Omaha daily bee., 1921-04-12
The Bees Platform
End of a Devoted Life.

The brief laconic announcement Of the death
OF late empress of Germany will attract more
attention to her lite than anything she did while
living. Wholly absorbed in her duties as mother
and housewife, she had no part in the politics OF
her time, share in the intrigue that surrounded
her, and was little more than lay figure in the
formally stiff and coorlcss life of the court She
cxcmpliied in her own lie the virtues OF the
woman as laid down in the three Ks" OF her
imperial husband.
While some scandal has been attached by
the slander OF enemies TO the name of the
kaiser. it is his most eminent recommendation
that he was singularly free from the petty vices
of princes, and gave remarkably little occasion
for public or private reproof because of his
morals. One basis for this may be found in the
fact that he was self-centered to so absorbing
degree that he derived more satisfaction from
setting a high and notable example of family
devotion that he might have found in the in
dulgence OF any form Of intrigue. However that
may be, the domestic affairs of the emperor were
of nature that did give his people pattern OF
real excellence.
Augusta Victoria leaves on her age only the
impress left by millions of other women. She
was born, she was we'd bore and reared chill
dren. gave to her husband loyal support and
then answered the call and passed on. 1t is not
, record OF excitement, of sensational deeds, of
novel notions and astonishing adventures one
will set down when making up her chronicles.
The record will tell of woman who patiently
and Systematically, day after day. went about
her appointed task, directing the affairs of her
home, managing her share of family responsible
ity, holding her little conferences with limited
group Of intimates, just as does any wife and
mother in the humblest circumstances commune
with her neighbors similarly situated. The fierce
light that beats upon throne shed few rays
into the household rooms where Augusta spent
her days. Not that she was inadequate when
state duties required her presence at the side of
her husband, for she was not, and has always
been written OF in terms of deepest regard. But
she was seemingly content with her sphere, and
so furnished an ideal consort for a restless as
pirant to universal power A more ambitious
woman might have marred the plans or thwartcd
the leaping ambition OF the man whose dream
was universal domination OF humanity. This
quiet unassunling wife and mother found her
expression in home we'll tended flock care
fully looked after, in the comfort of her hus-
band and children, in their moral and physical
welfare as far as she was responsible, and the
rest she left to God. And OF her it may be said,
as Grey said Of his youthful subject the unbend-
ing circumstances of her life
nor circumscribed alone
His virtues, but his crimes confined;
Forbade to wade through slaughter to throne
Or shut the gates of mercy on mankind.
Augusta will be mourned and will be remer,-
bered for just those qualities her husband lacked
although he admired them in her. And the
figure of that bent and broken man, standing
alone by the bedside where his wife lay dead
will get sympathetic thought that otherwise
will be denied the kaiser.