Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-01-21

With the death of Queen Victoria hourly
expected, all England and the rest of the
world turn with interest to consideration
of the personality of the Prince of Wales.
so soon doubtless to become King Edward
VII Nictoria's life has covered a period Of
English history remarkable in many ways,
but in none more so than in the develop
ment Of n feeling of popular contentment
with the form of limited monarchy govern
mcnt which she headed. Her personality
Won for her. as a woman, admirers in
every part of the empire. Her perfect do
nestle life added to the hold she had upon
the affections of her people Her rare tact
in her dealings with the government.
springing from a disposition to allow the
representatives of the people the fullest
possible latitude Of initiative and admins
tration. according to the broad spirit of the
unwritten British constitution, enhanced
her popularity and allayed much of the
chronic discomfort with monarchicai rule
which has long peryaded a portion of Eng
lands population These qualities, REIN
forced by Discrimination to intervene in
governmental matters. except in times Of
crisis, and then almost invariably on the
side of wisdom and justice and popular
demand. have rendered Victoria the most
satisfactory exponent of a limited mon
archy who ever sat upon throne.
Under these favorable conditions will Ed
ward acquire the crown. 1t would at best
be difficult to replace so popular a queen
by king who could succeed at once and
permanently to her favor with the masses.
1t would be almost impossible to find
king who could reproduce the many quail
ties of tactful consideration for the tradi-
tons of English rule that this queen has
shown toward the people. Yet, Albert Ed
ward measures well up to the standard.
He is at an age when men are likely to
follow established lines rather than to in
augurate new policies He is a diplomat,
a thorough gentleman and we'll versed in
world politics. although he has never been
a political prince in the sense of meddling
with affairs of state. He has travelled
abroad encountering many kinds and races
of people. and is broad minded in conse-
quence. He is at pains always to enlarge
his knowledge Of men. especially the leading
representatives OF other countries, and thus
will succeed to power with a keener ap-
probation of the conditions beyond his rule
than Is enjoyed by the average sovereign.
He is Furthermore. personally, q popular
man.
Under such circumstances 1t is altogether
probable that the new King of England will
lie satisfactory to the British public, and
by pursuing his mothers policy will per-
NIT the machinery of representative gov
eminent to work with as little friction
at any zine during the wonderful reign
just chasing Thus 1t is that the news of
the queens desperate Illness, while it
grieveS does not alarm the people of Eng
land
The subjects OF Queen Victoria are
mourning today as bitterly as though their
monarch were young and prematurely as
sailed by death. Her age has not weakened
the affectionate interest which they have
always taken in her personality, from the
time when, as a young girl she assembled
the throne and sat before her counsellors
old i'm the business of the state, and dem
onstrated that a new spirit had entered In
10 the ruling of England. a spirit of toier-
ancc and kindlness. of sympathy and sim
cerity of purity and nobility.