OBITUARY.
Deebt, Edwabd Geoffrey Staitley, Eabl op, KG., &c, was born in 1799, at Knowsley Park, Lancashire. Having been educated at Eton and at Christ Church, Oxford, where he obtained the Chancellor's prize for Latin verse, Mr Stanley, in 1821, became a member of the House of Commons, as M.P. for Stockbridge. In 1824, his maiden speech, though on a matter of mere local interest, elicited a high eulogium from Sir J. Mackintosh ; and in the course of the same session his second oratorical effort, on the subject of the Irish Church, exhibited the readiness, aptitude, and ability of an experienced debater. In 1826, he became M.P. for Preston. During the brief Canning and Goderich Administrations, Mr Stanley entered on official life as TJnder-Secretary for the Colonies, and, on the formation of Lord Grey's Government, he was nominated to the then arduous post of Chief Secretary for Ireland ; but, on seeking re-election at the hands of his constituency, he was
• defeated by Henry Hunt. However, he ; was soon afterwards returned for "Windsor, and was ere long engaged in those single- - handed conflicts with O'Connell and Shiel, which for years excited Parliament and i alarmed the country. "While the "Reform Bill was under discussion in 1832, his ■ singular genius for debate was often exerl cised with effect in defence bf its provisions ; and about the same time he carried l a ministerial measure for National ; Education in Ireland. In 1833, Mr Stanley carried the Church Temporalities '■ Bill, and the measure for emancipating the "West India slaves ; having for the latter purpose bpcome Colonial Secretary i and a member of the. Cabinet. But in 1834, alarmed at Lord Melbourne's project of still further reducing the Irish Church Establishment, Lord Stanley withdrew from office, carrying with him » Sir J. Graham and the late Lord Ripon, and the Duke of Richmond. He declined ■ to take part in the administration formed 1- by Sir R. Peel on Lord Grey's resig- > nation ; but, after acting in concert with ■ the Conservative Opposition for seven i years, he accepted the seals of the r Colonial Office in 1841, and occupied that post for more than four years, in the > course of which he was summoned to the ■ House of Peers. At the close of 1845. ■ when Sir R. Peel arrived at the resolntion of abandoning the cause of agricul--1 tural protection, Lord Stanley, rather I than desert his expressed opinions, ■ retired from the Cabinet, and next year, f though with seeming reluctance, appeared i as head of the Protectionist Opposition, i for. which the industry of Lord George Bentinck, and the genius of Mr Disraeli, gradually secured public recognition. Their struggle at first appeared I hopeless; but at length, in 1851, the > , resignation of Lord J. Russell brought the ' Conservatives to the very gates of Down- • ing-street; and after the "Whigs had • retained their offices for a year longer, in , February, 1852, the Conservative chief, who meanwhile had succeeded his father as fourteenth Earl of Derby, accepted the '< responsibilities of office, and constructed > a Cabinet which, besides other achieve- > ments, carried measures of Chancery Reform, passed the Militia Bill, and !■ formed with the Emperor of the French ; that alliance which circumstances have subsequently rendered so important and so popular. But after the general elect tion of 1852 Lord Derby, in deference to ' a vote of the House of Commons hostile \ to the financial schemes of his Chancellor of the Exchequer, promptly tendered to > her Majesty the resignation of his > Cabinet, and resumed his former funci tions as leader of the Opposition. On ■ the fall of the Coalition Ministry, in 1855, the Earl declined to undertake the i duties of Government, on the ground • that the only Ministry he could have i formed would have been dependant for ' existence on the forbearance of foes. He > again held the seals of office as Premier . in 1858-9. "When the death of the Duke > of "Wellington teok place, in 1852, Lord > Derby was elected Chancellor of the University of Oxford.
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Southland Times, Issue 1194, 11 January 1870, Page 3
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668OBITUARY. Southland Times, Issue 1194, 11 January 1870, Page 3
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