The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1898-05-23

was more popular than he at the close
of a long public career, not only in
England, but also in America?
This popularity was due in a great
measure to the fact that he moved
with the moving spirit of his age. He
has not always been popular, for he
has been defeated and Kissed and even
jostled upon the street. In the main,
however, his course has been justified.
He began, as has been said, tory;
he ended as liberal. His father own
ed slaves in the West Indies and Mr.
Gladstone defended slavery. He lived,
however, to be the champion of free
dom, the voice of liberty for the down.
trodden races and nations. Garibaldi
gave him credit with sounding the first
clarion note of Italy's liberty. He de-
Tended the union of church and state;
he lived to aid in the disestablishment
of the Irish church-a measure which,
considering the population of Ireland
and their religious affiliations, was
most just. He began as a protection
list; he became Il free trader and assist
ed in abolishing the corn laws, which,
for England at least, has been CONNER
cially profitable. He was opposed to
war and to expensive ornaments, but
he was the champion of the oppressed
in Turkey and he favored a war for
the liberation of men and for purposes
of mercy. He became a champion of
home rule in ireland and he lived to be
known as the friend of liberty and the
brother of mankind.
A remark of his is deservedly worthy
of the consideration of our nation at
this particular time. He said: II cons
slider that the standard of our material
strengths should be highly esteemed
by other nations; but believe it to be
of far greater Importance than we
should stand high in their esteem for
truth and honor and openness in our
proceedings, casting aside the motives
of narrow selfshness and giving scope
to the consideration of broad and lofty
aspirations
Some of the lessons which may be
learned from the life of Mr.. Gladstone
are the following:
/. There is an inspiration in the
world and in men leading them on to
better things whose original source is
not in men, but in God. All highest
things in truth and love are of God,
and Mr.. Gladstone's faith and piety
and unblemished character were the
basis of his greatness and prepared him
to receive the inspiration of his age.
2. God raises up men now, as for
merly, who feel more deeply than 9TH
ers the breath which is moving the
world forward to better things. Some
of these act chiefly in the sphere of re-
ligion; some in the sphere of society;
some in the sphere of legislation. But
they are all uncommon men who, like
Paul, in some way, hear voices which
to other men are inaudible; they are
seers who, in some way like Isaiah, see
visions of better things to be. We do
we'll to follow such leaders.
g. The character of public men on
the whole grows better rather than
worse, and on the whole the best men
lead. To see the truth of this 1T is only
necessary to compare the character OF
the monarchs Of Europe centuries ago
with the character of those who wear
the crowns now or to look at the men
like John Bright, Gladstone and others
who have been, of late, the real leaders
of the English people
4. On the whole the world is moving
forward to better things. The present
century has accomplished much.
am not one of those who think COM
munism would be best for the human
race; nor do believe that the world
will soon adopt state socialism. But If
the future may be prophesied from the
past, then do believe that In the flu
ture men will do more things through
public agency than in the past, and
that the spirit and practice of men in
relation to each other will be more hui
name, more just and more generous.
5. We may finally learn that he who
puts his trust in God and opens his
mind to the truth and his heart to love
and moves with the best spirit of his
times will be enabled to serve his gem
Grafton and to do something to carry
the world forward to a better state.
Men will not all be as conspicuous and
iIlustrious as was Gladstone, but all
may be in some degree useful.
Lives of great men all remind us
We may make our lives sublime,
And departing leave behind us
Footprints on the sands of time"
r AZ mn