The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1868-03-02
changes in the British s1inistry.

Tho cable brings us the intelligence Of the
resignation of Lord Derby, the British Premier,
and the appointment of the Right Hon. Benja-
MIN Dieraeli, The present Chancellor OF the
Excheaucr, to bo the head OF tho Ministry.
Notices of tho failing health Of Lord Derby have
appoared frequently of late, and none who are
IN the habit OF noting English politics will be
surprised at the announcement of bis retire.
ment from Office. Tho illness of Lord Derby
is inconsistent with the heavy and unremittin :
duties of Prime Minister, but will not, We
imagine, prevent his continuing to tako from
time to time part in the debates of the House
of Lords. Of that body he has boon the lead
ing, and, probably, the most influential orator,
and 80 long as he is able to speak there, his
words will fall With effect. His politics are not
of the Liberal school, but he has ever borne
himself with unsullied honor and integrity. and
Justly commands the respect of friend and foe.
Lord Derby has been from his youth up q
trained statesman. 1t ls not, perhaps, gene
rally known that in his youth, as Lord Stanley,
he visited tLs country, and attentively studied
its institutions. Very curly IN lie he dlstln-
ouishcd himself in debato-Macauley, though
au opponent, paying him the compliment, in
ono OF his essays, to Fay that he was. perhaps,
the Only public man who had not made hlmsell
an orator ut the expense Of his audience; but
that with him the science of parliamentary at
tack and defence seemed To "res slnble al IN
stiuct." When the great schian occurred IN
1847 in the ranks Of tne Tory party, ON the oc-
casion OF Sir Robert Peel bringing III his bill to
abolish the corn luws, Lord Stanley, with the
eroat body OF the Tories, ranged blmselfln op-
position, and became the leader OF that party.
From that time to the present he has been
Premier when that party was in power. OF
lato Years he has prepared translation OF
Homer, which has received the highest cnco-
miums from all, and is pronounced ny many
critics to be the best yet made OF that autnor:
MIR. Disrae! is e. wonderful instance OF
genus of high order, triumphing over preJu-
dice aud obstacles. His jewish origin has
constantly been thrown in his teeth, although
he is q member and firm supporter Oh tne LIS
tabshed Church Of England. LoId Derby is
the representative of an ilustrous house, oEo
of the leading pcerascs OF the realm, and this
has greutly facilitated his political career. No
such adventitious aid have promoted MI. Dls-
racls advancement In carly life ne achieved
great reputation as q writer Of fiction. VIVIAN
Grey" ''Catarini Fleming," and the Young
Duko" are wonderful creations; put IL me- DC
questioned whether the distinction anu Ianle
drawback to the recognition OF 9lr. Dlsracls 3
political abilities. 1t was, and still ls, the
fashion in England to assume that man who
writes novels is not capable OF anything OF u
serious business cast.
Before the rupture had occurred in the Con-
servative party by the liberal course Oh Sir
Robert Peel III respect to tho corn laws, MI.
Disraeli had drawn upon hlmsef much atten-
ton b. u series Of ATTACKS, carefully and skll-
fully prepurcd. assailing, with the Eeenest
shafts OF sarcasm and irony, Sir Robert Feel.
theu, perhaps, ut the very zenith OF MS tame
and power. These ttacks were treated 1or
long time with apparent indifference, put tnat
they went surely to their mark, none eVsr
doubted After the death OF Lord Geore
Benlinc :, who had succecded Sir ROBERT Feel
as tho Conservative loader IN tho house OF
Commons Mr.. Dsraei against the protests OF
some and the mlsgivlngs OF others, Was pro-
NOTED to the post OF leadership IN tho Lower
House, Lord Derby filing the same functons
among tho PEERS In this position Mr. Dis
raei proved himself q man OF business, attcn-
tive to details, laborious, and ready; Dut Ills
Chief forte was -disputant. His delivery, is
SAID TO be slow and ho3vy, but MS speeches
when read appear to be masterpieces oI iogic
and ingenuity Hardly has any man ever Deen
more skilful IN the statement Of case.
The Liberal presses OF England are IN the
| habit of saving that Mr.. Disraell turGishes
much the larger part Of the brains of his party
Ger ain it is that his signal sweep IN d' FcatnG
Mr.. Gadstonr's Reform bill, and subsequently
passing one Of his own, in House OF Com
mons whero his owp party was IN minority
proves that tins tribute is not without founda
ton. luis promotion Of MIR. DIsrall is theie
lore natural, and strikes an American mind as
entirely reasonable. In England only woul'l
oc aston surprise as triumph over the prelu
dlcc Of caste.
The effect of Lord Derby's retirement is tc
bring mere prominently forward his son, Lor,
Stanley, a member Of the present Ministry, ant