The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-05-19

tation began He had q large share In
the realms ecclesiastical legislation;
he was a significant figure in most of
the work that makes up the career
of Palmerston and of Russell. During
a quarter OF a century he was the rival
in rather picturesque politics OF the
gifted Disraeli.
For Americans, however. Glad
stones career did not become closely
interesting until the time, about thirty
years ago, when he seemed to be re-
versins his former views respecting
Ireland and to be coming around to
the support of a more generous policy
toward that land. During the succeed
ing quarter century this country
watched the distinguished statesman's
course with keenest interest. 1t saw
him build up a new party in English
politics; it kept close account Of every
incident up to the memorable hour
when this new party scored in the
house of a triumph for home
rule, the measure meeting a defeat OF
ten to one in the house Of lords. There
upon, at the age OF eight-four, the
Grand Die Man, wearied with the
cares of public life, sought rest and
quiet at his home. with his books.
among his friends. At length the end
has come after painful. wasting illness.
The people of the United States won
dered when. in our civil war, Glad
stone promptly arrayed himself for the
~confederacy. Among distinguished
Englishmen the North enjoyed from
the outbreak of the var the sympathy
of men like Bright and Cobden and
John Stuart Mill. In the autumn of
1862 Gladstone made a speech in which
he sail thai jefferson Davis made an
army, he made a navy and, more than
that, he made a new nation" The
great premier lived to discover how
mistaken he had been. He confessed
nj. error; he said, FIVE years later: Il
must confess that i was wrong: hat
I took too much upon myself in ex-
pressing such an opinion. Yet the mo-
tive was not bad. My sympathies were
then-where they had long before been.
where they are now-with the whole
American people. I. probably. like
many Europeans. did not understand
the nature and the working OF the
American union. ] had imbibed con-
scIentiously. II enormously, an opinion
that 20, 900, 900 or "a, 900, 900 OF the North
would be happier and would be strong
er-of course assuming that they
would hold together-without the South
than with IL, and also that the negroes
would be much nearer emancipation
under a southern government thar un-
der the old system OF the union"
For this lapse Mr.. Gladstone made
atonement. He had erred in his inter
probation of our civil war: he did moi
err when he was called upon TO dea
with claims for redress which the
United States presented to the English
government. He dealt. when he was In
power, with the Alabama question
Under his inspiration England accept
ed discussion of the dispute over thu
mischief wrought by southern cruisers
built in British yards. and through thu
washington treaty came the Genevs
award, and, for the moment. a diminu'
ton Of popularity in England for Mr.
Gladstone because he hsd accepted al
arbitration that had told heavil,
against England.
The sentiment as good as universe
in the United States was one OF admi
ration Of Mr.. Gladstone for the splen
did quality of his scholarship, for hi
superb traits as a leader, for the man
illness that marked his conduct. for tn
beauty and purity of his domestic an'
social life, for h constant manifesto
tions of exalted moral sentiment an
of well-nerved Christian character tina
adorned his career. Many millions o
Americans regarded him with a feel
ing akin 10 affection. Marvellous ar
the advances England made during hi
time in every range of national devel
opment-industrial, political. intellect
ual. He was the noblest Englishma'
of his day: It may be that, when tn
time for judgment arrives.
will be said of him that, all in all, n
was the most brilliant premier of tn
century.