New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-07-19
THE GLADSTONES.
VHE FATHER AND THE SON-MRS. GLAD
STONE-NB. GLADSToNE'S LATEST
PANEGYRIST


Why should he not you ask, and you refer TO
the complete repose attainable on American soil"
as a reason for his going there in search OF the
strength which at this moment ii is feared ne
sadly needs. Unhappily, Mr.. Gladstone does not
share this humorous view; it is too humorous
for the English mind. And sou have suppled
the answer to your own question in saying that
he would receive welcome such as was never
offered 10 any other native of the Ola WORTH
IL is the welcome be is afraid Of lie aumires
America and Americans, but he may be, ana
probably is, sceptcal about the popular DISPOSE
ton to respect and promote his privacy. lha''
40, seems q humorous view.
Nor is it certain that the aged salesman wouid
prefer a welcome of that kind. lie has SHOWN
on various occasions and notably during hh
progresses in Scotland, great capacity LOT ec
cepting applause He rejoices. as other aged
statesmen have reioiced, in the enthusiasm he ex-
.ites. l almost think he might like to go 70
America in order to see the exhibition of 1t with
which YOU would undoubtedly provide him. II
here were none he would be disappointed. III
there were. on the other hand, as there must De-
q great outburst of irrepressible popular homage,
Il would task his strength beyond reason Ihao
S the dilemma, and it is one from which no
way of escape is visible.
There is a third difficulty. He has consecrated
lhe remainder of his days TO the cause Of Home
Rule He remains in public life, as he IS constantly
saving, for that, and he is in need OF all the
energy he can command "a keep the Home kuIc
lamp alight You could hardly expect man OF
Mr.. Gladstone's eminence to visit America in order
to compose the feuds between rival Irish factiohs,
or TO set flowing once more that stream OF gold
which SO long poured into the treasury OF the
League and pours no longer. Besides, he mieh'
find that the majority of the Instantaneous
are still Parnelltes, and were that so, the SHOCK
to him would be q great one. There are other
reasons against any such adventure, but per-
haps these may suffice.
The death of Mr. w. H. Gladstone has been an
occasion for the expression of sympathy from many
auarters-some, perhaps, unexpected. Inc reaoi-
ness Of the English to keep politics apart from
personal relations is Of the surviving aneni-
ties of public life. None have lamented the
bereavement which falls upon Mr. Uiaus'ohe III
kindlier terms than those who are most opfpoSeu
to his present policy, while among tnose VINO H"'e
,ent messages of coincidence, or left cards, may
De found the names of many eminent tories ana
Liberal Unionists Perhaps another thing may
ur;ke Won if Won look over the English papers.
They refer 10 this event as if it were almost too
private for public coincidence. His chief organ
In the London press, which discusses it all up
and down a column, half apologies, Tor the con-
Germ it shows, saying that Mr. Glaastones pecular
position, though it does not JUSTIFY: imperunent
interference in his private affairs, Involves OF
necessity q general interest in everything which
concerns his family There is still In the Enghsn
press or in a considerable portion Of 1t, marked
respect for the privacies of private life. The
better papers do not think every incident, every
relation or phase of social existence, MT topic
for report and for discussion. The greatest OF
in q
ing and regret | may quote sentence as an
example of what is best in this kind After avow-
ing it's respectful sympathy with the bereaved
parents of Mr.. w. II. Gladstone, The Times
says.
sMr. Gladstone is q matter Of public concern.
Whatever deeply affects him, for good or Ill, Is
felt throughout the country. Even his pohtlcal
opponents such as we have been for some years
compelled 30 consider ourselves, ask to be allowed
the privilege of sympathizing with him IN serl-
GUS personal grief like this"
And everybody asks himself anXiousIy--anxlous-
" for one reason or another-what may be the
effect of such blow on a man In his elghtS-secoho
year. already enfeebled By illness from which he
was making but slow recovery There is some
alarm lest the indirect influence may not prove
even more serious than the direct. Mrs Glad
tone has been overwhelmed by the loss of her son,
and Mrs Gladstone is one of the mainstays OF her
husbands life and strength and of his care for
life.
In no important sense was Mr.. w. II. Gladstone
public character except as the son OF his rather.
He entered Parliament young, but he never cared
TO create reputation, or to play any other than
an unobtrusive part in politics. He had none OF
the ambition and none of the restlesSneSs of mind
which characterize his younger brother Herbert.
He was content TO be private gentleman good
landlord, pattern of the most domestic virtues
If he had an aim beyond these in his quiet life, 1t
was the cultivation Of sacred music, and especially
of hymnology. Nature delights in such contrasts
between father and son as existed between the
two GadStOnes. Or perhaps she has exhausted
her energies for the time in endowing the father,
and goes to sleep for generation or twO-nobody
can say for how long.
To be member of Parliament is in this country
he ambition Of many able men. and Of men whose
position is in other respects distinguished one,
or at least considerable passion for initials
exists. and to be able to write NJ. p. after his
name is to many a man source of JOY. Parlia
nent being what il is, or was, the ambition is O
respectable one What is odd is that it seems SO
often 20 20 no further. The NJ. p. is NJ. p; that
is enough Ills ambition dries up at the threshold
of the House of Commons, and whether he Is al
able or useful or brilliant member Of this august
body seems TO him of less consequence than to be
a member Very likely he does, in quiet way
more work than the public ever hears Of lie sits
ON committees, or attends those party conclaves
in which the fate of men and measures is so OTTER
settled in silence, or he becomes an authority on
some question, and his opinion has weight wher
this particular question becomes burning one
| never heard that Mr.. W. II. Gladstone ATTAINED
10 any Of these lesser distinctions but it may vel
enough be that he did. The nature Of them i
not to be public; it is talent buried in napkin
and unrolled only from time 10 time. 1t is per
haps enough 20 say that he was respected, and, 81
far as his retiring nature encouraged the goodwill
o. his associates, he had that also. His life wa
bameless if not brilliant.
II is thought necessary by the friends Of th'
father to warn him that be should keep aloof from