The Express.
London, England, 1868-02-26 00:00:00

THE NEW PREMIER.

The Tinos says Mr. Disraeli could not have
accepted a lower place than the premiership without a
loss of dignity which would have been unworthy of him-
self and discreditable to his party, but he has achieved the
dlstinction spite of every disadvantage of birth, of educa-
tion, and of position, and in spite, above all. of
the great, and at one time, apparently miuti-
tigated distrust of the party now accepting
him as their leader. Apart from the con-
sideration that as a necessary consequence of the
practical obstacles to a general election, the ministry
cannot be effectively challenged on questions involving
new schemes of action, the House of Commons will weigh
with candour the conduct and pretensions of Mr. Disraeli's
ministry. Mr. Disraeli is known and admired by the
house, and members willingly entertain the proposals of
one who so manifestly defer to its authority. In another
article the Times rebukes those of its contemporaries who
criticiaed its farewell eulogy, a week ago, of Lord Derby,
and proceeds to cuter upon anther elaborate estimate
of his career.

Observing that this is not the time to discuss the
morality of Mr. Disraeli's career, and that whatever blame
may attach to him belongs in an equal degree to the tory
party, the Daily News adds that the right hon. gentle-
man's premiership at over sixty is more wonderful than
Mr. Pitt's premiership at twenty-five, for it involves a
victory over greater difficulties. A strong ministry seems
' out of the question ; but a ministry equal to finishing the
work of 1867 need not be deiptirod of—and after that the
general election.
As a conservative journal, the Herald is rejoiced that
the man who has fought for twenty years, with such un-
tiring energy, and such inexhanstive power, the battle of
conservative principles, should now distinctly aasumi the
lead of the party. As Englishmen—may we add as jour-
naliste?—we are delighted to see a man who has been the
maker of his own fortunes, who in his day, as but twelve
months ago he told the House of Commons, hes been a
journalist, in the very highest position to which any
Englishman can rise—in the very highest position. we my
it with all confidence, to which any man, whatever his
nationality and whatever the institutions of his country,
can aspire.

The Standard fears it is beyond doubt that the govern-
ment, already weaker than when it was first formed, has
lost a great element of strength in Lord Derby's retire-
ment ; and as some reconstruction must take place, the
opportunity is as excellent as the necessity is apparent for
an endeavour to strengthen and consolidate the adminb•
tration by the inclusion of all the best talent and highest
reputations of the conservative party.
Whether it will be the force of contrast, or a feeling that
something has occurred which jars with the universal
fitness of things, it would be difficult to say ; but, adds
the Post, most men will certainly feel a peculiar twinge
on finding that Mr. Disraeli has replaced the Earl of
Derby as Prime Minister of England. Mr. Disraeli may
make as able a premier as his predecessor, but unfortu-
nately it is only a small minority who *could now be found
to express that belief. Whatever other claims Mr. Disraeli
may advance to the admiration of his countrymen. he has
unquestionably failed to inspire that confidence which, to
my the least, it is desirable should be reposed in a prime
minister. His sagacity manifests itself by outwitting
friends and foes, but his experience is more varied than
that of any other statesman, and his administrative skill

has been Wed and proved.
The Star says it is really an important step in the pro-
gress of England towards good government and true free.
dom when we find that the ablest man of a party can be.
come the head of a government merely because be is the
ablest man, and although he has not birth, connexions, or
wealth to help him:to moons c but the Star wishes the
triumph won by Mr. Disraeli had been more thoroughly a
legitimate success, and bad been earned by the inaugura-
tion of great political measures rather than by clever
triumphs over political opponents.