New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-03-28
SIR WILLIAM HARCOITRT
AS FIRST LIEUTENANT OF THE LIBERAY.
PARTY AND LEADER OF THE
HOUSE OF COMMONS

London. March II

The second figure In administration N
which some think he ought to be the head must
be- for that reason alone a considerable person.
age But there many other reasons why Sir
William Harcourt must be deemed a considerable
parsonage. I don't know-how am to know?-
whether the greatness OF his position is under.
! stood in America, or the extraordinary energy Of
his character 1t is not time, happily, TO write
his biography. II may be permissible to at.
tempt study Of the man. or OF some OF the
many sides Of very versatile individuality, and
to look at some Of the incidents OF his political
life.
About one thing there was no dispute, the
leadership of the House of Commons. Sir Will
lam simply had no competitor for that great
post. That Of itself means much. For what 10
the House of Commons? Is 1t not dinned day ,
by day into the ears Of all mankind that the
House of Commons is the really representa-
tive legislative body in the United Kingdomf
II is at any rate, the most popular body II
contains or is Supposed 10 contain. the cream Of
the two or perhaps three, great parties into
which the political forces OF the kingdom are for
the present divided. / imagine that the Amer-
can who has not lived in England may have
some difficulty in making clear to himself the
difference-the immense dlfference-in authority
and in influence, and above all In social position
-hetween the House Of Commons at Westminster
and the House Of Representatives at Washington
1t may be worth while to go into that matter
more fully some day. All wish to do now Is to
point out that the difference does exist The
English do think of their House of Commons
with more respect than we are won't 10 think OF
our House of Representatives. To enter 1t Is
higher ambition. To lead 1t gives man far
more distinguished position. To lead either party
10 dfgffD ION Than
which there are few higher in England. Could
the same thing be said OF America? To be chosen
chief of the Commons after competition would
be an honor. To be accepted as the leader to
whom there Is no rival is a higher honor.
There are of course other able men on the
Treasury Bench There would have been more
but for the party split In 1856. If MIR. Chamber
lain had remained follower Of Mr. Gladstone
when Mr. Gladstone became a follower OF MI.
Parnell, the political fortunes OF the Liberals
would have been certainly altered and probably
improved. But Mr.. Chamberlain went as 80 many
other of Mr. Gladstones best colleagues went
1t was supposed at one time that Mr.. John Nor.
ley might succeed him. Mr. John Morley has be-
come an important member of the party. He has
probably had a greater indirect and secondary
influence on the course Of events than anybody
He has had access 10 Mr. Gladstone's mind.
He is credited with small part OF that mis-
slonary effort which brought his great leader
round to Home Rule He has governed ireland.
He has won the respect OF the House. He has
even won its attention.; which is more rarely
given. lie can speak and speak well. He is red
hot with convictions and impulses and with
emotions Of the kind which often sway an assem-
bly, popular or parliamentary. He has an I'M
portant following in the country and con-
Off
fellow-countrymen And he was never 50 much
mentioned as possible competitor with slr
William Harcourt for the leadership.
II he not mentioned, who else could bel
Not Mr.. Fowler, whose conduct of the Parish
Councils bill. though marked by ability and re-
source lacked the sympathetic and flexible quail
tiles which are essential 10 leadership; both
which Mr.. Gladstone had in supreme degree.
Not Sir George Treveyan, whose political posi-
ton has been seriously impaired by his insta'
bty and by his failure TO keep in touch with his
party. Not Mr.. Mundela, whose excellence as
the head of the Board Of Trade is recognized.
Not Mr.. AsQuth, who in sheer intellectual force
and especially in argumentative force, and per-
haps most of all in force of character and rect-
tude. has made 4 place for himself apart. Mr.
Asquth. however. has yet 10 learn some things
about the House OF Commons; about its temper
and idiosyncrasies we'll aboN its proceed
ure Certainly not Mr.. Bryce. who is respected
a mine OF historical lore. but who has an
unlucky knacl of irritating the House by man.
ner and by methods in debate both more pras-
matte than the House will stand. Not even Mr..
Campbell Bannerman, for Mr.. Zimmerman.
though favorite with the House and cool
speaker with power Of presenting his views in
dry light. seems to lack the specific talent Of
nr,,sI
which is indispensable to him who would con-
duct that unruly body along the straight and
narrow paths it is so often compelled to follow.
AS so often happens. this long string OF mega
tives results in an affirmative, and the affrma-
tive is Sir William Harcourt. | set aside the
comparison which might suggest itself 10 the
indiscreet between him and his immediate pred
ecessor. Mr.. Gladstone stood alone. Nor is his
former chief the model Sir William is commonly
believed 10 have studied most closely at that
period when his style was still to form. Not Mr.
Gladstone. but Mr.. Disraeli was his model. II Is
not to be understood that Mr.. Vernon Harcourt
as he then was. set himself consciously 10 imi.
tate Mr.. Disrae or anybody else. Imitation u
the foible Of weak men, and Sir William. what
ever else he may have been. never weak
But most men have an IDEAL most men see
In some other one man certain qualities and
methods which attract them strongly and In.
fluence them strongly. Mr.. Disraeli and Mr. Har.
court were friends. or at least. on terms OF
easy If not of intimate acquaintance 1t might DO
profitable, were It permissible. to restate In Q
different way some OF the terms of comparison
or Of contrast between Mr.. Disraeli and Mr.
Gladstone. But such statement, to have any
value. would require TO be drawn with entire
frankness, and 1t may be doubted whether Amer
10 rt,ht 10 epp 10 hi r,,I.f In tat
to welcome entire frankness At any rate, thus
Is not the moment for such a study. nor the
place. | content myself with saying that the two
great members Of Parliament who, since sir
Robert Peels death, have divided the suffrages@
the English people were the compliments
each other and perhaps the counterparts. i'm
~ th. xxhi a,ade Ne