The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-12-30
GLADsTONES BIRTHDAY

Yesterday was the anniversary OF the
birth, 70 years ago, Of Mr.. Gladstone, the
first man and the chieiest representative
OF the English-speaking raco-flist in in
in moral status and stamina, aud first
in his quality as great political
leader and in high sense and appre-
citation OF the equities and the justice be-
tween man and man and nation and nation.
He Is the greatest minister England ever
employed. BEGINNING his political career us
aHigh Church Tory nearly sixty years ago,
he has grown liberal and more liberal UNI
I'll now he stands for all that word i'm
plies under the British constitution. lie
was the first English Prime Minister TO
confess England's injustice to Ireland,
and the first to propose remedy for CEN
turtles Of national defamation, persecution,
utilization and unconstitutional prose-
cution. He was conspicuously the friend
OF Italy, and espoused with enthusiasm
the cause Of Italian unity as Cavour
mapped II out, and gradually, but per-
sistently reached after IL, and finally at
tanned H. He was the friend OF Greece,
aud has always inculcatcd, II he has not
a ways been able TO enforce in England,
respect for the rights of struggling nation.
alities. The enemy OF oppression, he never
stopped TO count the cost TO him
self Ms an active politician when down
trodden or prosecuted people were to be
succorcd and saved. Ills pen, powerful
as an army with banners, has always been
ready when work OF this sort was TO be
done, and his voice in and out OF Parlia-
ment has been iervcnt in the declaration Of
truth and justice. Macauley predicted
his career with rare and startling
exactness. Even as young man he
was already noted for the fine moral
qualities that have been the distinguish
ing trait Of all great Englishmen, as they
were with our own Gen. Lee Lord Law
renee in India was fine example Of this,
and John Bright, although with unac.
countable obiusenoss he fails TO see that
his present position toward Ireland is H.
logical and irrcconcilable with his gem
oral record, has hitherto also been
fair example Of IL. Mr.. Gladstone's
record is one Of steady growth, moving
with the spirit Of the age TO the SUI
prcmo hight where hc stands alone,
type OF sterling, true, and well balanced
manhood, instinct with the spirit Of justice
and the fair play on which the English
people pride themselves so much. lie is
beloved at home aud abroad and especially
in Italy, where no is now sojourning-
there tho people revere him as their friend
in need, and as the man who brought TO
the attention OF the civilized world
the horrors porpciraicd on the peo-
pie OF Naples by rotten King Bomba.
Congratulations poured in on the great
statesman yesterday from all parts OF the
world, and the wish, hope and prayer is
general that he may live TO conquer for
Ireland the legislative independence that
she lost by the chcanery aud iniamy ot
Casllcrcgh as the tool Of an English min
is,ry IN the fins, years Of the century.
such victory would Glungly crown n life
devoted to the advancement OF England
and the greatness Of the Empire, not by
conquest, but by the amclioraiion Of the
condition Of is people and the gradual
substitute OF their reign for that Of the
kings, lorls and commons.