The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-12-06

An English paper, the Express, which is never
very courtly nor complimentary, and generally
more powerful than polite, and always more the
advocate Of the crowd than the crown thus ex-
presses itself when speaking Of the proposed exhi.
bition Of arts and manufactures in 1851:
cit Is not too much TO admit that 10 the personal
character OF the queen Is 10 be mainly attributed
immunity from the commissions which have
shaken continental Europe TO the foundation of its
social fabric. Prominent in the public eye, sub
jected 70 rigidity Of scrutiny from which private
persons arc wholly exempt, 1t would be uncandid
TO deny that the queen has sustained that trying
ordeal with extraordinary success. Nay, IL would
be ungcncrous and unjust not 10 admit that, TO her
blamcess private life and her prudent public con-
duct, society stands indebted for much Of the peace
and good order we enjoy, and for example
which has unqucstionably been materially instru-
mental in elcvating the standard of ostensible ma
tional morals and Of social proprety and dccorum.
In difficult and critical position il may be fairly
admitted that Prince Albert has acquitted himself
with great general judgment. II il honorable to
his understanding and character that his life is
without scandal that amid many temptations 10
frivoty and Sybaritc indulgence, he escapes criti
cism without being futile; that without drawing on
himself notorety he has never sunk TO the state of
a cipher; that he avoids intrigues without nhty
and can be useful without being factous Our
agriculture is indebted TO him for many valuable
cNpcriments-ifh he has not always been an entirely
judicious, he has been at least uniformly jealous
patron OF art. As parent, nc executes the solemn
trust Of framing the mind and character Of the heir
TO the throne with good sense, and in the conviction
that the best sovereign is only TO be fashioned out
Of an intelligent, sensible, and good man; and,
as a citizen and a subject the country is indebted
10 him for the orgination and practical promotion
Of an object Of the highest importance and the
greatest value. In the centre Of the world in the
metropolis Of commerce, in the earth's capital of
practical science and useful art, are 10 enjoy
the advantage Of institution worthy of the
age and the nation. In the Royal Park is TO be
collected the practical result Of the mind, skill,
invention, enterprise, and industry Of every race
Of mankind. The manifold works Of God also
10 be there, that his creatures may sec that in
wisdom he has made them all II is wise in the
queens cOnsort 20 abstain from mingng in the
ntrgues Of party or the troubled waters politics
Yet IL would be both unmanly and impolitic as the
father TO the heir Of the crown and as an exalted
subject, that he should be what Napoleon called
Able Sieyes's Chief Consul a mere pig TO be fat
tened out Of the public trough. His high station
gives him power, his relation 10 the sovereign az
fords him opportunities Of being useful 10 mankind;
and IL must afford every subject satisfaction 10 see
that he is in the line Of his duty and that he has re-
solved 20 be NO mere cumbersome futility. He has
originated and assisted in the practical execution
Of noble scheme Of true patriotism and genuine
philanthropy. The productions Of nature from
every quarter Of the world, and Of which God alone
Is the all-wise and omnipotent manufacturer, will
be brought together in Hyde Park to instruct and
enlarge the mind Of the nation, leading il from ma
ture up 10 natures Artiicer, and teaching all how
much stranger truth and fact than the srangest
fiction"