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

the Chancellor of the Exchequer had received
her MAJESTY'S commands to form a Ministry,
and was at present engaged in that task. Fol-
lowing the usual order of things on such
occasions, Lord STANLEY proposed the adjournment

of the House until such time as the necessary ar-
rangements could be completed. He expressed his
regret that the debate on Ireland should have to be
0
put off, as the subject was one of so much import-
ance ; perhaps, indeed, the most important that
could take place just now. Friday next is the day
fixed upon for the re-assembling of the House,
which is not a lengthened period under the
circumstances of the case. Mr. GLADSTONE,
in his usual happy style, signified his approval

of the arrangements, and expressed his regret,
which he felt sure would be universally shared,

that a career "so long, so active, and, in many

respects, so distinguished as that of Lord DERBY,
should have been brought to a close by the failure
of his bodily health and strength." The right hon.

gentleman also added that, by a " singular destiny"
the noble lord had been called upon to make this

statement to the House ; and so it vas indeed. It
is quite an event in the annals of Ministerial changes

and Parliamentary history for a son to announce to
the Rouse the resignation of his father, and that
for himself to hold high office, and to be in the
opinion of many well qualified to succeed to the
vacant place. Lord MALMESBURY, who was,
of course, able to speak with more freedom upon
the event of the Premier's resignation, expressed
his deep regret, add that of his colleagues, at the
loss of the noble earl. We hope, however, in com-
mon with Lord MALMESBURY, that the rest which
Lord DERBY is now to have will recruit his
strength, and enable him to enjoy better health and
more freedom from his painful malady than the
cares of State and the leadership of the party have
enabled him to do. Lord RUSSELL, with that

right feeling which always distinguishes our politica

leaders, intimated his regret at the announcement
which Lord 111ALMESBURY had just made to the

house, and declared that no difference of opinion
on political matters could ever alter the sentiments
of regard and esteem which they entertained for
the noble earl. "In the eloquence with which he
defendcd his opinions the records of Parliament will

bear immortal testimony, and of course history
must deal with his relation to public ques-
tions." Lord RUSSELL only gave utterance
to the wishes of both Houses and the
public at large when he trusted that before
long Lard DERBY might be enabled to appear again
among them, and freed from the trammels of official
life, and the burden of grave responsibility, again
delight them with that clear and eloquent language
of which he is so great a master. We learn thlt
Lord DERBY has often declared that he did not
himself care for office, and no doubt he did not de-
ceive himself when he made that declaration ; but
were it otherwise he would have ample cause to
forget any disappointment he might feel when
he reflects upon the high regard in which he is
held. Some wit has exclaimed—
" If I were a statesman I'd rather instead
Have the epitaph living, the epigram dead."

And the noble earl who has just resigned the Pre
miership has in some respects realised this wish, for
he has been able to hear what a high place his
intrinsic qualities of worth and excellence have
gained him in the esteem of all, to find the zeal
of political animosity become extinct, the strife of
Parliamentary rivalry be put aside, and all that a
universal testimony might be afforded of his
merit. We may reply, affirm, and feel convinced
that the verdict of popular opinion will sanction it
now, and the judgment of posterity ratify it hereafter,
that no public man in this country ever tendered his
resignation of the high office of Premier who ranked
higher than Lord DERBY in the esteem of his
Sovereign, the sympathy of his contemporaries, and
the general regard and respect of the community.
The Chancellor of the Exchequer is certainly
to-day the right man in the right place. But how
many would have said otherwise a few years ago ?
Mr. DISRAELI'S career is alike an honour to himself
and to his country, for he is a shining in-
stance of what a man may accomplish by
by ability and perseverance, and an illustration of
the possibility of self-made men rising to eminence
and distinction. We feel convinced that Mr. DIS-
RAELI will meet with all possible sympathy and
congratulation, and that those of all shades of
opinion will acknowledge that he has won for
himself a well-deserved position, and we can with
the more appropriateness express our satisfaction
at the consequences of this change of Ministry,
while we regret the cause, because we have always
been among those who appreciated the bril-
liant talents and recognised the high capacities of
the right hon. gentleman. Those who by their own
unaided exertions can waster difficulties, overcome
prejudices, and finally gain the goal, deserve well
of their fellow-countrymen, be their politics what
they may. They are among the leading spirits of
their generation, and they will occupy a high place in
their country's history hereafter. Mr. DISRAELI
was always felt by those initiated into affairs to be
the chief man in the Ministry, and during Lord
DERBY'S last tenure of office he has been especially
distinguished for those qualities which go far
to create admiration and inspire confidence.
Ile is the pilot who weathered the storm
of the Reform question, and brought the vessel safe
into port; he is, besides, the leader of his party,
which wanders in as dreary a desert of Opposition
as any set of public men in the records of Parlia-
ment. It is no rash venture or moonshine undert.tk-
ing then that is now undertaken, and the new
Premier has a powerful support in Lord STANLEY,
the noble lord at the head of the Foreign-office,
being in himself a host to any Administration. In
many respects quite dissimilar to his father,
Lord STANLEY has won for himself, by his
more solid than brilliant attainments, a high
place iu the regard of Parliament, and
inspired great confidence in the country. In fact,
as we said before, many have assigned to him the
place of Prime Minister upon the resignation of
his fa!her, and, no doubt, he is quite fitted for the
arduous responsibility of such a position. At the
present time, however, the Chancellor of the Ex-
chequer is the fitting one for such a post ; and con-
sidering his services in last session, and his high
place in Parliament, and with the party he leads,
we do not see how he could have held office under
any other than Lord DERBY himself with anything
. like appropriateness. It is not improbable that Lord
• STANLEY may occupy a place of great importance
and lead the party in the House of Lords, for some
,:Lange is required there since Lord DERBY cannot
!,old his wonted place. But all these are supposi-
tions that must be left to time and experience to
dfirtn or contradict. Amid the mingled feelings
,rith which we regard the intelligence last night
imparted to Parliament, we cannot but rejoice that
f Lord DERBY has so fitting a successor in one
5 ,VII°, for long years, has acted in concert with
him; and we feel convinced that the
[ noble earl could not have fixed upon one to
be would more willingly and confidently
have resigned the trust reposed in him. Let u 6
. hope that Lord DERBY will long be spared to his
family and his friends, and that he may occasionally
t take part in the affairs of that House as " prefect