The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-02-24
President Roosevelt and william III.

President Roosevelt and william III.
In comforting the degree of Doctor Of
Laws on President ROOSEVELT and the
German Kaiser, the University OF Penn
sylvania has Joined In that distinction
the two heads Of States who are now
most notable In the world.
The German Emperor and the Ameri-
can President are not only OF about the
same age, Mr.. ROOSEVELT being ex-
actly three months the elder. he hav-
ing been born on Oct. 81, 1858, and the,
Kaiser on Jan. II, 1859, but there are also.
striking points of resemblance between
the two. moral and intellectual. Both
are Strenuous characters. Both are
OF remarkable versatility, and each Is u
, preacher on all subjects within the pos
sible range of human wisdom. Both, too,
are representative OF the tone and spirit
of their respective countries, and each is
held in honor and admiration and affec-
ton by his countrymen They are fore
most among their peoples, not merely
by reason Of the exaltatiop of the places
they hold. the one by kingly inheritance,
the other by the choice OF the greatest
majority Of his fellow citizens ever re-
ceiyed by an American President but
also us iliustr.ous types OF the German
and the American nationalities.
Another element of likeness between
them consists in the growth and develop
ment of each under the tuition of ex-
perience in Office, the one as the Chief
Magistrate of a constitutional republic, |
The other as the ruler Of constitutional |
empire. Each of them, too, insists on |
holding the centre of the stage, and in |
truth, is entitled to it.
When the Kaiser first succeeded to the
imperial throne in 1883 he was looked on
in Germany and throughout Europe as a
bumptious sort of parsonage, inchning 70
puerility; but in the seventeen wears since
then he has grown steadily in the sober
consideration Of tho world and to-day
the best intelligence and most practical
judgment of Germany hold him in esteem
and confidence. ..Ha
Eight years before, Mr. ROOSEVELT
had been graduated from Harvard Col
lege. He has advanced by.rapid steps
to his present exalted post first by acct
dent and last year by the election of an
overwhelming majority OF the American
people. This progress was made by him
in spite Of distrust of his character as
eccentric and audacious, by very much
of the sober Judgment of the country;
but since the election, particularly by
his prompt announcement of his deterrni-
nation never again to be a candidate for
the Office of President, he has done some
what to remove that misgiving.
When III 1890 the Emperor WILLIAM
forced BISMARCK out of the Chancellor
ship Of the Empire. German sentiment
concerning him and his character was
likewise distrustful; but in the fifteen
years since then his growth in the respect
and confidence Of his countrymen and,
OF the outside world has been steady.
He has done nothing rash He is an in
defatigable and intelligent worker over
the details Of his imperial office. He has
kept the peace.
1t was peculiarly fitting, therefore.
that an American university should link
together these two men in the comforting
OF its highest and most distinguished
honorary degree. 1t was wise also. Not
only is very great part of American !
citizenship Of German blood but also
in the interests Of civilization, and sspe-
cally in the interests of both Germany
and the United States, it is desirable
70 cement tho friendship between the ,
two nations Moreover. association with
President ROOSEVELT in receiving the ,
honor must have been especially grateful
TO WILLIAM H.