New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-02-01

ceived in holiday tone. Those who thought it
proof that its author was wanting in political
tact may now be treasured. The support of the Ro-
man Catholics ceases TO be important to leader
who is not going to lead. His heart for the moment,
OF least is in his controversy with Rome. dc can
not forgive the Irish Prelacy their defeat of his Irish
University bill He cannot forgive the country tne
affront put upon him last February. He cannot for
give the Radical wing of his OWE party their con-
tinuous criticism on him and frequent opposition to
him. Mr. Fawcett and The Daily Ne,cs are the OBJ
jects of his unconscious aversion. L say uncon-
scious because / think Mr. Gladstone man
of 80 fine and conscientious a nature that he
would not knowingly suffer his acts his speech to
be governed by low motives; by personal resent
meut least of all. But there have been frequent
signs that the leaven was there The feiment could
not be explained otherwise. Aud now that he is
gone the most sincere regret bis departure Is
perhaps that which comes from below the gangway'
and from BOuvere-st. Willingly or unwittingly, no
man since Cromwell ever did so much radical work
in five years Of rule over England. 1t Will 1--we In
the grateful memory of the people when the
Especial matter" on which he says he Is for some
time to be engaged has an interest for nobody but
students of religious controversy.
WHO'S to succeed him 7 For the present think.
ment but one that can now be made for the leader
ship of the Liberal party must be makeshift
distinction must be observed also between the lead
ershp of the party and the leadership of 1t III the
House of Commons IT, by some miracle, the
Tories should omit Office next week, it would prob
ably be Earl Granville for whom tho
Queen would send to form LID
eraI Ministry, and this Notwithstanding
the growing Of the necessity that the head Oh
the Government should sit in the House Of Com
mons But there is occasion to decide that ques-
ton. The pressing necessity Is tho choice OF some
one to be the recognized head Of the opposition IN
the House of CommOns-sOme one with whom the
conduct of bnsinessma be arranged and who shall
have authority to bind the rank and file Of the
party The two names most discussed are those OF
Lord arlington and Mr.. Forster In point OF
ability there is no comparison between the two.
Lord Har.ingtou's partisans would not pretend
that he ia tho equal, or ans where near the
equal of Mr. Forster in those qualities which are
most essential for the management of public affairs,
but thcre is a disposition to revert to Wing tradl-
tious--a disposition arising partly out OF the dsas-
tcIs Which, as it is alleged the Radicals have brought
upon the Liberal party. Lord Harrington is the
heir of the Duke of Devonshire, the representative
Of the great Wing house of Cavendish and the in
terest which that house WELD in politics Is still
very powerful. Though young, he has had much
experience in Office is fairly capable and above ALL
"safe" Mr. Forster has been thought to have sacri-
feed his political chances by his refusal to
comply with Radical demands on the Education act.
He vas bitterly attacked by bis old friends for what
they unjustly called his desertion of them in 1870
But never believed the alienation would be lasting.
There were signs of reconciliation last session. and
if the reconciliation is not yet complete, it embraces
this morning Mr.. FOTs,ers most formidable Liberal
opponent Tie Daily Ncws. No Journal nor any in
fuence Of any kind, was so hostile to him, but O
long article discussing and dismissing various can
didates, concludes with the following declaration:
We have ain red from incidents in Mr.. Forsters
career. Bat cannot deny that in most OF the quail
the feeling OF Parliament and OF the country IN tact and
faculty Of management, and above all in strong sense
of the historic greatness OF England aud OF her duties
herself and to the world large, lie Is truly repre-
sentative Of the better feeling of the nation lie unes
for the past with Opeuncss 10 improvement IN
the future On these grounds We are inclined 10 think
that the Liberal party Will consult Its own interests and
that Of the country IL 1t designates him as It's repre-
sentative in tlo House Of Commons
That is q good illustration Of the best spirit in
English politics. There is not much enduring ami
mostly. There is. above all, a disposition 20 consider
what is best on the whole for the party and the
country TO sink minor differences and to bury old
grudges and to support Loyalty the man who is
most capable Of leading. The passage have quoted
rs most honorable ahRe 10 the writer VI IL anu W NJ
Forster. But the question of leadership will be de-
cided by the Liberal members of the House. and not
by the newspapers; and it is very doubtful whether
the influence brought to bear in favor Of Lord Hart
ington may not prove too strong for MI FOrstera
merits to overcome
ASH close this letter hear that the special mat
ter" which Mr.. Gladstone says he is engaged on, is
not continuation Of his Roman Catholic cOntrO-
versy but his Reply TO Strauss, of which some hint
has been given before. q. W. 5.