The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-01-23


to prohibit Roman Catholic Bishops in the
United Kingdom from taking titles from
local names. At first the bill attached
penalty TO a violation of the law. but
finally it became a harmless measure. adj
vising the Pope not to confer the pro-
hibited titles. One OF the most notewor-
thy events of Lord RusselI's administra-
ton was the holding OF the Worlds Fair
in 1851 1t was the conception of the
Prince Consort, and was triumphantly
successful.
In 1852 another wave of warlike excite
ment passed over the nation. Louis Ma
poIeon. who had been for a number of
years an idler in London. astonished the
world by suddenly Selling power in
France. His performances alarmed the
Englishmen into examining their own
powers of defence against aggression.
Volunteer companies were formed, and
drilling was almost universal. The little
war in Caffreland contributed to the war
spirit of the day. and the Government
presented a bill for the reorganization
of the military Lord Palmerston imme-
diately assailed it with ferocity. It was
defeated. and Lord Russell resigned.
Lord Derby succeeded to the Premier
ship with the avowed intention of doing
what it might be possible TO do to turn
the country back to the principle and prac-
tice OF protection This design becoming
generally known. he was unable to bring
the best men into his Cabinet. The free
traders set about TO fortify themselves
against attack A conference was held.
at which 1t was determined to compel the
Government to show its hand. AS soon as
Parliament assembled Mr.. Villiers offered
a resolution committing the House OF Com
mons to the policy Of free trade. It was
adopted by vote of 46s to SO, and was the
epitaph of protection in England. flank
movement on the free traders was attempt
ed. 1t is true. Immediately after this, but
1t not only failed of its purpose, but also
reacted and tumbled down the Derby min
listers.
The theory of most partisan politicians,
that coalitions are merely organized weak
nesses. was put to a severe test by the
Ministry. which lasted over two years from
strongest material of both parties, with
the exception of Lord Derby and Disraeli,
Who were left out. Mr.. Gladstone was
Chancellor of the Exchequer and Lord
Palmerston Home Secretary, while Lord
Aberdeen sat at the head of the Govern
ment. The furry of excitement over
Louis Napoleon had died away harmlessly,
as the revolutionary stir of 1S4S had.
Since Waterloo. the English nation had
been substantially at peace with the
world. But while the Queen and the peo-
pie were exchanging congratulations on
the quietude of the reign, the difficulty
arose in southeastern Europe which led 10
the Crimesn war. The conduct of the
war afforded abundant material for criti-
cism upon the Ministry. The Indictment
winter of 1876 had decimated the Brit
Ssh forces before Sebastopol. and an out
cry against the Secretary of War went up
throughout the nation. 1t was taken UP
in the House of Commons, where Mr.
Roebuck moved for a committee of in
vestigation. This measure Lord Palmer
ston and Mr.. Gladstone of the Cabinet
stoutly opposed, When it was adopted by
lie significant majority of 157, the ooali-
ton ministry dropped dead in body.
After patiently waiting while Lord Der
ny and Lord John Russell in turn tried
and failed to form a new Cabient, the
Queen turned as last resort, and not I'M
willingly. &c Lord Palmerston for a Gov
eminent. To him fell the work of carry
ing on the war on the Black Sea, and of
bringing the negotiations for peace after
the fall of Sebastopol to a satisfactory
close. The Palmerston Ministry receiy-
I'D a severe rebuke in the House u Com
mons within a year after they came into
office, the occasion for it rising out OF re-
taliatory measures taken upon the Chi
nese for an outrage on an alleged British
vessel at the mouth OF the Canton River
Mr.. Golden set in motion the parliament
airy machinery for the vote Of censure. and
ne was sustained by Gladstone and Disra-
ell, Roebuck, Lytton and Russell. In
stead of resigning, Lord Palmerston dis
solved Parliament. Making his canvass IN
the campaign that followed on lingo"
platform, he captured the voters and re-
stored himself to, or rather perpetuated
himself in, power.
During his administration under his new
lease the practice of transporting Grimm
ais as a means of punishment was abol-
ished. The Sepoy rebellion In India added
another dark page to England's colonial
history. It ended in the absolute transfer
OF the Government Of India from the old
East India Company to the Queen. The
Palmerston Ministry fell In an attempt TO
legisIate- against what was in 1858 regard
ed as an imaginary danger from explosions
and other conspiracies against the lives of
citizens, but which in 1884 was found to
be fact instead OF fancy.
During the administration OF Lord Der
by, 1S5s-r59. which followed, Jews were
first admitted to Parliament on full po-
Iitical equality with Christian members. 1t
was on the first day of Queen Victoria's
reign that the late Sir Moses Montefiore
was elected Sheriff Of London the first OF
his race to be acknowledged eligible for
that Office. The fight for equality in Par
lament was made over Baron Rothschild,
and at the same time the congratulated
property qualification for members was
abolished.
In 1859 the war between France and Aus
tria set the Continent ablaze without dis
turblng the equanimity OF the Queens
Government. Under the lead OF Mr.. Dis
raeii Parliament was plunged into a new
reform discussion. not needing the poet
laareate's admonition to
Let your reforms for moment go;
Look to your butts and take-good aims;
Better rotten borough or 80.
Than rotten feet. and city in flames.