New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-03-04

public utterance In the House OF Commons is
as Mr. Balfour told him. a declaration OF war
against the ancient Constitution of these realms
1t may be wise. it may be necessary, 1t may be-
as some OF those about him think, the last hope
OF carrying the country. But what is distressing
is that he has surrendered and that the least
loyal among his supporters have dictated the
declaration "Ie leaves not peace, but a
sword" is the exulting cry Of THE Chronicle
as 1t snatches the sword from his grasp
II he meant to sanction a campaign against
the Lords why does he no longer lead the forces
who are to conduct II? If he is no longer able
to lead them. why does he sanction their cam
paign? He lends the magic Of his great name
10 a marty which will use it for their own pur-
noses. and he leaves the country bereft OF that
prudence born Of long political experience and
that circumspection which is the touchstohe oil
political genius; both of which he had, when he
chose to use them. in a supreme degree.
Neither attended him in the House on Thurs
day He based his indictment Of the House OF
Lords on trivialities. on two amendments 10
Parish Councils bill neither Of which was vital
to the principle Of the bill, both Of when ne
avowedly accepted because they were not vital.
What else did he allege? The rejection OF two
bills which had cost the Commons one hundred
days Of labor. But the Home Rule bill was re-
iected last August The Employers Al'oiI''S
hill was not rejected. but amended b. one point
with reference to which the opinios OF working
men. whose interests are concernsA is notori-
ously divided. If either was to be innde the oc-
cason for attacking the Lords. the time to at
tack was when the offence was committed Ihere
was no attack at the time because IN tho case OF
Home Rule the country believed to be with
the Lords and in the case Of Employers La
hilitv II was Indifferent. For the rest he men
toned political lampoon entitled FIFTY Years
of the House of Lords as containing state
ment of the case against them
There is n tremendous case against them but
II is not brought forward nor ought it to be
brought forward except upon deIberation ana
with a considered purpose. The proposal is
proposal for a revolution, and revolutions are
not to be entered upon with light heart' But
the Radicals are something more than light
hearted. They start out upon the most serious
political campaign of the century with cheer
full hppancy which would be out OIL place III
the business of a parish council.
Mr. Cladstone's speech was full Of VigOr and
dignity II had all that elevation Of tone and
of language which belong pre-emnently to him.
They are never more marked than when he has
weak case or chooses not 10 pu:'>he tull streng'h
of his case and never moro useful 1t VIII not
rank among his great speeches. but 1t was GER
+o,r,,, NJ those which have made the deepest
impression at the moment Mr.. Balfour impaired
the effect of it by pointing out that one oil the
two amendments for which the House OF LORDS
was to be destroyed was an amendment altering
tho numerical parish limit from 200 to 800. The
other restored to the bill a provision when the
Ministry had themselves declared to be princi-
ple of honor. Those the grounds which MI.
Gladstone thought sufficient for a declaration OF
MAN AGAINST tho twisting Constitution.
1t is not to be doubted that the great majority
of the party look upon Mr. Gladstone retirement
from the leadership as calamity They nave
nevertheless and suppose necessarily been en-
gagged in discovering the best possible subsu-
tute for him as party leader and as Prime Min
lister Altogether four names are mentioned as
those of possible Prime Ministers. Three OF them
are Peers. The four Lord Kimberley LORD
Spencer Sir William Harccurt. and Lord Rose
berv. Lord Spencer, It is said, would be pre-
ferrcd by the Irish Nationalist. He is very
loyal man. with great distinction of character.
who has been twice Vceroy of Ireland, and is
now a. very capable First Lord Of the Admiralty
Lord Kimberley is the present leader Of the
Liberals in the House of Lords. He has con-
sideraby increased his reputation this session.
He is quick versatile, ingenious plausible. with
a mastery Of business and of affairs; less known
and less popular outside than Lord Spencer, and
deficient in authority.
The real contest for the succession is supposed
to lie between Lord Rosebery and Sir William
Harcourt. and the prolongation of the crisis is
attributed to Sir Williams unwngness to serve
under Lord Rosebcry. / do not think either the
ory is quite certain, a quite sufficient explana-
ton of the present perpleXities, But they are
the two most prominent names.
civ &c tha i1ata oft ho adj
calism. He announced his conversion to it
fortnight since at Portsmouth. Some of the
Radicals would probably prefer Mr.. Labouchere
or Mr.. Storey. MI Labouchere would prefer Mr..
Labouchere, but he hardly hope that the
people Of England ready just yet to intrust
the destinies Of the Empire to the editor Of
Truth" He is prepared. therefore. to accept
Sir William a stop gap Sir William is a
Radical when Radcalism is in the ascendant.
but 1t is impossible to suppose that he likes the
company he is compelled to keep. He has abili-
ties for any post. Those who do wish to
accept him as leader sometimes suggest that he
IS deficient in solid, permanent. continuous con-
victioHs; but Will, they last 10 convictions are
more convinced than Sir Williams.
Lord Rosebery is Mr.. Gladstones choice lie
Is known TO be a favorite with the Queen The
great majority Of the Liberal party has declared
for him with enthusiasm as Mr.. Gladstone's sue
cessCr-cnthusiasm the more marked because
Mr.. Gladstone had not then retired. 1t has not
been thought necessary to postpone the discus
sion Of his successor ill he IS himself out Of the
way. Perhaps under the present conditions of
publicity it could not be postponed. The Rad-
cal objections 10 Lord Rosebery are two He IA
q peer, and he is not sufficiently squeezable. If
he becomes leader of the party he will lead It, If
he becomes Prime Minister he will govern, and
not ask Mr.. Labcuchere to govern for him. lie
Is not the man to stand dictation or 10 obey the
mandate of the caucus, and the essence Of the