The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-01-16
nounced as unsafe for the people and unjust
to the incorporated banks.
Mr.. cl.d.ton.,. Retirement.

~~' NAAosVOn0'o AsVvIEemShWs
Shortly after the result of the elections
which drove Mr.. Gladstone from power he
addressed a note to Lord Granville, his col
league in the Cabinet, intimating that his
time had come to retire from the leadership
of the liberal party. 1t was thought then
that this was an expression of disappointment
and defeat-of some hidden pique, perhaps,
at the apathy which important sections Of the
liberal party had shown toward him. But
it now seems that the ex-Premier was sincere
in this expression. He writes another letter
to Lord Granville, saying that forty-two years
of public service enable him to ask for release.
'sThis retirement" he says, sis dictated by
personal views regarding the method of spend
ing the closing years of my life" In other
words, the eloquent and illustrious statesman
feels that he may now be permitted to crafty
his tastes as q student in that country life
congenial to the character of the English gen.
tleman. Mr.. Gladstone has been in public
life since he was twenty-four years of age,
entering Parliament in 1882, under the patron
age of the Duke of Newcastle. He had won
celebrity in the University as an orator, and
Sir Robert Peel-then in the zenith of his
power, and in pursuance of the custom of
English politicians of advancing young men
to be cadets in government-appointed him to
a subordinate position in the government in
1886, when Mr. Gladstone was in the twenty
sixth year of his age. As an author he came
into notice in 1841 by book on church
questions. This work may be regarded
as memorable, because it gave rise to
Macaulays criticism on his character, which
is worth reading, as tribute to his early rep
utation and prophecy Of his fame. ''The
author Of this volume" says Macaulay, sis
young man of unblemished character and dis
tnguished parliamentary talents, the rising
hope of those stern and unbending tories who
follow reluctantly and mutnously leader
whose experience and eloquence are indispen-
sable to them, but whose cautious temper and
moderate opinions they abhor." This ''rising
hope" of the tories became the leader of the
liberals; and zone Of the most unpopular men
in England" became the leader of a triumph
ant party and was for years the master Of the
English Empire.
The success of Gladstone as Prime Minister,
like that of Sumner in our own public life, is
largely to be attributed to that influence which
character is beginning to exercise in politics.
The mistakes Of such o man do not
detract from the splendor and useful
ness of his example to young men.
As to who Will succeed him we can
not say. The natural leader of the liberal
party after Mr.. Gladstone is Mr.. Forster,
recently our honored guest, and one whose
name will always be cherished by Americans.
He is, comparatively speaking, young man,
being now about ffty-six years Of age
ten years Mr.. Gladstone's junior. He has
shown great political tact, and recently
writer, in critcising the ruling statesmen OF
England described him as ''the chief trimmer
of modern politics." saying that it is his
effort ito produce measures which shall
please both sides of the house." that
che is q genuine Englishman in his solid
qualities of mind and character, his earnest
ness and thoroughness." Whether a politi-
clan who represents so radical q school as
Mr. Forster will be allowed to lead the liberal
party is q question. Another candidate is
named in the Marquis of Harrington, a young
man, heir to the dukedom of Devonshire, now
about forty years of age. If the liberal party
will not follow the leadership of o radical
statesman who has risen to pre-eminence by
his intellect and character Like Forster, it will
certainly not accept the guidance of gentle
man who has no claim to the position but the
fact that he is the heir to q great house and
has no sympathy with liberalism except 80 far
as it is consistent with the old wing traditions
of his party.
The retirement of Mr.. Gladstone marks
new departure in English politics. That
''Great crisis" which Mr.. Disrael is 30 fond
of prophesying seems to be at hand even in
England. We can understand why the ex-
Premier, after forty years of labor, should
seek to retire to his tent and leave the battle
to younger and holder minds. There will be
no difficulty in finding leader for the party
as it now stands; but the days of liberalism
in England are at an end. Another party will
arise, animated by new and daring sentiments
and led by men who have not yet made their
appearance in public life.