New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-19
THE GREATEST ENGLiSHMAN.

The world has lost Its greatest citizen. AS
Mr.. Gladstones influence upon the morals ana
politics Of his time was not restricted by the
bounds Of his own country, the nations VIII
mourn his death and his fame will be the COM
mon heritage Of modern Chrlstendom. The
greatest Engllshman since Chatham and Pitt
In the worlds parliament Of statesmen ne mas
been the consummate type Of intellectual force
controlled by stern. unfinching morality. The
working stock Of political genius, always scant,
even in English-speaking countries, Is heavily
depleted by his death. What statesman can
hope TO emulate that zeal for work or that
inherent love Of progress which like q con-
sumlng flame inspired his laborious career!
Who can rival him in powers Of lucid EXPOSE
tion or in unfailing stores of assimilated knowl-
edge or in practical administrative talents?
Who can bring to the bar Of public opinion,
whether In plea for what is equitable or nee
essary or In vehement denurcation Of what
Is wrong and demoralzing. Mr.. Gladstone's
purity of motive. integrity Of character and en-
thusiasm for humanity? Poor In spirit and
warped by prejudice must be the man who
does not feel that the world was richer while
this statesman lived. His death is loss to the
noble ideaism that has inspired what is best
in the civilization Of the century.
The preeminence Of Mr.. Gladstone Is dis
closed by the comparisons which bis character
and craftsmanship invite As popular orator
he had known only one rival In England-John
Bright. When the two statesmen were labor
ing together in the interest Of Parliamentary
reform and the disestabshment OF an allen
Church, one was considered the greater debater
and the other the more impassioned orator
l,,rtp ,hn Al u.hn
was gradually emancpa,ing himself from the
Tory influences and traditions which had left
an impress upon his early manhood. But with
his growth In advanced Liberalism his oratory
became more democratic in form and spirit
The closer his approach TO the English Mount
Aventine the more fcrvid was his eloGuence
until in his old age he borrowed the vehemence
OF his rivals passion in leading popular ag
tation against Lord BeacOnSfeld's Mahomcian
diplomacy and in sounding a trumpet call for
the rallying of the masses against the classes
AS debater he without rival In two gen
eratlons of Parliament He combined the ad
mirable qualities Of the masters OF debate In
the last century the fiery invective OF Fox
the stately diclon and intellectual resources or
a Burke and the analytic power and lucid ex-
position of a Pitt-equally great az commoner
and financier.
As party leaders both Pamerston and Bea-
consfed excelled Mr.. Gladstone. Whether In
opposition or in majority they displayed unr-
vailed judgment and tact In their management
Of men, and in grave crises restored discipline
among their followers and avertcd dissensons.
When Palmerston died he was the most popular
Englishman. with almost as many partisans
among the Tories as among the Wings. Mr..
Gladstone was neither tactican nor party man
ager The great majority supporting him in
1868 dwlndled gradually into a minority, and
his abrupt dissolution Of Parliament In 1874 was
as grave a tactical blunder was ever COM
mitted by a Prime Minister. Mr.. Gladstone
was leader Of men rather than a party man.
ager. He had what better party managers
lacked moral earnestness and conviction that
his principles and measures were not only right.
but necessary. 1t was this magnificent faith In
himself and his work that inspired the respect
and confidence of the English people. They
laughed at or cynlcally admired Beaconsfeld,
but they never believed in him. Mr. Gladstone
was genuine. They believed In him. Not even
Sir Robert Peel had more devoted band or
followers in the nation The final test Of states
manship must be the influence OF the leader on
the public thought Of the day and his personal
authority over the nation BY this measure Mr..
Gladstone attains fully to the political stature
of William Pitt. Every landmark Of English
progress since the passage Of the great Reform
bill has been shaped by his hand. The course
Of financial administration and commercial law
was directed by him: series Of radical reform
measures was enacted under his leadershp;
fundamental changes in English society were
ordered and momentOus proposals made In re-
laion TO Ireland The most incisive criticism
upon his career is that he attempted too many
things, that he dragged the nation into reforms
before 1t was prepared for them and that his
eager, ardent optimism in regard to Ireland has
been over sanguine But the work remains,
in volume and utility SURPRISING the achieve
ments Of any other statesman.