The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1898-05-24

years, but he was quick TO oppose any
reform measure. During this period
Nc. Gladstone made his first appear
ance as an author, writing on 1.-THE
State in Ies Relations With the
Church, - in which he enunciated and
defended the proposition that the prop
agation of religious truth is one of the
chief ends Of government.
During the following decade Mr..
Gladstoue's reputation steadily widen
ed, while the first signs appeared Of
that revolution in political views which
was to transform the hope of the To
ries into the leader of the Liberals.
The year 1853 marks an epoch in
Mr.. Gladstone's career. In the previous
year he had declined over5ures from
Lork Derby, when the latter was Tram
ing q Ministry that protested to be the
legitimate successor of the last Peel Cab
met, and had seen Mr.. Disraeli made
Chancellor of the Exchequer. The
personal rivalry between Mr.. Disraeli
and Mr.. Gladstone, which continued so
long az the former lived, had already
begun, and the new Chancellor Of the
Exchequer had hardly finished the
elaborate speech with which he intro
duced his budget before Mr. Gladstone
assailed his financial scheme with a
vigor and power which caused the
speedy defeat and resignation of the
Ministry. Lord Aberdeen succeeded
to the Premiership, and formed a coali
ton Ministry, which proved a con-
venient half way house for MI. Glad
stone on his way to the camp Of the
out and out Liberals. 1t was fore
gone conclusion that he should have
the ofice from which he had virtually
ousted his rival, and he was glad to &C,
eept it.
The general election of 1869, which
hinged on the issue of Irish disestab
lishment, resulted in an overwhelming
victory for its champion, Mr.. Glad
stone. The latter was, indeed, defeated
in South Lancashire, but Greenwich
was quick to seize the chance of re,
turning him to the House, and he be
came Prime Minister with the enor
NOUS majority of 115 at his back. Mr..
Gladstone's z al in introducing reform
measures at this period outstripped the
pace of his followers. His majority
dWindled, until at the session of 1873
the government was defeated. MIR.
Gladf tone now withdrew from his
prominence in the Liberal ranks for q
time. and early in 1875 formally re-
signed the leadership of the party, in
which he was succeeded by Lord Hart
ington. Agar had hardly passed be,
fore the policy which his rival, now
become Lord Beaconsfield, was adopt,
ing in Eastern affairs caused him to
reconsider his purpose. Although he
refused to become again the nominal
leader Of the Liberals, he was their &C
knowledged chief, and the downfall OF
the Conservatives was due more to his
effective opposition than TO all other
agencies combined. In the early win
ter of 1879, just as he was completing
his SEVENTEEN year, he accomplished a
feat which will long be memorable.
Having determined to contest Midlo.
THAN, he went to Scotland in Decem.
Der, and for a fortnight in that un.
seasonable month he delivered a series
of most powerful speeches. His audi
ences numbered fully rs, 1000 people,
and a quarter of a million took part in
the great demonstrations evoked by
his progress, while the whole nation
became his hearers through the press.
He made a most elaborate and eloquent
Indictment Of the government, and the
country sustained it when in the fol.
long March Earl Beaconsf1eld dissolved
Parliament Mr.. Gladstone again
went to Midlothian for the canvass and
won q notable personal victory by
beating the son Of the Duke of Buc
cleuch at the dolls.
The large Liberal majority which
the country returned was a distinct
call for Mr.. Gladstone's return to the
Premiership. @ leen Victoria, who
had long felt almost as strong a dislike
for the great Liberal as admiration foI
his Conservative rival, seized the ex
cuse of Lord Hartington's having been
nominal leader of his party in the last
house to Cfer him the chance of fran
ing a Ministry, but Lord Harrington
was wise enough not to attempt it.
Mr.. Gladstone again became Prime
Ministry and also took upon his shoul-
ders the duties of Chancellor of the
Exchequer. The task now before him
was infinitely more difficult than that