The morning call., 1894-12-28
LORD RANDOLPH CHURCHILL

Few members of Parliament would be
missed as Lord Randolph Churchill will
be if his present malady carries him off.
| When be first attracted notice as the
| leader of the Fourth party he was pro-
nounced the hope of young England. He
was under 80, bright, quick. a pleasan!
| speaker and fairly we'll read; withal the
son of ducal family, bearing the title of
| Lord by courtesy. and with name which
| had been famous in British annals. He
mixed in society both in London and in
| New York, and was welcome guest at
good houses. He became the ido OF young
England. and it was the talk at clubs that
be would lead the Conservative forces in
Parliament.
1t was in those days that pretty Jenny
Jerome, daughter of Leonard jerome of
New YORK.. meeting him a ball, declared
with Der customary frankness, THAT is
the only man I ever met whom l would
like to marry" She got her wish. Ran
doph Churchill proposed, was accepted.
and took his fair American bride to Eng
land. where she has become to all intents
and purposes an English woman. She has
made an excellent wife, has brought up
her son admirably and has been her hus-
bands helDmeet and right hand.
In England the natural drift of young
men of promise is toward the Liberal
ranks. and the Tory party is generally as
poor in brains as it is rich in acres. Hen ce
there is always craving among the arts
tocracy for talented recruits; young man
who can hold his own in debate against
the Liberal champions, and who is really a
believer in hereditary privilege and vested
rights, is sure of warm welcome among
the nobility. Randolph Churchill cast his
lot with, the Tories, and fifteen years ago
there was no prize in English politics
which seemed to be out of his reach. Un-
happily for him he could not bear the ex-
posure TO the glare of the public light
which leadership involved. He was hard
working, bat he was not clear headed; he
was fine in invectiye, but he lacked the
strict adherence TO principle which the
Tories required in their leaders. he was
rather politician than a statesman, and
was willing to truckle TO popular error
for the sake of offico. Hence be lost cas-
in his own party. The Tories were will
ing to be served by this brilliant soldier of
fortune. but they could not trust him as
they had trusted Disraeli. Salisbury
uIouC A'hi OONictoiY VI OOotC AbA 1uQldg aBu
afterward Chancellor OF the Exchequer:
but the party watched him suspiciously,
especially as when he came into collision
in Parliament with the heavy-weights
among the Liberals he generally measured
bis length on the floor. His wife Iabored
increasingly to strengthen him. She or
gained the Primrose League mainly to
build up her husband, and if he had re-
tanned his health he might have retrieved
his early errors. But just as he ought to
have been bearing the heat and burden of
the political fray his constitution broke
down and he had to resign his seat in The
House and seek retirement.
The E glish system affords fine oppor-
tunities to young men of noble family
They receive the most omplete education
which universities can afford. They have
| access TO the best society. They enjoy the
acquaintance of the ablest men of the day
A seat in Parliament can ALWAYS be pro-
cured for them. Their fu ure is then in their
own hands. The standard OF ability in
Parliament is not high Mr.. Gladstone Is
a genius. but Lord Salisbury is a very
commO place man, and so is the Duke of
Devonshire. Nor are there more than one
or Two members of the present or the last
administrations who would shine by ability
il they occupied an inconspicuous posi-
ton Great Britain, like some other parts
of the world. is governed by persons who
are known 10 their secretaries and Wallets
as very ordinary individuals with a
medium scope. But Engli,hmen insist on
a high standard of honor among those who
are set over them, and when this is matter
of controversy even ability will not carry
a man far.