| Publication information |
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Source: The King Alfred Millenary Source type: book Document type: book chapter Document title: “Chapter II” Author(s): Bowker, Alfred Publisher: Macmillan and Co., Limited Place of publication: London, England Year of publication: 1902 Part/Section: 3 Pagination: 155-65 (excerpt below includes only pages 164-65) |
| Citation |
| Bowker, Alfred. “Chapter II.” The King Alfred Millenary. London: Macmillan, 1902: part 3, pp. 155-65. |
| Transcription |
| excerpt of chapter |
| Keywords |
| Alfred Bowker (public statements); McKinley assassination (international response). |
| Named persons |
| Alfred; William McKinley; Victoria. |
| Notes |
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From title page: The King Alfred Millenary: A Record of the Proceedings
of the National Commemoration.
From title page: By Alfred Bowker (Mayor of Winchester, 1897-1898, 1900-1901). |
| Document |
Chapter II [excerpt]
In responding, the Mayor of Winchester, having expressed the goodwill of the English National Committee and the pleasure it afforded them to be represented on the occasion, said that the English-speaking race might be likened to a great tide surging ever onward, and that their power and influence for good in future ages would be immense, “a potentiality immeasurable.” Continuing, he said—
We of the other hemisphere recognise the vast progress of the people of America. We watch the rapid rise and immense expansion brought home to us continually by the development of the cities and [164][165] towns of the United States. Our debt, and great it is, for the example set us we fully recognise and appreciate. Our home celebration, held at Winchester, the ancient and royal capital of England, cradle of the greatness of the English-speaking race, was not entirely free from great shadows of distress, of sorrow, and we deeply lamented the terrible end of your much-respected President, Mr. M’Kinley. He had written to me in the early days of this commemoration, and expressed his personal and cordial sympathy with the movement. The proceedings on the day of the funeral were at once entirely altered in character.
This severe blow was not the only one sustained during the arrangements of our celebration. Our own beloved, great, and good Queen Victoria had passed to her last rest midst the mourning of the peoples of the civilised globe. The record of the lives of Victoria and M’Kinley and of the life of King Alfred will be an ever-treasured memory and far-reaching influence for good.
May the example of King Alfred’s career remain ever before our peoples. May the present good feeling existing between the United States and Great Britain endure throughout the ages still to come.
The Mayor acknowledged in the course of his remarks that the striking success of the English celebration was in a large measure due to American sympathy, and referred with great pleasure to the circumstance that the two peoples had together celebrated the memory of Alfred both in the old country and in the new.