The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-05-24
HONOR TO ROYALTY
Opinion Divided as to Emperor
Wilhslm's Gift,
THEvlEW OF OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
He Thinks Our Free. Soil No Place for
Kings stntues-s. r.. Thayer's
Opinion. y.

The x resolution of Representative
Stevenson. OF Texas, protesting against
the erection! Of the proposed statue to
Frederick, the Great in, this country has
aroused varied comment In Minneapolis.
The Stevenson resolution sets forth that
the United States should not accept from
any foreign prince or erect in any public
place, any statue Of any king, emperor,
prince, or, 2otentate who has ruled or Is
now ruling any nattcn by, the supposed
divine right Of kings. It further declares
that the acceptance, of such q statue by
this. government would be reputation Of
the governments basic principles as
enunciated In the bill Of rights and con-
stitution; Fan insult to the memories Of
our Revolutionary fathers; an admission
that one man may govern a nation with
out tho consent of the governed, and at
ter, his. death have. his statue erected In
our republic and the: blessings OF the d.
vine right OF kings to. rule thereby ap-
proved -,
!, Public sympathy seems to be with the
resolution. But In view Of the recent
friendly !. relations with Germany
Strengthened by the visit of the crown
prince to this country, most persons arc
not outspoken.. While they think the
principle involved q bad one, they yet
Incline: to: the belief that it would be a
most discourteous, act for this government
u Y 4
- Others insist there Is no place in the
United States for monuments to kings,
whose divine right to rule has been Dues
toned by the declaration OF independence.
They insist that bad precedent is being
established and that it indicates or coun-
tenar;ces q drift coward q monarchical
fern of government. Among those who
: gift is General w. D. Washburn. He
says: =: Y RI -
II confess that<I am not In favor OF the
erections@cf monuments to kings on this
free soil: Icbject to paying such homage
to absolute mona chs, as general propo-
sition,3 NOT in2 this particular instance
only Representative Stevenson certainly
makes strong point in his resolution
as to the inconsistency of such an action
on this governments part. Frederick the
Great was WONDERFUL man and, as k1rgs
go, he may have had few super1ors as re-
CARDS qualities of heart and brain which
should" command our admiration. But
after all, .he was :, a: king. There are
enough ways in which we can show our
RESPECT and friendship for Germany with
cut erecting monuments to her departed
rulers. Germany is a close friend OF
ours and, 1t Is we'll for us to cultivate
even closer relations, without sacrlncine
our dignity: or. self respect. Apparently
President Roosevelt has committed NM
self in this matter.
Samuel r. .Thayer. former United States
minister;to Holland entertains the roppo:
| site. view of the. situation. He expressed
himself thsus Sir. y
!. -"II iisa gree entirely. with the sentiments
expressedgeins. the Stevenson resolution
because they are not in harmony with tne
broad and progressive spirit OF the age
The proposition Of the German emperor
is intended las. a. token Of friendly teeHn'
10 the United States and should be &C
&C pied in the same spirit as that .whlci
spronrpteds itva BESIDES, no sovereign n \
/ The. worlds history ever paid nlgne
I ccmpiimenti to WASHINGTON than the. grea
/ Fred ericHs a consideration. well worthy
| remenbr ance. Oh, our part.
I Former Governor John Lind said;
1 81 certainly see no reason why "a
United states, even though 1t be repuo
! tic. should not. gladly. do honor to maj MAJ
who was so thoroughly. II, sympathy VIII
republican institutions: as Frederick tn
Great He was a good deal such man q
our own Washington. and had a great dea
| to do with the unifcation of the German
! states. We should take pride In do1n'
:. honor to the memory Of any great maj
! who has done something for mankind, n,
i matter what, his estate. It is Frederick
| the man. not. Frederick the king, whom
| uo shall he honoring.' -. ..---<