Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1901-02-07

"A
many, and a subject OF no httle us
eussion, is as to what sort OF kins
Queen Victorias eldest son Will prove
TO be. While some are of the opinion
that he will take an active part IN the
direction of affairs of the nation theIt
are others who insist that he VIII
show himself a "roi faineant," and VIII
leave everything to his ministers. anu
it is added, that he will be the more IN
elined to adopt this latter role OWING
to the fact that he has no taste OF ex
perience with regard to the AFFAIRS Oh
state, and that he is. moreover re-
duced by the terms and spirit OF the
constitution to play the part OF mere
fgurehead, it being explained that the
influence and power exercised by
Queen Victoria was due to her COM
manding and universally revered per-
sonality, and her unrivaled experience
and knowledge of statecraft.
Now there can be no greater mis-
take made than to ascribe any such
inactive part as this to Albert Edward.
In the first place, he has far greater
knowledge OF foreign and domestic
politics than the general public for
one moment imagines. Ever since
his return from India, more than a
quarter of a century ago, the foreign
Office has by direction of Queen Vic
toria made a practice of forwarding
TO him at the same time as to herself
q copy of each important dispatch re-
seived from abroad, and likewise of
the replies sent thereto, thanks to
which he was enabled on at least
three memorable occasions to bring
about understandings with foreign
powers that the most brilliant of pro
fessional diplomats had signally fail
ed to accomplish And while, with
a tact and regard for the spirit of the
constitution unparalleled on the part
of any other prince of Wales in Eng
lish history, he has refrained from
giving the slightest indication of his
preferences for one or another of the
great political parties in Great Britain,
the interest with which he has fol
lowed the debates upon all important
issues in parliament precludes all idea
that he looks upon national affairs
with Indifference.
That he is debarred by the terms of
the constitution from taking, as
sovereign, any active part in the gov
eminent of the empire, or is reduced
to the position Of mere figurehead,
is likewise an altogether mistaken as
.,,Nt
international relations of the British
empire is vested by the terms of the
constitution, not in parliament, nor
yet in the latter's executive-that is
10 say, the cabinet-but in the mon
arch. II Is the prerogative of the
sovereign. For the constitution takes
the ground that ut is impossible that
the individuals of the state in their
collective capacity can transact the
affairs of that state with another com.
munity equally numerous as them
selves. In the sovereign, therefore
as In a center, all the rays of the PEG,
pie are united and form by that union
OF consistency the splendor and power
That makes the monarch respected by
foreign countries" What is done by
the sovereign with regard to foreign
affairs is therefore the act of the
whole nation and is binding upon the
latter. Whatever agreement, what
ever treaties or conventions the
sovereign may make with foreign
state, no other power in the empire
not even parliament, can Legally de
lay, resist. or annul." True the min,
lister of the crown who is believed to
have advised the monarch wrongly
can be impeached by parliament But
this impeachment In no way affects
the validity of the agreement thus in
directly condemned by parliament, oil
In any way anluls il. Legislative sane
ton and ratification are therefore mo-
required in England for treaties or in
ternational arrangements concluded b.
the sovereign, either directly Of
through the foreign minister, anC
whereas the latter's colleagues in tn,
cabinet are responsible to parliament
he alone, according to the terms of tn,
BRITISH constitution, is responsible,
solely to the monarch and acts as tn,
delegate of the latter This will show
therefore, that the new ruler of tn,
British Empire will. by the terms O
the English constitution. assume sol
and absolute control of the foreigl
policy of the United Kingdom an,
that he is thoroughly qualified by eS
perience and by his knowledge of in
ternational affairs for the task.
With regard to domestic politics an,
affairs, 1t is perfectly true that tn
prerogatives of the sovereign are re
stricted to greater degree. but not L
the extent which appears TO be ger
orally believed. No statute can b
enacted or repealed. no new measur
put into force. so far as domestic a.
fairs are concerned, save with III
knowledge and the sanction of tn
duly elected representatives of III
people assembled in parliament. Blu
on the other hand, parliament cannc
enact any law, repeal any statute. q
put any new measure into force Will
out the consent of the sovereign
which may be given or withheld as III
monarch sees fit. There have bee
numerous instances, though not in IN