New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-27
GLADSTONE AT WESTMINSTER.

The dust of the greatest Briton OF his time
now lies In state in Britaln's very heart. BACK
20 the scene OF eight centuries history -naking
comes all that Is earthly 81 the man VINO fcr
more than half n century was the chief history
maker OF the land. That time stained hall has
seen the greatest OF the Kingdoms sons pass
ing IN long procession beneath It's ovcrarchng
roof. It has seen none greater than was he
whose dust lies there today. II saw King
Charles tried and condemned. and therein the
Divine Right Of Kings forever stricken down.
Yet here was man who was a king among
men by that divine right OF Unborn leadership
which no traitor can betray no court deny. It
saw the greatest Englshmnn OF his tine pro-
claimed Lord Protector. But this man was for
a genera don the unprecedented but none the less
ordained protector OF the peoples rights II
heard the eloQuence OF Burke and Sheridan as
they pleaded the cause Of an oppressed people
against their august opprcssor. But this man.
with comparable cloquencc, pleaded the cause
OF oppressed humanity the world around. Pnd
was not beaten in the verdict OF the court 1t
saw In olden times such pageantry OF gem
decked splendors as the whole world has scarce
" elsewhere seen. But this man. undecordtcd
with heraldic pomp rs n simple Commoner. re-
ce,ved and reflected In ineffablc enhancement
such glory as peers and princes might seek IN
vain.
1t Is well that he lies there. HIS lifeless pres
ence will add to that historic chamber new. en-
inent and abiding claim to reverent regard. Ana
Il Is well that he lies Just AZ he does, In severe
simplicity amid something even OF grlmness ana
OF gloom. For his character was simple. even
I'm It's seeming complexity. simple with the SIM
plictv OF classic virtues and Of classic strength
He was serious In his work. almost TO grnness.
and on occasion grim to pitch OF awful gloom,
as. with the echoes Of Sinai all but vocal round
his head, he Numbered his tremendous invcc-
lives against all that false and vile and
cruel Well. too, that in all their simplicity ana
their humility the common people troop past his
bier IN seemingly endless file. For this man
was the Peoples Man. Kings Man, or Queens
Man, truly enough, no doubt; yet always win
unninchlng recognition Of The sovereignty or
men above n man, rs that Of the ancient Span
iards who, when they crowned their King. said
TO him, to his face, 1--WE. who are men like you,
land who are stronger than you, take you for
"our King II you will observe our rights. But II
mot then mott.
He will pass on, still in the precincts Of that
Westminster in which the work Of his great life
was chiefly done. The Abbey waits for him. Its
illustrious guests await the coming of their peer.
The great Confessor. tho conqucror OF Wales,
and the Queen whose reign saw laid the true
foundations of the woodworking empire. well
come the coming Of this consuInmate type OF
that for which they fought. Pitt waits for him,
who alone can challenge his sole right 10 the
fame Of the Great Commoncr The good and
great of many centuries make place among
them for him who ranks among their greatest
and their best He will move from worthy place
to worthy resting place, from 'the great hall OF
civilian Rufus, which had resounded with ac-
"clamations ut the Inauguration of thirty kings"
to that temple OF silence and reconciliation
where the enmtles Of twenty generations lie
"buried, the Great Abbey which has dur
ling many ages afforded a quiet resting place TO
"those whose minds and bodies have been shat
tered by the contentious Of the Great Hall"
There. foremost In controversy for the right
foremost In reconciliation OF man to man ard
State to State, let him rest.