The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1910-05-07

equities and its injustie.
well. il is all over, but I think I've
done my duty.
These were about the last words
King Edward spoke. but they will ever
be remembered by the English peo-
pie who loved him. He realized the
end was near and was ready to 90,
satisfied that he had done his work
well.
King Edward was democratic and
progressive, and there was no hostil-
lily To the crown worth mentioning. Ir-
respective of politics the king was
spoken of with high respect and af-
lection. Edward and his queen show
ed deep interest in social reform and
philanthropy. and the queen. too has
occupied a warm place in the hearts
of the people.
England Is indebted to King Ed
ward for many reforms, brought about
by him i'm his role as a social arbiter,
and which afforded an excellent indi-
cation of his character II is, thanks
to him for instance, that hard drink
ing and coarseeness of language went
out of fashion. When he was a boy
il was considered bad form for a gent
leman TO retire to rest otherwise than
intoxicated. while almost every phrase
spoken was embellished with appalling
blasphemy. And if a higher tone Of
morality and a greater sense of pro-
priety now prevail than i'm the earlier
half of the last century, ii is in a
great measure due to the unobtrusive
but excellent care which his Majesty
took to keep out of society those who
had forfeited their rights TO remain
within his pale He was as ready as
any other votary of pleasure to meet
them In the sphere 20 which they had
descended and to treat them there
with kindness and consideration, but
he would not tolerate their presence
in houses that were respectable. and
took quiet means to eliminate them
therefrom.
That the King was deeply interest
ed In both domestic and foreign poll
tics every one knew. As prince Of
Wales he frequently visited the House
Of Lords and there were few more at
tentive listeners to the debates. But
whether he leaned towards the Con-
servatives or towards the liberals,
whether he favored the Nationalist
cause in Ireland or that OF the Orange
men. whether he preferred an under
standing with France to one with Ger
many. or vice versa, few could say
positively. This was because his at
titude on public questions was so
rarely expressed. When he believed 1t
wise and for the public good to make
his influence felt in affairs of state he
went about the business so quietly
that few were aware that he had any
thing whatever to do with bringing
about the results. He took no pains
however. to conceal his belief in an un-
Outstanding between Great Britain
and the United States. which friendly
feeling for America and Americans he
Inherited from his mother. In connec-
ton with the budget, according to al
accounts. the king sought to induce the
lords TO avoid extreme measures, but
observe all the constitutional proprie-
ties
King Edward was the most promin-
ent living Free Mason. For more thar
lthirty-hve years he was identified witt
the order. during which time he serv'
ed as grand master OF the grand lodg'
es Of England, Ireland Scotland ant
| Wales. and also grand prior of the or
der of Knights Templars in England
and grand patron of the Ancient Ac'
cepted Scottish Rite of Free Masonry
| i'm the United Kingdom, having recelv'
ed the 33rd and last degree in tina
branch Of Free Masonry There wal
not member throughout the worl'
| who took a deeper or more active in
| terest I'm the affairs of the Masonic or
der. Masonry everywhere received hi
hearty and unqualified support ant
his presence at important Masonic
functions was always sought for ant
usually with success.
From the time Of his marriage n
was the leading figure in English so
ciety. and TO a great extent its arpi
ter. Possessed Of unrivaled and un
falling tact. of an extremely level heao
and OF an altogether unique knowledg
OF the world. his majesty's position a
Prince of wales and as king endowe
him with a social power superior I
that enjoyed by any continental SOY
ereign.
one OF the most pleasing traits
King Edward was his singularly happ
home life. He was the OBJECT
many stories Of more or less slander
Gus nature. which he always consider