The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-04-09
A LEADER WANTED.

A~A~~SN~~eO -~~~~
The inevitable death of william Ewart
Gladstone and the break down In the
health Of Lord Salisbury leave England
in q worse condition as to political lead
ership than it has experienced in a hun
cred years. There has never been time
within that century when both political
parties have been 30 utterly at sea and
so bereft Of q natural successor to the
prime minister as now. The reign OF
Queen Victoria has produced very few
statesmen who win live in history with
Lord Burleigh. Erskine or Pitt. Being
nearer our time. the names of her minis
tiers are more familiar, and they have
been many. but as compared with those
and with Disraeli or Gladstone they
seem insignificant
Early In the Victorian era Lord Aber-
deem exercised considerable influence
and a few years later Lord Paimerston
not only stepped as matter Of course
into the highest office. but he held the
affection Of the people until the day OF
his death. Following him came Lord
John Russell. and without arraying
them on party lines. Disraeli, the Earl
OF Derby and Lord Salisbury have been
the most conspicuous of English minis
tiers.
Parties have merged several times
since the occasion when Lord Stanley.
for a long time member of his fathers
ministry. left the Conservative party
and Joined the Liberals, taking high Of
fee under them. At later date We have
the no less marked instance Of Joseph
Chamberlain, once q leader Of the Radi-
Gals. serving in the aristocratic cabinet
of the Marquis OF Salisbury. while the
Marquis Of Harrington. son OF and
now the successor Of the Duke of Dew
onshire. has always acted with the Lib
erals.
Since Lord Salisbury first became a
member OF parliament as Lord Robert
Cecil. he has been an active and infiu-
entail public man. Gladstone has been a
leader. notwithstanding the fact that he
practically left public life several years
ago. Both men have brought to the front
excellent lieugenants. but neither has
left political heir On the Liberal side
Sir William Harcourt has long aspired
-, hs hA lca aor h.,t hsS
and Feasibility have made him objec-
tionable. II Sir Charles Wentworth
Dixie had not passed under a cloud he
would have been among the most likely
to reach high office. Since that party is
out of office. less attention is directed
toward its leadership, and that will.
come by evolution should the response
biiity Of power. now apparently a long
way off. be forced upon It,
The absorbing question is that as 10
the successor OF Lord Salisbury. and 1t
Is remarkable evidence OF the change
OF sentiment in England that the Duke
OF Devonshire should be for a moment
considered as the successor OF Lord
Salisbury. Mr.. Baifour, who Is Lord
Salisbury's nephew. is acting as foreign
minister, but he is comparatively young
in experience and Is not unauestionably
regarded as entitled to lead the govern
fnent as Dssraeli was 10 follow Lord
Derby. The party is casting about for
4 Inan and the name Of Lord Cromer
comes 70 the front lie has distln-
sasshed himself by his admirable con-
Duct OF affairs in Egypt. 1t has been
a trying position. but has brought him
| high eonmenaatlon and peerage. His
duties have been very exactiug and have
lest him very little opportunity for IA
uliliarizing himself during his long alb
senee from England with the minor de-
tails Of European diplomacy. Chamber
lain is ambitious and popular, but he
| Is rot acceptable u the Conservative
party on account Of his record as a
Radical, and the only other name men
toned Is that OF Sir M.chae. Hicks
Beach. lie IL very careful minister.
and as chancellor OF the exeheaus- has
displayed both fsrrnness ana discretion
He might be REGARDED. as a safe man hu,
he 10 not Of the cailhsr demanded Tor
the office OF prime minister and secre-
tary Of foreign affairs.
Seldom in the history Of England has