New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-05-12
TIE LIBERAL LEADERS.

The Roscbery Government has escaped deieat
on the budget. but its prestige has been seri-
ouslv if not fatally, impaired. The majority Oh
fourteen was obtained after the Prime Minister
had made an urgent appeal at the Nationai
Liberal Club for Irish support; and so douD'-
full was the result that the tate OF the 'ro'erh-
mont could not be forecast until the diVisioh
was announced. With so narrow margin III
this ON the general budget, Ministers can
hardly hope to carry any OF the important
measures which they have introduced. I"'u
Rosebcrv has declared that even II the ma
ioritv falls still lower he Will fght the pat'ie
to the end but neither courage nor aggressive
mess can be inspired by despalring appears
such rs he has made this week. Apphreh'ly
the only battles for which his dcmorahzen
followers have any heart are those when are
70 he fought out among themselves without re-
gard for the common enemy.
The Prime Minister has not fulfilled the cN-
ncctations of his friends in his leadership OF
the party. He has been conspicuously lacking
IN dignity and seriousness Succeeding states
man who was always profoundly In earnest
ord u.ho never diXcstcd himself Of marked
stoteliness of manner In discussing public ques-
tions Lord Rosebcry has displayed Jockey
ing and 1ippant habit in dealing with factions
and in meeting political crises. He has made
eor,os of sDccchcs on the vital question or
Homo Rulr each of which has produced
dinoront effect and two Of which have re-
ouircl strained and laborcd interpretation
A Primo Minister who startlcs the Lords one
nirht with his stark naked candor and then
lobors 70 convince with hppant sophistricS
hanlhcadcd Scotch audience that he has Deeh
generally misunderstood. inspires dstrust ana
eusnIcion rather than confidence. Perhaps II
Is the contrast between Mr.. Gladstones stately
dionitv and Lord Rosebcry's jocular banter
thot ulacps the present Prime Minister ut
disadvantage; but he has certainly lowered the
tone Of English politics since he has been III
office His speech ut the National Liberal
Club was below the high level Of English po-
litical leadership. II was jaunty, light-hear'ed
and not without dcXterity; but IT was the
specch Of n Prime Minister who regarded a
nolitIcal crisis rs something Ike horse race
that might he won by neck.
Sir William UarcOurt has appeared 10 much
hotter advantage than Lord Rosebery since
Mr. Gladstone's retirement. Indeed. he mas
done So we'll that many Liberals no longer AZ
tcmpt TO conceal their regret that the success
sion did not fall 10 him. When the Govern
mcnt was placed in minority on the opening
debate on The address II was through SIT
william IIarcourt's brilliant tactics that the
situation was transformed He has led the
Homo Rule party in the Commons with con
summatc skill. and the Governments triumph
I'm the Budget debate was mainly won ny MS
strong defence Of his financial proposals Al
though he IS not without large resources OF
bumor. h. has devoted his energies In the
recent debates mainly TO serious argument ana
10 higlrmindcd discussion Of principles OF JUS
tlco and finance While Lord Rosebcry has
been initiating Lord Palmerston and LORD
RcaconSficd S.r William IIarcourt has taken
Mr. Gladstonr'S place as a Government leader
capabl,. Of giving slcdgehammcr blows ana az
the same time bent upon maintaining the
dignity and Lccorum OF English public life.