Tonopah daily bonanza. [volume] (Tonopah, Nev.) 1906-1929, 1911-11-15
THE PHILOSOPHER IN POLITICS.

The resignation Of Arthur j. Balfour from the
leadership Of the unonist- conservative party in
England IS an event of worldwide and historic
interest. For Mr.. Balfour though himself a
commoner, is in reality of the best examples
on the slowly but surely disappearing class of
hereditary Legislators. Almost from birth Arthur
l'alfours career foreordaned; he was cradled
IN politics and educated for craftsmanship In the
early stage OF his parliamentary career he as
SrrtH his distinct independence of thought only
Handicapped by certain Incidence in action In
the sos ne was one OF the brilliant group of
young Tory arStocratS who sat on the cross
benches OF the house of commons, and in com,
pany with the more brilliant and aggressive Ran.
tiph Churchill made things lively for both
friend and foe The brief but sparkling history
oi what came to be known as ''the fourth party .
ii little group Of critics rather than construc-
tonlSts made its mark English politics. But
Lord Randolph ambition, tinctured with much
III" same glory in sensation that marks his son
nSton $, political career, and the fact that the
frht> OF power had fallen into the hands of Bal.
iolrs uncle the late Marquis of Salisbury. who
put his nephew in high place in the government
broke up the brilliant political cotere. and Artllt
l'liIour during the last quarter of century
has been forced willy-nilly into the position of
leadership. During his uncle's long third pre-
mierShp from lS95-l902, I}alfour was his right
hand. man and succeeded him as prime minister
retaining that position till six years ago when
the conservatives went down to defeat.
Mr.. Balfour made little attempt to hide his
personal dstaste for politics; his high intellectual
attainments and his devotion to philosophy in.
clined him afterwards; but throughout his long
and difficult duties he proved himself faithful
public servant. He was a keen debater with
ready wit rapier-like sarcasm and the calmest
poise an adrot and resourceful leader and an
able statesman.
His distinguished uncle, Salisbury preferred
to spend hours in his laboratory to cabinet meet.
ings, and to Balfour the duties of minister
or leader OF the opposition irkSome in com
parlson with the study of philosophy while he
.found pastime in psychcal research and physical
exercise on the golf links. The English people
admired him, as they do all deserving aristocats
but naturally Balfour could not command the
popular following of Lloyd-George or the daz-
fling favor of Dsrae Many Of them regarded
HIM as a diettane statesman to which imputation
his arduous work and devotion to duty were con
elusive answers
But the passing Of Bafour is mainly inter
eStng to us at this distance in that it marks the
elimination of another. and probably the last
for many years. at least. of the aristocrat names
from leadership in British politics. The Stanleys
the Bentmeks, the Russells and the Cecils no
longer govern the British empire; the house of
lords has become subordinate appendage to the
commons, and the old aristocrats have made wav
'or the leaders, not born in the purple but sons
Cf 3he people