New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-06-27
THE PEOPLES C1NDASS.

THE PEOPLES C1NJASS.
The democratic character of Mr.. Gladstone's
canvass is its most characteristic feature. The
letter to his constituents sent during the Easter
recess was the first intination which the Eng
lish public received of his resoute purpose to
appeal to the people against the classes arrayed
in hostility to him. 1t met with unsparlng
condemnation from be London press, but 1t
reached the mark. The enthusiasm of the
masses in favor of the Home Rule policy now
witnessed whenever he makes journey or
addresses an audience is the answer to that first
bmgle call for the marshalling of the people.
Our regular London correspondent in to-day's
interesting and spirited cable dispatch asserts
that Mr. Gladstone has never before thrown
himself so completely and nnreservedly upon
the country. Every speech that he has made is
markedly democratic in tone and is addressed
TO the plain people as distinguished from the
privileged wealthy and highly educated classes.
In an incredibly short period he has impaired
popular aspect to the canvass for Home Kule.
OF all the marvels wrought by genius in the
political affairs of nations this marks the closest
approach to a miracle. That there should be
tumultuous scenes of enthusiasm throughout
England and Scotland on behalf of the Irish
causc-a cause apparently involving heavy tax
alton of the home constituencies to meet the
burdens of land PURCHASES a result which DO
observer of foreign politics would have dared to
forecast, even a month ago. The popular en-
thusiasrn is fact that cannot be controverted.
Mr.. Gladstone, wonder-wOrker that he is, while
advocating an unpopular cause, has touched the
hearts of the English masses.
The distinction, which our London CORE
spondent considers OF sufficient Importance to
determine the result OF the elections, appears
to us less significant than the popular and
democratic character which Dir. Gladstone has
impaired To his cause Ii is undoubtedly true
that in his Manchester speech he has asked for
a verdict of the country on the policy OF the
Government as emb Ddicd in its recent measures
and not restricted the constituencies to "a de-
cison on the abstract principle whether there
shall be separate legislature for the manage
ment Of Irish as distinguished from Imperial
affairs. Ii he has not revived the two bills be-
fore pronounced dead, he has intimated dis
tnctly that they will be resurrected if the Gov
ernment be sustained by the people. But this
distinction is Il more important factor in the
polcmics Of the controversy than in practical
politics The constituencies know that if Mr.
Olaustonc remains III power TIC anu MI. IdrncI
will settle the Irish question in their way on
the lines to which both leaders are committed.
They must either give the Prime Minister a
blank cheque or allow the Government to
revert to Lord Salisbury.
The vera ct of the country will be in the
broadcst sense vote'Of confidence of lack
of confidence in Mr.. Gladstone. Never was
there an election in England so personal in its
character as the pending struggle. 1t is the
appeal of the most popular English statesman
to the classes whom he has cnfranchscd and
educated. The bone and sinew of the demOc-
racy in England ami Scotland are not con-
cerned with poemical distinctions such as Mr..
Goschen and Mr.. Chamberlain raise. They ale
either for Gladstone or against Gladstone and
that is the sum of the Whole matter.