New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-10-12

they are and long have been actually engaged IS
another and far weightler consideration.
II was no light thing for Lord ROsebery to as
sume the leadership in succession TO Mr.. Glad
stone. He shrank from it. as any man in the
world might well have done. 1t was inevitable
and there Is no discOurtesy to Lord ROsebery in
saving ii-that contrasts would be drawn be-
tween the new leader and the old one who for
ful generation had been unrivaled and unchal-
lenpcd Moreover. every one knew that the party
was already divided into factions. which were
held together only by the machless personal a'
thorlty of Mr.. Gladstone. and scarcely by that
Faction leaders were mutinOus Party prestige
was declining. The majority in Parliament was
dwindling Defeat ut the next general election
was almost certain. Amid such circumstances. II
was an act of self sacrifice for q young AMI am
bilious statesman to step into the gap. even
though he thus became. for Il time. Prime Minis
fer If ever a man was entitled. for his own sake
and in Justice to himself. to the loyal and united
support of his party Lord Rosebery was. If ever
4 marty ought for its own sake and for its future
welfare. to have stood together. sunk minor DIFF
fercnces and supported its leader. the Liberal
party ought then to have done so.
Lord Rosebcry did not get such support. The
party did not thus stand together. During his
Premiership fractional feuds increased. Fractional
leaders more openly mutinied and defied his a'l-
thority. The most damaging attacks upon bis
administration came not from the Conservative,
but from the liberal or Radical side Of the House.
Intestine ntrigues. disaffcction and treachery
brought about defeat and dissolution. Then,
when the appeal TO the country was made. Lord
Roscbery's leadership was again ignored. The
tI.ri
lines than those which he had chosen. The result
was such an overwhelming defeat for the parry
rs it had not known before in the memory Of
living men. Ii was defeat for the party. but
not for Lord Rosebery He might well have
said Il told you So" II the campaign had been
conducted as he wanted it to be, defeat might
still have come but no rational man suppOses II
would have been SO overwhelming. Instead OF III
,erng reproaches. however. Lord Rosebery quiet
" offered TO resign his leadership. The offer was
not accepted. He was prevailed upon 10 remain
in that ungrateful place. But no did so under
protest and with full determination TO step down
and ont at the next opportunity.
That opportunity has now come. and he has
improved it in manly and digniiied manner. II
his retirement Is n blow to the party. adding 10
It's discontinue and decentralization, that is moi,
his fault. The party itself Is To be blamed: or
tina, militant faction Of II. more Radical than
Liberal if not more Socialist than Radical. which
has regarded him leaoer only TO be iouted,
baited and deied. Excepting perhaps in the eyes
Of Mr. Iabouchere. Sir George Newnes. and "The
Daily Chronicle Lord Rosebery occupies more
honorable place in British politics to-day than he
did week ago. As To his future, that Is of slight
consequence to him. He is not bidding for ad-
vancpment. But he would be a rash prophet who
should say Lord Roseberys future prospects
have been destroyed by this resignation. The
time may come when principle will he stronger
than impulse. and Craftsmanship outrank poll
tics and when man like Lord Rosebcry will
again bc needed AT the head of affairs That,
however he can safely intrusi 10 the irreyer>ihle
procession of events The present duty is 10 sever
an incongr1Ious and in,olerablc relationship. and
thus 10 vindicaic his own honor and integrity.
That he has done. doubtless t. his own saiisfac-
ton and. II is 10 bc believed. Ia the satisfaction
Of the world