New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-06-29
Mr.. GLADSTONE AND AMERICAN OPINION.
A CORRESPONDENT WHO THINKS THAT NO

A CORRESPONDENT WHO THINKS THAT NO
OTHER ENGLISH STATESMAN Is so
POPULAR IN THE UNITED STATES.
TO the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: Permit me TO dissent from the views Of your
correspondent. Mr. RUSSELL as set forth in this
ings issue Of The Tribune All fairminded men Will
freely concede to Mr.. smalley literary genius and
superior qualities as a newspaper writer. But do
not believe that his systematic course In endeavOring
to beltte and politically degrade Mr.. Gladstone In
the estimation Of Americans meets with the approval
Of even small minority Of the readers OF The Tribune
For fifty years Mr.. Gladstone has been in the van OF
human progress. With great energy and inhexible
purpose, he has sought to win civil religious and po
tical liberty for all the people Of the United Kingdom
| In him is personi6ed that spirit which in earlier
days lifted the slave Of the English gebe TO the plane
Of liberty. HIS name Is linked with every popular
piece of legislation which, within the last three
decades has ben wresed from the reluctant hand OF
British aristOcracy. on our own Continent aud con
temporaneously with Mr. Gladstone. The Tribune, with
unfaltering faith and courage has strven 10 enlarge
and to safeguard the liberty and freedom Of all. 1t
has stood for the integrity OF the Republic and uni
versal equality. That IL has been mightya agency
for good, was recently acstod the occasion OF It's
fftieth anniversary when vast assembage embracing
many Of the most distinguished men OF the Nation.
gathered 10 commemorate its BIRTH II seems to me
that The Tribune and the English statesman have
DccB, III INC same HldHLcr ny IOIty
beneicent motives.
Your correspondent is correct In his statement that
manv disguised with American arGation Of Glad
stone, but these disguised ndv iuals will be found
In the Tory party. American public opinion and sym
pathy certainly with Mr.. Gladstone. There is no
other English statesman who has warm place in
the affections of the people Of the United States. Evil
dence to sustain this assertion can be found IN TIE
editorial columns Of The Tribune
II is probably true that Mr. Gladstone sympa-
thized with the south during the American CviI War.
His sympathy, like that Of all BritOns Is closely allied
with British interests" The dIsmemberment OF the
Union and free trade with the Confederate States
would have augmented Great Britain's commercial
greatness Hence the British welcomed the birth Of
The new nation" and loaned it money. while the
Government violated the laws OF neutrality
/ cannot agree with your correspondent in the
sertiOn that Mr.. Gladstone is political hypocrte.
There is nothing In his to show that he has
exploited patriotism in the interest OF scfshness.
That he might not impair his usefulness to the
of his cOnntrymen. he declined a cOrOnet. His ac-
tivy in promoting legislation to ameloratc the
ditiOn Of the masses Of the common people led to
his ostracism by caste and privilege. To spouse
Ircland'S worthy cause, he gave up the emoluments
and power of place. surely man who has made
such sacrifices not he justly characterized as
political tricRstcr and selfish timcscrver.
JAMES L. HOVE.
Washington, d. c., June 81 1891.