The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1885-08-12
The Queens Influence.

When Mr.. Gladstone and his colleagues
We're defeated in the House of Commons
few weeks ago, and decided to retire
from office, the first thing the prime min
lister did was to tender to the queen the
designations of all the members of the
cabinet. The queen, who was at Bal
moral, in Scotland, telegraphed her &C
ceptance of the designations, and sum-
moned the leader Of the opposition, the
Marquis of Salisbury, to confer with him.
When the marquis arrived the queen
" commanded" him to form new minis
try, which he thereupon proceeded to do.
But the queen might have sent for and
issued the same command to any other
statesman of either party. She was not
compelled to send for Lord Salisbury,
but IN doing so used her own discretion,
while at the same time she followed the
usual course in such cases.
Many people, who are well informed
IN most matters, labor under one of two
entirely different mistakes as to the posi-
ton OF the queen, or the sovereign, in
the English political system. Some per-
sons are under the impression that she
exercises a great deal of royal power, and
Ia many ways actually directs the gov
eminent of her realm. Others regard
her as a mere puppet, useless ornament,
with no power whatever, and wholly sub
lect to the will of her ministers. Neither
OF these views is correct. The truth lies
midway between them. Many of the
powers and functions which the queen
apparently and nominally exercises she
really does not exercise at all. For in
stance: according to the laws of England,
the sovereign has the power to declare
war or conclude peace, to make treaties,
to create peers, to expend the revenue,
to summon and dissolve Parliament, and
to veto bills. But each and all these
powers are really exercised by the minis
try of the day. The queen only does
these things on paper. Her name is
used and her signature given to all these
acts. But she is obliged to act in regard
to them as the ministers advise her.
Should she undertake to do any of these
thing against the will OF the ministers,
she would probably provoke revolution.
On the other hand, the queen is far
from being a nonentity in the English
system. She has, indeed, no real, arbi-
trary power to direct the policy of her
state; but, as Mr.. Gladstone has pointed
out In his Gleanings of Past Years" she
has very great influence" She reigns,
put does not govern. While she cannot
really command, she can do much, by
reason OF her exalted place and her social
supremacy, to influence the course of
political events. The queen is always in
formed of every step her ministers intend
taking in public affairs. She discusses
these steps, and gives her views upon
them, and her views are always listened
to with Difference Ministers will strive.
IT possible, to accede to her wishes.
Though without power, the queen thus
has an important influence. This in
huence, too, is largely measured by the
personal qualities and character of the
sovereign. Her prudence experience,
zeal tor the welfare of the people, and
familiarity with public affairs, if such
qualities she has, will greatly increase
her influence. On the other hand,
weak, foolish, d1ssipated, capricious or
inexperienced sovereign would have much
less weight in public affairs.
Queen Victoria has reigned so long,
has shown such sensible and patriotic
| qualities, and ia KIN ,wn to be 80 earnestly
devoted to the well.being OF her empire,
that her opinions and wishes are an i'm
Portant factor IN British policy Should
her successor fail in these traits. he
would be far less influential than Victoria
now Is in the English realm Youth8
Coplpaajon.