The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-01-19


you know, Aunt" said the Duchess of Bur
gundy to Madame de Maintenon, why the
queens of England govern better than the
kingsi Ii is because when q woman reigns
men govern, and when kiogs women"
This pertinent but for the occasion on which
it was uttered, not very fatterug aphorisn.
seems likely to lose its application, if report
speaks true Of the manner in which Prince Al
bert is abusing the opportunities of his high
position. Tired of playing the part OF polit
cal nonentity, he has. it is said, chosen an I'M
fortunate field for the exercise Of his talents.
by embsrking in ntrigues compromising the
honor and interests of his adopted country.
1t is difficult to believe that man who has
hitherto borne himself with 80 much discretion
in the delicate circumstances in which he is
placed, should thus at once boldly throw of the
mask and plunge into course Of policy so
utterly at variance, not only with public feeling,
but with his own previous line of conduct. We
witness however. such strange Inconsistencies
in the character of public men, that there would
be nothing surprising in the fact if the iniin-
ence of the Prince Consort's German education
and early associations were, in question so
vital to the interests of his fatherland, to over
power his more r Gently born English sympa
thies.
Although the charge brought against the
Prince, communicating important state secrets
to the German courts, is founded on evidence
purely cireumstantial, and might as well apply
to any member Of the cabinet as himsek, it
seems to be connected and brought home by
the well known political partialties of the
court That the temporising policy Of the
government, and the resignation of Lord Pal
merston, were attributable to the presence OF
German influence in high quarter, there can
not be shadow of doubt. They are not, in
fact, explanabls on any other ground, seeing
that the public feeling of the country had been
loudly expressed in favor Of more energetic
measures. In connecting, therefore, the viola
ton Of the secrets of the cabinet with the
source from whence this pressure emanated, the
public draws natural and almost inevitable
conclusion.
The current of Prince Albert's popularity
has hitherto run so smoothly that it is q pity
that any thing should occur to prevent its
carrying him easily and comfortably down
the stream Of time. When = man can
make q reputation, as An Irishman would
say, merely by the exercise of his
negative qualities, we cannot conceive the
object of his putting himself to unnecessary
trouble to spoil it. In bartering his personal
independence for the silken chains Of his pre-
sent exceptional position he must have known
that any attempt to reassert it must bring him
into suspicion. When, therefore, be accepted
the important post of shoulder-man to the
Queen, he should also have accepted, without
reservation, the obligations that it imposed. and
confined himself strictly to the duties of his
Office.
There is no doubt that when Parliament
meets some attempt will be made to sift to the
bottom the truth of these charges. They are
too openly and circumstantially advanced to
render it possible for either the Prince or the
government to shirk answering them; aud we
may accordingly expect some curious dis
closures as to the motives and influences that
have been busily at work through ali the per-
picking phases of the war question 1t only
half what is asserted he true, nothing can tend
more to bring into discredit this monarchicll
habit of crossing royal stocks with broods of
foreign importation.
THE REVENUE LAWS DISTRACTIONS TO STEAM
SHIPS FROM SMuaGLNG.-The recent seizure OF
the Cunard propeller-the Alps-in the waters
of this port on account of detected smuggling
by certain attaches or employees of the ship,
and other similar cases which have occurred
from time to time for some years past, suggest
the expediency and necessity of some modifica-
ton of the revenue laws upon this subject.
The act of 1899 declares that goods unladen
from any vessel without . permit from the
Collector and Naval Officer shall become for
felt, and may be seized by any officer Of the
customs and where the value shall amount to
$500 the vessel shall be subject to like for
fixture and seizure. This is without any refer
ence to the guilt or innocence Of the party
whose property is forfeited.
At the time this act was passed vessels were
worth from $4,000 to $4,000, with q crew Of
five to ten persons. No strong temptation was
then held out to evade the revenue laws by
heavy duty upon valuable articles Of such
trifing bulk that they can be put in the pocket
or concealed on the person. such as diamonds,
lace, &c. The captain of vessel could then
exercise complete supervision over the acts
of his crew.
At the present time steam and sailing vessels
are worth from 100000 to 100000, with
crews Of from seventy-fve to one hundred and
thirty persons, any one Of whom has the power
of FORGETTING the ship by smuggling goods about
his person. 1t is an absolute impossibility for
the owners or captain to prevent it, notwith-
standing all the care and diligence they may
use, unless every person was stripped naked
every time they left the ship And, although
the Collector and officers of the customs may
be perfectly convinced that the owners of the