New-York tribune., 1879-11-22
BEACOYsFIELD's SPTECU.


MIEEs sPEE, H-InE ProrLE ~ SUSPENSE
LIBERAL PRoAIs.s BY THE ADMINISTRATION
JOvRNAIs-ALL COMPLETELY MIsLED-REPORTED
STRIFE ~ THE CsnINfT
lFRoM THE REGULAR CoRRrsPoSDEST or TIE rRIBUNE.l
LONDON, Nov. 11.-Mr. Gladstone last year de-
fined the existing Government . government by
reserve. The definition was true AZ tho time aud
has become trucr since. Last night the reserve
reached its climax. Lord Beaconsfeld spoke at tho
Guildhall. The occasion was to which
he himself has done his best to give
splendor and significance; an occasion which
be described formerly as the moment when
the country might expect to hear the voice of
and truth. Never before has the country been
keen 10 hear it, Never has the just s0licitrGc
OF a great people about momentous affairs vital 70
its prosperity and honor been more anxious. Never
have there been more pressing subjects OF imme-
date concern about which they had a right to be
informed. Both at home and abroad great events
have occurred within a short time ; great ques-
tions have been raised great changes have
begun-in all which the Government have ac-
lively interyened. Parliament Is not sitting.
The Ministry is practically supreme prac-
tIcay uncontrolled; and has incurred i'm
mense responsibilities with It's usual show OF light
heartedness, sclf-cOnidence, and carclessness fof
public opinion. With certain degree OF patience
the nation has waited 10 hear what account its
wants would render of their stewardship. On
nearly point in respect to nearly every act Of
public policy their conduct has been challenged,
their judgment npugncd. All over the country,
signs have multiplied, day By day that doubt vas
strengthening into dIstrust, and that the majority
on which Ministers rely IN Parliament had ceased
to represent the better Judgment of the constuen-
cies. One Minister after another had spoken, and
said nothing. Mr.. Cross, Sir Michael Hicks Beach,
n.l N.l; Io.l
dressed numerous assemblies, argued over sundry
topics belonging to the past and sedulously alb
stained from uttering single word which could
throw light on their purposes for the future. On
all hands the country was told, in substance you
must be patient till the Prime Minister speaks
then you will hear what is the true meaning of the
policy we now pursuing. and what prin-
ciplcs we intend to govern this Empire: what we
shall do 10 promote its domestic welfare, and to
what end are directing ite relations with foreign
Powers.
Knowing this, knowing that not England only,
but all Europe. ana all the civilized globc-since
there par. of 1t where England has not foot
hold and meddIing haud-wcre waiting for the
promised disclosures. Lord Bcacons;ied rose to
speak last night at the Guldhall Then. if ever was
the moment to to the word that he is sincerely
sensible of his RESPONSIBILITIES; that those
who accuse him of treating grave affairs as
game do him real injustice; that he
Is in earnest that he has "a patriotic
regard for the commonwealth, acd not merely deep
pleasure the of personal power; that he
seeks TO administer an empire or settled principles;
that he recognizes the right of the people 20 pass
judgment on its ralers; that he too. is of opinion
that governments derive their just authority from
the consent OF the governed. Even if he be no. SIM
cere, he had an opportunity u appear sincere, at
little cost TO himself.
lie threw the opportunity away utterly. His
speech is solely remarkable fer whaf il did not con-
tain. On no single question did hc speak fally or
frankly. On the most urgCnt ic said no. Single
word. To the appeal when 81 England. his own
party not less than his opponents, lad addressed to
him, he responds by silence which is no. hing less
than the silence of contcmpt-.hc silence Of
Il man who declines TO answer n question be-
cause it is put by vino has no right
to the answer lie says TO the English PEOPLE
Mind your own business; plant and reap; sick 10
your lasts, to your furnaces and looms. 10 your
ships and factories; leave politics to your bcttcB;
will govern you. With every disposition to dis
cover some other meaning in this astonishing dis
course none other Is dscoverabe. Those OF ms who
heard il could scarce believe ears The keenest
scrutiny applied 10 it since, can extract nothing
else from 1t. In the papers of this morning there
is one general outburst of criticism. IL is rot tho
pique of bafled curiosity; il is the resentment of
serious men who feel that they are being trifed
with of patriots who fear for their country under
prolonged dictatorship.
Ii any evidence were wanting Of the expectations
as TO last nights speech it is abandantly supplied
by the forecasts appearing in the London papers OH
Monday morning. 1t has foe some time been tho
custom to communicate-indirectly but sufficiently
to the leading London journals an abstract of the
Queens Speech, which they publish on the morning
In like manner, since Lord Beaconsfeld
has done SO much TO enhance public Curl
osity2 about his Guildhall harangue. the
papers have sought to prefgure its contenta
Neither in this the other do they publish
these hints in the form of The practice is TO in.
erweaye them in one of those leading articles which,
on the strength Of such hints. tone Of easy
omniscrence. Three Of the Ministerial organs pub
lshed such articles on Monday. But when you
compare them with thcactual speech IL looks as II
tho three Ministerial organs had one and all been
made the victims of practical joke. Onone or two
points they are not far wrong but their SKETCH as
whole, Is ludcrousy unlike the address delivered.
The Times was most unlucky of ALL Its prophecies
took tho most positive form. and most per-
emptorily falsifed. Lord Beaconsfeld, according
to his faithful supporter. to invite the adver-
sar,es of an Anglo-Turkish alliance TO find fault
forms. He was to say less than was said at Man.
chester-hence, Of course, he was to say something
about the Conference at Vienna. He was TO pro-
pound fresh theory OF rent. Obstruction aud do
mcstio legislation were TO be paired-whatever that