The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1907-06-06
AN UNFORTUNATE INCIDENT,

Providence had distinguished visitor within
her gates yesterday when she entertained the min
lister from Sweden, Baron de Lagercrantz, who is
to make brief sojourn in Rhode Island. In the
fluctuations exchanged at the city hail. at the state
house. as we'll as In the remarkably cordial greeting
extended the baron by the faculty and students Of
Brown university, there is to be found signal IL
ustration of the kindly feeling which the people Of
this state entertain toward the venerable King
Oscar and his country, and their readiness to ex-
press their sentiments when opportunity is afforded
them
Mayor McCarthy's address of welcome ad
mirable in every way, and the barons response a
strikingly effective Acknowledgements of his appre
citation Of the courtesies extended him, which he ac
cepted, not in personal way, but the represen-
tative of the sovereign he has the honor to
minister to this great country
At the state house, where the distinguished
visitor was received by Governor Higgins, and at
Brown university, where three hundred students
cheered him to the echo, the true Rhode Island
spirit Of hospitality was displayed Indeed there is
no doubt the baron will cherish long and fondly the
memory of his visit to this the smallest state in the
Union, which maintained its traditions by extend
ing welcome as cordial and heartfelt as could be
Thehe Is, however, one feature in connection
with the barons reception that is sincerely regret
ted by all thoughtful citizens. Although invitations
were extended the members of the city council to
attend the reception at the city hail. less than ten
out of the total of fifty responded. This GER
tanly ungracious and singular failure to recognize
the proprieties of an event that was of more than
usual public interest.
ut -
thousand citizens of Swedish descent fifty per cent
of whom reside in Providence its immediate
vicinity. These citizens are likely to feel keeny
the absence Of such large number of aldermen and
councilmen from function designed to honor one
of their most distinguished countrymen.
If this absence was due, as suspected, to the
hostility Of the members of the city council toward
the mayor because of difference in political beliefs,
it is indefensible and will be so regarded by every
thoughtful member of the community.
Politics have their place, and party antagonism
cannot be avoided under our system Of government
but when political differences descend to the low
level of leading public officials to absent themselves
from public function in honor OF visitor of dis
tincton, they simply degenerate into partisan
bgotry
Those aldermen and councmen who took
pains to remain away from the city hall yesterday
Turing the reception to Baron de Lagercrantz, may
yet discover that the exhibition of such petty
spirit is costly in more ways than one.
There is no more Industrious frugal or worthy
element in the community than that represented by
the sons of Sweden. and they will not forget. when
they come to exercise their rights citizens Of
their adopted country, to show their resentment to-
ward those who, by indrecton at least. have given
them serious and gratuitous affront