The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-12-04
GLADSTONE'S INTERVIEW
AN AMERICANS VISIT TO THE
GREAT STATESMAN.

Official Life.
From the Philadelphia Press.
LONDON, Nov. 15.-An American who
called on Mr. Gladstone with a letter of
Introduction from Minister Phelps, gives
me a very interesting account of his visit.
He chose Sunday as the best day on which
to make the call, because Mr. Gladstone is
always at home on that day II was pro-
foundly surprised and impressed" said my
American friend, when / was shown into
the library at Hawarden, to find Mr.. Glad
stone reading the Sermon on the Mount.
During the few hours had the advantage
of spending in his company l was mere
than once reminded of the deep
pietv and absolute faith of this
greatest living Englishman, whose pure and
simple life is an example for the so-called
latter-day philosophers who spend their
lives in attempting o pull down the Temple
Of God. Like all English gentlemen, Mr..
Gladstone is thoroughly we'll bred. and,
like all really great men, he is perfectly
simple and natural in his manners He
bore his 70 years remarkably we'll His
voice was full strong and rich; his hair,
although white, was abundant, with little
signs of badness. A slight oop in his
shoulders was the only indication of adj
vanced age that the great commonar ex-
hlbited. In conversing with al American
visitor, Mr.. Gladstone would naturally
speak of the United States, for which coun-
try he has decided admiration.
America has a magnificent future" he
said, ''if the American people are only true
to their possibilities Before the close of
the twentieth century the vast continent
embraced within the limits of the United
States, stretching from the Atlantic to the
Pacific and from the Gulf of Mexico TO the
great lakes of the north, will be the home of
300, 900, 600 of freemen, representing every
and population than the Roman
empire in its palmiest DAYS, but
free from the danger that attened the
extension of that empire among barbarous
peoples. which was the primary and potent
cause of the decline and fall of the greatness
of Rome. Every true Engishman should
be proud Of the progress of the United
States, for the Americans are our kith and
kin, and have the same literature, the
same language and the same sturdy love of
political Independence. The wrestling of
Magma Charta from King John prepared
the way for the battle of Bunker Hill and
and the declaration of independence.
lit is strange you have never visited the
United States that you might see the prac-
tical working of republican institutions,
Mr. Gladstone
Nothing would give me more pleasure
was his reply, but have never been able
to find the time. have been in public life
almost uninterruptedly since 1882. and for
the last thirty-five years have either been
in Office or one of the leaders of the oppo-
siticn.n
IN PUBLIC OFFICE.
when did you first enter Office, Mr..
Gladstonen
In 1882, as chancellor of the excheduer,
under the government of Lord Aberdeen.
~. IL. i 4
stantly opposed to each other, though twas
not until afte.' the death of Lord Palmer
ston that / became the leader of the liberals.
sit is rather singular that you began
political life as tory and came the leader
Of the liberals, and Disraell, who COM
lnenced as decided radical, should turn
out to be the most conservative of the CON
servativesw
Yes, was very young when | entered
political hfe-too young to have convictions
of my own upon the principles of the great
parties that divided the public opinion of
Great Britain. As / grew older, and
studiel, and thought my views became
gradually more and more liberal, until
ended by becoming the leader of the Liber-
ais"
"What do you regard as the most i'm
portant question now agitating English
politlcsw
The Irish question is not only the most
Important question now agitating English
politics, but the most important question
That any English government has ever been
called upon to deal with. For seven centu-
ries tine Irish were treated as a conquered
people, having no rights that the English
were bound TO respect. The natural conse-
quence of such a state of affairs was that
many wrongs were committed whose evil
effects are still felt. Centuries of injustice
cannot be righted in few years, even by
the best-intentioned government Ever
since ! entered public life moro generous
policy toward ireland has prevailed, and
all her just demands have been complied
with, but no government could live
a day that dased say to Ire
land. 60 free Home rule will
come, but absolute separation never. The
British empire must be maintained in its
entirety. This is not question of church
but OF state. The Irish church has been
disestablished and that of England may fol
low, but it would be without any political
results. With few exceptions, all English
men are loyal to tho throne, and fsel
personal pride in keeping up a splendid
royal state. The Prince of Wales is as
popular an heir apparent as England has
had since famous prince Hal, OF jovial
memory and, no doubt, will become
second Henry " when he ascends the
throne, without having an opportunity.
however. to display that bravery on the
battlefield which all English gentlemen
possess, for it is not customary in this age
for kings TO lead armies"
'What do the Irish people really wantF
GLADSTONE AND IRELAND.
THE present cry is for home rule. Should
that be conceded, the next demand will
probably be for entire separation from Eng
land. The Irish have my sympathy, and /
shall always be in favor of Ireland having
all political rights consistent with the honor
of tho British Empire. The majority of
the English people are not yet prepared to
allow home rule TO Ireland, but the time is
fast approaching when it must be granted.
The world moves, and government must
move with it. What one age would regard
as impossible becomes matter Of
course in the next The electric lights, that
now make the night as bright as day, were
undreamed of generation ago. You have
in New York bridge which surpasses all
the seven wonders of the ancient world, but
before the next century dawns that mag
nificent structure will be regarded as quite
an ordinary affair. So it is also in politics.
I should be glad were the last act of my
political career giving home rule TO ireland.
II is right measure, and this is the right
time for that act OF justice to be done"
''lt would be the browning glory of
long and distinguished career"
"Yes, would be quite willing to take
my leave of political life forever could see