THE New Zealand Times. (PUBLISHED DAILY.) SATURDAY, JANUARY 25, 1896. THE LATE PRINCE HENRY.

New Zealand Times, Volume LVIII, Issue 2726, 25 January 1896, Page 2

THE New Zealand Times. (PUBLISHED DAILY.)

SATURDAY, JANUARY 25, 1896. THE LATE PRINCE HENRY.

With which are incorporated the Wellington Independent, established 1845, and the New 'Zealander.

Tin: nxprossion of sympathy which tho Premier Ij:l: benn thoughtful enough to send to the Sovereign certainly roprethe feeling of New Zealand. Without distinction of political feeling, everyone in tho country unites in this expression of deep regret and sympathy. The sad bereavement sustained by the Royal House lias touched the chord which lias been set vibrating by recent events of Imperial importance. These events have shown that the old national jmd patriotic spirit is as strong and firm and eager as it ever was before the days of tho Empire of which wo are all members. and of which we are all beyond measure proud. Tho testimony to the reality and strength of this spirit which has come from every part of the Empire is overwhelming. It is one of the most striking and important developments of our time. Akin to this spirit, and indeed an integral part of it, is the sympathy felt for the Empress Queen and her daughter in tho sad bereavement they have just sustained. The circumstances under which the young Princo met his death especially appeal to the spirit which has given such striking evidence of its existence. The Ashanti campaign has been bloodless. But thoso who took part in it were prepared for serious work. Among them was tho young Prince, who, in the highest spirit of duty, determined to take part in a work of great imperial importance. Had there been a war on a great scale, such as the Continent of Europe has seen within tho last three decades, ho would have come out of his comfortable leisure and taken part. Tho campaign which offered him Iris opportunity was not of that kind- But it was of the same character. The details wore small, but the principle was the same. He obeyed the call of principle, he encountered danger, and he went into line with the brave strong men of the nation, who went to the front in a dangerous climate. He found death, and tho Empire admires him for tho sacrifice he risked in common with thoso who offer their lives for their country. He placed himself in the position of danger which the officers, his associates and friends have to face in the course of their careers. The fortune of war has struck him down, and as ho lies awaiting burial at the hands of his people the Empire has realised that the Royal Family takes the same chances for the public good that aro tho lot of all those who fight for the honour of the flag. Therefore the heart of the whole Empire has gone out to the Royal Family. The Queen has by her virtues and her high character and her great attainments earned the attachment of tho many millions who own her rule. Hor age is one of the groat ages of our history. It is the Victorian age, which compares everywhere with the other great age, known as the Elizabethan. What the ojder age sowed the Victorian is reaping. That is the verdict of tho universal world to-day. In the comparison, or rather sequel, it is a strange coincidence at the present moment that the great Queen’s chief councillor happens to bo a descendant of tho great councillor of the great days of the Spanish Armada. Tho grief in which the Sovereign and her family are plunged reminds us that tho virtues of the Queen are part of tho cement which binds together all the parts of tho greatest Empire of our time, one of the greatest in the history of the world. It has touched tho heart of all the Imperial populations by tho proof it has afforded that the Royal Family takes its share of the dangers incidental to the maintenance of tho Empire. We all share that grief, as we share the grief of the friends of the lowest in rank of those who die in the public service. Proudly we joined with all onr fellow-subjects in the stand lately made for British honour. Sorrowfully we join with them in the sympathy they have offered for the sacrifice made in the duty of maintaining that honour. In honour and loyalty and sacrifice the Empire, thank G-od, is one and undivided. Schemes of Federation may yet be dreams, but tho unity of tho Empire is a cordial living reality.