New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-04-08
thew Arnold in one Of his Irish essays said was


lacking. but which Mr.. Gladstone has supplied.
The earlier English statesman Lord Chatham.
-" " nom Mr.. Gladstone has often been COM
pared. also was charged with conspicuous fall
ure This was his unsuccessful effort to secure
justice and fair play for the American colonies
and 10 prevent the war Of the Revolution 1t
was failure like Mr.. Gladstone's Home Rule
policy, but ii was also crowned with final sue
cess in Transforming the relations Of the mother
country to other colonies. 1t was Lord Chat
hams eloquent protest against injustice 10 Amer
lea that prepared the way for the system Of
colonial sef-Governmcnt which has been the
foundation and bulwark Of the British Empire.
SO also Mr.. Gladstone, nOtwithst landing the fail
ure Of Home Rule and the unpopularty and OBJ
loquy which he incurred among the privileged
classes. has appealed ~ conscience taught Eng
land TO be just to Ireland and helped TO bring
about reconciliation of race interests. II the
Tnionists are now able to govern Ireland easily
and TO enact reform measures on the lines Of
the least possible resistance. 1t is because Mr.
Gladstone's Irish work was not done in vain.
A GREAT COMMONER.
Lord Chatham stood for the great middle class
which had arisen with the development OF COM
merce and manufacturing. and which was all
powerful although not represented in Parlia-
ment 1T is the people who have sent me here"
he exclaimed with pride, when his sovereign and
his titled associates attempted 10 thwart his
will The energy. resources and patriotism Of
that unrepresented class made him what he
was-the tribune Of commercial England; and
when he himself exchanged his rank as the
Great Commoner for a scat in the House OF
Lords. his power and influence waned MI
Gladstone. so long as he had strength for any
IN he
Great Commoner and his influence and au-
thority were not impaired. except with the privi-
legged. wealthy and military classes who were
alienated by his Irish policy. his democratic
synpathies and his resistance to lingo cam
palgns Of adventure and to the vagaries OF MIN
tarism tribune OF the masses. he helped to
render Radicalism more reasonable and democ-
racy more conservative. IIf was swayed by nm
overmastering sense Of responsibility and by the
ethical force Of convictions He was the con
science-keeper Of the English people during the
Queens reign. Only once was he on the wrong
side Of moral question. This was during the
American slavery war.
There can be no finer tribute to tho personal
influence Of Mr.. Gladstone than the admission
frankly made by men Of all parties in tho com
mons that the tone Of Parliamentary debate
and conduct has been lowered since MS with
drawal from the House. While h" was ihcre
with his grim face and deep. melodious voice.
every commoner was forced To respect singleness
Of purpose. the dignity Of serious debate and
earncstness OF conviction; and with that in
grained conservatism for which he was always
consnicuous even when he was the champion
Of ,he masses and the ally % Mr.. Parnell. he
maintained with painstaking care and r'vcr'nt
spjrit the stately traditions of that historic
hodv which for over six hundred years has had
a home in Westminster. He set n standard ~
debate and action which kept the Commons ~
10 a high level OF conduct He fosiered the
amenities and gentle cowt esics Of public I've.
He was tolerant OF criticism and maSnanimous
10 his opponents. He distrusted and dis'iKrH
Mr. Chamberlain. his a5lest opponent In the
Home Rule struggle: but when the Brning-
ham leaders, son made maiden speech ne COM
plimented it for the promise which would ne
dear TO the fathers hear" Since his dlsap-
nearance from the scene ~ his triumphs there
has been a marked decline Of public interest IN
tho proceedings Of Parliament. Members take
life more easily than they used 70 do are CRATE
full for small jokes. and well-turned epigFams.
and are less thoughtful and FERROUS In DEBATE
than they when compelled to approach
his standard OF earnestness in public work.
II Mr. Gladstone has outlved the period OF
active employment he has been allowed the
only adequate compensat!ons FOR the palms ana
WEAKNESS Of old age. These are the assurances
that Ireland Is pacined. that there s better tenn
per between Saxon and Celt. that harsh judg-
rnents respecting his work have been softencd
by tus, and tolerant reflection and that hostile
feeling toward him IN England has been
changed Not a carlcatur. Of him has been
printed since his retirement London society
where he was once ogre and a pet aversion.
no longer rails az him Even an unfrendly
nartisan press refers 70 him with unfa!ling sym
pathy and respect. With one consent masses
and classes have come 10 regard him as Great
Engllshnan, unique In personality. moral power
and the incompatible gift OF exciting enthusl-
asm" Worn out In the public service ana break
ing under the burdens OF advancing years he
VIII not finch from any pain. but VIII be pa
TENT hlgh-rninded invincible 20 the last lie IL
true to his name. which, In the Lowand Scotch.
means hawkstone. Like a hawk he has scared
high above the levels OF ordinary political ac-
ton: and In majesty OF character ard inhexibili-
Is 81 moral purpose. he IA Ike the matchless
granite Of the Scotch mountains. !. y. +.