The Palatka daily news. (Palatka, Fla.) 1884-1888, 1886-05-08
GlatistOnes Address.

Sir. Gladstoue's address 10 the people
of England and Scotland is remark
able paper. 1t Is paper which cannot
he appropriately treated by endeavoring
TO read between its lines the motives and
purposes of tac,ician. They who spy
in Its clear and pregnant sentences a
recognition of the danger Of coming de-
feat, or Of probable necessity 10 appeal
10 the people, must fail to appreciate the
Informing mini Of its writer. Mr.. Glad
stone. in large and general way, tells
10 England and Scotland the facts Of a
great and momentous situation. To
hunt after the motives of a partisan in
what is called the manifesto. is TO fail to
catch ITS essential spirit.
The enc fact which stands out boldly
In what we think We ought to call this
noble production, is that Mr.. Gladstone
recognizes that lie is about to close his
career as the leader Of the most impor-
tant English movement of nearly ninety
years. 1t is true that circumstances
lave led up to the result which he now
declares to he inevitable. Ii is tue that
while Disreali turned the kingdom into
an empire, the standard and measure OF
good government in the colonies, to ap.
ply one of the phrases Of the man.
Iiesto,h have been determined by public
opinion; but nevertheless the granting Of
home rule to Ireland will stand alone as
the first step in the decentralization for
which Mr. Gladstone says he has hoped
Sor many years. The fact is settled that
Ireland is 10 have control Of affairs.
specifically and exclusively her own.'
The question is when shalt this control
b, given: Mr.. Gladstone SAYS now, when
the nation is strong, when moderation
of Thought and language prevail in Irish
counsels.' Ills Liberal and Tory opp
nents insist on delay. Their purpose Is
t. yield only after another OF the revolu-
tionary movements which have already
to, often disturbed the relations of the
two countries.
Mr.. Gladstone appeal is to the people.
He rests upon the upright sense" and
the wise and generous justice Of the
nation" Eo believes that the time has
come for doing justice to Ireland. and
he presents an ntellig BILE plan. This
plan is the flower of democratic princi.
pies which have been yearly gaining
fuller possession of the mind OF the Lib
eral statesman. Tho ''manifesto" is the
most democratic utterance which the
Premier has ever made. And It is he.
cause the movement for Irish autonomy
is based on recognition Of the potency
Of public ,pinlon that Mr.. Gladstone can
appeal, with hope Of success, to the en-.
franchi-ed people of England and Scot.
land. Against the plan OF the admins
tratinn nothing definite is proposed. Mr.
Gladstone insists that the peace and so.
cial order of the empire are involved.
and he asks for Il settlement. ils seeks |
to extend the democratic principle. He
intmates that he is not averse to looking
forward to the time when Scotland and |
Wales shall he governed rs Ireland il to |
he. He points ont that the opponents |
Of his plan ARE same class of people who .
have heretofore opposed all movements /
for the enlargement Of popular power. |
He boldly takes his stand at the head Of |
a movement for greater liberty. and de.
c'ares that the question is for the solution |
Of the nation, and not for factions. or +
classes. or parties.
The address is Il great historic doc
umcnt.-N. y. star.