Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1895-07-25

present Clno, DuC LOrO Od1lSUuTyS
ready acceptance of the premiership in
dicates that the party is in excellent
condition to go before the country.
AS soon as parliament adjourns-
which will be in few days-prepara-
tions for general election will begin.
The tories and unionists, under the
leadership of Salisbury and Balfour,
for the first time in some years, will be
able to present a solid front. The
liberals, on the other hand, are disor-
ganized and divided into so many fac
tions that nothing short of miracle
can unite them. Gladstone cannot be
relied upon to restore harmony.
The ''grand old man" is not only out
Of politics, but has returned to the ad-
vocacy of many policies especially dear
to conservative sentiment. He can, III
no sense whatever, be considered
leader by the managers Of the impcnd-
ing campaign, although he still clings
to the Irish home rule doctrine laid
down by him at the beginning of the
present session of parliament; and this
devotion may cause a number of Irish
members to identify themselves with
the liberals, in spite of the charge
made by thousands of Irishmen that
Harcourt, the liberal leader in the
house. did nothing to promote the home
rule cause. In short, Irish support of
liberal candidates will be based alto
gether on sentiment-on admiration of
a man whose days on earth are num-
bered. And such support, it will be
conceded, cannot be counted upon in
the hour of need.
The liberal party, although 1t pre-
tends to represent progressive Great
Britain, has done very little during the
parliamentary session now drawing to
a close which would entitle it to a vote
of confidence. It was pledged to give
home rule to ireland, to ameliorate the
condition of English workingmen and to
abolish the 1.-THE system in certain parts
of the United Kingdom. An Irish home
rule bill was passed by the house of COM
mons, but ANONYMOUSLY defeated in
the house of lords. Instead OF accept
Ing this defeat in a manly spirit and
passing other laws for the political relief
of Ireland, the party leaders, in the face
of protests from both of the Irish
factions, virtually abandoned the cause
on the strength of which Gladstone had
taken a successful appeal to the
country. And when the Welsh tithing
bill came up for discussion, Mr.. Glad
stone published card in which he as
sailed the liberal policy and gave ex-
preston to arguments which are now
being used with great effect by tory
newspapers and conservative stump
speakers.
Lord Salisbury has shown great wis
dom in the selection Of his official adj
ylsers. He is firm believer in disci-
pine, experience having taught him
that noaninistry can maintain itself for
any length of time unless dominated by
one master mind. Hence, whatever
the tory-unionist coalition men under
take will be dictated by the premier,
and his commands will be ably exc
cuted by his heutenants. all of whom
are ardent partisans and fairly patri-
otto Englishmen.
Next TO Salisbury in influence will be
Arthur James Balfour, first lord of the
treasury. He is not only one of the
brainiest, but also one Of the youngest
leaders in English politics Born in
1S4S, he was made president of the local
government board as long ago as 1885.
In 1886 he was appointed secretary for
Scotland; year later became secretary
for Ireland, and in October, 1891. was
made first lord of the treasury and
leader of the house of commons. Sue
cess has not turned his head. He is
Said to be as modest to-day as when his
name first appeared in print; although
he has been hattered and humored by
the great men OF many nations He Ia
the Cleverest debater in the house OF