Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-05-01
THE NEW PREFER.
Mr. Gladstone Once More at the
Head Of the State and Party.


Mr.. Gladstone, for the second time In his life,
Il at the head OF the English government His
parliamentary career has been long; even In Eng
And, where parliamentary careers are apt TO be
long. He was returned in the Tory interest for
Newark away back In 1882, while the fight over
the reform bill was at his height, and presently
1t was on this ground that Sir Robert Peel ap-
pointed him junior lord Of the treasury in "a,
and advanced him TO be under secretary OF the
colonies few months later. Then, Sir K Peels
brief administration ended, Mr.. Gladstone
who was re-elected-had an opportunity of
showing that he was even stronger In the
opposition than he had been In the government
This Characteristic has stood by him his life
long. His Is one OF those aggressive natures
that Is at its best when lighting against odds
Failing anything else TO fight, he has fire.
quentIy fought his own party, his earneStneSS
as a refOrmer keeping him always ahead OF the
body OF his associates. The son OF a warm
merchant OF Liverpool, 5aronet, he was
brought up TO believe In Tory principles; but
this belief weakened as his mind matured. In
1851 he formally attached himself to the Liberal
party. Following this change OF base-in July,
1852. when Lord Aberdeen formed his
coalition Cabinet-he was made Chancellor
OF the Exchequer; position that he also held
for short time In Lord PalmerstOns first Min
fStry and to which he was again appointed
when Lord PalmerstOn took office for the sec
ond time, in 1859 During this period he sat for
the University of Oxford, being continuously
returned thence from 1S41 until 1866. In the
latter year he was defeated In his old cOnStitu-
ency,. but was returned for South Lancashire.
Lord PalmerSton died In October 1s65. Mr.
Gladstone succeeded him as leader of the House
OF Commons. He was now approaching what
has hitherto been regarded as the eliminating
point OF his career. In 1850 he brought In a
reform bill. This bill was defeated, and the
government resigned, and so IL fell out that
Lord Beaeonsfields reform bill-against which
MI Gladstone fought bitterly-WaS passed.
But MI. Gladstone's triumph was not lost;
1t was only delayed. In the early part
OF the session OF 1865 he brought in a series of
resolutions having for their object the disestab-
lishment and abandonment of the Irish
Church. Lord Beaconsfield's ministry was out
voted In the Commons, but the lords held their
The general election OF 1865 placed the liberals
In power, and Mr.. Gladstone, the head OF the
party, was made premier, The series OF great
reforms effected during that notable Parliament
are still fresh In the public mind-the dis
establishment OF the Irish church, the aboli-
ton OF purchase In the army, the pas
sage of the elemementary education, jul
d1cature and ballot acts the negotiation CT
the treaty OF Washington and the settlement
of the Alabama claims by arbitration were
among the results OF Mr.. GladStOne'S admins
traCOn. Indeed, he pressed reform so fast that
the nation became alarmed. When he brought
In his Irish University education bill a stand
was made. The Catholic members OF the lib
eral party voted with the opposition and the
government was defeated by a vote OF 2SI to 2S4
Mr.. Gladstone at once resigned and the Queen
very gladly accepted his resignation and sent
for MIR. Dsraeli but as he declined to take Office
the cabinet was somewhat remodeled and was
continued nearly year longer-until January,
1874. Then came the sudden announce
ment OF general election; followed by most
decisive defeat. Mr.. Gladstone himself was re-
elected but rarely occupied his seat in the House
or commons; and the ensuing year he published
In letter to Lord Granville, his formal renun-
citation OF the leadership of the liberal party
But the gods dispose in these matters: Mr. Glad
stone no more could resign his leadership than
ne could De restrained from possessing it by the
personal animosty OF the Queen over his own
declared desire TO keep out OF public life over
the undOubted desire of the Queen TO keep him
out OF office, he once more Is at the head OF the
liberal party, and the liberal party once more is
In power.