Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-05-19
Christ church. Oxford. NOM whieh 10

Christ church, oxford, from when Le
was graduated in 1881.
FIRST A CONSERVATIVE.
Gladstone began public life as Con-
servative He was the son of mer-
chant. He inherited that commercial
spirit which regards business as the
first concern of human life. 1t Is doubt
full whether Gladstone ever I'm his ca
reer considered any great question with
out first estimating its business effects
on Great Britain and its commercial as
poets I'm relation with the affairs Of the
world. He was strictly a business
statesman. His temper was cautious
and reserved He believed IN disturb
ing thngs-with wOrds--and in reform
ing things-with legislative enactments.
The conservative spirit Of Gladstone,
manifested even i'm those parts Of his
life which are regarded as radical and
reformatOry. was always predominant.
IIe was courageous in the conflict Of de-
bate, and audacious at a distance No
statesman ever more eagerly embarked
in foreign affairs; none was ever more
radical as il respected conditions in the
East. but none was ever more prudent
about disturbing British society with
actual radicalism. except when British
society had already reformed itself and
only called for some one TO deliver its
purpose in words.
IL was I'm this frame that Gladstone,
in 1852, entered public life. He was sent
into Parliament as Tory representa-
tive of Newark. under the patronage OF
the Duke OF Newcastle. His first noted
efforts in that body were in defence Of
slavery In the West Indies. He neld
back the abolition Of slavery in Jamaica
and Demerara as long as he could. He
showed how tolerable slavery might he
when the lash was held by such "A phil
ianthroplst and planter as his father.
This sketch can include no more than
a shadOwy outline OF Gladstone's rise to
political influence I'm Great Britain. He
was strongly supported from the first.
His large talents and sterling character
furnished a basis of merit too frequently
wanting IN the politicians OF his times.
Gladstone was always assiduous In applt-
cation to his studies and TO his political
duties He was rather silent in his am
bitions, but he pressed forward. slowly,
il Is true, but surely, TO cminence. In
1894 he was Junior Lord of the Treasury
under Sir Robert Peel; then, in Septem-
Der. ISL, he was Vice-President OF the
Board OF Trade: then, In 1913. he was
President Of that body and had a seat
in the Cabinet OF Sir Robert. Two years
afterward he resigned from the ministry
fnirabile dictu) on a question OF con-
scieucei In the same year. however
he became Secretary of the State for 'he'
Colonies. Gladstone belonged 10 the
faction known as the Peeltes, but ha was
rot extreme. and ii was easy 20 see that
he would presently affiliate with one or
the dominant parties in the state. lie
did not. therefore, make himself con-
spicueus az member OF the Adullamite
faction. He gradually veered over, be-
tween 1876 and 1852. to progressive and
modarately-radIcal policies. BY doing
so he offended Oxford. oxford renounced
him, and he renouuced oxford In one OF
the most courageous passages OF his life
2 CHANCELLOR or EXCHEQUER.
Meanwhile, In 1859. Gladstone became
Chancellor of the Exchequer under the
Earl OF Aberdeen. In this office IT de-
volved upon Rim TO manage the finances
OF ihe British empire during fha cr'-