The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-01-17
GLaDSTONl!-RRYAN.

W f.. II. Lecky is one of the profound
moral and historical English writers Of the
present day. Several years back he pub
lished most interesting work called
Democracy and Liberty Iasty year he
published a new edition of this work with
an introduction TO it written since the
death of Mr.. Gladstone, in which that
statesman's character is analysed In the
subllest manner and his relations to pro-
srcssive Democracy is most critically eN-
aInined.
We think Mr.. Lecky's estimate of Glad
stone is very fair and just, and it is far
from placing him upon a pinnacle that Will
ensure him lasting fame.
Indeed, Lecky, says openly that he does
not expect his fame to last ions.
The key to his analysis Of Gladstone is
his characteristic of rhetorician- Outside
OF an intense religious enthusiasm, he
thinks Gladstone was pretty nearly desti-
tute Of convictions. His view Of him Is
fairly limited by this sentence used in his
portrayal of him. to-wit: IF the world
could be wisely governed by sk1iful
rhetoric he would have been one OF the
greatest Of statesmen. In truth, no man
is more dangerous in a State than he who
possesses in an eminent degree the power
of moving. dazzling aid fascinating MS
contemporaries, while in soundness OF
Judgment he ranks considerably below Inc
average of educated men," That is a lair
hint of what re thinks Gladstone was. che
following fairly hints what he thinks ne
was not. He adds:
.,Certain it is that in some of the quail
ties that are most needed for the WISE
government Of snen Gladstone was ausplc-
uously deficient. A sound, temperate, dis
passionate judgment: a due sense Oh me
proportion Of things, a real knowledge OIL
men and a; power of foreseeing the future,
were gifts in which he was wholly want
ing Few men made to themselves more
illusions about men and things Few men
showed In a long political life less pre-
science. Few men had less power OF UNDER
standing and judging alien types vi
national character" And thea ne sums
UP his case thus:
..There is such a thing as an honest man
with dishonest mind. There are men
Who are wholly incapable of wil1ul and
deliberate untruthfulness, but who have
the habit of clubbing with their conVlc-
lions. and by slzilful casuistry persuadlng
themselves that what they wish is right
To get Mr. Lecky's full idea of Glad
stone it is only necessary to add to THIS
that he thinks he was one OF the greatest
.he;orictans - speech-makers = that the
world has ever seen, but that he was
speech-1naker and nothing else
How entirely this very profound analysis
of Gladstone's character suits a man VINO
has been occupying q great share OF the
attention of the American people for sew
eral yesrs. Indeed, the picture looks as
though William J. Bryan had actually sat
for it. We have never been an adzn1rer OF
Mr.. Bryan's: rhetoric. but 1t undoubtedly
has qualities that appeal to certain classes
of our fellow citizens. But if he has one
quality calculated to fasten public atten-
ton upon himself, except his rhetoric, we
are Unable to name it. He is most
forcible illustration of Mr.. Jecky's re-
mark that mo man is more dangerous In
O state than he who possesses in an emil
nent degree the power Of moving, dazzling
and fascinating his contemporaries. While
IN soundness of judgment he ranks con-
s:derably below the average educated
man