy offend foreign nations,
and ready to act as a peacemaker in
the personal feuds that so often exist
in cabinets-but, as Lord Salisbury said
was the habit of the late queen, never
taking it in bad part if his ministers
are unable to agree with him.
am not a courtier; 1 somewhat de-
spise courtieTs. 1 regard the entire
human race as little animals fussing
about on the rind of one of the millions
on millions Of globes that float in inf
mite space for a second or two of eter-
nifty. and then disappear The artificial
distinctions between these little ami
mails, on which so much stress is laid
by many, have no more significance
to me than those between the ants in
nest which the foot of some passer- by
sweeps out of existence. But / say it
in no spirit of fiattery, that if / had to
vote who should be the king of these
realms as I understand such kingship,
my vote would be given 60 the gentle
man on whom it has devolved by the
chance of birth.