New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-12-15
SIR WILLIAM HARCOURT'S RETIREMENT


The retirement of Sir William Harcourt from
the leadership of the Liberal party in Great
Britain is an incident which must generally
be regarded with regret. No doubt it will so
be regarded here despite the wornout tradi-
ton Of his unpopularity in America. There
was. we suppose, at one time some feeling Of
dislike for him. arising from a too captlous in
depreciation Of his famous "Historicus' letters.
Certainly it has long since passed away. and
has given place to a cordial admiration Of one
of the foremost British statesmen of the age.
and TO no small degree Of kindly affection for
the son-in-law Of a great American diplomat
and man of letters. There are not more than
two or three other men in British public life
who command a general interest comparable
with his, or whose retirement from leadership
would produce great sensation Of loss.
AS a parliamentaran we must rank him be-
low, but only Just below, the three giants-of
the century, Peel. Dlsraeli and Gladstone. As
an orator he may not be compared with Bright,
nor even with Gladstone; yet he has always
been notably attractive and effective speaker.
AS a debate: he has to-day equal in the
Liberal party. AS scholar, wit and n
gentleman in the true sense Of that misused
word he has sustained the best traditions OF
devoted public servant we shall look in vain
to find his superior. For he might have won
fortune as lawyer, and both ease and fame
as a university professor and man of letters;
but instead he gave himself to the service Of
the nation as jealousy when in the cold shade
OF opposition as when enjoying the power and
emOluments of office. In his retirement there
passes from party leadership one of the very
II, ~ tho ctafn ~ nld ND
classic school. which extended unbroken from
the elder Pitt to Gladstone. Henceforth a new
school will prevail with other men and other
manners, whether for better or for worse re-
mains for time to tell.
The reasons for Sir Williams retirement are
set forth by himself In his letter to Mr.. John
Morley, in detail and with not Il little OF that
aggressive and inclsive spirit which so long has
made him a master Of controversy. or their
absolute sincerity there should be no question
The Liberal party is divided and distracted, so
that 1t cannot even play the part Of an effective
Opposition. and large, perhaps the major, fac
] ton OF II Is committed to principles and meth
DDS which Sir William has always regarded
with dislike even with detestatlon. No man
| can accuse him OF DESERVING his party merely
because II Is suffering from defeat for. as he
! reminds US, he has more than once stood 10y
ally by it and led II when II was thus suffering.
/ and has even won Parliamentary victories with
IL and for II when II seemed to be in n hopeless
minority Nor has he hesitatcd hitherto to hold
his place and fight against what he deemed
evil influences within the party But the party
was then coherent. II not harmonious Now 1t
is not. Distracted sections and conflicting in
terests" are all It has to show for itself To
ask weary veteran Of more than seventy one
years and Of uncertain health to 90 down
/ among the wranglinG factions and contend With