The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1855-11-29
y f,ss..s XII From the Public Ledger.
WHAT IS THE SUPREME POWER IN
ENCLAND3

ION Is OTOugH 10 oP6ats mHe"eAet5 W. W.
M,jestys Minister'S" There is volume OF
English history contained IN that last clause.
II shows where lies tho real governing pow
er in England, and that that power is, after
all, more friendly TO the United States than to
the arsiocracy, which 90 generally usurps TO
speak as the mouth Of the British nation.
Three hundred years ago, in Henry the
Eighih's time, had any one asked where lay
the supreme power of the British nation, the
answer could have been given at once and
decisively, not in the press, for then even
printing Bi3le cost a man his life--not in
the people, who had no voice-not in the
House of Commons, which lay powerless
and passive in the hands of Majesiy-not
even in the House OF Lords, which was
equally obsequious--uot in the Clergy, who
were stripped Of their possessions, bu, in The
Cro,on. Had The same question been asked
in The reign of bis successor, The reply would
nave been equally clear-in the hands of
Cranmer. In the reign Of Charles II, il was
in the hands of the mobiles and court favor
ties. With the house of Hanover came the
real permanent supremacy Of the House of
Commons. The authority of this body stead
lily increased, until ii tas absorbed all power
from The House Of Lords, (Which is now re-
duced 10 mere almshouse for superannua-
ted siatesmen,) and has obtained all the real
authority Of the Crown also. The Queen is
now held bound 10 appoint all Ministers and
even her household and personal officers ac-
cordng 10 The majority they can command
in that body. She is thus IN fact mere
piece OF State pageantry, without one quar-
Ter of the personal influence in public affairs
that our President possesses. Indeed, the
present Queen is thus found TO govern Eng
land better than any King, because she has
so few points of her own to carry, and has
SO little opinion or desire 10 influence public
affairs. Hence IL is well understood that Lord
Palmerston will Hsst the wishes of almost
any member of the House of Commons with
more poliieness than he sometimes does
those of the royal family, who may hate him
and quarrel with him as much asi they please
bnt are bound to make him Prime Minister,
while he has The majority Of the House.
But while the House Of Commons has
thus been gaining the supremacy from the
Crown aad from the Lords, it has been si.
lently losing it TO q greater extent on the 9th.
er side through the public press. The i'm.
mense influence acquired through reporting
public debates, and giving the first colorins
to every discussion of public affairs has nat
uraIly drawn TO the leading London papers
the very highest order of talent that The coun-
try car furnish. By degrees, the London
Times, from the bold and slashing style Of
it's editorials, Ito INSCRIPTIONS audacity in
carrying lis ends, its immense capital, prior
i,y of information, and influence with Minis.
ters, had really absorbed the utterances of
the public voice, aud bee ame the type and
representation of power stronger than the
House of Commons itself, and boarding il
and the Ministry all together, .lrts
1t tis much easier to wrest power out Of the
hands of the Inefficient than 10 hold il against
all attacks afterwards. A certain dashing
| and impetuous boldness Of assault will Of
ten do tho former; but wisdom, patience,
prudence and truth are required TO retain the
influence lhps gained The days of glory
for the Times newspaper are fast passing
away, for lack OF these very qualities, and
other periodicals must pow arise 10 reign in
its slead. It's character is becoming Veil un
derstpod on both sides of the Atlanta. Las,
;wiplerr lls power seemed at ahe zenith, Blu,
Was'eyen .aen really un the wans, or rather
a. inc height of an inioxicationg that beto.
kened a downfall Italtacked thu Govern
msnt, and pulled ever, thing 10 pieces, but
1t could build nothing up. II had nothing
beuef TO recommend. II was unqusliona-
bly, the neaps of damaging the British char
acter in building up iiseh, and, BY tone OF
exaggeration, and the revelation of secrets,
did more to the honor of the English ns,ion
/ throughout the world, and destroy is pres.
iigs as a military power, than Russia could
have done Ia a dozen ampaigns. 1t has
now become imposeible!for Eneland 10 EN-.
listrecfu ils. The Government has q, length
learned the power Of this dangerous dsna
gogns, and has tapped The sources Of lis
strength, and turned them iDlo mere public
chauneIs, 40 that the country papers now may
give their u,terance of the sentiments Of The
whole people, Since then, the Times has
been growing more ieckless and startling on
all questions, 10 draw The public ear, il onIy
for a moment. The same audacily which
lasi winter betrayed the British army, has now
ventursd 90 the more dangerous task Of al
lacking, ihs United States. So far, this has
only excited a Laugh. of dsrision from one
sud Of this country to the other.
HuIia England a war panic has been rails
I'd, anda.his q, length has shown where the
/ present and 4futdre supreme power Of the
British na,iun lies and 10 TO lie ,--not In The
! House Of Commons, ,not ID the Times, but
in pubiis opinion. This. 40 the Livefpool
lournsl says, must now abs brousht 10 bear