The New York herald., 1873-11-25
Mr.. DisraeIi at Glasgow-The Political
Outlook i'm Europe and tho Coming
Contest I'm England.

Outlook in Europe and tho Coming
Contest I'm England.
Mr.. Dsraeli, it would appear, has at last
been able to make his long-expected visit to
Glasgow. The ex-Premier, it will be remem-
bered, has for over year been Lord Rector
elect of the University Of Glasgow. But for
the unexpected death of Mrs. Disraeli the
visit to Glasgow would most certainly have
been made last winter. The expected visit
had acquired some Importance from the fact
that is had been 50 long deferred. as well as
from the reputation of the man and the pecu-
liarly interesting condition of British politics,
regarding which it was certain Mr. Disraeli
would have something to say. The Lord
Rector is elected by the students Of the Uni
versity. The Office is purely honorary Among
the Lord Rectors of the University of Glasgow
are to be found some of the greatest names
connected with the literature and politics Of
England Burke, Adam Smith, Campbell, the
poet; Brougham, Peel, Earl Russell, Lord
Palmerston, Lord Macaulay, Lord Eglinton,
Sir Archibald Alison, the historian; the Duke
of Argyle, Lord Lytton and others of equal
celebrity have been honored by the votes of
the students and have graced the rectorial
chair. To this bright band has now been added
the name Of Benjamin Disraeli-a name which
will not certainly detract from the honor Of
the office or make it less an object Of ambition
to the statesmen and men of letters Of the
future.
After the ceremony Of installation, which is
rather a pompous, old-fashioned kind of
affair, it is customary for the new Lord Rector
in his robes Of Office to address the students.
The addresses have been carefully preserved;
the new Rector tries to do his best, and it is
but fair to say that the addresses as a rule,
have been equal to the occasion and not un-
worthy of their authors. 1t is also customary
present the Lord Rector with the freedom of
the city and to entertain him at a banquet
1t is then, unless provision has been made for q
public meeting, that the great speech is made.
When, as in the present case, the Lord Rec
tor is leader in politics, he is expected in
some sense to review the general situation
and, as general thing on such occasions,
revelations are looked for. Such are the
reasons which brought Mr.. Disraeli to Glas-
gow and such are the circumstances in which,
on Saturday, he found himself
The circumstances, it must be admitted,
were favorable for a political demonstration.
Our report of the demonstration, though brief,
leaves us in little doubt that the ex-Premier
made the best of his opportunities. Mr.. Dis
raei is too old and practised speaker to
make failure in public and we may we'll
take it for granted that he reviewed the situa-
and somewhat successful bid for power.
Glasgow has not had since 1882 much SYM
pathy for the tories but it wonld not be Won
derful if Mr. Disraeli has left behind him o
deep impression and made some con-
verts- We are told that he severely
criticised the government This, of course,
was to be expected. 1t is generally
understood that the present Parliament will
be dissolved next year. 1t is undeniable that
Mr.. Gladstone is less powerful in the House
of Commons and less popular in the country
than he was three or even two years ago. His
majorities have been gradually diminishing
and he has sustained one or two damaging de-
feats. For some time past the elections, both
in town and country have been going against
him. The tories have been gaining strength
in the House and winning at the ballot box
1t is not impossible that in the event of gen.
eral election the tories will be found so strong
in the House that Mr.. Gladstone may find it
convenient to resign. In such a case Mr..
Disraeli will again be Prime Minister of Eng
land. To this end he and his party, from the
platform and through the press, are now
laboring In the present condition of
Europe-in the politico-ecclesiastica conflict
now going on in Germany, in Switzerland and
! in Italy; in the efforts now being
made in France to revive legitimacy
and make the Church supreme, and
| in the peculiar antagonisms which are
now rending asunder unhappy Spain-Mr.
| Disraeli sees evidences of great coming
| struggle between the spiritual and temporal
powers-a struggle which is to result in
dreadful anarchy. We are not so fearful as
Mr.. Disraeli of coming evils, and we question
much whether he is as fearful as he pretends.
1t is not difficult, however, to see Mr..
Disraeli's motives. Mr. Gladstone has gone
too far, as he thinks, and as many of the
English people think, in the way OF con.
ciliating the Catholics of Ireland. 1t is the
opinion of Mr. Disraeli, and it is the opinion
Of many others, that Mr.. Gladstone's con.
ciliation policy hos proved failure. At the
hustings during the next general election the
mo Popery" cry will be raised by the author
Of "Lothair'' and his followers, and the con.
diti;of ,it;off of Europe will be convenient text tc
preach from. What Nj Risrasli means by
declaring that ''the partisahs 81 Home Rule
will yet unmask themselves and show Grea,
4 n L. Z.