New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-04-22
LORD BEAcoySFIFLDS SUCCESSOR

LORD BEACONSFIELDS SJtCENNOH.
There cannot be another Lord BeacOnsiicd.
His individuality was too marked to bear iml-
tation. But there must I've another party head,
for English constitutional practice requires the
Opposition TO be as thoroughly organized as the
Government. The leadership of either OF the
historical parties is usually transferred rs
easily as Eliiahs mantle, since there Is
only one man waiting to receive 1t upon
whom it can properly fall. The Duke OF
Wellington, Sir Robert Peel, the late Lord
Derby, and Mr.. DisIach, and on the other
hand, Lord Grey, Lord Russell, Lord Palmer
ston and Mr.. Gladstone, became IN turn leaders
of their parties 10y virtue Of unique personality
or commanding influence. In the present in
stance the political succession cannot be SET
fled so easily. Among Lord Bcacon-iclds
associates one does not tower above the others
so as TO I've recognized as IN alternative IRE
micr TO Mr.. Gladstone, if the present political
conditions should he reversed. II Is not
question Of personal asccndancy' but Of com
parative fitness, and the vacancy Is to be filled
not by arbitrary selection, but 10y deliberate
choice.
Among the most conspicuous candidates for
the succession are Lord Salisbury, Lord Cairns,
Lord Cranbrook and Sir Stafford Norhcote
OF these the first is entitled TO precedence
from the social influence of an historic name
and from the fidelity with which he followed the
late Premier through the maze of a foreign
policy Astounding in blind passages and under
ground circuits II was reserved for this
wealthy peer. the head Of an ancient house
who all his life long had regarded the working
classes with suspicion and rcformcrs and radicals
with positive hatred, to become the confidential
adviser and humble scrvitor Of "A Premier who
rcvolutonzed his party hy imparting to Tory
ism many Of the aspects of radicallSm. The
craft and intrcacics of his masters foreign in
trigues had subtle charm for him. lie
shared with the Premier the pseudo trumphs
of Berlin and the London pageant, and also
the rcprOach of rcsOrting to secret cOmpacts
and doublc-dcaling after making loud profess
sions Of loyalty to the public law of Europe
1t is his misfortune to have been identified
with what was least dcfcnsblc in Lord Bca-
consGeld's Administration. The odium Of the
methods was partly his; the genius and ycr-
satility Of the policy were wholly anothcrS
As the leader of the Conservative Peers he
would bc aggressive and uncompromisnc but
as Premier he would lack that practical sagac-
ity in managing the rank and file of hi, party
which made Lord Bcacor,Gcld. Highty Premier
rs he was, one Of the most adroit political
leaders Of his time.
Lord Cairns has the practical talents which
are wanting in Lord Salisbury. He j, the best
dcbatcr on his side of the House, and has had
actual experience in political leadership. H.
has earned in both Houses an unblcmi>hcd
reputation for straightforward conduct and
purity of motives. lis professional training
and success may have given him the manner
Of n LAWYER but lac has administrative capacity
of high order and willie tempted like an ad'o-
cate 10 make al he can ont of every party
question. be- has many Of the larger cndow-
mcnts Of political leadership. These practical
| talents and also the readiness IN debate are
| shared by Lord CranhIooh, whose Tory i,m is
| Of the most genuine kind. Like Sir Stafford
! Northcotc. hc represents the old-la-hion,d Com
! seryatism of the country squrcs-a class
! that looked upon Lord Derby as safe
| and cautious man, and was never wholly at
! ease after he left the Cabinet. 4 leadership
that would satisfy them simply because it was
practical, sensible and thoroughly respectable
would be regarded as duh and spirllcss by
that newer class Of Tories for whose political
! education Lord Bcaconslield was Largely respOn-
sbc.
Old forces and new tendencies will make
themselves felt in the choice of the Conscrya-
tive leader The selection Of a candidate whom
| the Conservatism of the metropolitan districts
accepts may rcpel the Conservatism of the coun-
ties, while the promotion of an old-timc Tory
NAV chill the enthusiasm Of the younger cle-
ments of the party. Under the leadership OF
Lord Salisbury or Lord Cairns the changes
which have been wrought in the constitution
and habits of thought Of the party would be
recognized, whereas the choice of a staid, old
fashioned Conservative would imply revival
of old Toryism and the adoption of a station
ary policy. Whoever the new leader may bc,
he will follow the general lines traced by the
cratic genius of his predecessor. For good OF
ill., Lord Beaconsfcld has left his impress upon
his party and lis times.
A BR1INLESS PARTYl
The Senate is composed of rs members