New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-03-21


catholics are insurmountable "a word which
is rarely admitted into the shy vocabulary OF
politicians. He says, with odd bluntness,
that his Ministry would probably have
been outvoted every night in the present
House and when, as he relates, with frank
ness which borders upon indiscretion, the
Queen suggested dissolution, he argued
against it, with the most unaffectedly sincere
reasoning ever heard in similar circumstances.
He said the opposition had no policy; that
they could not go before the country without
some well-defiued programme on several I'M
portant points, and this they had not been
able to mature while sitting in opposition.
As tho result of all this he added that there
existed no necessity for the resignation
of Mr.. Gladstone, and that his return
to power would not only be honorable
to himself but beneficial to the interests OF
the country. This astonishing piece of mag
nanimity was not kindly received by Mr. Dis
raeli's political associates Loud denials were
heard all over the Conservative benches. And,
indeed, such q statement almost amounts TO an
abdication of leadership, and would be logic
ally followed by Self-Denying Ordinance
passed by the Conservative party, which should
give the Government up for the time being to
Mr.. Gladstone, and should charge him to see
that the Commonwealth receive no detriment.
But however this incident may affect the
political position of Mr.. Disraeli, there seems
little question that it will be in the highest
degree advantageous to Mr.. Gladstone. 1t has
proved conclusively the popular confidence In
him. 1t has shown that he possesses in the
House OF Commons in spite of his occasional
infrmities of temper, and his generally unami-
able address, firm and sincere support, of the
kind which is not founded upon personal de-
voton, but upon clear perception OF public
interests and a genuine respect for integ-
rity of character. He seems now &C.
cure again in his place. 1t rests
with him to remodel the Irish University
scheme which caused this crisis, so as 10 make
il acceptable to the fraction of the majority
whose discomfort defeated it, or to postpone
il for the present and await more fitting
time for bringing it forward. But the more
the details of this crisis and its solution are
studied by thinking men, the clearer will it
appear that the uDwritten Constitution OF En-
gland, consisting of precedents and traditions
of parliamentary practice, has received seri-
GUS injury during the past week. Mr. Gladstone
placed upon record, yesterday, the statement
which he had made to the Queen, that the
action of the opposition in defeating the Min
istry and refusing to take their place was
violation of parliamentary usage. 1t is nothing
lcss-but it is violation acquiesced in, and,
it would seem, generally approved. 1t forms
a precedent of the greatest importance in the
development of democratic government
in England. 1t is not reasonable that
tho recent considerable extension of the
suffrage in Great Britain shall not lead to
corresponding changes in the administration
of public affairs. The precedent having once
been set that the defeat of Ministry does
not necessarily compel its retirement, England
is thus brought one step nearer to the model
of an elective democracy, choosing its rulers
for fixed terms with limited powers.