Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1855-02-21
Resignation of tho British Cabinet.

Resignation of tho British Cabinet. e.:
The last steamer from Europe brings the In
teligeuce of the resignation of The BRITISH oa0'-
net headed by Lord Aberdeen. Ims event.
which will doubtless have an important bearing
upon the Eastern war, was not unexpected. ny
the preyious advices we learned thata resolution
expressing want of confidence, and proposing an
inquiry into the conduct Of the Ministry, had
been offered in the House Of Commons; and that
Lord John Russell, a member OF the Csolnet,
had resigned his office. The reason assigned by
Lord Russell for This step was, that he could not
defend the course of the Government IN connex-
ion with the management Of the war, and that TO
escape censure himself no other alternative was
! left to him. The resolution alluded TO was re-
sumed in the House on the 30th ult., and passed
BY majority of 81 votes, wheleuPon the whole
Cabinet, as matter of course, at once resigned.
At the latest dates, new Ministry had not been
formed, and the issue was awaited with intense
anxiety throughout England For some time
past the belief has been gaining ground that the
Government, and others charged with the prose-
culion of the war, were incompetent or grossly
negligent of their duty and if there is any truth
in the accounts of the wretched condition OF the
British army in the Crimea, this impression is
certainly we'll founded. Whether a new Cab
net will be inclined toward peace, or prosecute
the war with more vigor and success, remains to
be seen.
1t is singular fact that the British Govorn-
ment is in some particulars more democratic than
our own. A vote Of the House of Commons, the
popular and only really efficient branch OF Paria-
nent, can at any time turn out the Cabinet, and
change the entire policy of the Government. In
the United States, such revolution can be ef-
fecled only upon the expiration of the term for
which the Chief Executive has been elected.
In other respects. the British Government is,
for a monarchy, an admirable contrlvance. The
loyalty Of the people is directed to the sovereign,
and thus the stability Of the throne is secured !;
while all the odium of unpopular measures falls
upon the Ministry, whose tenure of offence, as
we have seen, is the will of the peoples repre-
sentatives. The history of the Cabinet is as sin
guar as the tenure by which the members hold
office. From an early period the Kings of Eng
land were assisted by Privy Council, aud this
Council gradually assumed the form of regular
Cabinet. having the executive control Of all pub
lie affairs. 1t is now regarded as an essential
part of the Government. Yet it is TO this day al
together unknown To the law. The names oflhe
members are never officially announced TO the
public; no record is kept of its proceedings; and
its existence has never been recognised by an Act
of Parliament.
While we are upon this subject we may as
well refer briefly to the position Of the British
sovereign. The general belief is that Queen
Victoria is mere puppet, used like a big doll to
amuse the popu'ace on grand occasions, but with
out any real authority or influence. According
to speech delivered in Parliament by Lord Der
by. about one year ago, in reply to charges a
gainst Prince Albert, this impression is erroneous.
lie stated that the Queen must approve Of every
Act Of Parliament before it can go into effect, and
the Prime Minister must satisfy her Judgment as
10 the propriely of the measure before her sigma
ture can be obtained. But, after all, the We
10 power possessed by the sovereign is merely
nominal. and has not been exercised, if we reco-
lect Alright. for nearly two hundred years. More
over, while the sovereign is technically the
source of patronage, she has very little of it to
dispense. Even the keeper of the Queens
wardrobe goes out CT office at every change OF ad-
miuistraion. Some years ago George the Fourth
declared to distinguished American citizen that
he actually possessed no power. "Arthur Wei
lington", he said. sis virtually King of England,
Francis Jeffrey King of Scotland, Daniel O'Con-
nell King Of Ireland, and | am Governor of
Windsor Castle" The maxim that"lhe King can
do no wrong" is, therefore, true enough in Eng
land, although the English people have not al
ways acted upon it; for he has no power to do
anything. 1t is not applicable to our system of
Government, Notwithstanding some of our politi
clans seemed disposed TO resort to it once upon
time to screen President Pierce from csnsure On
account of Secretary Gu,hre's misdeeds In
word, the President of the United States has ten
fold the power and responsibility of the British
sovereign The dispeusaton Of patronage alone
gives him hold upon the public sympathy and
respect, TO the advantages of which Gen. Pierce
could very likely testify.
Prince Albert, by virtue Of his position as con-
sort Of the @ ,sen, is member of the Prvy
Council, and has right to know all the Govern
ment secrets He was accused at one time Of
impar,inq information to some of the Continental
Governments, but the prevailing opinion in Eng
land is that he dues not abuse his congugal priv-
lege.