The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-06-04
AMERICAS GLORIOUS DESTINY.
1t Was CheerfulIy Recognized and
Prophesfed by Gladstone,

He who. since the death of Abraham
Lincoln, has been the foremost and great
est of all English speaking men, passed
away when Mr.. Gladstone died.
Of 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 reproach that he was absolutely de-
void of that insular parochialism which
confounds the patriotic devotion due to
the English speaking race with the mere
jealous self-assertiveness of particular
state. OF the sentiment which regards
the English speakers living in the British
colonies as altogether separate and distinct
from those who inhabit the United States
which is one Of the distinctive traits of
the latter7day imperialist-Mr. Gladstone
showed no trace.
No British statesman ever recog nized
SO ungrudgingly the splendor Of America 8
promise, or hailed in advance with such
cordial wslcome the prospect of her future
ascendancy. Like John the Baptist, when
he said, "He must increase and must
decrease" Mr. Gladstone contemplated
the inheritance by the United States of
the pre-eminent position SO long held by
the United Kingdom, without a grudge
or regret. The commercial primacy of
his own country, he held, could be seri-
ously challenged by no rival Except it be
America. - That she had not already out
stripped England in the race he attribut-
ed to her reliance upon the crampign
swaddling clothes of protection. The day
when the United States frankly adopted,
with resolution steadily to maintain, a
system of free trade would, he always de-
clared, date the beginning of the end OF
British supremacy in the markets of the
world. America, - he wrote in the early
nlneties twill then probably take the
place which at present belongs to u.s."
but he added, with generous confidence:
She will not inJure us by the operation.
On theicontrary. she will do W good.
The frank recognition of the greatness
and probable ascepdancy Of the United
states was coupled with no misgivings
as to thesfuture of his own country. l
once ventured to demonstrate with him
fcr the severity with which he abstained
from all appeals to national or imperial
pride. He replied, good-humoredly, that
one had 30 be careful in praising son if
he seemed to be somewhat forward ..and
too self omplacent-praise may be allowed
as treat, it ought not to be his daily
bread. But, he went on to say: 81 fully
recognize that we have a great mission.
The work of England has been great in
the past but it will be still greater in
the future. This is true, l believe, in the
broadcast sense of the English speaking
world. l believe this is also true of Eng-
land herself. / think that the part which
England has to play, and the influence of
england in the world will be even vaster
In the future than it is today. England
VIII be greater yet than she has ever
Great as England will be, and vast as
Will be her influence, Mr.. Gladstone be-
ileved that the greatness and influence of
the United States would be vaster still.
In one OF his frequent contributions to
periodical literature, Mr.. Gladstone
touched upon what he called "the para
mount question" of the future of Ameri-
Ca He spoke in almost prophetic tone
upon the magnitude Of the influence