The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-12-23
ny IA MARauIsE DE FONTENOy.

against the government rather than
against the throne. King George anu
Queen Mary. both prior and suose-
nuent TO their accession to the throne
King Edward and Queen Alexandra
and Queen Victoria, have always oeen
welcomed with the most unoounoeu
cordiality and enthusiasm whenever
they have visited Ireland. and through
out the years that the Duke Of Con-
uaught spent at Dublin as COMMANDER
in-chief Of the military forces OF the
Emerald Isle, neither he nor his vile
and daughters ever received an un-
friendly word or an unfrtendly look
nothing. indeed, but kindness from the
Irish people.
Approaching this. Queen Victoria
King Edward and now King George
have always hitherto turned dear
ear TO the suggestion that any member
Of their family should hold court IN
their name as Lord Lieutenant at DUO
lin Castle, as long as the Vlceroyaity
remained a political party once Inc
sovereign. az a constitutional ruler IL
often forced to give way to the wishes
CT Parliament and 20 those OF the
administration for the time being, ana
10 sanction things repugnant TO the
occupant OF the throne. But the mon
arch has not been able to see any ad-
vantage to be derived In identifying
himself or the royal family more than
is absolutely necessary with acts OF
policy that are sometimes dictated
more by a partisan spirit than by
sense of Just or public interest
The popularity of the royal family in
ireland would have suffered grievously
had a prince of the blood been oDiSed
as a partisan Viceroy to assume the
odium OF the distasteful measures de-
vised by a Liberal or Unionist Cabinet
ir Downing Street, and TO Identity
himself with its views. But when
the viceroyalty ceases to be partisan
office, and its occupant Is required 10
hold aloof from party politics. there
will be no more objection TO its being
held by a royal prince than there was
TO the appointment of the Duke OF
Connaught as commandments IN
Ireland
The yiceroyalty of Ireland is a very
ancient office, which dates from the
reign of Henry H.. the first of its In
cumbents being Hugh de Lacy, IN
fI7e. There have been several oc-
casions. especially during the latter
half of the nineteenth century. Wnen
il has been proposed to Abolish IT.
But this has always been opposed by
maintenance OF separate court at
Dublin a. emphasizins their separate
existence from Great Britain.
Since ireland has always been more
or less ruled from the banks OF the
Thames. even IN the days prior 20
the union. when there was an Irish
Parliament at Dublin. the Viceroy has
had relatively little real power The
latter has been vested almost wholly
In the hands of his principal secretary
VINO. occupying a seat in the Cabinet
has been the virtual master Of the is-
land and minister for Ireland. The
result OF this anomaly has been, that
IL has been d,ficul. - fnd men of a
high order Of Craftsmanship willing
to accept the role OK Lord Lieutenant.
content TO act as scapezoat Tor I'm
popular measures of their political
party. IN the framing OF which they
have had no voice. and In the eNecu-
ton Of which they have no real su-
thority Many OF the Niceroys have
been such intellectual meoiocritieS as
TO sadly diminish the prestige OF the
Office In spite OF the extravagant
amount of spien6or and etiquette with
which IL has been envirored-
Some Lords Lieutenant have been
renowned for their drunken habits.
In a country where convfviality Is
the rule rather than the exception. and
there are few who do not know the
story OF that Duke OF Richmonc who.
10 the dssmay % crown and Cabinet
was in the habit OF exercising when
intoxicated his vicereEa; prerogative
Of conferr5ng kniEhthood- The latter
f. a privilege that until now has been
enjoyed By no other subject or the
crown. Neither the Viccroy 81 inois.
nor even the royal Gorc-nor-Generai
u Canada. can knight q man save -
a written authorization OF the SOW
~refen. But the Niceroy % ireland
can knight whosUsoeyer he lists win
out asking permission OF any one, ane
IA the case OF the particular duke 20
whom I have referred above. any eN-
cess Of stimuiants invariably produced
q desire 20 knight every MAJ he hap
pened TO meet
on one occasion when making q
vicerenai progress through Galway,
and forced ~ stress q weather 20
sp~rd TIE night ~ q country town inn.
he insisted. after having been rvt %
bc5 b~ his attendants after dinner In
ar Intoxicated condition. on having the
-boota~ of the establishment brought
into his presence. and then and there.
arrayed IN his nightcap and night
shlrt. he proceeded 70 knight the man.
xbose name was Denny Csrc, sx-
elairaIns 80 he tapped him on the