New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-01-21

ono Of his opponents brutay called him IAN oin
man I'm hurry" many Of his own party con-
fessed themselves TO be in hurry 10 get Il'
Of the old man. He was blunily told ID! HIS
Marty press that he was tagging "super1ious OH
the stage" and that he had better get OH. Anu
when with pathetic dignity. he did ut last TO-
fire the note Of regret among his foii"werS WIZ
no more evident than that OF relief' ana even VI
eXultation Ii is not pleasant 10 r'ih'h'"'' ''',
II is not creditable to British politics that shch
was the case. but such was the case. ana inc
fact is significant Of what may occur Wleh the
"Grand Old Man returns TO Westminster
The plain truth is that the Liberal party OF
Mr.. Gladstone's prime has welihlGh paSseu ou'
of existence As lOtxs as he was us oihclai h''''
he held il together, excepting one great S'c'H
sion: though in late years many OF lis lac'io"
leaders wcrn ins,bordinatc, and more IMAM once
no was himself forced aside from his own CON
victions by its unruly zeal. With his retirement
,hc dcluge came. The party became party III
q hurry In year 1t has made more progress
if such unheedng rush may so be callcd-thah
I'm n generation before. Its moderate men are
nc radical as the Radicals OF twenty years ago;
;ts Radicals are little else than Socialists: ana
rank Socialism Is not only adopted INTO lis party
creed but enacted by 1t into the law OF the lahn.
4 change TOO. has come over the CONSERVATIVE
Marty II IL no more Tory than totays Radl-
calls are Wing If 1t does not occupy the ground
Of the Liberals OF a few years ago. IL IL sureI!
no further from It than are the kadicais WHO
dominate the party which Mr.. Gladstone once
led What Is occurring in other European
countrics notably in France and Belgium, Is
com;pc 10 pass in Great Britain. Old-time
liberalism Is disappearing AT least In name,
and poltical lines are being drawn between
Noderotes or Conservatives on the one side
,ho rooIlv stand for sober Liberalism ana on
cha othor Radcals and Socialists between
.hom the nominal distinction Is greater IMAM
the actual difference.
Under such conditions it is not easy 10 see
what Is TO he gained, in practical politics. by
Mr. Gladstonc's return That he will materially
s,rong,ben thc composite Ministerial party *
dorh,fu He will more probably weaken 1t by
,,o,,,,, marc marked the line Of cleavage be
,veen IFS old guard Of genuine Liberals ana me
motley host Of Radicals SOCIALISTS ana "'l,'l
f,ddis,s The men who in the press and on the
platform have been crying gooh ri""a"'' "
him, will resent his return and rail against
him. And they hold much more thah Inc IN.
orco If mower That he will be able 10 call
them back and rcmarshal them all ul'"'r NV
oil Liberal banner is utterly out OF the question:
His reappearancc in the House. therefore, WHO
II will be an impressive historical episode Is 10,
u,a,v IN mark political epoch. He WILL "i
course. he greeted by all with The personal
honor due 10 the greatest Brton of the age
Rut there is only too much cause To fear 'na'
tho unmatched leader will find divided follow
ing his eloquent voice will awake dl>cordahl
echocs Of dissent. and his exalted principles VIII
no more inspire and dominate the party III
which he was once omnpotcni.