New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-02-09
MR.. GLADSTONES MISTAKE.

The honors of the day rest with MIR. Disraen.
Ho has succeeded in haunting his veteran ad-
yersary into o schoolbOy's folly. The British
Press had been for several weeks complaining
of the American case, and denouncing WHAT
they considered its extravagant demands.
This was nothing extraordinary. The bill was
q large one it asked for more than the Brit
sh public thought was fair-very much more
than it was convenient to pay. The Press OF
England might properly object to it without
any imputatiOn of wrong motives. BE-
sides this, little judicious clamor, II IL
were kept within the bounds Of reason, would
have its effect upon European opinion ana
indirectly influence the Arbtrators and then
Governments. These considerations may have
had some weight upon tho journals when
supported the Gladstone ministry. Ihose
which opposed 1t, of course, would need no
other motive than their opposition. The ut
most yehemeuce Of attack was natural on
their part, for the more the Treaty and the
entire management of the question at issue
could be discredited in public opinion, the
better would be the position OF Her MaJesty's
Composition u in the struggles OF the session
which are about to begin
But the way in which Mr.. Gladstone has
walked blindfolded into the trap which was
set for him, only proves anew what has often
been asserted of that statesman's infrmity
of temper. When an angry rival said many
wears ago that "Cladstone had not q single
redeeming vice." he must have overlooked
this tendency to lose his balance on imperfect
proyocation. This is now so notorious that
the literary gentlemen employed by the thea
as hauA
| to make use Of it. The Lord Chamberlain o
few weeks ago found reasonable reference
to this idiosyncrasy In song detailing
all sorts of unnatural and impossible
events which should happen before the
| singer should cease to love-" Among these
| portents it was said that "GladstOne would
keep his temper" The hyperbole was 30
monstrous that the Censor suppressed the
| stanza. 1t would have been fortunate for the
Prime Minister on Tuesday if he had contented
| himself by administering prompt punishment,
| after his manner, to his exasperatlng assallant.
| But he seemed TO be more annoyed at the
| evident popularity of Mr. DisraelIs harangue
| than by its malicious references to the Cabinet,
and could not resist the temptation to indulge In
| q little patriotic clap-trap for himself. He got
| his round of applause also, but it was not
worth what it cost. He played the part OF
that poor actor who, being cast one night In
the role of heavy villain, where he could
get no glory, suddenly interrupted the young
hero by walking to the footlights and exclaim-
! ing, Permit me to observe that man who
| Claws his hand upon woman, save in the
"way of kindness is unworthy the name OF a
"Briton.r He brought down the house. of
course, but afterward underwent an interview
| with the manager.
| 1t is highly probable that Mr. Gladstone does
! not now reflect with any especial satisfaction
| upon his speech of Tuesday. The careful and
| guarded statement in the Queens speech was
| perhaps necessary in that excited condition
| of the public mind which positively demanded
| some reference to the matter. But there was
nothing in it which could properly give offense
to our Government, or interrupt the regular
and peaceful progress of the business of the
Board of Arbitration. The belief of the Brit
ish Government that our demand for conse-
Quential dana Is not warranted by the Treaty
does not render necessary their withdrawal
| from the arbitration, any more than our con-
yiction that the Rebel loan is an improper
subject TO be brought before the Washington
Claims Commission compels us to break up
the sessions Of that body. The paragraph of
the Queens speech, and the dispatch to our
Government protesting against our Case, formed
q sufficient safeguard OF the honor and inter-
ests of England. But the passionate and i'll
advised speech of Mr. Gladstone from
the Treasury Bench renders any further
action of either Government exceedingly diff
cult. This was distinctly recognized the day
after. Our correspondent gives the prevailing
impression of the mischievOus character OF the
Premier's remarks He has loaded his shoulders
with needless weight at the very outset Of
the session. He has in front of him strong,
| vigilant, and not Over-scrupuous adversary.
He cannot afford to make, under the eyes of
Mr.. Disrael any more mistakes like the last.