New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-03-03
THE LAST SIGNAL.


/ Mr.. GIadstOnc's speech in the Commons
sounded like valcdictory address, and il was
alike worthy of the occasion and Of the
llustrious carccr which 1t virtually brought
TO a close The approaching retirement Of
a statesman, whose term Of Parliamentary ser
vice covered the sixty-two years clapsng from
the first great Reform BILL and who had been
more powerful as n Minister Of the Crown and
tribune Of the people than either Chatham
or the younger Pitt impressed friend and foe
alike with the historic dignity of the occasion.
Priam had fought his last battle Hcnccfor
ward he could only give counsel in his tent 10
younger warriors burning to take up sword
and shield in defence Of the masses against the
classes With brcathlcSs cagerneSs was await
ed the signal for a new campaign in which he
could not lead. The grand old warrior, rising
in supreme dignity TO the level Of the OCCASION
gave the signal.
True 10 that spirit of conservatism which has
characterized every phase of the evolution Of
his political convictions from ToryiSm 10 Radi
casm. Mr.. Gladstone was neither incorporate
in dictiOn nor defiant in manner. Not for one
instant was he the democratic aGitator challcnc
ing the champions of ancient privilege to trial
of strength before the nation. He was the
Queens Prime Minister saving what legislation
he could from the wrcckaEc of Il session OF pro-
tractcd labor. and then warning the Lords and
the country that this waScful expenditure Of
the time and energies of the representatives Of
the sovereign people must cease. &" The qucS
ton now" he exclaimed, " is whether the House
Of Lords is not only 10 modify. but to annhatc
the whole work of the Commons The answer
came in continuous cheering from The coalition
forces united rs one man. The issue is
raised" the orator went on, "hetwccn Il de
libcratc assembly elected 10y the votes Of seven
millions of men and different Kind Of assem-
bly,, though occupied by some men Of virtue
and talent. That controversy once raised must
90 forward to its issue The authority Of the
nation must in the last resort decide the crisis
at once" That was the signal for which Irish
Nationalist and English. Scotch and Welsh
Radicals were waiting. They answered 1t with
passionate intensity of feeling and tnmultuouS
enthusiasm, and there were countcrdcmonstra-
lions from the Opposition With what match
less dignity did the veteran stand there before
them all, his work done, his fighting energies
spent and film before his eyes, but his IN
conqucrablc spirit glorying in advance over
victory which others were To win
Mr. Gladstone in this impressive scene recalls
| that other great C0mmoncr, Chatham whose
real power lay always In sympathy ana sup
port received. not from sovereign or Parliament.
but from the people. 1t is the people who
have sent me here he was wont 10 cXclaim
with splendid energy and pride when Cabinet
| associates and titled funciOnaricS attempted
10 oppose his will. He taught George II and
all the legislators Of his time that Il great
middle class had arisen in England with the
| development Of commerce and manufacturing.
| and that il allpowcrlul, although unrcprc-
| scented in Parliament. 1t was that unrcprcScnt-
| ed class which had fortified him in the strong
! holds Of power The temper energy, resources
and patriotism of that unrcprescncd class made
! him what he waS-the tribune of commercial
| England. The times have changed. and the
! British electorate now is thoroughly democratic.
| Power has been transferred from the middle
| class to the masses; Int when an irresponsible
hereditary chamber i'm Mr. GladSOne's phrase
annihilatcs the work of the Commons, the seven
millions Of electors are represented to 10 pur-
pose. Their tribune declares that this anomaly
must cease. 1t IS his last word as Prime Min
lister.
The second great cOmmOncr like the first.
knows where his power lies. The people have
sent him 10 do a great work for them. and the
Lords will not suffer him 10 accomplish il.
Then the Lords mus; he mcnded or ended The
people might as well be unrcprescntcd alto
gether as 10 be represented and then bound
hand and foot and paralyzcd. Mr.. Gladstone
saves what he can from the wrcckage of Il long
and stormy Parliamentary session. and in the
name Of the English democracy procams war
upon the wrcckcrs. The pilot must be dropped
for he is old and blind and deaf: but he has
marked out the course TO be rcsolutcly fol-
lowed, and his spirit will go with the ship in
coming storm and stress.