The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-04-11
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unrepresented class made him what he was.
the tribune of commercial England; and
when he himself exchanged his rank as the
Great Commoner for seat in the House
of Lords, his power and influence waned.
Mr. Gladstone so long as he had strength
for any work in public life, was content 10
remain the great commGner, and his infiu-
ence and authority We're not impaired, eX-
cept with the privileged, wealthy and mil
itary classes, who were alenated by his
Irish policy, his democratic SympathieS and
his resistance to lingo campaigns of adven-
ture and to the vagares of militariSm. A
tribune of the masses, he helped to render
radicalism more reasonable and democracy
more conservative He was swayed by an
overmastering sense of responsibility and
by the ethical force of convictions. He was
the conscience keeper of the English people
during the Queens reign. Only once was
he on the wrong side of Il moral question.
This was during the American slavery war.
There can be no finer tribute to the per-
sonal influence of Mr.: Gladstone than the
admission frankly made by men of all par
ties in the Commons that the tone of par
iamentary debate and conduct has been
lowered since his withdrawal from the
House. While he was there with his grim
face and deep, melodous voice. every COM
moner was forced to respect singleness or
edrnestness of conviction; and with that in
grained conservatism for which he was al
ways conspicuous, even when he, was the
champion of the masses and the ally of Mr..
Parnell, he maintained with painstaxing
care and reVerent spirit the stately tradi-
lions of that historic body. which for over
six hundred years has had a home in West
minister He set a standard of debate and
action which kept the Commons up to a
high level of conduct He foStered the
amenities and gentle eourtesies of public
life. He was tolerant of criticism and mag
unanimous TO his opponents. He distrusted
and disliked Mr.. Chamberlain his ablest
opponent in the home rule struggle; but
when the Birmingham leaders son made
maiden speech, he complimented it for the
promise which would be dear to the faith
er's heart" Since his disappearance from
the scene of his triumphs, there has been
a marked decline of public interest in the
proceedings of Parliament Members take
life more easily than they used to do, are
grateful for small jokes, and well-turned
epigrams, and are less thoughtful and Sc
rious in debate than they We're when COM
PEELED to approach the standard of earnest
ness in public work.
IL Mr. Gladstone has outlived the period
of active employment, he has been allowed
the only adequate compensations for the
pains and WEAKNESS of old age. These are
the assurances that Ireland is pacified, that
there is better temper between Saxon ana
Celt, that harsh judgments respecting his
work have been softened by just and toll
Grant reflection and that hostile feeling
toward him in England has been changed:
Not caricature of him has been printed
since his retirement. London society, Wnere
he was once an ogre and a pet aversion, no
longer rails at him. Even an unfriendly par
tisan press refers to him with unfailinS
sympathy and respect. With one consent
masses and classes have come to regard
him as q great Englishman unique in per-
sonality, moral power and the incompara-
Bile gift of exciting enthusiasm Worn out
in the public service and breaking under the
burdens of advancing years, he Will not
finch from any pain but will be patient,
high minded invincible to the last. He is
true to his name, which, in the Lowland
Scotch means hawkstone. Like hawk he
has scared high above the levels of ordinary
political action, and in majesty OF char
is like the matchless granite of the Scotch
mountains.