Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1898-05-26

remains of Mr.. Gladstone will be laid
to rest in the peaceful graveyard at
llawarden, adjoining the church where
he was married more than half CEN
fury ago
Every other topic in Great Britain
yesterday dropped out OF sight before
the passing Of Mr. Gladstone. Ha-
warden focused the attention, which
from the highest to the men in the
street, was respectful, sincere and pro-
foundly moved. In two places, per.
haps, was the tension most keen and
most heartfelt-the house Of commons
and IIawarden. Just before the house
rose yesterday telegram from Mr..
Herbert Gladstone reached Lord Stan
ley announcing that his father was
sinking. Already before his death the
hush Of grief seemed to fall over the
scene Of his triumphs; from the pres
ent men turned to the past, recalling
sayings and doings. A great lion lay
dying, his old colleagues, his old time
enemies and followers watching his
last long fight with his last and i'm
placable foe, as they watched in past
days his fight against foes whom he
could overcome True TO himself he
was yielding slowly, inch by inch.
Disregarding recent precedence, it was
decided that the programme in parlia-
ment should be the same as that
adopted in the cases Of the earl of
Chatham and of the younger Pitt
namely, an address to her majesty, for
q funeral at the public charge and
monument erected in Westminster
abbey,
When William Il Gladstone was born George
ILL., was king, Napoleon was overshadowing
Europe and Joseph Bonaparte had been year
on the throne Of Spain, 1t was December 80
1909 the year that saw Madison inaugurated
fourth president Of the United States Enter
ing parliament in 1892, Gladstone has been
from that time to this almost continually in
public life, Four times prime minister, he
has probably exerted more influence on the
destinies of the British empire in the last CEN
fury than any other man Unable to bear
the strain of Office on account of the decay Of
his physical powers incident to his advanced
years, he resigned the premiership in 1894 and
retired to private life to spend his last days in
the bosom OF his family and the companon-
ship OF the wife who has been by his side for
nearly 90 years From his retirement, how
ever his voice was now and then heard on pub
lie questions and 1t always commanded at
tention, not only among English speaking ma
tions, but throughout the world q
The history OF Gladstone's public life Is the
history Of English and European politics since
he first entered parliament When he retired
to private lie he was old enough to be the
grandfather Of the generation OF politicians
then coming into power Beginning his po-
litical life as o pronounced tory, Mr.. Gladstone
became first liberal and then an advocate Of
Irish home rule He was % years tory,
20 years liberal and the rest Of the time
home ruler Many are the peerages
which Gladstone has created as political re-
wards and it is SAID that many times he has
been urged to accept n peerage for himself.
He never would accept the title however, pre-
ferring to be the great commoner, England's
'Grand Old Man"
An account Of Mr.. Gladstone's life which
failed to notice his contributions to literature
and scholarship would indeed be lacking.
Arart from his political pamphlets his books
on classical subjects and on religious topics
would alone be sufficient to make the reputa-
ton Of an ordinary writer