New-York tribune., 1881-03-24

the knowledge anu consent OF f1rlalnChp anu
for pursuing phanloms with zeal ana a
"greediness as if they were the most real ana
"vital interests in the wcrld." 10 make such
q sprech as that a few days after. Lord Beacons
fields trumphal return required moral courage
of the highest type.
Has the quality of that courage been impaired
since Mr. GladstOne's return to Otiice1 Has the
statesman who was bold even to the verge OF
rashneSs, when an irresponsible leader OF the
Opposition, become cautious, calculating almost
time-serying as Premier3 Are there inconsst-
encies in his public lie too grave to be ex-
planned away 7 These charges have been
made bv captious critics at home and abroad (;
and it is with view to refutirg them that we
have referred to the most courageous speech in
his career-a speech that marked the lowest
stage of his popularity as popular leader.
For that purpose We quote single sentence
from that eloquent plea for Parliamentary con-
troll over public affairs, for broad daylight
methods in diplomacy. and for the moral forces
of enlightened craftsmanship. After brushing
aside with scornful gesture the JingO argu-
mcnt of physical Development he exclaimed +:
81 am dcsirous that the standard of our
"material strength should be highly esteemed
"by other nations but believe that it is OF lar
"greater importance that We should stand high
ain their esteem fol truth and honor and
"openness in our proceedings, casting aside the
@motives of narrow sel6shness and giving
Sscope to the consideration of broad and lofty
"aspiTatons.'
Mr. GlaistOne's administration has lasted q
tlRlyemOnth. 1t has not been marked by any
marvellous fcatS of political dexterity nor by
any unexpected successes in diplomacy. The
P1em6r has applied himself with laborious
effort TO the task of Tescuing the country from
the many embarrassments into which it had
been plunged by his predecessor. The records
of the first session of tic new Parliament con-
vinced the nation that it had once mOIe Il
working Government Will the courage aud
ability needed fOr dealing with the most haIas-
sing domestic questions and now that order
has been restored in the Commons and the laws
are enforced in Ireland, Land Reform bill Is
definitely announced. MIR. Gladstone has
shown no disposition ut homo 10 evadc his re-
spOnsibilltps, although he exhausted the re-
sources OF :he common law before rcsoitnc to
exceptional methods in ireland. Abroad he 1as
united the POweIs and enforced the Treaty OF
Berlin, applying pressure 10 the Porte by means
of Il fleet, much TO the advantage of England,
whose military system is 50 lax. by giving the
nation foremost place as the cCcrclvc agent
of European discipline he has raised ." the
Standard of its material stfcnGth.' At the
same time his foreign policy can hc subjected
to the sevCyrst moral tests. British diplomacy
is again marked by truth, honor AMI opcn-
ness" and the Amotivcs Of narrow sc,fShncss' y
la h..
has been generously pleaded for thejr own
sake and Tor the worlds sake, because Hellenic
civilization will promote the regeneration Of
the East. There has been no policy Of adyen-
turc, aud Justice has taken tic place Of mCdde-
somcncss An early withdrawal from Cabul
Wa planned, and now Candahar is to be given
up mainly because England has no moral right
to keep it yet, to mark tho transition from old
to new methods, marching orders will not be
given until the Commons a. well as the Lords
have had IN opportunity TO debate the question.
Finally, in the Transvaal, where the crimes and
bluuders of the Beaconsticld Government made
a new campaign inevitable, the Premier has the
courage to pursue policy which EnRlishmen
affect to dcspisc, namely, to offer terms OF
peace before the disasters Of the army have
been retrieved by a single success. b. dealing
Justly with the Beers and bringing hostiliiics to
a close, he now appeals to the sober instincts
and noble traits of English character.
There il no lack of continuity in the conduct
of MI Gladstone as q member Of Her Majesty
Oppo>tion and in his course a. the responsible
head of the Government There is no evidence
of his swerving from his convictions At home
and abroad he is making the moral iorco Vt the
-i,. "A IA ha In do, a.. h,lr
auired rs much courage as he cyihced IN con-
dcmnug Lord Beaconsicld' administration.
Fortunate, indeed, is it for England that she
has in her service the most courageous states
man oil the time.
TIE ESTREET.CLEAAING BILL.