Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-05-19
WILLIAM EWART GLADSTONE.
Sketch of the Career of One of, the
Leading Men of the
20. Century. q

When. William E. Gladstone was born
George III. was king, Napoleon was over
shadowing Europe and Joseph Bonaparte
had been a year on the throne Of Spain. It
was December %, 1SO9 the year that saw
Madison inaugurated fourth president of
the United States. How great and rapid
have been the changes since that time and
how greatly the Grand Old Man helped to
shape the course of events. Entering par
lament in, 1892, Gladstone has been from
that time to this almost continually in pup
lie life. ~-'F-r .5F
-Four times prime minister, he has prob
ably exerted more influence on the destnies
OF the British empire in the last century
than any other man. Unable to bear the
strain of Office on account of the decay of
his physical powers incident to his ad-
vsncef years. he resigned the premiership
III 1884 and retired to private life to spend
his last days in the bosom of his family
and the companionship Of the wife vino has
been by his side for nearly sixty years.
From his retirement, however, his voice
was now and then heard on public ques-
tions, and 1t always commanded attention,
not only among English speaking nations.
but throughout the world. :,
The history of Gladstone,s public life is
the history of English. and European poll
tics since he first entered parliament. When
he retired to private life he was old enough
to be the grandfather of the generation of
politicians then.-coming into power. Be-
ginning his political life as a pronounced
Tory. Mr.. Gladstone became first a Liberal
and then an advocate of irish home rule
He was twenty-six years a Tory. twenty six
Years a Liberal and the rest of the time a
home rrler.''.- Many are the peerages
N n f0Y,<a r, TOD
wards. and it is said that many times he
has been urged to accept a peerage for
himself. He never would accept the title.
however. preferring to be the great COM
moner. England's Grand Old Man."
GlCdstOne's Ancestry.
Gladstone's father was: a. Liverpool ,mer-
chant. who made fortune and retired 10
his native Scotland. where he bought an es-
tate. and became baronet: The name, was
originally ''Gledstanes. that Is ..hawk-
stones" and the premier's father, Sir John,
wrote his name Gladstones until he
achieved a fortune and title. when by
royal license. he dropped the final letter.
The country families in Lanark did not re-
ocive the tradesman-baronet warmly into
their society. but John Gladstone deter
mined that his children should take a
place In the world. and he gave them all
= the advantages of education and travel tina;
money could procure. Thomas was brought
up as the heir of the title and the family
seat. Robertson married money. and John
vent into the navy and married Sir Robert
Bateson's daughter.
Educated at Eton and Oxford.
William was soon put to a school at Sea-
forth, founded by his father, and from
there. when il years DID, to Eton. At the
age of - he entered Christ Church college
oxford
Both at Eton and at Oxford he was high
ly distinguished. not only as a scholar. but
also as writer and speaker. as well as for
exemplary habits and conduct, which led
his associates. comprising many who after
wards became distinguished in politics, law
and the church. and several who were his
companions in different cabinets. to select
him for their leader and model
A Tory Member.
Quilting the university with this reputa-
ton. he had no difficulty In finding q place
et,the age of q, asa Tory member of the
fret reformed parliament. which met in
January, 1883 The leader Of his party. then
in opposition. was Sir Robert Peel. The
young member from Newark made several
speeches which confirmed the reputation
with which he entered the house, and wher
:. the next parliament met. in 1885, he tooh
office in Peei's first and short lived ministry
at the age of g. as under-secretary for the
colonies. When the fall of the ministry. a
few months afterward. set him free from
official trammels. he employed his time ir
- writing his famous book, .'The State In 1t.
Relation With the Church" 1t was widel,
read. and was reviewed in varied terms Of
praise and censure. MacauIay in tn,
Edinburgh Review described the author a.
the ''rising hope OF the stern and unbend
sanR lTeriea - Theif. hopA-Naa net lanR II