The Savannah morning news., 1902-01-26
Our CORONATION COMMISSION.

/ cost several millions.
OUR CORONATION COMMISSION.
Evidences of the fact that the United
States have attained to a leading po-
sition among nations, and that the
other nations acknowledge it. are fire.
quently brought into prominence. We
are leading the world in exports, in
steel making and in the production
of labor-saving machinery. We are
rapidly becoming, if indeed we have
not already become, the strongest and
richest country in the world. We have
! lately loaned money to several Of the
governments of Europe. A new Ger
man loan is now being offered to
American capitalists through the
American correspondents of German
banks. Only a short time ago a Ger
man loan offered direct by the govern
ment was fioated in the United States.
Great Britain's bonds have been
bought in large amounts with Ameri-
can money. During the past week or
so the cable dispatches have con-
tanned elaborate explanations from the
| governments OF France, Austria, Great
Britain and Germany respecting their
several attitudes towards the United
States prior to and during the war
between the United States and Spain.
The purport of these explanations was
that each government entertained the
| highest respect and consideration for
the United States and scrupulously
avoided doing or saying anything to
ALLEVIATE their friendship.
All of this goes to show our position
among the leading governments. We
have outgrown the hat-in- hand stage.
We no longer wait for the second ia
BILE" when the grown-ups are dining.
| Uncle Sam is as tall as the tallest and
as strong as the strongest. Then why
should he truckle to royalty?
A special ambassador, a representa-
tive of the army and representative
of the navy, and a secretary for each,
have been appointed a special COM
mission to represent the United States
at the coronation of Edward VII, King
\ of Great Britain and Ireland. Emperor
| of India, and q whole lot besides. The
cost of the expedition of these gentle
men DIS to be paid out of the public
funds. The commissioners are to APP
pear at the British court clad in knee
breaches, buckled shoes and other
habiliments designated by some func-
tionary attached to the Kings court
| They must conform to the fashion and
fiub-dub Of social system which we
as citizens of a republic fiout. They
must take their places in line behind
men whose only claim to precedence
Is that they wear titles by heredity
and who, if merit were the test, would
never be heard of outside of their fam
| lily circles. The spectacle of our rep
resentatives meekly following in. line
behind what Mr.. Kipling might posi-
by call a lot of titled OATS will not be
gratifying one to Americans.
Can anyone recall that Great Britain
ever sent over a special commission,
at her own expense or otherwise, to
take part in any American official
function? When a President OF the
| United States is inaugurated the only
representative Great Britain has at the
ceremony is her ambassador who is
regularly stationed at the capital.
When President Mckinley died the
Duke of York, now Prince of Wales,
son of the King and heir to the throne,
was on this continent. When the
President was buried the Prince was
within about a days ride of the place
of the obsequies, but he did not turn
aside from the line Of his itinerary to
pay the respects of Great Britain 10
the fallen chief executive Of the United
| States.
There is,some opposition in Congress
! to appropriating money to pay the ex-
penses of the delegation of six to at
tend the coronation, and there is some
ground for it. Our ambassador at the
Court of st. James might perform the
service in his own person as well as
not; or if the duty should be consid-
cred too arduous for him, one assist
ant might be sent to help him express
this country's congratulations to the
King. 1t is desirable, of course, to show
consideration for Great Britain. She
| is our friend and best customer; but
are we not doing ourselves an injus-
tice, and possibly am injury, by EN-
ploying this particular method Of
showing our friendship? The tendency
of American participation in the page
ant by special commission is to in
fiuence Americans to regard wearers
of coronets and titles as superior sorts
of persons, to whom Difference is due
on account of their rank. AS a self
governing people, we should endeavor
to impress our ideas upon the peoples
OF class-governed Europe and thus as
sist them to a larger liberty. and not
permit ourselves to be led into wrong
paths by those who reverence royalty
and titles. 1t is our destiny to be lead
ers, not followers.
| --s-G-s--
Is HE A CANDIDATEf