The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1894-03-30

w Gladstone and IT'S Youngest Grandchrd,
Dorothy Drew.
and tried 10 fiatter themselves into a
belief that his voluntary withLraw wal
from the leadership Of his party at 'he
age Of eigiiy-fOur years was an eyi-
ience Of defeat and humiliation.
A few facts will show how far mis-
taken were Mr. Gladstcne's critics. His
retirement before the success Of the
Home Rule cause was due 10 two rea-
SONS: First. the necessity Of an oper-
alton for cataract upon one Of his
eyes, which will deny him the Use Of
his vision for several We l.; second.
his wish to reserve his powers TO build
ing up the Liberal party under new
leader before his death. He could well
afford to retire. Although In his
eiehty-fifth year, his powers Of mind
were undiminshed and his last speech
IN Parliament, upon the necessity cf
abolishing the hereditary rule Of the
Lords. viii live In English history and
in the history of OratDTy. His act Of
self-abDegation will really add to his
fame and his usefulness to the cause
he has 50 long served. No English
statesman and probably no statesman
in history has ever placed such
record Of public service to his credit.
Mr.. Gladstone entered Parliament
sixty-one years ago, at the age Of
twenty three. and within two years
became Junior Lord OF the Treasury
and WAS recognized as one Of the most
brilliant orators Of the House Of Com
mons. He held various Offices under
the Conservative party up 10 1851.
when be definitely Joined the Liberal
parry, was one Of the principal fran
ers OF the Free Trade legislation Of
that year, which definitely determined
the future commercial policy and
greatness Of England. He quickly
took a position next 20 Lord Palmer
sston and Lord John Russell as the
abieSt Liberal leader In Parliament.
The Tories viewed his desertion OF
their cause with great regret. as they
had looked upon him as their future
lea,ier. The free trade issue being set
tied, Lord Derby attempted 10 bring
him back TO his old affiliations. and In
1852 offered him a seat in his cabinet.
He declined, however, and that year
saw the overthrow Of the Tories. and
Mr.. Gladstone entered Palmerston's
cabinet as Chancellor Of the Ex-
chequfT. In this position he soon be-
came recognized as one Of the most
remarkable fnanciers England had
ever produced. His speeches upon
he budget Of 1853 weoe declared .by
Lord John Russell "to contain tfie
ablest expOsitions Of the true prin-
dples Of finance ever delivered by an
English statesman" On the over
throw Of Lord Palmerston in 1858
and Lord Derby's accession to power
again, Mr.. Gladstone was asked to re-
main in the Tory cabinet as Chancel-
ior OF the Exchequer, but declined.
He returned to power with Palmer
SION In 1889, as Chancellor Of the
Exchequer and procured the repeal of
the duty on paper and the ratification
or the commercial treaty between
England and France. He remained
one or the most commanding figures
IN Parliament, and, in 1863. upon the
death OF Lord PalmerstOn, became the
Liberal leader in the House Of Com
mons. and from that time forward
was the nj aster mind Of his party.
Mr.. Gladstone, at this time. began
MS work In the cause Of Irish reform
AMI In 1868 introduced a bill in favor
Of FGlc disendowment Of the Irish
church. The bill was passed by the