Passing of a Leader.

Feilding Star, Volume II, Issue 530, 25 March 1908, Page 2

Passing of a Leader.

TnE cable news from England to-day announces the death of the Duke of Devonshire. This event, which would have been of the very first importance in the political life of England a few years ago, was not unexpected. Early in February last he went on a visit to Egypt, and when at Cairo he had to take to his bed, and his condition became such that his heir, tho Rt. Hon. Mr Victor Cavondish, M.P. for West Derby, had to cancel all his engagements. The Duke was better known as the Marquis of Hartington, and had the reputation of being a man who refused to be a Premier. He sat as the Liberal member in the House of Commons for North Lancaster from 1857 to 1868. Subsequently he represented other electorates. He occupied numerous important positions in successive Liberal Cabinets, and on Mr Gladstone's defeat and retirement in 1884, he was unanimously chosen as leader of the Liberal Party. On the defeat of the Beaconsfield Cabinet, Queen Victoria sent for the Marquis, but ho declined to form an Administration, being content to serve again under Mr Gladstone. When the latter formulated his great policy of Home Rule, however; Lord Hartingt.on disagreed with him, and then became the recognised loader of the LiberalUnionist Party. Lord Salisbury offered to serve under that leadership, if the Marquis would accept the Premiership; but the Marquis then, and again at the time of the sensational secession of Lord Randolph Churchill, declined to become Premier. He succeeded to the Dukedom in IB9lj

and in tho following year married tho Duchess of Manchester. Upon tho retirement of Lord Salisbury the Duko liwamo Leader of tho Houso of Peers, but resigned in tho following year in consequence of tho developments arising out of Mr Chamberlain's fiscal proposals and tho Duke's devotions to tho principles of Free Trade. He occupied many high honours in all departments of life, and was closely identified with tho national history of England and tho British Empire. Thus passes a great figure in the 74th ' year of his age.