The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1886-08-21


testimony that he is one of the most
popular, powerful, and illustrious polit-
ical leaders.
In the recent contest he was compell-
ed to fight, not only against seeding
| faction of his own party, but also
against the nobility, the universities,
the established church, the wealth of
England, and against widespread and
persistent Misrepresentation, corrup-
ton, perfidy and venality. Such a
combination should have not only de-
feated him, it should have overwhelmed
him; and yet, out Of the total vote of
nearly three millions, the opposition
gets majority of only about 20 600.
We have often had larger relative ma
jorities in this country that have been
easily overcome.
Gladstone is said to despise humOr,
and yet himself occasionally perpetrates
a dismal and ghastly joke befitting the
solemnity of a funeral. Disrael would
convulse the House of Commons with
his brilliant humor, but Gladstone
would be silent and unm0ved. Some
charge Mr.. Gladstone with having a
high temper; others say it is only tenn
perament-that his cOnstitutionally i'm
pulsiye and enthusiastic disposition,
| noup1c6 with uroot pbuciool opd M ooY,to oil
energy, account for an apparently iras
chile temper. He is also charged with
having will. Some call it arrogant !;
others would call it only part of the
intensity and power of great soul.
1t is certain, however, that he has a
will of enormous strength, which, con-
nected with great vital powers, enables
him to persevere with any work he has
undertaken, in the face of difficulties
that would Overwhelm most men. 1t
is for these reasons that we need not
expect the recent defeat to dismay or
confound him but may expect him to
take new line of battle and move right
forward upon the enemy till the victory
is won.
The author of cabinet Pictures"
| tells us that "when Mr.. Gladstone
gives himself with all his earnestness-
and he is the most earnest man now
| living in England-to great public
| question, he shows a knowledge, an
ability, a power in handling it, grasp
at once Of the greatest principles, and
the smallest details, readiness of antic-
| ipating and meeting objections which
no other English statesman can pre-
tend to possess" But Mr.. Gladstone
is not merely politician and states
man. He is highly distinguished as a
scholar and as an author. Some of his
works have passed through many edi-
tions, and been translated into many
languages.
In 1875 he resigned the leadership of
the Liberal party and retired to private
life, to enjoy the quiet and rest of home,
and the pleasures of study and literary
pursuits, which he so much coveted.
1t was not then thought that he
would again be recalled to political po-
sition, and to the leadership of the lib
erals, to fight the grandest battle of his
life-the battle Of justice and of Home
rule for Ireland. The battle is not yet
ended. The victory is not yet won.
There is temporary defeat. But, in
his own noble words, You cannot fight
against the future. Time is on our
side. The great social forces which
move onward in their might and majesty
are against you; they work with us,
! they are marshaled in our support, and
the banner which we now carry in the
fight, though perhaps at some moment
of the struggle it may drOop over our
sinking heads, yet will float again in the
eye of heaven, and will be borne by the
firm hands of the united people of the
three kingdoms, perhaps not to an easy,
| but to a certain and to not distant
victory" There is no spectacle on the
pages of human history to-day so deeply
interesting, no pageant so inspiring as
that of the Grand Old Man" fighting
with titan blows the battle of oppressed
and downtrodden Ireland against the
combined forces of English tory yism and
radical secession. The end is not yet,
but certain ultimate victory is abund-
antly fOreshadowed.