The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-11-06
A POSSIBLE VISIT.



Come to See Us.
Washington Post.
The intimation that the Prince and Prin-
cess of Wales may visit the United States
in 1904 if properly approached by our gov
eminent should stimulate immediate nego-
tiations. Our people will be very glad to
have the young people run over, II only for
a brief stay. and may safely be counted on
to give them a cordial If somewhat noisy
welcome. Moreover. this welcome will pos
sess every charm that comes of variety and
Protean shapes We have no means of
knowing what the royal couples tastes
may be, but if they like humility. obeisance
breathless awe they'll get it all and more
in our metropolis, New York. AS they
journey west and pass through changing
atmosphere Of reverence into wholesome
and self-respecting environments of good
will they may or may not find the process
comfortable. but they will at least imbipe
an enlightened understanding of the Ameri-
can idea. For our part we hope that they
will come. In these days or altruism and
reconciliation ii would be especially
precious 10 witness a celebration by the
British royal family of the Louisiana pur-
chase.
Nearly fifty years ago another Prince of
Wales, now King Edward VII. whom may
heaven long preserve, visited these shores
under circumstances OF peculiar interest.
He did not come in his representative ca
pacity, but under the polite fiction of an
incognito. He was Baron RenfreW that
having been one of his multitudinous titles.
What motive inspired him to this trans
pare.1t disguise We shall not try to indicate.
Certainly he did not shrink from observa
ton. for Baron Renfrew was as well
known and as easily identified as 1.-THE
Prince of Wales could possibly have been
Nor was concealment necessary in those
days Society then led by people 10
the manner born. and what We call lead
ers'' now were in those days poised upou
Edward-we omit the rest of it-enjoyed
himself thoroughly In Washington. He was
entertained by Mr.. Buchanan. over whose
simple yet serene and elegant household
Miss Harriet Lane. his niece. presided and
he was brought into contact almost, IL moi
altogether, exclusively with gentlemen and
ladies. He was beset by no opportunities
the regime Of the bank account had no,
then been established-and he was free 10
enjoy himself in his own way. The .'staf1
| correspondent" and the special commits
sioner were still among the unsuspectef
wonders of the future. Nobody wanted n
| known how many pairs of boots he had n,
| what he ate for breakfast or where he got
his trousers creased. II was time of re-
| poseful self-respect and dignity
OF course the new Prince of Wales will
| visit the United States under very differen
conditions. He must brace himself for a,
| encounter with asperities of which ''BaroI
| Renfrew'' never had hint But as he re
| cedes from New York and gets nearer 4,
| the real American people he will find muc,
| to interest him. and still more-if he hay,
! the faculty of intelligent observation-t,
/ give him a good opinion of the Unite,
| States and the men who really represen
| H. We hope that he will come and brin,
| his princess with him.