The Sun.
London, England, 1870-02-22 00:00:00

LORD DERBY AND THE CONSERVATIVE PARTY,

The Daily News declares that the first point which Lord
Derby has to decide, is whether he can undertake to lead
a systematic opposition to the measures of the present
Government. Is he not likely on many questions of the
first order to agree quite as nearly with the Ministry
as -with their antagonists ? Lord Derby has often
proclaimed that he is very little of a party man,
and that his connection with Toryism and with Tory
Governments - was filial rather than political. On
this ground, as he avowed, he took office in the
first Government of the late Lord Derby ; and on this
ground, after consulting with his father, he declined
office under Lord Palmsrston. In 1866 and in 1867, and
in 1868, Lord Derby, then Lord Stanley, made conside-
rable sacrifices to party connexion ; but both on the ques-
tion of Reform and the question of the Irish Church
he managed to put his opposition on grounds which sepa-
rated him from ordinary Conservatism, and to
make it clear that he obeyed less his con-
victions than the supposed requirements of
his position. On educational, ecclesiastical,
and economical questions, Lord Derby is more truly Libe-
ral than many nominal Liberals. He has absolutely
nothing in common with such men as Lord John Manners
and the Duke of Marlborough. It is not strange that he
should hesitate to sacrifice anew his individual liberty and
convictions to the necessity of common action with a ma-
Djority of Tory Peers. From the present point Lord
Derby's political career has a fresh start. The direction
if is nes not to be liAtly

The Telegraph remarks that Lord Derby's refusal to
take the leadership of the Conservative party in the
House of Lords, though dictated mainly by personal con-
siderations, is not without serious political significance or
important political effect. It is a Tory loss, but it is a
public gain. To follow Lord Derby would have been,
for the Conservatives, "a Liberal education in itself ;" but
how far he could, as a leader, act with that freedom of heart
and single-mindedness which he has always sbkwn, is
open to some doubt. In dragging at the Conservative
party, he might have lost some of his own power. But
although Lord Derby has not accepted the offer of the
leadership, however, the fact that the offer was made at
all is significant. If we looked at the question from a
purely party view, we might say that he has not earned
the distinction that his friends would thrust upon
him. He has never fought heartily for the party;
he has never uttered party cries; he has dissented
from them on many important points. Why then,
did they, forgetting the deeper Toryism of other
peers, proffer to this non-party man the highest honour
which it was in their power to bestow? it may mean— -
and we hope it does mean—the opening of a new path to
power for public men. The careers of both Lord Derby
and Mr. Gladstone indicate that to attain the leadership
of great national parties it is not necessary to sink ono't
conscience or dye it in party stains. If honesty and abilit!,
sometimes fail, they sometimes succeed ; and much may
he learned by noting the occasions of success.