The Irish standard., 1886-07-24
RT. HON. ". E. GLADSTONE.
A Sketch of the Political Life of Man Who
Has Been a Prominent Parliamentary
Figure for More Than Fifty Years.
A GRADUATE OF CHRIST CHURCH.
On the l7th Of May, 1893, Re Made His
Maiden Speech, The Subject Being
the Abolition Of Slavery.

y
the Abolition Of Slavery.
The following sketch OF Mr.. Glad
stone. which we find in the columns of
the Boston Advertiser, will prove in
teresting reading just now: Hon.
William E. Gladstone, at present the
most prominent figure in all Europe
has been for more than fifty years in
public life. Born in 1909 and gradual
ing at Christ Church, Oxford, in 1881,
he took his first step upon the political
ladder in the succeeding year, while
yet scarcely past his majority. Mr..
Gladsto began life as Tory, which
fact is attributed to the teachings of
his father, a man Of mark and a men,
Der Of Parliament in his day. Soon
after the completion Of his university
course, the young man, desirous of see
ing something OF the world, went
abroad and spent some months i'll con-
tinental travel. In 1882. while explor-
ing the nooks and corners of Italy, he
received All overture from the Duke Of
Newcastle, with whose son, the Earl of
Lincoln, he was on terrns of intimate
friendship, to contest The representa-
tlon of Newark. The reform bill had
Just become law and the people, who
had won one Of the greatest constita-
tional battles recorded in the history of
Parliament, were in q fever Of excite
ment and expectancy. Young Glad
stone hurried honseward, and, reaching
England, plunged at once with ardor
Into the conflict, He at once became
popular. Although youthful and mex
perienced, he became a formidable an
tagonist for the veterans Wilde and
Handley, who were pitted against him,
and he was returned member Of Par
lament. AT this time he was not yet
2S years of age. His first appearance
in Parliament produced fox him fay
orable impression. He was modest,
earnest and fluent, and at once COM
uanued the respecr of bis fellow-naena
bers. On the 18th of May, 1888, ne
made his maiden speech, the occasion
being the presentation Of petition for
the abolition Of slavery. The father OF
Mr.. Gladstone. Sir John Gladstone,
was the proprietor of a large sugar
plantation in Demerara, employing a
large number OF slaves, and the youn:#
man, while oonfessing to disapproya,
Of the institution of slavery, yet d.
Tended the planters from the charge "a
cruelty which were brought again;
them by the advocates of the bill, Two
years later than t)lis, at the aye Of .,
Mr.. Gladstone, having in the mesh
time been again elected member OF
Parliament, received che appointment
of junior lord Of the treasury from the
newly appointed premier, Sir Robert
Peel. Soon after he was promoted to
the position Of under-secretary for
the colonies. The ministry Of Sir Rob-
ert Peel had a short lease Of power,and,
after sustaining q defeat Gil the election
of speaker.
THE IRISH CHURCH QUESTION
became the great stumbling block.
The ministry were defeated, the prem
ier resigned and Lord Melbourne again
became prime minister. The year lS41,
however, saw Sir Robert Peel again in
power, and MI. Gladstone. still a mem
ber for Newark, was appointed 10 the
Office Of vice president Of the board Of
trade and master of the mint, Mr.,
Gladstone was now rapidly drifting to-
wards a free trade policy, and his voice
was often heard in debate. establishing
for him wide reputation. The fam
GUS debate upon the repeal Of the corn
laws gave opportunity for a display OF
his qualities of mind and aided greatly
in bringing him to the front rank Of
the statesmen Of the day. In 1843 he
succeeded Lord Ripon as president of
the board of trade. Two years later, at
the opening Of Parliament, it was an
nounced that Mr.. Gladstone had re-
signed his post in the ministry. This
was caused by the attitude Of the gov
ernment towards Maynooth College.
The contemplated increase of the en-
dowment and the establishment Of
non-sectaria1 colleges were at variance
with his expressed ideas upon the rela-
tion of Church and state. But, while
he separated himself from men with
whom he had long been associated in
the government, there was no rupture
to the friendly relation which he bore
towards them, and when the Maynootn
bill was brought before
Parliament, in opposition to his own
personal convictions, he gave his sup
port to the measure. In the course of
his speech. made upon that occasion, he
declared that exclusive support of the
Church was a doctrine
which was gradually falling into dis.