Omaha daily bee., 1909-11-10
Some Things You Want to Know
King Edwards Birthday


King Edward is far too wise to interfere
In such a quarrel IN behalf Of either party.
1t is pretty well known that for the greater
part OF his life King Edward has been,
at heart, a liberal. Yet It is to be doubted
If he sympathizes with the radicalism Of
the present government. Publicly, OF
course, the king has no party politics.
There Is reason to believe, however, that
he is taking part in the present political
situation In the role of a pacificator. As
the chief conservator OF the British con-
stitution, he hopes to prevent an election
upon the direct issue Of the quarrel be-
tween the two houses Of Parliament. II
he is successful In his efforts, and II the
coming election does not involve a radical
change in the constitution, then he will
have added another great diplomatic
triumph to the record OF his reign.
Edward has accomplished the greater
part Of his diplomatic work by direct con-
tact with the people Of the continental
European nations. He is "the uncle Of all
Europe" and he has tried to be like the
good uncle of the fairy story. He has
spent much Of his time upon the con-
tinent where he is extremely popular.
In this connection It is interesting to re-
call his only visit to America. When he
was a iuu OIL II years he was StnA ny hAo
royal mother to Canada to lay the founda-
ton stone Of the Parliament House at
Ottawa. The Canadians had asked that
the queen pay them a visit. This was
deemed inexpedient and the young prince
of wales was sent to represent the queen.
When the visit was announced President
James Buchanan, on the Fourth of July,
j. 1860. addressed an invitation to Queen
Victoria asking that her son also visit the
United States.
In company with the luke of New
castle, then secretary OF state for the
colonies, the young prince came to Canada
He was received with unprecedented mani
festatlons Of loyalty by the people of the
eastern provinces Of what is now the
federated Dominion Of Canada. The effect
of his visit was particularly marked upor
the French communities along the banks
Of the st. Lawrence river.
He came into the United States at De
troit, but upon crossing into American ter
ritory he dropped his royal prerogative'
and assumed his inferior title OF Baror
Renfrew. The English correspondents who
accompanied him were very severe In theh
criticisms OF the American people who re
fused to respect his incognito, and whC
insisted upon haiilng him as the prince
OF wales. He visited Chicago, which wa'
then A small city Of only 100, 1000 inhabitants
he stopped at Dwight. ILL.,, for a few days
shooting, went to St. Louis, Cincinnati
Ptttsburg. Richmond, washington, Bait
more. Philadelphia, New York and Boston
In washington he was met at the railway
station by General Lewis Cas-, secretar!
NJ state. and was taken to the Whlt
House TO be the guest Of the president
THE great event OF his visit to the Unite
states was his pilgrimage, In compan'
with President Buchanan, to Mount Yer
|, non.
when Albert Edward, prince of Wal
preat-grandson of George III, stood wit
barred head at the foot of Washington
grave. the people Of both England and tn
American republic declared that all IN
. bitterness OF past conflicts was buried for
E over The United states that Edward vi
= visited as a boy is not the same Unite
= States which exists today. That wa
4 upon the eve OF the great struggle betwee
I the north and the south and long befor
the beginning OF the era Of progress whtc
= has brought the American republic to Il
present position as the second greate'
> power In the world. second only to thu
over which Edward VII Teigns as king an
y emperor.
: 1t is interesting to recall, however, u
n fact that Edward saw the United Stat
\ during the period OF its greatest politics
: contest. In Chicago he witnessed riv
d torchlight PROFESSIONS Of the p%artisans
II Lincoln and Douglas, and in Boston he WI
kept awake all night by the noise of
It political rally OF the followers of Bell al
l. Everett An interesting souvenir Of Il
l. princes visit to America is a dainty vc
8 ume in which is preserved the list Of Il
i girls with whom Edward danced at Il
ie halls given in his honor in Canada and Il
e United States.
= The kings birthday is the chief holidt
Is in the British world. But when Edwa
\ VII came TO the throne he decreed tn
- the celebration OF May "a, the birthday
:, his royal mother, should be continued
Empire day. This remains the chief no
~ day In the British possessions ~througho
!, the world. But today, November 9, is I
kings birthday, and wherever the Uni
. Jack flies in the red belt around the wori
n sturdy sons OF England drink to the heal
Of their beloved king. In the United stat
the American people Join with their Ell
d. fish cousins In the prayer. God save t
ey king
A. ny Frederic J. Kaskini
Tomorrow-"Birthday OF Luther"