New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-04-06
nr,T1 ar Mr. FORSTER.

DEATH or MR. fOhoIhh.
The death of Mr.. Forster will be sincerely
regretted by Americans. Although ne hau
made only one visit to the United states, ana
had come then under the saddest clrcum-
stances. he had shown himself during the CIVIL
wa, to Inc one of the truest friends of the loyal
North. and the country has not forgotten his
disinterested and efficient aid. lie stood WIN
Mr.. Bright in defence of the Union ana IN
opposltion to the insidiou5 intrigues III ana out
of Parliament to promote the success OF inc
secession movement. In a memorable debate
in the Commons he rendered an important
service 70 the Union by demolishing the argu-
mont that there was no blockade of the Southern
norts except on paper HIS friendship Tor
America withstood the severe test OF Mr. Sum
ner's presentation of the Alabama claims,
which he defended when there was scarcely
another Englshman of prominence to support
him. There were signs OF retrogression IN the
nolitical tendencies of Mr.. Forster's life, but
there was no swerving in his intelligent appre-
citation and hearty support of American irstltu-
tons.
Mr.. Forster's career presents III one respect
striking contrast to that OF MIR. Gladstone.
Iuheriting the robust Radicqlism of the sturdy
Quaker preacher who was his father, he entered
pubIc service as an unc0mpromising, progres
siNe Liberal. AT the lose of his lille his
svmpathles ran strongly with the moderate
section of his party He ceased long ago to be
considered in any sense a Radical, and i'll hl-
views on foreign and Irish questions and III his
detestation of caucus methods in general and
Of Mr.. Chamberlain in particular, he was one OF
the most obstinate of Wings. The affections of
the Nonconformists he alenated during the
passage of the Education Acts, when he made
too many compromises to satisfy them. Ger
tainlv, when his career is reviewed as whole,
it must be admitted that his political abilities
have not taken the direct IN which was anticl-
pated at the outset. Occupying at first an
advanced position, he has either remained
stationary or gone backward, when the
movement of English democracy was carrying
the Liberal party steadily forN ard. Unlike the
Liverpool merchants son who fifty years agp
was the hope of the stern, unbending Tories,
and is to-day so much of a Radical in his deal
ings with Ireland that even Mr. Oh imberlaln
cannot follow him, the Quaker minister's son
had adapted himself to some OF the retrograde
tendencies in English politics
Willie this was the general trend of Mr.
Forsters career, he was at all times sngularly
disinteiested and sincere statesman, with a
sturdy sense of personal independence and
responsibility, and many robust virtues in
public life. He had legislative and executive
talents of the hi CHEST order. The Education and
Ballot acts are the great monuments OF his
creative genius and Ministerial industry, and
they are landmarks of English progress during
the century. He was a commanding figure in
the great Ministry of 1865, the most remark
able combination of political talent known III
this generation. When Nh. Gladstone resigned
the leadership Mr.. Forster had earned the
successon for the Education Acts, although
considered then a successful feat of trimming
and compromise, are recognized now as Il
triumph of practical craftsmanship. lie gave
place to Lord Harrington and subsequently
entered Mr.. Gladstone's Cabinet to conduct the
strongest and most effective coercion campaign
known in Ireland during recent years. His
failure to govern the island i'll that way is the
best proof that can be furnished that no other
Englshman will ever succeed with coercion,
because it will be impossible for any successor
to rival him III vigor, patience, firmness and
intellectual resources.