New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-02-07
BORN ABROAD.
Handicap Of old World Rulers
UhO Irc Not of NQtiUe Birth.

Whatever may be the issue Of the discussion
az 20 the exact definition OF the word citizen
ship" which has arisen in connection with the
projected candidacy Of Colonel George b. McClel-
Ian for The Presidency. il cannot be denied that
lie was born abroad. Therefore, although he
may be in the eyes Of the law a natural born
citizen Of the United States. as born abroad OF
American parents yet he cannot be considered
as a native OF this country. Leaving to the
courts to determine the question OF the Mayors
eligibility TO the Presidency. it may be pointed
out there has from time inmemorial existed, in
the Old World at any rate, prejudice against
rulers. 10 matter whether hereditary OF elective.
who have been born abroad While there are
no laws in Europe bearing upon the subject yet
public sentiment Is 50 pronounced about the
matter that a statesman born out OF France
would have but little prospect Of ever becoming
President while dynastic interests are supposed
20 require that all princes and princesscs IN the
line Of succession to the throne should come into
the world on the soil Of the country over winch
they may one day OF another DE called upon to
rule.
Every student OF English history will recall
the sacrifices Of comfort and Of money made by
the Duke and Duchess OF Kent in order that the
birth OF their child. who afterward became
Queen Victoria, should take place in England
instead OF in Germany. where they had been
living in the strictest retirement until the be-
ginning Of 1919. Although there was no statu-
tory obligation or constitutional necessity about
the matter yet the duke and duchess were con-
WINGED that the prospects Of their child to the
succession OF the British Crown would be Sc
,iollslx- in1uaired If IL were 10 come into the
world on foreign territory. Having no money
Tor The tourney 70 England the Duke OF Kent
borrowed the necessary funds from his friend.
Matthew Wood. one Of the most eminent OF the
merchants OF the city Of London and. attended
only by a maid. set forth in the middle Of one
OF the coolest and most cruel winters on record
20 travel with the duchess by post chaise from
the remote German town in which he had been
living for some years previously to Flushing, on
she Dutch coast where the little party embarked
for England Victoria born three months
arterward at Kensington Palace. in London. and
one OF the first hOnors which she conferred after
her accession TO the throne the baronetcy
which she granted to Sir Matthew Wood in
recognition Of the friendship which he had mani
Tested toward her parents. and OF his timely
holm which enabled her to make her debut I'm the
world in England instead of IN Germany II
may mt he auiss TO recall here that At the time
Of the death Of william Nv there was very
strong and influential party in England. in
which the old Tories largely represented.
that favored the succession OF Duke Ernest OF
Cumberland the grand master Of the Orange
Society rather than that OF Queen Victoria
The partisars Of the latter. first and foremost
among whom was the great Duke OF Wellington.
would have had their difficulties in dealing