The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-05-07

AA' -"f-Atnf NtAhh "a bLhDtIAhy Gan. Do Allone0
against him by no man. He is absolutely in
earnest in everything to which he puts his
handi and his pride in this particular quality
leads hims sometimes, TO make too great a
show OF earnestness on trivial matters II is
amusing to see such man chasing butterflies
with the energy and fire which others reserve
for the greatest pursuits Of life. An English
journal attributes Mr.. Gladstone's i'll success
as party leader to his excess of righteousness,
and thinks that he is too good for the House
of Commons, and that the House of Commons
knows IL. There seems to be no necessity for
this Over-fanciful explanation. Mr. Glad
stones private austerity may have a great
influence upon his personal character but il
does not affect the estimation in which he Is
held by the House. 1t is his arrogance, his
impatient and irritable demeanor, his difuse-
ness, his want of tact, his ill-regulated temper
his inability to curb his tongue, which ar,
rayed a phalanx of the Liberal party against
him. He is not more righteous than other
men, only little more captious and ouarrel
some. Determined partisans, like the Spec
tator, can make it easily appear that defect
of character arises from the action of a sublime
virtue, or else from the impulse of a demonia-
cal spirit. With friends the former mode of
ratooination is practised, with enemies the
latter; and hence the different sketches which
are presented of Mr.. Gladstone and Mr..
Disraeli, and the good and evil spirit of the
bNDCCtutOI anu Obil6I JOuIIldlS. Inc one Is the
embodiment of righteousness, the other is the
incarnation of evil. Mr.. Gladstone is trans
figured and Mr.. Disraeli is consigned to the
bottomless pit. Both awards are unde-
served, but the public voice in the main ap-
proves of them.
Mr.. Disraeh cannot hold his present posi-
tion as virtual leader of the House very long
The prejudice against him is too deeply
seated anc moreover he has instincts which
II, 1,,r -
precipices. His nature and his inclinations
lead him to the constant practice of .fnesse
and JineSse is hateful to the English people,
unless foreign power is to be outwitted by
it; and in such attempts English fneSSe,
almost always breaks down. Russian diplo-
matists, for instance always twist English
statesmen round their fingers. In many re-
spects Mr.. Disraei would have made an ex-
cellent foreign Minister; the danger would be
that he would intermeddle far and near, and
involve his country in war. He has never
given any indication that principle would
stand in his way if he wished to change his
views. He is supple, mobile, accommodate
ing man; show him his position and he
squeezes himself into it, and you would sup
pose he had been standing there all his life.
This versatility is not the first qualification
statesman can possess. 1t may even lead him
to many misfortunes, unless it is well guided
anu gOV6Tu6u' MI. OlSTd6ll u6p6uuS
exclusively upon it for victory, and very
often the result justifes his calculations, as
we have seen during the present session. A
want of deep conscentiousness is his primary
blemish; and that want, although it may
often be concealed or rendered invisible, is
sure to prove stumbling block in the path
of public man. 1t is inherent in the Chan
celor of the Exchequer, and we might as well
expect the leopard to change his spots, or the
tiger his skin, as to look tor an amendment
in this particular. But it will always be an
astonishing fact and a memorable example of
what perseverance, backed by talent can ac-
cOmplsh, that Mr.. Disraei should have
risen to so exalted position and maintained
it against all comers so many years, notwith-
standing natural flaws and imperfectiOns
which were sufficient in themselves to lose the
battle. But strong hand was over them;
restless eye, dauntless nerve ever kept them
under control. Yet they exist STILL like one
of those incurable physical maladies which
leave the patient unworn and uninjured to
outward appearance, while it is sapping the
foundations of his being. 1t may be kept out
of sight, but its effects cannot ultimately be
hidden. Mr.. Disraeli may achieve many more
intellectual conquests, but we know that no
effort he could make would stir him up to
great earnestness and enthusiasm, whatever
might be the cause he professed to have at
heart.