The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1865-11-01
Palnerston.

The wonderful old man who for so many
years has virtually welded the power OF the
British Empire, and controlled her destlnles,
has at length passed away. No actor on the
great stage of European politics, unless, indeed,
it be the inscrutable being who sits in the pal
ace ofthe Tuilleries, has exercised so powerful
an influence in the drama there enacted as the
late premier of England. In view OF this fact,
some slight sketch of the chief incidents in
his career may be OF interest
John Henry Temple, 3rd viscount Palmer
ston was born Oct. 20, 1884, and consequently
at the time of his death was 81 years of age.
The Palmerston peerage is an Irish one, and
the late viseount, who succeeded to the title at
the age of IS, had the alternative of taking his
chance of election as an Irish representative
peer in the house Of lords, or of seeking seat
in the house ofcommons. He chose the latter
and in that congenial field for his ambition ne
filed for the next twenty years conspicu-
GUS place. In 1899 he succeeded Lord Castle
REACH as war secretary in the Percival cabi-
net. an Office which he filled uninteruptedly,
In five different administrations, during peri
wears.
Canning and his party in 1922, Lord Palmer
ston adopted the principles and policy of that
party and its great leader in relation to Catho-
Lie emancipation, parliamentary reform, and
other matters, and from that time forth was
identified with what is deemed the Liberal in
terests In 1880 he lost his seat for Cambridge
University through his advocacy of Lord John
RussePs Reform bin, but was the next year re-
turned for the little borough of Bletchingly.-
1t Is coincidence worthy of note that the man
who by Lord Palmerston's death becomes in
disputably the first of English statesmen, the
man to whom all eyes now turn as alone able
to grasp and WELD the vast power held by the
dead premier, has just been rejected by the sister
university of Oxford for the same unpardona-
BILE crime of too progressive liberalism, and
represents in the present parliament the trad
ers and manufacturers of South Lancashire.
Since 1885 Lord Palmerston has sat for the
borough of Tiverton for which he was return
ed at the last election. In his capacity of
Foreign secretary he vas constantly promi-
nent in all European affairs. The establish
ment of the Independent kingdom of Belgium
was largely his work, and the "quadruple ALI
ance" for the protested support of constitn-
tional government in Spain and Portugal was,
in its formation and its continuance, in great
degree the result of his diplomatic skill. Less
creditable to his reputation for astuteness was
the part played by him in the events which
led to the Crimean War. Even Mr.. King
lata xvI,ouo hoo ;u ,,ot CO ,,,uob a 1,;e&o-., ~
events as an attempt to make them shed glory
upon England, has not been able to conceal
the fact that in Louis Napolean the willy and
sagacious English premier had encountered
more than his match. t6t
Throughout the progress of our war the in
huence OF Lord Palmerston has been constant
ly exerted in manner favorable to the Bni-
ted States. Without being actuated by any
very great ardor of friendship, or enthu-
siastic interest in the principles involved, he
has yet had the good sense to see that Eng
lands proper policy is to remain on good
terms with the United States. In the present
condition of our relations with that country
pending the settlement Of irritating discus
sions, and the adjustment of important claims
on both sides, the event of his death is one
which may have an important bearing on
our national affairs. The withdrawal ofso
potent an influence can har ly fail to be deep
ly felt, though in what manner its effects are
TO be shown it is, of course, impossible to pre-
dict.
Few public men have held power through
80 long course Of years as Lord Palmerstor.
The secret of the success which has attended
his career is to be found partl7, Of course, in
his industry and talent for craftsmanship, but
it is also largely explained by his tact as par
iamentary leader, his shrewd and accurate
judgment of the character and temper of his
countrymen, and his wonderful skill as de-
batter and public speaker. Cool, wary, sarcas-
tic, but good-humored, he was dangerous adj
versary in debate, while no man knew better
than he how by clear and forcible statement
to recommend measure, or by judicious use
of vague phrases to cover his views and pur-
poses with an impenetrable disguise.
Lord Palmerston was married to the dowa-
ger countess CoWper, daughter of Lord Mel
burne, but the union being without issue, the
title expires with HIM. ff{I
Ht4 .-5s.srr