New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-04-29

single sheer. The Prime Minister had spoken
fr,m n plane OF moral elevation where no
towcred in epic dignity over friends and foes.
! HIS COLLEAGUES in the Commons knew him to be
tbe admrer of Mr. Golden ard the lifelong
friend of Mr.. Bright; they recognized in him
the apostle of pacific craftsmanship, the man
who detested war as the most brutal occup"'ion
wherein Nations can engage; yet they heaiu
his voice ringing out like prophets III oe-
nunciation of Russia's broken covenant anu
covardly assault. The Prime Minister'S CON-
scientious scruples against war In genera were
overborne by his solemn sense OF Englahu
obligations to an ally to whom good 1aitn "ao
been pledged Conscious that ne was aole' US
no said to challenge the verdict OF civilized
mankind respecting the employment OF every
inst and honorable effort to prevent DloodSheu'
he recognized the fact that war under such
wanton proyocation as Rhssia has given would
be both righteous and necessary.
At the outbreak of the Crimean War Mt.
Gladstone was Chancellor of the Exchequer III
the Coalition Ministry. Like Lord ADerdeen'
| the Prime Minister, he was reluctant 10 enter
| unon a campaign and was disposed to exhaust
the resources of diplomacy before decidlng III
favor of hostilities. lie had more sympathy
with Mr. Bright's overmasterng detestatlon OF
war than with Lord Palmerston's unconcealeu
| delight in the excitement of n campaign. war
with him was a solemn question OF conscience
and moral obligation. The stability OF the
| Ottoman Empire and the necessity OF resisting
the epcroachments of Russia were meaningless
nhrases TO him; and us for the glory OF war
and the opportunity of improving Englands
l. bo raDplied what
considered insincere aud immoral appeals to
patriotic pride. The welfare OF Christians I'D
the East was the main consideration thht NJ inc
outset induced him to sanction aggressive
diplomatic action. and it was not until Russia
had wantonly attacked the Turkish ncct at
Sinope AN assault as unprovoked as the Dattie
mt Penideh-that he was heartily In favor Oh
fighting. Mr.. Gladstone in the present crisis
has been as unwilling to drag England into an
unjust war as was Lord Aberdeen thirty years
! ago.
| Mr.. Gladstone's speech shows how deliber-
ately he has been proceeding, and how careful
and scrupulous he has been in his dealings WIN
a assembling and dishonest foe. lie has con-
tinued his efforts to avert hOstilitcs even after
| Sir Peter Lumsden has furnished detailed ac-
count of the new Sinope in AfghanistaD. He
cannot declare war with Lord Palmerst ms
confident assurance that it is always right for
an Englishman to fight when he is challenged.
He has to reason out the crucial question OF
guilt and responsibility. He must convince
himself that Sir Peter Lumsden has not been
mIsled and that Russia has no defence when
charged with breach of faith. At the same time
his soul thrills with Indignation when no con-
sidcrs how heavily the facts as they stand are
scored against the Northern Empire II the
outrage at Penjdeh cannot be explained Eng
land. he declares, must do her best to vlndicate
| the Amecr's rights and to redress his wrongs.
In this spirit the Prime Minister has been Ieso-
lutely preparing for war, believing that the
House would meet the demands OF justice
and the calls of honor" and would, "subject
"only to justice and to honor, labor for the pur-
"Doses of Deace,n