The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1910-06-16
The Monarch
In England
Mr.. D. NJ. Ayers He is Not a Figure.
head But the Supreme
Ruler.

One of the most grievous errors
committed by foreign and particular
ly American newspapers, in their
comments upon the decease and ac-
cession of England's monarchs is the
assertion that the King of England
is a figurehead, puppet, or an or
nament at the head of a powerful in
stitution. This error has arisen prin-
cipally through the absence of any
thing like friction, o harangue, be-
tween monarchic, or legislative pow
ers. The placidity is deceiving. Coun-
tries wherein politics resemble inter-
necine warfare, cannot conceive of
state of accordance between the high
est administrative bodies. That the
late Edward VII was esteemed by
the British Parliament and people,
is to their reasoning proof conclusive
that his position did not permit of
any act likely to excite their disap-
proval. The King of England is not
a dummy, or fgurehead, but on the
contrary has prerogatives vastly SUI
perior to those enjoyed by the Pres
ident of the United States. He is, as
Mr.. Gladstone said, the symbol of
the nations unity and the apex of
the social structure, the maker with
advice) of the laws; the supreme gov
ernor of the Church; the fountain.of
Justice; the sole source of honor; and
the person to whom al military, all
naval, all civil service is rendered,
The King of England did he so desire
could remove, or destroy, without
legislative proceedings any minister
he judged inefficient, disband h e
army and navy; recall, or order the
dismissal of any foreign minister or
attache, whose policies did not &C
cord with his own; or dismiss from
the British army or navy any officer
whose influence he deemed PERM
cious.''
Not single dispatch connected
with colonial, or foreign affairs" ac-
cording to Sir George Arthur, leaves,
or enters England, without first re-
ceiving his approval" Nor is this
power theoretical. The dismissal of
Lord Palmerstone, one of England's
greatest Prime Ministers during the
reign of Queen Victoria, was d ue
entirely to his Disregard of her
| wishes in matters connected there
| with.
The restrictions, placed upon the
British monarch are solely in con-
nection with financial affairs. III
cannot, without the consent of Par
lament, levy a tax, but he can advise
Parliament in that direction. Ac-
cording to the last-named authority,
not single important step is taken
by the Ministry without consulting
the Sovereign. He is the dictator of
all foreign policies, appoints, or dis
misses ministers; wages war, or con-
cludes peace; pardons crime; or
abates it's punishment; summons and
dissolves Parliament; for the most
part without any specified restraint
of law and yet enjoys in these and
all other functions, absolute immu-
nifty from consequence"
Through all the panegyrics be-
slowed upon the late Edward VII
King of England and Emperor of
India, runs strain of patronizing
condescension. Histact, his joviality,
or the caprices of his early manhood,
constitute the subject matter around
which their platitudes are woven. 1t
| is from such men as Mr.. Bodley, Mr.
Chamberlain, Sir Charles Dixie and
Lord Shaftesbury, eminent philan-
thropists, all of them, that we get
true insight into the character of this
monarch, who, in the garb of la
borer explored the haunts of poverty
in the East End of London that he
might become acquainted with the
true conditions of their denizens.
| l(,onfi,,a,o7 am col,,,nn 4 Tins alnae