The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-09-18
By Ex-ATTACHE.

Divine right is a doctrine which does
not appeal to the citizens OF this great
republic II even incites them to ridi-
Guile But there are millions in the Old
World who still believe in IL implicitly.
even in these modern times. despite the
ever-rising tide OF democracy. Thus.
while much fun has been poked al the
K aiser on this side OF the Atlantic in
connection with his recent speech at
Koenigsberg. in which he reafirmed his
conviction that he held his crown OF
Prussia by the grace OF God and not by
the gift Of Parliament or by the will of
the people; that he considered himself
an instrument OF the Lord, and intended
to fulfill as such his duties of regent
and ruler, without needing the views and
opinions of the day, responsible only to
the Almighty, yet these utterances have
met with warm approval on the part OF
the territorial erlstocraey Of Prussia,
which is very publie-spirited and in
tensely patriotic.
They have also touched a responsive
chord OF loyalty and good Will among the
great masses of the Industrious. old
fashioned German peasantTy. aud have
even excited enthusiasm among the mil
tary, naval and civil service element OF
Prussia, and not only OF Prussia. but
also throughout the greater part OF Ger
many. All the organs OF the Teuton press
representative of these different classes
OF the population have given 10 the En-
peror's remarks their unstinted approval:
and II some of the Liberal and Radical
newspa pers have assailed the Kaiser in
connection Herewith. the Socialist ''Vor-
waerts" even going to the length of de-
elaring that William has repudiated the
constitution and proclaimed himself an
autocrat and an absoIutist ruler, there
are scores of important journals I'm other
countries in Europe. In Austria, and even
IN France and England. which commend
the views OF Emperor William and refer
10 them with sympathy.
RECONCILIATION of Patriotism.
They pronounce him the personincation
Of German patriotism. and OF that "sa-
cred principle OF authority" which is the
chief bulwark against those dangers.
absurdities. and exaggeration constantly
bNAaiA GSfNitFNG ~ oDNAfAaA1a4A anu HiAAA4 III
ism, the unwholesome offspring Of dis
eased democracy. Among the papers
that take this view are tie London
Times the sturdy old Edinburgh Scots
man, and the conservative republican
Temps, OF Paris Moreover, one and all
call attention 10 the fact that. although
William may occasionally deliver himself
Of speeches such as those Of Koenigsberg.
addressed 10 his countrymen. whom he
understands and who understand him
speechessthat are in accordance with the
views OF. at any rate, a large probably
the largest) moiety OF his feIlow-country-
men-he has never throughout hts TWEEN
ty-two years OF reign rendered himself
guilty OF single violation Of the con-
stitutions either Of the kingdom Of Prus-
STA or OF the German empire.
That millions OF highly educated and
enlightened Europeans believe IN the
doctrine of right divine. in the matter
OF monarchy. with almost as much faith
, as Roman Catholics profess in the dogma
OF papal infallibility. is known 10 every
thoughtful foreigner and 10 every Amer
lean student of life and conditions
abroad AMY doubt about the matter
would bssset at rest by careful review
OF the comments that have appeared in
print In Europe concerning the Kaiser's
Koenigsberg speech.
II may be instructive to add that mon
archs. as a rule believe in the principle
themselves. This Is the case with even
those who are most modern, progressive,
and enlightened. such as. for instance,
Emperor William himself and his Eng
lish uncle the late Edward VII. AS
rule. they conceal their sentiments about
the matter. prompted thereto by consid-
erations Of tact and of policy. and II the
Kaiser in his much discussed Grafton
gave free rein TO his ideas II was. &C
cording 10 those In a position 10 know.
owing to his desire 10 rally around him
the most loyal OF his lieges in his fight
against the alarming growth Of social
ism. which threatens the principle OF
authority. religion, law and order the
naval and military institutions Of the
empire and kingdom, and last, but not
least. property. be il great or small
Belief Is Natural.
II is perfectly natural that monarchs,
even when they are as up-to-date as
the late King Edward should believe n
the divine nature OF their authority. AMI
that they are Of a clay altogether diff
ferent 10 that employed in the consruc-
ton of ordinary human creatures. In
one OF the prettiest stories OF the great
French novelist, Alphonse Daudet. en-
titled THE Dauphins Deathbed," the