New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-03-18
II.
THE TRUE FEELING TOWARD HIM IN
AMERICA AND IN ENGLAND-TTIE
FINAL REASON OF HIS RES
IGNATION

London, March g.
It is n little remarkable that the English pa
pers should contain so few expressions Of Amer
lean opinion on Mr.. Gladstone. They print
copious summaries from the Continent; in var
ious tones From the United States a para
graph is thought sufficient where a column or
two from Vienna and Berlin and Paris is not
deemed too much. This may be due to the
frugality OF the news agencies in America which
supply Europe with occasional accounts OF
American affairs. Or It may be due to the abb
sence of a general desire the part of the Eu-
ropean press for adequate knowledge Or per-
haps American homage 10 Mr. Gladstone has
been 50 often expressed that 1t is now taken for
granted.
There is. however. n curious dispatch in one
London paper which deserves attention in
America. If the author Of this dispatch may
be believed. 'thc interest Of the great body Of
Americans in English politics centres In Mr.
Gladstone's personality beginning and ending
with his views and policies" The English are
assured that "hls departure from the scene
seems to Americans not merely the closing Of
epoch. but like deprving the future in Eng
lish politics Of all interest So far as they are
concerned" Is that a true and complete ac-
count Of the matter? Is the British Empire
botted out because Mr. Gladstone has ceased
to be Prime Minister? Is Home Rule for ireland
no longer a topic Of concern to Americans? Is
the advance Of Democracy In this country no
longer worth studying by the great Democracy
of the West? Does good American care any
thing about the Newcastle Programme. or the
New Radicalism. or the warfare the House OF
Lords. or the huge strides of Socialism. in one
form or another, in England? II may be So but
a,,n DO rn1,,
OF a single witness in state of enthusiasm
and 1t Is possible there may be evidence
on the other side. II It were true it would not
add much to the respect in which America and
American opinion are held take 1t that what
the belief that he. more than any other. has
been the representative Of the people Of England
and the champion of their interests. But s the
representative greater than the people? Is the
champion more than the interests which he de-
tends? As a doctrine OF Democracy that strikes
one as somewhat novel. II we care anything
about the welfare Of the great nation to which
we are more closely united than TO any other
are we TO care less because ii has lost the leader
on whom that welfare In a measure depended?
] imagine not 1t needs sympathy more than
ever.
Hero worship has It's good side. but II IS not a
substitute for all other forms Of worship nor
for principle nor for political convictions nor
Tor human sympathies. nor for that friendly and
Intelligent regard which ought 70 subsIst be-
tween two people who are OF kin. and who TO-
gether lead. or may lead If they choose the
civilization OF the world. All honor TO Mr.
Gladstone but the lesson OF his life IS not one of
mere personal devotion. 1t IL a lesson OF devo-
ton 10 duty to vast interests, to the prosperity
OF the millions all over the globe VINO compose
the British Empire; lesson Of loyalty 10 con- |
Vctlons which were none the less sincere be- |
cause they We're versatile. or because those !
which guided his political action at one time OF |
his life were irreconcilabe with those OF other |
periods earlier and later. Nor do believe that |
Americans need a lesson from him or from any
body else, In order TO strengthen those beliefs |
which are the foundation Of our own poljtical
system and which for more than $50 years have
been inwoven with the lie of the American peo-
pie. In their essence and in their germ thew
were present during the colonial period as we'll
rs in the greater period Of independent ma
tional existence.
Il is said on the same authority that Amer-
,ans have never been able to understand the
bitterness Of the English Tories against Mr..
Gladstone and bewildered by their sudden
'hange OF tone. There has been change sud-
len or otherwise. and there is no mystery about
he matter. The mistake arises from con-
usion OF thought, and from imperfect knowl-
'dge. The bitterness against Mr.. Gladstone has
been political, not personal 1t increased very
much during the Home Rule period. from 1886
Town to his retirement. but II was still political
L IL ever had personal element. that was be-
'ause great portion OF the English people.
1ghtiy or wrongly, looked on him as a man