National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1886-07-20
A IIfn,s Work.


Lifs's Work.
81 have worked all my lifc," Mr.. Glad
stone is reported to have said to the CORE
spondent Of French paper, ito deliver
suffering people, and mean to die as have
lived" This statement, following lmmc-
diately upon the expression Of his fixed
determination to resign Office simply means
that he fully intends to carry on the aglta-
tion for home rule In opposition. with his
own followers the compact body OF Par
nCllites, and the wavering liberals who |
ouly want little more education upon the |
great question in order to return to their |
allegiance, the opposition will be as str ong |
as the ministry upon almost every quest on.
This, however, Is matter for the future.
At present we will consider whether Glad
s?one has made Just estimate of himself
about his assistance given to suffering
people.
Mr.. Gladstone had been six years in par.
lament, and in the ultra.conServative in
tercst, In the year 1888, when he published
his famous book upon "The State in its
Relations With the Church." He aimed at
proving that church and state were and
should bo inseparable. Lord Macaulay
reviewed the book, and, after some severe
criticisms, referred to the author as the
"Rising hope OF the tories" Later on
Macaulay was in Rome, and, upon the oc.
casion Of some great celebration, he went
one day to st. Peters. lie described him
self as having been attracted by the shadow
Of man whose form he seemed to recog-
nizc aud as he advanced he saw Gladstone,
away from the crowd, leaning against
pillar, and observing the ceremony with
intense eageness. Macaulay spoke to
him, and as they walked away together
Gladstone referred to the review Of his
book. He spoke to me, writes Mlcaulay,
in his most candid and almost childlike way
about my criticisms, and wac good enough
to say that he was indebted to me for yalu-
able suggestions. When left him said
| to myself, 81 have always known him as Il
man Of genius but tonight 1 learned that
he is good, honest simple hearted fellow
who will do justice though the skies fall"
We believe that none but tories, or
wealthy nobodes who desire to enter the
society OF tories, will deny that Gladstone
has fulfilled the promise OF his youth. For
him, in quite as true n sense as for Mr..
Watterson, the star-eyed goddess OF reform
has always led the way.
Perhaps this is time as appropriate as
another for going specifically into the
measures employed by Mr.. Gladstone for
the redress Of popular grievances C) His
revision of the tariff in 1912 was 80 COM
plete In detail and clear in general principle
that ait received the sanction OF both
houses with scarcely au alteration" (2)
In 1851, though still leader OF the tories,
he, In opposition to his party, felt that the
universities required reform and that Jewish
disabilities should be removed. Conse-
quently he separated from the great body
of the conservative party In 1851. (3) In
1856, as chancellor OF the exchequer, his
mastery OF finance saved the credit OF n
coalition ministry under Lord Aberdeen,
and conferred great benefits upon the coun-
try. a. In 1859 he was appointed lord high
commissioner extraordinary to arrange
about the cession of the Ionian islands to
the kingdom Of Greece.
1t was upon this occasion that at ban
quet in Athcns ho addressed the assembled
|
so deliberately pronounced aud accentuated
that his guests proclaimed him the greatest
of Greek orators. (5) In 1850, during a
visit to Naples, he found that King Ferdi
nand (Bomba) had imprisoned In filthy jails
and cruelty tortured the entire "opposi
tionn in the chamber Of deputies and about
twenty thousand OF his subjects for alleged
political offenses. Gladstone promptly
performed the operation known as "raisiug
cain;" reused the temper Of Europe, aud
maintained the agitation until every politi
cal prisoner was free. (6) In 1865 he
brought in reform bill which was defeated
by coalition between Disraeli and some
Of the prominent liberals (7) In 1869 he
disestablished the Protestant Episcopal
Church in Ireland. This church repre-.
sented only one.ffth of the Irish population
yet it was supported by taxes wrung from
the Roman Catholics (s) In 1870 he passed
the Irish land act, which we have explained
before. (9) In 1871 he abolished purchase
Of commission In the army, thereby doing
away practically with one of the most out
. rageous Of class distinctions. (l0) In 1871
he helped the negotiations of tn,
; treaty of Washington respecting
the Alabama claims. (lD In 1872 ht
passed the. ballot act which abolished
intimidation at the polls. (l2) In 1873 h,
carried the judicature act, which simplihet
processes Of law, and seriously injured
circumlocuton. q3) In 1873 he made
bold attempt to solve the question Of uui
versity education, but was defeated b,
three votes, and when he appealed to tn
country the British voter, on the principle
' that banshed Aristides, returned the torie
with a majority Of fifty. (14) In 1877 h
again aroused the conscience OF Europ
with his pamphlet on "IIorrors Of Bul
garia.n (l5( About six weeks ago h
brought forward bill, and, with seventy
six years on his back, introduced 1t in on
y. of the most profound, able, and eloauen
q speeches Of his life, having for its object
C national Irish parliament in College Greer
l. What other living statesman-or flft
l. living statesmen--can show such recor
o Of constant progression toward light an
= freedom, such history of a spirit $50 fneI
re touched" to think deeply, feel passionately
and put human reason to such noble uses
Miss blanche willis Howard.
" During the winter that has passe
wherever two or three or four score peopI
- have been gathered together in the nam
!. Of Washington society one question II
~ variably arose, "Have you read iwenn ?
~ The younger women went into rapture