The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-05-24

May Lead
TheWorld

He who, since the death of Abraham
LINCOLN, has been the foremost and
greatest of all English speaking men
passed away when the late Mr.. Glad
stone died.
Os all who speak the English tongue
none ever ignored more absolutely the
distinctions which divide the men Of
our common race into different states.
1t was indeed often brought against him
as q reproach that he was absolutely
devoid of that insular parochialinn
which confounds the patriotic devotion
due to the English speaking race with
the mere jealous self assertiveness of a
particular state. OF the seieiment which
regards the English speakers living in
the British colonies as altogether sepa-
rate and distinct from those who inhab-
it the United States-which is one Of
the distinctive traits of the latter day
imperialist-Mr. Gladstone showed no
trace.
No British statesman ever recognized
so ungrudgingly the splendor Of Amer
ica's promise or hailed in advance with
such cordial welcome the prospect of
her future ascendency. Like John the
Baptist, when he said, "He must in
crease and ! must decrease, MI. Glad
atone contemplated the inheritance by
the United States Of the pre-eminent po-
sition SO long held by the United King
dom without grudge or a regret. The
commercial primacy Of his own country,
he held. could be seriously challenged
by no rival Except 1t be America. /"
That she had not already outstripped
England in the race he attributed to her
reliance upon the cramping swaddling
clothes Of protection. The day when the
United States frankly adopted with a
resolution steadily to maintain system
Of free trade would, he always declared,
date the beginning of the end Of British
supremacy In the markets Of the world.
America, he wrote in the early nine-
ties twill then probably take the place
which at present belongs to u.s." but he
added with generous condolences: "She
will not injure us by the operation. On
the contrary, she will do us good"
The frank recognition Of the greatness
and probable ascendency Of the United
States was coupled with no misgivings
as to the future Of his own country. !
once ventured to demonstrate with him
for the severity with which he abstain
ed from all appeals to national or inn
perial pride. He replied good humored-
ly that one had to be careful in praising
n - .oI 80 I<, l,ok &ow
ward and too self complacent-praise
may be allowed as treat, it ought not
to be his daily bread. But he went ON
to say: II fully recognize that we have
great mission. The work Of England
has been great in the past, but it will
be still greater in the future. This is
true, believe, in the broadest sense of
the English speaking world. believe
this is also true Of England herself.
think that the part which England has
to play and the influence of England in
the world will be even vaster in the fu-
ture than it is today. England will be
greater yet than she has ever been"
Great as England will be and vast as
will be her influence, Mr.. Gladstone be-
lieved that the greatness and influence
OF the United States would be vaster
still. In one Of his frequent contribu-
tions to periodical literature Mr.. Glad
stone touched upon what he called 1.-The
paramount question" Of the future Of
America He spoke in almost prophetic
tone upon the magnitude Of the influence
which America must one day exercise,
and dwelling. as his manner was, upon
the immensity Of the moral responsible
ity which would be borne by the cit
izens of the United States. The passage
is SO remarkable that venture to quote
1t as the one paramount question, to
use his own phrase, which, even from
his bier, Mr.. Gladstone would address
to the American public. Speaking Of
the spectacle which America offered to
the world, MIR. Gladstone said
There is union of territory, popu-
lation, power, passing beyond all expert
ence. Together with and behind these
vast developments there will opme q
corresponding opportunity of social and
moral influence to be exercised over the
rest of the world. What will be the
value of that influence? Will It make
MS, the children Of the senior races, who
will have to come under the influence,
better or worse? Not what manner Of
producer, but what manner of man is
tho American of the future to be? How
will the majestic figure about to become
the largest and most powerful on the
stage of the world make use of his pow
er?"-William I. Stead in New York
Journal.