The Daily bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Hawaii]) 1882-1895, 1891-11-25
Mr.. GLADSTONE.

Great Britain, an event of Importance
not merely to the inhabitants of the
British Isles, but fraught with inter
est to all the world, owing to the
vastness of the Empire--the magni-
tude and well-nigh uniyersality of
the interests involved. Already the
din of preparation for the approach
ing struggle is heard. Champions of
Parliament are throwing down their
cages and hurling defiance. Promises
and explanations, reproaches and
vindications fill the ear of England.
But the central figure, the man on
whom all eyes are turned, the first
utterance of whose voice engages
every ear, is Mr.. Gladstone. His
venerable age, his vigor, the asso-
Citations and memories that cluster
round about him, the spotlessness of
his personal character, sans peur ct
sans reproche,'' the strange incon-
sistencies of his career, the puzzling
uncertainty of his aims, the marvel
Ious power of his intellect yet un-
dimmed, the deeply religious cast
of his mind, the chivalrous attitude
of the leader of day that is gone
standing alone on the field while all
others of his years have passed to
their rest-all these things combine
TO raise Mr.. Gladstone to position
of distinction unshared by other
men.
1t is remarkable that three of the
foremost Englishmen of recent times
have changed the course and current
of their life in its most important
stream-Disraeli, Gladstone and
Newman. Disraeli, the acknow-
lodged leader of the Conservatives,
began life as Liberal. More than
so years ago Macaulay spoke of
Gladstone as "the rising hope of
stern, unbending Tories :" and now
he leads the ranks of the uncompro-
missing radicals, red flag in hand.
| Newman, of whom it has been well
said that che exercised greater in
fuence over the religious mind of
England than any man of the cen
tury," was in the early days of his
life at Littlemore and al oxford a
tower of strength both offensive and
defensive to the Anglican Church,
nevertheless he die d Prince Cardi-
nal of Rome. Mighty so long as he
found scope ,or bis great powers il
the mental activity and individual
liberty of the English Church, he
sank, not without an occasional and
involuntary struggle, in the sluggish
waters of Lethean Infalllbillty.
The public life of Mr.. Gladstone,
however, out distances all competi-
tors in the race of self-contradiction.
Of Newman it may be said that his
going over was final, conclusive
step, taken once and for all the
development and result of converg-
ing circumstances of character and
situation. Disraeli, in like manner,
while probably inferior to his Illus
trious political opponent in many
qualities and attainments, neverthe-
less followed a far more consistent
and logical path as statesman. For
of Mr.. Gladstone's changes it is i'm
possible to speak as of developments.
His tergiversations are so outright
and unqualified, $50 sudden and stag
gering, on questions concerning
which men as rule entertain CON
victions so strong and unalterable,
and INDUCED in at a time of life
when opinions are settled and change
comes, slow that there is ground fol
grave suspicion that side by side
with many flowers of striking love
liness,
''That last infirmity of noble minds,
as Milton calls love of fame, has beer
allowed to take deep root in his
nature, and grow unchecked.
There is not a subject of polltica
moment that has not been strenu
ously upheld and, in turn, as bitterly
denounced by Mr.. Gladstone. Ht
has shown, first on one side, then on thu
other, that the cause of God, the in
terests of man and the eternal prin
ciples of right and wrong were al
involved in the triumph of his opin
ions for the time being. Perhaps al
instance in point may be permitted
In 1889 Mr.. Gladstone published
volume entitled, "The State in it
Relations with the Church. 1t wa
written in defence of the establish
ment of the Church of England a
against the supporters OF the Volun
tary System. 1t was not written hur
riedly, for even the exacting Lore
Macaulay says that it bears the sign
of much patient thought. Now MI
Gladstone's whole theory rests 0
this great Fundamental proposition
that the Propagation Of Religion
, Truth is one of the principal ends Q
government, as government, an
Macaulay says, ''lf Mr.. Gladston
,, has not proved this proposition hi
system yanishes at once The lin
tied space at my command forbid
any attempt to trace the outline
his argumeHt, But | may indcal
the aim proposed, 1t was to estal
hsh the sol al duty of every govern
ment to support an acknowledge
accredited church, known as the h
tablished Cnureh-the glory of Goo
the good OF man morality prudence