The Portland daily press., 1869-10-25

The cable brings the not unexpected intelli-
gence of the death of Earl Derby, who had
been suffering for more than two weeks from
illness. In the death Of Earl Derby England
has unquestionsbly lost one of her ablest and
most eloquent statesmen; who has filled per-
haps quite as much If not more of the public
attention for the past fifteen years than any of
the British peers; and whose connection with
English politics was marked by many Of the
real reforms of the last half century. Earl
Derby's family name was Smith Stanley, and
ne was the fourteenth in the succession of an
Earldom conferred by Henry VII. in 1885 He
was born March %, 1899, began his academic
career at Elton and entered Oxford Universe
ty, but was never graduated In 1921 he en-
tered Parliament a member from Stockbrdge
and his maiden effort in debate on an impor.
tant billin 1924 was characterized as a speech
of much clearness and ability He soon took
rank in the House of Commons among the
ablest debaters and most prominent leaders of
the opposition. In 1927 he became under-sec-
rotary for the colonies in George Canning's ad-
ministration. On the advent of the reform
Cabinet of Lord Grey, in 1880, he filled the re-
sponsibe position OF Chief Secretary for Ire
land, with seat in the Cabinet, an honor rare
~ united with that appointment. He also
represented Windsor in the popular branch
when he took distinguished part in the Re-
form Bill and signalzed his Irish administra-
ton by two bold measures-one for national
education in ireland, and another relative to
the Irish Church temporalities, which result
ed in ten Irish bishoprics being abolished. His
speeches during that stormy session in reply
to the fierce assaults of Daniel O'Connell and
Richard Lalor Shiel and others, are splendid
efforts of parliamentary eloquence. 1t was
under Lord SANKEY'S auspices that the aboli-
ton of slavery in the West Indies was effected
in 1888, and compensation of EGO 900 900 pro-
vided for the planters, he being at that time
Secretary Of State for the colonies.
In 1884 he left the Wing party and Joined the
conservatives, though he refused Office under
Sir Robert Peel; but in 1841, when the wings
went out of Office, Lord Stanley occupied a
seat in Sir Roberts cabinet; and when that
statesman in 1845 determined to repeal the
corn laws, he retired from office and put HIM
self at the head of the protectionist interest,
and waged war against Sir Roberts free trade
hAo"SofOS. HI Aool no suCCeeO6U TO the earl
dom, and the following year, on the resigna.
ton of Lord John Russell, he was entrusted
by the Queen with the formation of cabinet,
which was, however, displaced ten months at
ter by hostile vote of the House of Commons
condemnatory Of the budget of his Chan cellor
OF the Exchequer, Mr.. Disraeli. The coalition
cabinet of the Earl of Aberdeen succeeded and
gave place in turn to Palmerston; and he, in
1853, was overthrow, and the seals of Office
were given once more to Earl Derby. In 1859
he found himself again at the head of the gov
eminent, to be succeeded by the administra-
ton of Earl Russell. The history of Earl
Derby's government Of 1867 is as fresh as yes
terday in the public mind, and the long and
severe contest which resulted in the passage of
the franchise bill is too familiar to REQUIRE apy
extended explanation. This virtually ended
Earl Derby's public career, and Mr.. Gladstone
became Premier. ~ . -. .-.-..-.. -
The titles and estates descend to the Earps
Oldest son, Edward Henry, Lord Stanley, late
Secretary Of State for India aud President of
the India Council. He is 43 years of age. So I'd