The San Francisco call., 1901-10-14

M
L name and fame will long survive in the
world
Because of this the recent letter of Cecil Rhodes
excites great interest far outside of England Rhodes
seems to seek to put Gladstone in the position Of
having sold out his own principles and the policy of
his party for campaign contribution of $1,000 1t
is true that Rhodes has, in making this revelation
the pretext of denial of the transaction by Sir Will
liam Vernon Harcourt and Sir Henry Campbell
Bannerman, which mpeached his veracity. But that
denial was apparently provoked by him for the pur
pose of opening the way to his full narrative of the
affair.
He declares that he bargained with Schnadhorst,
Liberal campaign manager, that for the of $4,000
the British army was to be left in Egypt by Glad
stone, and that Ireland to retain representation
in the British Parliament, no matter what Home Rule
bill passed. AS for the latter, there would have
been inconsistency in giving Ireland home rule
and representation in the Imperial Parliament That
is plan that has been canvassed to the gen
era1 Parliamentary federation of Great Britain and
all the crown colonies They could we'll have home
rule and each its own Parliament to legisate in all
local concerns, and representation in the Imperial
Parliament to take OF their interests in the fed
Grated empire Such a system would be exactly like
ours, for here the States have home rule and home
legislation and a representation in Congress in
spect to their Federal interests and relations There
would have been no sacrifice Of principle in the adop
ton of such system by Gladstone Nor is it clear
that he held as cardinal principle Of his politics
that Egypt should be evacuated, though Rhodes re-
garded his attitude upon that subject with suspicion
To make out a case against Gladstones memory
however, Mr.. Rhodes must establish the fact that
the bargain with Schnadhorst was known to and ap-
of
OF this he submits no evidence and therefore his
revelation fails as an impeachment of the integrity
of the Grand Old Man.
1t is probable that Schnadhorst, like many other
campaign managers was willing to replenish the
party treasury from any and to make any bar
gain that would bring money. These things are in
cident to politics and campaigns and such bargains
are repudiated by the real leaders frequently
than they are kept Special bargains have been made
in campaign emergencies in this country and usu-
ally have led to trouble Lincoln was involved in
one by his managers in the Republican National
Convention of 1867 by which they obligated him to
put Simon Cameron in the Cabinet, an appointment
that led to no end of trouble and scandal, that finally
compelled the President to eXpel Cameron and ap-
point Stanton. The treaty of Mentor, between Gar
field and Conking, was another bargain made in the
necessities of campaign to be broken by the PreSl-
dent and the breach brought in its train many tragic
and grevous consequences
But neither Lincoln nor Garfield ever became in
volved in transaction that made necessary promise
to violate party principle sell party policy.
This is the intended implication Of the affair which
Rhodes has divuged and the world will not believe
that Gladstone party to any such arrangement.
His political career knew many reverses and the ups
and downs of his public life make intensely inter
estng chapter in the history OF British politics, but
he never purchased power by sacrifice of principle
In Justice to. his great rival Disraeli, the
be said Of him. and of the other great party leaders
of England in the nineteenth century. The princi-
pies of parties in Great Britain definite in
this country during the last century, and there as
here parties willing to die but not to surrender
Rhodes is quite safe in putting any color he chooses
upon the brbe he says he paid, for both Schnad-
horst and Gladstone dead, and neither
confront him. But we believe the character OF Glad
stone stands in testimony that nothing can impeach
against the implied charge that Rhodes evidently de-
sires to make AT present the Liberal party is in
such condition of Generalization that Rhodes can
hardly hurt it, and the Conservative party, led by
Lord Salisbury, is in such position that nothing
can help it. 1t is held together solely because there
is no opposition to which men can safely CO. and it
will retain power indefinitely, until issues arise
and compel partisan alignment. These issues
are at present apparent in the germ. The honor
and integrity of the empire have been made to de-
pend upon the complete conquest of South Africa
and the determination of the Beers, and while Eng
lishen chafe the delay and at the cost of the war;
and criticize the Ministry, they have choice but
to support it
1t is noted that the St Louis papers refer to the