New-York tribune., 1902-08-09
TIE GROWING OF THE KING.

The King is crowned to-day. That is the
word that is upon every British tongue. and
upon myriads of kindred and Of alien but SYM
pathetic tongues. The King is crowned today
That is the proclamation that rebukes distrust.
relieves anxiety and brings 10 fruition the loyal
wishes of globe encircling empire. The King
is crowned to-day. Back from the Valley OF
the Shadow of Death he comes with a new
lease of life and with new title to the love Of
his people. To the great Abbey he comes. not
borne with dirges due to lie amid its illustrious
dust. but with pPans Of jubilation, to stand
elate and regnant above the living multitude
The change a few weeks ago, from opening
festival to silent, agonized suspense. was one
of the most sudden startling and dramatic in
all history. A fitting sequel TO it is this second
scene with the indomitable rallying of vital
energy and this determined fulflment of the
interrupted ceremonies. Only the other day
the noises of the streets were hushed in the
presence of a mighty sorrow, and men looked
rather than voiced the doubtful question. ''Will
the King live through to-dayT' Now the roar
of popular plauditS and thanksgivings arises
like the sound of many waters, and the exult-
ant greeting is passed from lip TO lip, "The
King is crowned to-day"
1t is but a pageant and show. Vanity Of
vanities it seems TO the stern republican, who
knows not kings and regards not crownings.
1t is an outworn play and form, archaic in
this business era as would be knightly iousting
or seeking for the Holy Grail. Truly, it is easy
to mock at 1t. Was it not said of a certain
excellent Jester that he would turn handsprings
upon his mothers grave, If thus he could call
a laugh from the assembled crowd? Yet to the
thoughtful mind 1t may seem little more. It
is not only form. 1t is a recognition of au-
tI4
some who hold but lightly all authority save
the unbridled impulse of their own desires.
But that is what it is, recognition of author
ity, of the authority constituted and accepted
by the people, which they have made and
which they may unmake, as they have indeed
more than once done. but which. so long as
they endure it. they Loyalty respect and stead
fastly maintain. As SUCH this crowning of the
King to-day is worthy Of the sympathetic and
reflective regard of every law respecting man
In all the world.
We've Americans-do not believe in the
divine right of kings. But profess TO be-
Iieve in the divine ordination of the republic.
We do not believe in kings at all, in the old
sense. We profess to believe, however, in
the sovereignty, the kingship. of the peoples
Will but do we respect our sovereign as our
British cousins respect theirs? 1t is not
merely the amiable and accomplished gentle
man. who inherits the crown from his mother
as she did from her uncle. as he did from his
brother, and SO on through all the lne-it is
not merely Edward VII whom the people are
to-day acclaiming and to whom they are swear
ing fealty. Rather is it the principle Of con-
stituted authority. of ordered and enduring
government of which he is at this time the
chief personal exponent. 1t will be well If
choIJ .1-if
equal earnestness and loyalty pay homage to
that same principle, if not in any personal and
concrete representative. at least in its no less
real abstract entity, and shall, moreover, do it
not once in sixty years, or once in four years.
but shall do it in heart and spirit SO often that
every morning. thinking Of the sovereignty Of
the law and of the kingshp of the nations will.
we shall be able TO say, with truth and with
sincerity, the King is crowned to-day,