The New York herald., 1862-01-08
Government and the press.

The death Of Prince Albert is likely to result
in many changes in the British government.
The composition Of the Cabinet will undcubted-
ly be affected by the event, and many discord-
ant elements will arise requiring the exercise Of
the royal prerogative. The pillar Of the
throne has been removed, and there is no
knowing what events may follow. Ii is well
known that Prince Albert was the constant
adviser of the Queen in all matters of State,
and that it was owing to his excellent inhu-
ence that the Crown during the present reign,
maintained that desirable position towards all
parties which incurred the displeasure Of none.
The Queen now stands alone, without an ad
wiser; but, as woman and sovereign, she will
be unable to act without one, and the future Of
her illustrious career will entirely depend upon
whom she may select as her guide. The Prince
Of Wales may possibly succeed in filling his
fathers place as the adviser Of her Majesty, or
it may be that she may marry again; for there
are many in Germany Of royal blood who
would be exceedingly glad to step into the
shoes of the late consort But in any case the
Prince of Wales cannot fail to be brought more
prominently forward than hitherto.
In the settlement Of the various difficulties
that may present themselves the press will,
without doubt, play an important part, and it
is fortunate that the British government does
not ignore its power, but diverts it TO its own
advantage. In this respect it is like Louis Ma
poleon; and therefore it is that in England and
France we see well managed and highly
appreciated press contributing to the strength
Of those governments, and not, as formerly to
their disadvantage Louis Philippe and Guizot
did not know how TO treat the press. They
foolishly despised it and ignored its influence,
consequence Of which was that towards the
close of that monarch's reign, of the twenty
newspapers published in Paris seventeen were
hostile to the government, and to their united
efforts may be traced the catastrophe which fol-
lowed. Lord Palmerston was the first states
man in England who prominently ayailed him
self of the power Of the press; and to this much
Of his success in political life is owing. We
may trace government influence in the tone Of
most of the London journals in favor of aris-
tocrscy: and from the fiunkeyism prevalent
among the anonymous journalists Of England
this influence is exerted with little difficulty.
At the same time these newspaper writers,
almost without exception, are opposed to aris-
tocracy personally. and when they support it
are merely bowing to power they are un-
willing TO resist. II is for the reason that jour-
nalism is not entirely anonymous in csUnited
States, as it is in England that il partakes of o
higher character, just as it does in France,
where every newspaper article is acknowledged
by its writer. Nevertheless, our government
and politicians do not appear TO have yet ap-
preciated the merits Of the Independent Ameri-
can press. Accustomed, in the first instance,
to merely party organs, they have not divested
themselves of the ideas TO which those organs
necessarily give rise. But the importance Of
the press in matters Of government is becoming
daily more conspicuous, and IL will soon earn
for itself The title Of the second instead Of the
fourth estate.