New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-12-02

YOU think 1t harsh to remind the importers and
jobbers of New-York that their fathers were as
strong for Slavery they for Free Trade. II
may seem less harsh when you find Gregory de-
Tending his Southern proclivites on the ground
that the Southerners were devoted Free-Traders.
and entirely opposed to the Northern Protective
system. Unlike most or many OF the men Of that
period. Sir William Gregory. to the day Of his
death. had never misgiving about his advocacy
of the Southern cause. His final reason Is the
most curious of all. and more curious still be-
cause il comes from Irishman:
As we know to our cost Irish influence Is so
powerful in the North that We have been to Sc
cure the Irish vote subjected TO afronts which
the enormous power of the United States en-
abled them TO in1ict with impuniy. But Things
would have been very different with southern
Republic on their frontier. closely allied TO ua
There would have been no raids on Canada no
filibustcring seizure OF islands like that or 81
Juan no insoent dismissal of our Ministers
But the Irish have always with us. Sir
William is Irish TO the backbone. and lover OF
his country. 1t does not follow that he approves
OF all Irish methods In politics. whether AT nome
or in America, nor that he would nave supported
Mr. Gladstone in his effort to confer the DRESSINGS
Of Home Rule on Ireland. He had supported MS
Land Bills. He was all for measures OF con-
Citation. He lent hand TO the cutting down Oh
the "upas tree" the Irish Church. But. says
Sir William. these measures OF Mr.. GLADSTONE
so Just and so beneficent. were received with
thanklessness suspicion. and upbraiding. ana
were 50 many stepping-stones for the Widest de-
mands eliminating in that for the virtual separa-
ton of England and Ireland and the subsequent
ruin Of both countries
Sir William Gregory was one or Lord Rose
bery's guests at Dameny Park al the uhe
when Mr. Gladstone entered upon his third Miu-
lothian campaign in 1884, and It was there that
first met him. He was then siXty-seVen years
old. but age did not count in the presence vi MI.
Gladstone's perennial youth If Sir william had
not the ncompa rable vitality OF the frlnle Mih-
jster-he was then Prime Minister-he had very
remarkable and admirable buoyancy OF nature
which delighted everybody. His Irish exuber-
ance Of spirlts and of good humor bubbled up
continually There is very good portrait OF
him at the beginning of the Autobiography, but
no portrait could show mis- face as 1t was wheh
animated by converse ton or controversy. Inc
deem lines on it told of an active life. He had
had losses but no losses soured him. Noth-
ing could much affect his great natural sweet
ness of disposition In conversation he mad the
auickness and also the courage of his race. ana
very marked confidence in his own opinion as
well as in his own resources; 10 the end OF when
he never came.
The company on this occasion was various and
admirable and among al. these fair women ana
brave men Sir William shone with a brllancy
all his own. lie had IN a very marked degree
the tone OF the man OF the world. and OF the
man who has lived much among the best peo-
pie He had freshness Of interest also. ana was
lust as keen about Mr.. Giadstones oratOry anu
about the pageantry OF the occasion az te
Youngest man there. He talked o: IL al with
enthusiasm and as he had real powers OF oDser-
walton the points he asked you 10 notice were
good points To me he was all KINDNESS,
drove with him several times into and out OF
Edinburgh. and was indebted 10 him for many
useful hint ~, =,
Mr.. Gladstone liked him and liked to talk TO
him was going I'd say liked 10 hear him taIk'
but that is more doubtful. The great man was
his courtesy never failed him. but II WAS oi'eh
plain that he put a restraint on hlns"h III
order TO listen He had SO much 10 say hihseH'
petween him and Sir William Gregory there was
never anything like competition. Tor one was az
we'll bred as the other. We used sometimes 10
wonder which OF the two would give way BON
gave wav and both were charming Later
saw AT times a good deal Of Sir William. both
I'm London and in the country. wherever Oh
however YOU met him he was the same Easy
agreeable cultivated and convinced companion
II he had p subjec ne preferred II was arr. on
that he was an expert. and ne had the nu-
Celtic notion Of It's importance: putting poNucs
far below az do all the races To whom nature
aos the art temperament but OF, arr " -,
he talked with sureress Of knowledge ana 'ast
exnerience and from warm heart. III VIII De
long before a kndlier or more ch;Varous man
snnears and since he belonged. az saio 10 a
race which has almost passed away the OH
William Cregorys OF the future Will certainly
be- If they appear at all dlHeren'' anu ~ ~.
tainly better. " w o.