New-York tribune., 1899-02-27
ENGLISH PUBLIC LIFE.
REVIVAL OF LIBERALISM Nrvv
LEADER WITH TWO INTERESTING
FIGURES BEHIND HIM
PRIME MINISTER'S
BISHOPS

characterized by an element which has bes,
lacking for a long time. This Is the fascinatlo,
OF personality. which invariably excltes public
interest. While Mr.. Gladstone remained Z,
/ Parliament the proceedings were never duh
His unique personality commanded public at.
! tention. when ne retired from the leadership
and the Unionlsts returned 10 power there was
no great figure whose personality was a domi.
mating force in public life. Lord Salisbury and
Mr.. Balfour were eminent men who had been
consistent Conservatives and had never taken
an independent lire in politics. Their action
could always be forecast with confidence on
any public question, and neither Of them had
personality which appealed to popular imagina-
ton Mr.. Chamberlein's presence in the Union.
ist Cabinet after a fantastic transition from
Radicaism to Tory Democracy piqued public
curiosity for time but the influence Of his
unique career and anomalous position has been
gradually impaired by his Ministerial connec-
tions Lord Rosebery and Sir William Harcourt
as rival leaders Of a dcmorazed party failed TO
interest the country in their personal fortunes
Under Unlonist Government there has been
something like stagnation in public affairs. De.
bates went on and laws were enacted. but the
electric force Of personality was lacking.
A change has been wrought by the election Of
!
II may be only transitory, but it is more likely
to be permanent. For the moment the country
feels a sudden access os Interest in the personal
fortunes Of a steady Scotchman who has been
called upon to serve his PARTY in a momentous
crisis Sir Henry Campbell BaAnerman. who
wa. chiefly known as the most popular man on
the Liberal side. and. indeed, everybodys
friend in the Commons, has suddenly grown In
stature and broadened in influence under the
stress of responsibility He has rallied his party
in the Commons and men are already talking
about revival Of Liberalism. HIS first speech
on the opening night had the tone q authority
for which his followers had been waiting and
II was delivered in a contentious style. which
was relieved from prosness by neatness Of
phrasing and playful humor Il has been fol-
lowed by fine display Of sagacious leadership.
on the religious question. which Sir William
Harcourt had made his own. the new leader was
dIscreetly silent but he was careful 20 vote
with the minority. on the question Of taxation
of ground-rents and unoccup.ed lend he allowed
Mr. Asquith TO make the chief argument and
have the satisfaction Of reducing the Govern
mont majority 10 81 on the Welsh amend
ment 10 the Address he made an enectiYe
speech and the Unionist majority again sank 10
30 When the debate on the House OF Loros
came on ha gave a sagaclous eXhlDition OF
hexibility by Offering a constitutional argument
against Mr.. Laboucheres !ll-umed motion ana
by defining the Liberal attitude toward tns
privileged chamber. Sir Henry Campbell-Ban-
herman has not made a single mistake since the
onening debate. and he has spoken and acted
under the SOLDERING influence Of responsibility
In a single week the Good Natured Man OF me
Liberal side has shown himself - be an astu'e
and resourceful leader with singular soDrieV
of Judgment and an instructive power OF lofs-
casting the trend OF political forces
The beneficial results Of this inyigoratlng ds
play Of statesmanlke qualities are ALREADY ap'
parent in the restoration of discipline on the
Liberal side and in the quickening or puohc IN
terest in :he proceedings Of Parliament. Inc
Opnosition front bench is filled night after night;
the Liberal whips have no difficulty In muster
ing supporters in full force; there is the Old
time ring Of enthusiasm in the cheering on that
side which has not been heard since Nj. Glad
stones retirement and in debate there are
undertones Of confidence sincerity and conVc-
ton which have been lacking for a long time
The new leader commands the loyal support OF
his followers without lording his authority over
his chief associates or keeping them IN 'he
background He is accessible sympatheuc anu
resoute: he listens patiently 10 ad'lce anu
knows his own mind; and he has raced d H'os'
difficult situation with courage. tact ana oonn'
manding power. England enjoys an exhibition
of force Of character. The proceedings OF Fa'"s'
ment are followed with new zest and without
listlessness because Englishmen are interes'ea
in seeing new leader undertake diffcu'' "'A
and prove himself equal to his Responsiveness
THREE LIBERAL LEADERS.
There are other distinct gains in persoha''"'
Sir William Harcourt and Lord Roseoefy ha'0
each gained in interest paradoXicaI as II ma,
SEEM from the appearance or this ne" I've
upon the political scene Each mas "''"''~
from an impossible situation but he''hef "'
retired from public life. In the pacAs.OuAs
each serves to balance the othe' ana Oo'" a'
more interesting in their relations 10 INC ~
leader than they were when 'hey were !o">
together in a Ministry or in opposition "'1nVN
being on speaking terms with tach o'he.' 80
will be the effect Of the new captain 60
Of responsibility and power upon "e" ~,
political fortunes? lie has lost the MANNER -
lieutenant already He has aken iu'l 'oI'',a"'
of the Liberal forces In the Commons anu TN
ever he speaks it is with an authorF VIII"
be recognized by the couStry as pfe-'i''''@~
So also did Lord Harrington under siiii'''
ditions but when the parry returned ~ -
after a period of gloom aud depression n'
a lieutenant again. and gladly served uhue' -.
only possibe leader. Is his parallel 70 oe
IN all respects? Can ether Lord kosepe's
Sir William Harcourt dbplace Sir Hehr! O"nr
eIIRannerman in a SIMILAR emergency M
ultimate uncertainties Of the Liberal lea"',',
tend 70 impart fictitious interest TO eaen
these three figures. ,s.
In one respect Sm William Harcourt en'o, 80.
marked advantage over his rival. Lord nVss .
b,.rv He has takep up the religious quesS,,v
and made II his ewn He is as thorous
identified with it Is Mr.. Gladstone was
anti-Beaconsheld diplomacy or with H'sn ,bs
Rule. BEGINNING nearly year ago WV VIZ, ,hs
debates on the Bnehces bill, he has arsU,d ',,.nd
question of Iawssness within ;ne hS'a'tJ al.