The Indianapolis journal., 1885-02-21
GOVERNOR PORTER ON GLADSTONE.
An Entertaining Review of the Political Ca
reer Of England'S Great Leader.

A good audience assembled at Plymouth
Church last night to hear Governor Porter,
under the auspices of the Morton Club, deliver
his lecture on Gladstone
American politics. said the Governor, 'com-
pared with English politics. are tame and une-
veptful Questions which are fruitful sources of
excitement there have been long set at rest in
our own country. Our institutions are founded
upon the doctrine of equality, of political rights
among citizens. Local self regulation allows
changes to be made quietly in America, but the
absence of this remedy for ills in England is the
source of many violent agitations and conflicts.
'For centuries the policy of England has been
to prevent the growth of manufacturing indus
tries in Ireland, where diversified industries
have little place. Men have been starved that
cattle might multiply and flourish. Landlord
ism has impoverished the tenantry. The abuses
of the Irish people could be remedied by the
application of the just principles of local self
government.
English politics has dramatic interest which
we do not have in America. Our policy of non
interference between European states and in
difference to the balance of power, makes our
politics provincial The foreign policy of
England made the glory of Chatham, Palmer
ston and Beaconsfeld.
"The extensive dominion of territory in every
quarter of the globe, compels English states
men to give the study of government original
and broad investigation And the close CON
nection of church and state has elected more
excitement in politics than in our country, where
the separation between the two is complete.
''The circumstances of Gladstone's early life
were calculated to bias him for public life. His
l<1x~1 E. IL
Canning and Peel who made deep impression
on him. After preparatory course at Elton,
Gladstone became a student at Oxford, where
he took high rank political debater. Here
it Was that he vigorously and warmly supported
a resolution to censure the Duke of Wellington
for his sympathy with Liberal measures Al
Oxford young Gladstone carried off the highest
honors in mathematics and the classics, and was
deemed quite accomplished in verse.
While journeying abroad he was called to
England by the Duke of New Castle to contest
for a seat in the House of Commons. The
young graduate entered upon the canvass with
such vigor as to lead to success At the age of
twenty three, therefore, he entered upon his
public career. From the first Gladstone took
prominent rank, but not a brilliant place, like
Fox and Pitt in their early years He had at
this ago flexible and musical voice. habit of
thoroughly mastering his facts an instantane-
Gus readiness in calling up what he knew, Dig
nified courteous air and an unsullied character.
service. Two years afterward Gladstone became
a member of Peels Cabinet and was regard as
the hope of the Tory party. AS
Tory he opposed the immediate abolition Of
slavery in the West Indies, but thought the change
should be gradual and preceded by educational
preparation He also opposed the bills to re-
lieve the Jewish disabilities. But at a later day
he changed his mind on these subjects 1t was
when Gladstone was in the Ministry OF Peel that
he changed his political views. The English corn
laws were framed in the interest of the landed
classes, and the duty was such that in hard
times the industrial classes were unable to sup
ply themselves with food. Famine came to
teach the statesmen lesson Golden and
Bright set themselves to repeal the odious laws,
thus contributing to the happiness OF the thou
sands. Peels Ministry could not still the
threatening tempest, and giving way to the
overwhelming energy of public opinion, brought
in the bill by which the corn laws were repealed.
Gladstone yielded with his chief, and became al
lied with Bright and Golden.
I'm 1047, Gladstone became a member once
more of the House of Commons, and in 1852 he
had the memorable contest with Disraeli, in
which the latter was beaten down by the logic
and eioquence of his adversary In less than a
week after this, Gladstone had possessed himself
of the place of Disraei. and stamped himself
among the statesmen. Gladstone had the faculty
of Pitt in investing figures with charm
the unfolding of his budget
Mr.. Gladstone's achievements in England are
prodigious He led in founding system of ma
tional education. He fought successfully the
practice of buying commissions in the army.
He procured the disestablishment of the Irish
church, and obtained the passage of bill to
settle the Irish land question. Mr.. Gladstone is
friend to the Irish, ruling with strong hand,
but willing to redress wrongs
I'm life so pure there is one dark spot, which
Gladstone himself regrets, namely, his antag-
onism to the Union in late rebellion. He
did not understand the issues of our country at
that day. The Alabama claims were agreed
later period. When Gladstone was forced
to leave the Ministry for Disraeli,
the demoniac element had it's way in English
politics. Theatrical craftsmen became the vogue
But SON there was discovered rottenness in
the diplomacy of the English at the Berlin
Congress, and the tide once more turned in
favor of Gladstone. His victory over Beacons-
field was overwhelming.
MIR. Gladstone's Egyptian policy is now the
subject of much adverse criticism Khartoum
has fallen by treachery. A few weeks since
General Gordon sent a dispatch that he was
strong enough to hold his ground for two years.
1t is difficult to see how Mr.. Gladstone can be
censured for not having furnished relief to one,
who. himself being the judge, stood in no imme.
nent need of it, and where, but for the accident
OF treachery, which no could well have fore
seen, relief would have been abundantly season
ble
'Mr. Gladstone relieves the anxietes of public
Ire with lndulging his literary tastes. He is
authority on Homer, and is the firm friend of
Tennyson
MIR. Gladstone lacks the humor which Palmer
ston, Fox Bright, Cavour and Lincoln all had,
but ne possesses peculiar power which atones
for this failing. Now at the age of seventy-five,
he is the most popular man in England. Still
powerful. and in possession of his old time men
ia al RI 0vUial fbo -.