Year: 1868


| Johnson.


| The Political Situation In EnGIand-The
RcsignatiOn of Earl Derby.


BY special cable despatch which we
published in the HERALD of yesterday we are
made aware OF the fact that the Earl of Derby
has resigned his position Of Prime Minister Of
England, and that her Majesty Queen Victoria
has summoned to her aid the Right Honorable
Benjamin Disraeli, rendering to him the reins
of government and requesting him to form a
cabinet. The circumstances are seriously
important and we'll deserving Of attention.
We are not surprised at the resignation Of
Lord Derby. His lordship is now verging on
his SEVENTEEN year, has seen much and arduous
political service, and, as oil the world now
knows, in resigning his high and responsible
dent to old age. The feelings expressed in the
House Of Lords by Earl Russell and in the
House OF Commons by Mr.. Gladstone were as
natural as they were becoming, and they
will be echoed in all lands wherever
intelligence Of the event shall be learned. The
resignation of his lordship has not taken the
public by surprise 1t has Tor some time past
been discussed in all the leading English jour
nails as an event which was more than proba-
BILE. His lordship's health has been bad. He
has clung to his position more for the interests
Of his parry than from any love of his office
1t was the conviction of his lordship that the
party of which, since the secession of Peel and
hia fnl in hn haa hn I'm
lodged head was the only party sufficiently
united to carry through Reform bill, which it
was no longer possible to deny that the feeling
of the country had rendered a necessity. His
lordship accordingly, in spite of increasing
infrmities, gave to his party, 80 long as it was
necessary, the weight of his great name and
the benefit of his large experience. The reform
struggle is virtually ended, for, although bills
have yet to be passed both for Scotland
and Ireland, the passage of the English
bill at once determines their character
and secures their success We do not say that
in carrying through the Scotch and Irish bills
no difficulty will be experienced nor can we
say that the three Reform bills will give to the
three kingdoms the quiet and contentment
which are desirable; but we can and do say
thai Lord Derby has seen accomplished those
ends for which he originally undertook the
responsibilities OF Office. Having carried the
work through so lar, ne resigns the completion
of the task, with all its responsibilities and all
its honors, into younger hands. Henceforward
the Rupert Of debate-a nobleman who, despite
the prejudces OF his class, has, both as a scholar
and as gentleman, done honor to English
tatesmanship--virtually retires from the arena
OF politics.


The resignation of Earl Derby, suggestive as
| il is, furnishes less food for thought than the
name Of the man who has been called by her
Majesty to occupy the vacant place. 1t is
impossible not TO believe that that name
was suggested by Lord Derby himself,
and that, too, With the concurrehcc Of the
prominent men Of his party. The Right Hon.
orable Benjamin Disrael is now the acknow-
ledged chief Of the tory gentry of England.
This is revolution in ITSELF Not that COM
moners have not before held the high position
of Prime Minister Of England, but that there
was that in Disraeli's antscedents which at
!, one time rendered such success in his case
extremely improbable A great genius, how
ever, and an indomitable WILL have enabled
the once despsed son OF Israel to triumph
over apparent impossibilisies. II is now thirty
years since, in tie House Of Commons, he
delivered his maiden speech. He was al
ready known as q successful novelist, as
daring political theorst, and as some
what of an adventursr u;o adyant IN
the floor of the House naturally enough
commanded attention His first appearance,
however, was a failure. To the dcrisive
cheers OF the members he was COM
PEELED to yield, but not until he had pulled
himself up to his full height and with an air
Of naughty defiance exclaimed, am not sur
prised at the reception l have met with. /
have begun many times several things
but | have often succeeded at last. /
shall sit down now, bat the time will
come when you will hear me- The prediction
has long since been more than fulfilled. The
Canaan Of bis ambition has at last been
reached. 1t may now be taken for granted
that whatever success attends in organizing
Cabinet, he has established his right to rank
with the barons of England. Dsrael will
soon disappear under the more snowy title of
Lord Hughenden.


There is but small chance that the liberals
will offer any resistance. This is the last ses-
sion under the ancient system. II is desirable
that the authors Of the English Reform bill
show their handiwork in The bills for scQUspd