The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1879-09-05
A GREAT POLITICAL LEADER.

William Gladstone, the great exPremier OF
England, keeps up with undated vlgor bis
assaults upon the BeaconsfieId Ministry and
party. Though the acknowledged greatest
orator and most accomplished statesman In
the Empire, he is not satisfied with his
speeches In the House Of Commons, and on
public occasions In vindication OF his policy
and exposing of the weakness, plumbers and
failures Of the Ministry. He has discovered
q more effective mode Of defense and assault /;
one through which he can reach the minds
and passions of a much larger audience than
he can ever command with his voice and in
fuence by his elocution and logic.
The pen, among people like the governing
class of England, Is mightier than the tongue.
Hence his preference for the former instru-
ment, for the literary over the oratorical
method Of disseminating his opinions and
arguments. He selects a popular public
journal as the medium OF this style Of war
fare. He illustrates his wisdom In this, as he
is thus enabled to make greater impress
sion on the minds of thinking people in
Great Britain and among the people OF other
nations Interested in the policy OF that great
nation. His papers are prepared with con-
sumnate ability. They are read by the men
Of all parties. His adversaries writhe under
their power and satirical force. His followers
are supplied with information, with facts,
arguments and ideas that keep them in har
mony and Intelligent understanding OF the
objects. principles and policies Of the great
party Of which he Is the acknowledged head.
The chiefs Of the opposite party are held In
restraint and check and compelled to exer-
else more vigilance and care in avoiding the
disasters and dangers which he exposes and
predicts.
Thus Is afforded a conspicuous example
and evidence OF the best method OF organizing,
directing and shaping the course Of great
political party. Thus is politics reduced to a
science and art, exhibiting and calling out the
highest mental and moral powers, and based
on principles and ideas OF craftsmanship
which appeal only to the highest qualities OF
patriotism, and which discard all the arts and
pretensions Of demagoguism, all appeals to
the selfish passions and motives OF men. It
is an example that ought to be closely studied
and Initiated In this country, where supreme
egotism and far-reaching sectionalism
nave obtained too strong hold. 1t
| lS d kI6hL IlIOI W dSSuLu6 tudt NIL. IldU-
stones method Of defense of his own and
his assailment of the opposite party Is wan
ting in that vigor, passion and intensity that
are demanded in this country for effective
partisan warfare, that Mr.. Gladstone's style
Is too enlightened, heightened and scientific
to reach and influence public opinion and
arouse to activity the popular masses. This
was said, in his day, OF Edmund Burke
speeches and papers. The more fiery, pun
gent, aggressive and sensational oratory OF
his great contemporaries produced, at their
first delivery, more vivid impression, but In
time, in even his own day and generation, and
for all succeeding generations, the more pro-
found, philosophic, polished and pungent ut
terances of the great Irishman lived. germi-
mated and expanded In the memories and
hearts OF men, and were boarded as the
most precious treasure of political wisdom
and philosophy. Upon them the whole civil
lied world has relied In its search Of great