The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1902-06-27
KING EDWARDS COLLAPSE,

KING EDWARDS COLLAPSE.
MANY n4onle win saw and some will
preach sermons nn she thought that
King Edwards severe illness, just a.
the time set for his coronation, is a
clear tispensa.ion ~ Providence says
the Evening Telegram. II may be 50,
we cannot tell, but so far as human
reason can resolve the matter it is
mere coincidence. Any man OF Ed
wards age, especially one who has
lived as he has done, is likely to be
attacked by disease Evidently he
and his physicsens have known for
some days, at least. that ne was SER
iously unwell. and thar an operation
would be necessary, but they hoped
thar he might avoid this till after the
coronation ceremonies. and bear up
through them. But the disease worked
too rapidly and frustrated this plan.
The King. being after all but poor
mortal man. had 10 yield, even in the
very week. Of all the weeks Of his life,
when he ought to have been and most
ardently desired to be well and able
to receive not only the crown but the
plaudits of his" multitudiaous peo-
pie
Americans have had no such great
respect, amounting almost to rever-
ence. for Edward VII. as they had for
his mother. QnAAr, Victoria. She was
not only good Queen, according to
her lights, but a good woman-as
daughter. wife, mother, monarch. But
Edward did not have a chance to show
his abilities and high qualities, if he
possessed them. Victoria was Queen.
He was regulated to the position of the
first gentleman Of the kingdom. and
as such, let it be now said in this
hour Of his severe Illness and probable
death, he bore his part we'll Faults
ne had no doubt, but he appears to
have been a man and Prince well |
liked by almost everybody.
BY inheritance. by the accident OF I
birth, he was placed in a very high /
position. and without now scanning his
career too critically. he has filed that
position honorably, and like the best 1
Of Gods creations--wumen excepted
gentlemen"
Americans as wen as other people .
recognizing his exalted position. sin ,
cerely sympatll.ze with the British peo- I
nle in this dispensation Of Providence" (
We are on thoroughly go9d terms. in ,
most respects with the Britons. we |
realize how welded they are TO their +
monarchical system and how they
reverence their King as such. what |
ever NAV be his faults or weaknesses /.
personally: we realize how thev had
set their hearts on having a great
holiday week on the occasion Of his
coronation: we understand that in
Britain the King is the embodiment
Of au'horsty, law. government. and is .
respected and almost worshiped 5
such-and perhaps it is we'll that this
is so: and 50 Americans heartily sym
pathize with the British people in their
disappointment and affliction
Edward has been especially friendly
to America. He has shown and proven
by bis words and deeds that he
had a profound resrect and admiration
for the American people, He was, as
his mother was before him, but even
more So our friend n national ge,se
Englcnd has recently become almost
our ally. Hence Americans win sin
cerely mourn with Britons If their
King, as appears possible at this writ
ing, should soon die We will not only
not speak Of but not remember any
fault-they are common to morality;
but only remember and speak of his
good Qualities, his broad conception Of
states1nanship, his obedience to and
reverence for his mother, his magnanl-
nifty to the Beers. his true friend
ship for America. his intense humani-
ty. England has had greater, perhaps
better Kings hut many that were
lncomparahly worse.
But II Edward should die the British
Government would not be Jared in
the least. He has a son man Of ma
ture years and probably OF higher
character to take his place. The
King never dies. But we car sincerely |
hope that not Just yet will it be nee