Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1868-03-12
y i, IItkIN,
w, &, Drsros, l
HAIRY LANE, Cut
CHARLES NJ, Bass.
February s.th. isos.


The New English Premier,
The selection Of Benjamin Disraeli a
the Prime Minister of England indicate
that Great Britain is gradually nearing
social revolution that viii have marke,
effect upon the politics of the world,
fact indicated by the minister's past his
tory, in which he has proved ever read,
to adopt himself and the party Of which
he is the acknowledged leader TO the sue
cessive steps Of progression. Tory leaders
have more than once during the present
century brought England to the verge O
revolution by unwarranted obstinacy il
persisting in the adoption Of eppHessis,
measures. II was 20 in 1892 and again in
lS46. Disraeli, however. though an ar
dent tory, is not Of this stamp, and will
be led more by the growing sentiment OF
the English people in favor Of democratic
principles than he will endeavor to direc,
public opinion.
The new Premier was born in London
in 1905, and previous to his entering Par.
Lament in 1887, wrote several works Of q
light literary character which were very
favorably received by the English people
For some years after attaining his major.
ity he Travelled extensively in the East,
and it is to habits there acquired tina,
much OF the pleasing, dreamy imagina.
tiveness which characterizes his works is
attributed. In 1881 he first aspired to
Parliamentary honors, and after severe
struggle for position in the House of
Commons from the borough Of Wycombe,
Berkshire, was defeated. After this he
again devoted himself to literature, and
not until 1887 do we again find his name
mentioned in connection with politics.
In the latter year he succeed in obtain
ing seat in the House of Commons from
Maidstone, Kent, since which time he has,
from one borough or another. with the ex-
ception of very few years, occupied a
position in the British Parliament His
first attempts at speech-making in Parlia-
ment were utter failures. and provoked
the mirth and ridicule Of older members
He was painfully conscious of the con-
tempt Of the House, but defantly pre-
dicted, in his first speech before that
body, that the time would come when it
would hang upon his words. The pre-
diction has long since been fulfilled, and
his last exsltedness must be as much q
source of qualification to himself as it is
Of humiliation to the naughty peers who
despise the plebian lineage Of which
Disraeli is descendant.
He has been a prominent tory leader in
the House Of Commons since the DAYS
when Sir Robert Peel abandoned that
party and took more liberal grounds in
favor Of free trade doctrines. Three time.
has he filled the position of Chancellor OF
the Exchequer. second in the British cab.
met, he being appointed the last time in
1866, upon the defeat of the Russell and
Gladstone administration by the reform
bill. This accession to office of Disraeli
was characterized by the introduction OF
bill far more liberal than that which
had been introduced by Mr.. Gladstone
and defeated. and which the new Chan
cellor succeeded in carrying through by
pure strategy. The duty was performed
with dexterity unparalleled in the history
of Parliamentary proceedings. On every
issue presented he averted defeat by adopt
ing the manifest wishes Of the. country,
however obnoxious to his party or
to his own antecedents, and max
ing them the policy of the administration.
In this way tory ministry carried through
successfully reform bill more liberal in
its provisions than that upon which the
liberals were thrown out of Office the
year before. tpon the Resignation OF
Lord Derby few days since on account
Of declining health and mental incapacity
to fill the arduous duties of his Office,
Disraeli was called by the Queen to form
new cabinet, and in his work has thus
far given general satisfaction to both his
political friends and enemies. The two
question OF great and pressing interest
which will forthwith demand the atten-
ton Of the new Premier are the condition
of the Irish people, and the adjudication
of the, Alabama claims. In these ones
tons the whole world has an interest, and
we shall soon see whether his adroitness
and versatility are equal to these emer-
gencies.