The Helena independent., 1892-05-06
A GRAND OLD MAN, INDEED.

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Editor William T. Stead contributes
to the May number of the Review
of Reviews an article of striking
interest on Gladstone. It does
not deal with his parliamentary
victories, nor does it attempt an analy-
sis more than mere reference, of his
views on popular questions. It is a
study. of his character as man and a
crisp, gossipy discussion Of his personali-
ties in parliament and out. It is the best
character sketch Of this great man that
we have seen. And, really, what a
great man he is. After passing his
eighty-second mile stone, he is as
vigorous physically and mentally
as most men twenty-five years
younger, and is far more enthusiastic
and industrious in his labors than the
majority of his lieutenants. He has
been in parliament more than sixty
years, and in the greater part of that
time has been leading figure. At his
advanced age the only evidence of phys
ical weakening is slight deafness, and
it is believed that his political enemies
who have been nervously awaiting his
death will be obliged to wait several
years longer for that misfortune to the
English people.
What are the secrets Of his power?
Mr.. Stead says first, that it is the be-
lief which has become fixed conviction
with the masses Of voters that every act
OF his is for the advancement of the
common people. They believe him to
be right because his personal character
has never been tarnished. Then he has
that pluck which naval officer de-
scrlbed thus: "Once let him be- CON
vinced of the righteousness of his cause
and he would fight against any odds,
nail his colors to the mast and blow up
the powder magazine rather than sur
render" And besides, he is an orator
of surprising eloquence; he is a great
politician as we'll RS a great statesman;
he is a scholar whose knowledge of the
dead languages reaches far beyond that
of most college professors. When the
history of his time is written
his name will be foremost among
English statesmen. A noblemar
prominent in scientific circle:
recently furnished the following
study of Gladstone as he appears or
comparison with the great statesmen O.
his country:
Among the great English statesme,
whose figures will loom large through tn
dusk of departed centuries William Ewar
Gladstone will occupy leading place
Chatham could inspire nation with hi
energy, but compared with Gladstone h
was poorly furnished both with knowledge
and ideas. Fox, who probably most re-
sembles him as debater. has never ha,
an opportunity of proving in office whethe
he possessed any talent for administration
Pltt as the strongest minister who ptoba
bly, ever directed the deatinies of his coun
try, has loft no monument of Legislation
by which he can be remembered. Cannin
was foreign minister, and nothing else
Sir Robert Peel, whom Mr.. Gladstone rec
ognizes Us his master, although an estima
BILE administrator, useful debater and
competent taotician, never showed an
, trace Of the divine spark of genius who
reveals itself at every turn in MIR. Glad
stones character. 1t would perhaps be to
much to say that posterity will regard hir
az uniting the highest merits of all his Pre-
decessors without their drawbacks. But
alone combines the eloquence of Fox, I'll
experience of Chatham. the courage {
5 Pitt, with the financial and administrative
, capacity of Sir Robert Peel, and combine
Q all those qualities with a many y-sided catl
, olloity of mind to which mono of the othe
could lay claim.
Where in history can be found
statesman Of his versatility who h,
4 held political leadership SO long anon
a people?