New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-12-26
ENGLISH CORRESPONDENCE.
BRITISH TOPICS.
wosn ENGLISH ESTIMATES OF hR. GREELEY
IN 0IAns1nNEls REMARKS ON THE

LONDON. Dec. I'll said something in my
last letter about the inability of EDgshmen to compre'
bend any excellence not Of the most familiar and con-
yentional kind But until The Spectator appeared TINS
morning did not know how strong my statement might
have been made There ssomething absolutely ludcrous
m tho inability of The Spectator 10 understand Mt
Greeley 1t the fashion here to say depreciatory
thngs about him, and the common stock OF behtthng
phrases had been pretty much iexhaused by the daily
papers 30 much the better chance for Tie Spectator
which strains after novelty OF view rather than
business Of view and which never seems 90 content as
whsn In treating threadbare subject, 1t has produced
An eccentric Idea or coined grotesQue phrase The
general feeling that Mr. Greeley was q man OF unusual
capacity enough 70 give key note Tor an unex-
pected dissent Ho not" remarks this agreeable
Journal an able man In the ordinary sense OF
the word being yiewy. Unfortunately oredulous
about new isms. and very vain" BY way OF
eompensary antitheGs we are told that no
was, however, very lucid very detached whatever
that may mean and possessed keen sense OF humor
But this is nothing The Spectator is good
enough to express Its belief that M Greeley was per
feOty honest" though" It adds, his mania for Pro
lection rose occasionally high that FreeTaders atrb
ued to personal interest In certain protected inter-
ests" The obvious intention Of this amazing statement
s that the FreeTraders who attributed TO Mr. Greeley
personal interest 10 Protection were American Free
Traders can't say that familiar with every thing
that may have been written by that party but should
feel quito safe in asking The Spectator TO quote some pas
cage that would Justify its allegation. 1t Is OF piece
with its recent SANDER upon the Pennsylvania Judiciary
and indeed with the complete indifference TO accuracy
which marked Its recent treatment Of almost every
American topic Even The Saturday Reriew which pur
sued Mr. Greeley throughout the canvass with amaevo'
ence that scarcely accountable Is not moro indecent
than Tie Spectator II stigmatzes him as an incapable
smatterer (which only means that he rejected tho
doEmas of British Freeadel and prone to incessant
bunders through defects ofeducaon and OF intellect but
still regards him active. industrious, and success
f journalist susceptible Of generous impulses and, on
tho whole upright in his intentions That meager
judgment but is at least better than saying that be
was bribed by Protectonists.
OF very different kind Is the estimate Of Mr.. Greeley
by The EoneonoTist the organ Of that great body OF
religious liberals whose power in the State already very
great Is every day increasing and is destined beyond
doubt to prove day too strong for the ecclesiastical
monopoly which calls itself the Church of England. Re
fsrring to MI Greeleys early liking for Fourerism
benevolent day-dfeam The Noneonf the
purity Of bis intentions even amid his and adds
"In truth he did not prefer tue unreal TO the rea in
the antSlavery. the temperance, Che cooperative ana
other movements he always In the van" 1t sees
the sgnncance and value OF che work no did through
THE TRIBUNE; observing that II, on the whole the
political morality OF the farmers Of the Northern States
was much superior to that Of their fellow countymen
In the great cities that superiority was largely due to
the educational influence Of the journal In which Mr.
Greeley supreme for period OF more than thirty
fidelity TO the cause of impartial freedom" and do
clares him the greatest journalist whom America has
Produced one who welded his auocratic power With
Of personal responsibility and with an anxiety
to the OF truth and justice which ene his
memory TO the respect OF every member Of the honorable
profession TO which be belonged" There heartness
about that which gratifying contrast 70 most of the
haltiDg and qualified praise which English Journals have
bestowed on Mr.. Greeley.
meeting Of American residents in London has been
NrlfnI ~
George B. Lincoln formerly Postmaster IN Brooklyn.
and Mr ID. b. Sickles banker ia New-YOrk, TO take
some proper action show respect 70 Mr.. Greeleys
memory Invitations have, am told, been sent 10 al
Americans whose addresses are known.
Long before this, meSnt TO have said q word about
OR. Cyrus Fields THANKSGIVING banquet. full
count OF 1t, know, telegraphed TO America and
given. with Mr.. Fields Characteristic beralty. to the
whole American press But there is still remark TO be
made from this side about the significance Of It, and the
value OF Mr. Gadstones presence and speech. Mr..
Field Is Of the few Americans who could and the
only who does do things Of this kind His personal
relations with Mr. Gladstone and many other OF the
most distinguished Liberals In England, unusually
intimate and Mr. Field has often shown that he knows
bow TO avail himself Of this intimacy 70 promote the
good Of his country-whch also the good or
both He is thoroughly liked and respected in
London and Mr. GadstOne's presence at dinner Ike
that on Thanksgiving due 10 the first place TO his
friendship with Mr. Field. In this country it would be
that I lay nc stress. When Mr.. Gladstone was
asked 10 speak, he was told that his speech,
n be made one, would be telegraphed In full
60 America for publication. He accepted the
Invitation with that knowledge so that what he said
may fairly be considered address to the American
people. The tone Of it was friendly In degree so
marked that think we owe a debt to Mr.. Field for
having caused It be made IL may add to the interest
OF It TO know that Mr. Gladstone left sick bed TO DO
present ct the banquet His illness. though not serious
was OF character keep him In the house he had not
chosen commit imprudenos rather thanIdissppoint
bis host and piss the opportunity Of declaring his good
will 70 the American people 1t has caused no little
mark England that Mr. Gladstone, being the head or
the Government should have consented 70 speak to
toast OF unusual character The custom OF toass IN
England. like many other customs differs from that
In America It usual here TO nothing in the toast
itsef:-it Is merely "the Queen" "Her Msjesty's
Minister'S" without the complimentary phrases which
we insert In the formula, but which In England the
chairman utters on his own responsibility, relieving in
that way the other speakers from theirs But tho toast
to which Mr.. Gladstone consented to respond
Great Britain aud the United States: two countries
destined to be united in friendship closely as they arc
In knship and the mere fact OF his assent pledged
him 10 the spirit OF the sentiment To that, as well as to
the cordially Of his speech is due the steul comment
which has been heard Tory circles and have been
read II you cared TO read II, in two journals
either Tory or snobbishly aristoerstic
The strike OF the gas stokers has been failure from
the start and that 1t has lasted through the week
further than ever from succeeding. They new 60
striking and they strke badly Their union Is young
aud they leaders OF brains They had the best
Material 10 deal with for their masters, the gas
panies, unpopular from Of old and, with manage
ment public sympathy lying ready TO their hand.
The have better case than they make appear.