The record-union., 1898-05-19
THE DEATH OF GLADSTONE.

The death Of William e. Gladstone is
announced. 1t has been some time eX-
pected, and is therefore no shock to the
ing Of this, one Of the eminent men of
the world, the disposition is to refrain
from reviewing his life and works, since
We are profoundly impressed with the
idea that to say that Gladstone, in the
fullness of many years, after 4 long life,
brilliant and eminent, has passed away,
IS to pay a higher tribute to him than
Indulgence in columns of words and the
most effortful undertaking to euIogize
his genius and his craftsmanship.
To dwell at length upon the great Of
flee he has performed in this world
seems very much like doubling common
Intelligence and appears to convey the
idea that the men of the age are unfa-
miliar with the name and deeds of the
great Liberal leader of men and
thought To say that Gladstone is
dead-Gladstone, simple name unham-
pered by titles and standing alone in
ribbons of honor-that the eminent
scholar, statesman and humanitarian
has gone to his rest, it seems to US is
to ascribe to him the highest possible
praise, and pronounce upon his name
the Hottest eulogy, since it assumes that
nothing more is needed, so familiar is
all the civilized world with the pre-
eminent genius Of the illustrious man
whose life has contributed more 10 the
fame of Great Britain than that empire
has given Of honors to him.
To tell the story of his life is to re-
count some of the most eventful pc
riods Of modern English history and to
repeat a familiar tale. Let not his
name and fame be furnished by harsh
criticism now. 1t is true that he made
mistakes, what man has not? that he
was not wholly consistent in his politi-
cal policy, since he had the courage to
change his course with his convictions
Let it suffice to do honor to his virtues
and forget his faults. Scholar, orator
statesman, ripe in learning, versatile in
accomplishments, powerful among men
as a politician, q great leader and a mas
ter, he served his country longer than
is given to most men to do, and is gath
cred TO his fathers with honors obscur-
ing the gloom of the grave and cloth
ing his name as a noble garment does
the body.
1t certainly is true that his political
career viii be subject by the unfeeliug
page of history TO the criticism that he
was not always without blame, and
that he was at times given to devices
and arts which detracted from his fame
and lowered his colors in the eyes of
men who have been onlookers of the
political activities in England for the
last half-century. That he vas not
infrequently given to driving with the
tide and steering with the current,
which his prescience saw turning long
before the world was aware of its drift,
IS perhaps the very worst that his crit
les can say of the eminent statesman.
Yet it will scarcely be advanced that
Gladstone was tainted with demagogy.
So lofty a character as his was incapa-
bic of such tarnish.
His change of policy and political
practice as Premier and as leader Of
the opposition when not in Office, is
ascribed by his defenders to his con-
viction Of truth as it developed, and
TO the heroic in his composition that
enabled him to be true to the light of
the present regardless Of an attitude
assumed in the past. He went down 10
his death with a personal character IN
dimmed, clean and commanding the
admiration of men and scholars the
world around.
BY his gentleness, his unselfshness,
his refusal to enter the ranks of the
nobility, his simplicity of life. his unos-
tentatious bearing, his broad sympa-
thy for all struggling mankind, the
great endeavors to uplift, advance and
better the people of his native land, ne
won the ardent love of the English and
ELECTED the admiration Of all civilized
peoples 1t will be written o. him that
ne was a remarkably shrewd. far-seeing
politician: that he did not scruple at
times to shift positions to secure ad-
vantages for party, which the states
man who is not more than a partisan
would scorn to do; that in the history
of his leadership in the councils of his
nation. both in and out of the Cabinet,
ne occupied positions which were op-
posed not infreQuently; that during his
administration of affairs as pilot of
State Great Britain suffered reverses
and won triumphs; was both Tebuked
and checked, and yet achieved wonder
full advances and made the longest
strides forward and upward in all her
history
Gladstone will be written of as a
great man in the annals of the world
but he will be written in holder char
acters as more wonderful than great
The versatility of his accomplishments
was marvellous; he, as have few men
combined the offices of politician and
statesman, essayist, orator and poet
critic, classicist and author. The asso-
ciate of kings and princes, he was the
companion and close friend and neigh
Dor of the masses Of men Of his country
A great leader, he refused to crafty
personal ambition and resisted the
temptations of title. Yet he was the
maker and destroyer Of the ambitions