The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-06-21
LONG LIVE THE KING,

s<S~'N
Thursday. June %. will be day full of inter
e., to the world. II will witness stately and
magnificent ceremony in the coronation OF Eng
lands king In the presence of representatives
from the whole civilized world, reso!endent in
costly and bejewelled robes the Archbishop OF
Canterbury, in Westminster Abbey, will place
the crown upon the head Of George ', aud the
new-crouned king Of an empire, upon whose do
main the sun sets, will take solemn oath
To obey the laws of God, to preserve the customs
and traditions of the British empire, and to
SUPPORT and defend the Established Church.
This ancient ceremony, dating certainly
from the time Of Solomon. confers no new or
additional authority upon a monarch, and is
little more than the costly and gorgeous demon
stration and declaration OF the fact that he
rightfuly wears the and Yields tho
scepter of his ancestors George ". the last
OF that name until the present ruler, was not
crowned until eighteen months after his aces
sion to the throne; Frederick of Prussia, father
of the present emperor, accomplished his brief
reign with no public coronation: and George
has already reigned many months, as the sue
ressor Of bis gracious father. Edward VII, who
won high place in the hearts Of Americans
by his consistent friendship for this republic.
There Is "a sharp contrast between this coro-
nation and that of the preceding reign Now,
all look forward to the coming event with none
but joyous anticipation, and preparations have
been made to make 1t the most splendid and
stately affair in the history Of the English peo-
pie But the coronation day OF Edward which
had been postponed by his illness and serious
surgical operation, anticipated with appre-
hension and alarm, lest the king, already ad-
yanced in years, might not be able to endure
the ordeal of great state ceremonial with the
strain OF its attendant functions.
The coronation. with all the ceremonies at
tendant upon this gorgeous drama, challenges
the descriptive powers and battles the imagl-
nation OF those reared amid the simplicity and
democratic conditions of republic. Our most
splendid functions fade into tnsignihcanee be"
fore this browning Of king. We lack the his
toric atmosphere the ancient traditions and
customs the social conditions to enable us to
comprehend the significance of the event to the
royal family or the relation of the common peo
ple in their almost worshipful attitude Only
he. in whose veins flows the blood OF ancestors
who for centuries have regarded an earthly
monarch with affection. loyalty and reverence
and In whose breast is the spirit Of the mon
archy, can appreciate the significance OF appre-
bend the magnifcenoe of this event. We. tht
children OF order the common citizens
of republic can only catch a partial glimpse
OF the royal play PROFESSIONS of the soldiers
and sailors OF all lands, gatherings OF royal
noble and noteworthy personages social func
tions made spectacular by costly plate. magnif
cent decorations. gorgeous costumes and fash
ing jewels and gems; the solemn and impress
sve ceremony In Westminster Abbey, the his
toric crown and jewels of the empire-out Of
these colors we make the pictures that best
represent the event TO our individual minds
To the king let US hope, there viii be deep
er meaning This spectacular display. this
solemn ceremony. will bring to his mind the
dignity. the responsibilities and the opportuni
ties Of dominion. The songs OF praise, the
prayers OF dedication the sacred oath of king
ship in Westminster Abbey. will bring him The
deeper understanding that he is king by the
grace of God,
While the fires are blazing upon thousand
hilsops OF old Scotland, while a thousand Brit
ish churches are offering prayer for his guild
ance and his protection, while devoted sons o.
England in every cline are breathing forth
their sincere wishes for peaceful and pros
porous reign. we join in the cry that bursts
forth from every civilized nation on the globe
Long Lire the King