New-York tribune., 1892-12-18
LIVERPOOL.
AND MR.. GLADSTONE AS THE NEWEST FREE
MAN OF THAT CONSIDERABLE CITY

RIGHTLY So They point out with complacency
that the act is a peculiarly English act. Ihey
insist that only in England is such an incident
possible; that in no other land have the hoGy
Of the citizens attained TO that broad and tolerant
habit of civic thought which enables them 10
feel a sincere respect, a warm admiration, ana
hearty personal regard for men whose political
opinions and actions they reprobatc and condemn.
Another journal puts the matter more cyncauy,
eayinc that Liverpool thinks Mr.. Gladstone
dangerous enemy TO his country and thcrcforc-or
perbaps NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. him the highest honor
in its gift
II might be stated in third way. The homage
is not paid to the Gladstone Of to-day, seek
ing TO break up the Empire. but to the eminent
public man whose public career extends over
more than fifty years, and has been signalized Dy
many useful acts and by such display OF aoih-
ties and courage and selfconndence as few otIler
Englishmen have shown in equal degree. Inc
adherence which many Englishmen, potn
Liberals and Conservatives, have felt Tor Mr..
Gladstone since $50 has sprung from the oeici
that his policy is something more than unpa'rloto
that he is peril TO the life Of the nation IL IS
when fundamental questions are stirred that the
strongest passions stirred But In spite Oh
this Liverpool puts him on the roll OF hcr lree-
men, aud almost everybody appauds. Not every
pulse Of kindly goodwill affects.
The most interesting part of the ceremony, at
least TO one who not present, was Mr. G!aa-
stones speech. There were, he said, but two
topics he could discuss on such an occasion
Liverpool and himself. Perhaps he awarded
Liverpool more than her fair proportion OF space
or more il his large audience be considered we
all respect Liverpool: few of MS like II. or few
who are not Obliged by citizenship TO like IT. IL
is American in its energy and prosperous gfowti,
in what Mr.. Gladstone cat,, It's "prlmatial
rivalries: perhaps an incorrect Use oil an "l-
usual word But its leading citizens testify 10
their sense Of its attractiveness by gong some
where else to live The transient American, ar
riving or departing, was once compelled TO pay
tribute to its prosperity by spending night
kherc which lie did only from cOmpusion; using
meanwhile much bad language about it's hotels
and dirty strccts-such contrast TO the spotleSs
puritv of the thOroughlares Of Ncw-\ ork-and
noisy little boys and cXtortionate cabmcn. Now,
special trains spare him good deal OF Liverpool
The enterprising inhabtant may some day run
special train through the custom house also
lie NAV abolish the bar. and the tender; aud may
civilize in other respects the present somewhat
barbarous arrangements bv which passengers are
embarked and landed. The rivalry of Southamp-
ton must he wholesome to him, if not agreeable.
He will learn that, far as the passenger traic
,cross the Atlantic is concerned. Liverpool is i'll
situated and i'll managed If he wishes to check,
or still mo,e to control the tendency southwark,
he must appeal TO other motives than those spring
ing from mere custom and tradition; motives
belonging 20 the days when passenger was
looked upon as a troublesome kind of parcel that
had 10 be transported one way or the other, with
the minimum Of convenience TO himself and the
maximum of convenience to the company ana IFS
captains The immense improvements that have
been made in the Atlantic service are only 80 many
arguments for making more OF them.
This may be- in the eyes OF the magnates of
the White Star and Cunard lines an unreason-
able view. / am not concerned to argue that it
is not. What concerns them is to grasp the fact
that the view. unreasonable or reasonable, is one
widely prevalent among the travelling public, ana
especially among the American travelling public
The Inman line is SAID TO have gone 10 Southami-
ton, not only because of its proximity to Lon
don, but because powerful rivals denied to this
company its fair share of business. | know not
how that is. ! only repeat what have heard
Sentiment has little place in commercial transac-
tions and rivalry for freights is governed by pnrc
business principles But our Liverpool friends
may undervalue the influence Of sentiment on tho
American mind when two OF the fastest ships on
the Atlantic fly the American fiag. They may
come 20 the knowledge Of their mistake BY slow
and costly processes; the slower the more costly
Other things being equal. sentiment and the flag
would carry the day, and the passengers Still
moro so if other things be unequal, and II the
inequality and infcriority be on the part of the
Liverpool lines.
On none OF these burning questions raised in this
long parenthcSis did Mr. Gladstone touch-it would
Re odd if lie had lie was not there 70 bring disa-
greeable facts 10 the minds Of his agreeable hosts.
Nor was he there TO talk politics, or 10 talk on
any other controversial subject. Nobody is "A
more complete master Of courtesy on snch an
occasion There Is, in all he says and does, a
favor OF those other days when the civiliics Of
life were transacted with more elaboration than
now: with more 9ignitv: often with more beauty.
There is as much contrast between the manners Of
half ccnthry ago and the manners Of to-day as
hctwecu the Liverpool which Mr.. Gladstone re-
members. crowned by only a film of silver-gray
smoke and the Liverpool all know, smothered
in the poisonous Black fumes OF mnumcrable
chimneys.
II was this sense Of dignity and Of considcra-
ton COR his hosts winch led Mr. Gladstone TO be
so much more cOpious about their great city than
about himself. They liked him best. doubt not
when the two subjects met, and were blended in
civic and personal "reminiscences There was q
touch of poetry IN his remark that he had him
self seen the wild roses growing upon the very
ground which is now the centre Of the borough
of Boo;e There was almost hint Of immor-
taity in the picture OF the boy Gladstone, riding
from Scaforth TO Liverpool over four miles OF thc
most beautiful sands lie ever knew The beautiful
sands are buried beneath masses of masonry, but
the boy is living: the youngest freeman of Liver
pool is that same boy. and his boyish enthusiasts
have survived the approach Of what in any other
than him would Seem old age.
There are names he never can mention without
q glow of admirng affection Pccls is one, and
Canninr,s is nnothcr. On Satnrdav II was Can