The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-06-18
II

It Ia worth while to mark Mr. Holyoakes
estimates of some OF the more distinguished
men among bis contemporaries. both
bv reason OF his social and agnostic
points OF view and because of his
characteristic determination to treat even
opponents fairly. In matters of religion
he and MIR. Gladstone we're poles apart, yet
nowhere, not even in Morley's Life. could
We find sentences or paragraphs more APP
preciative and illuminative than in the two
chapters Of this book allotted to the great
Liberal sta tesman. In one OF these chap
ters we come upon curious juxtaposltion.
Our author suggests that were Plutarch at
hand 10 write historical parallels Of famous
men OF our time he might compare Vol
taire and Gladstone. "Dissiniar az they
were by nature. their points of resemblance
were notable Noltaire was the most con-
-picuo,is man in Europe in the eighteenth
century, as Mr. Gladstone became in the
nineteenth Both wer. men OF wide kno~l-
edge beyond all their contemporaries
Each wrote more letters than any other man
was ever known to write, Every court IN
Europe was concerned about the move
meuts of each in his day. Both were de-
liverers of the oppressed where no one else
moved Oh their behalf. Both attained
great aye. and were ceaselessly active to
the last In decision of conviction they
we're also alike Voltaire was as deter
minedlv Thei-tc a. Mr.. Gladstone was
Christian They We're alike also in the
risks they undertook in defense Of the right
Voltaire risked his life and Gladstone his
reputation to save others" Mr.. Holyoake
J,L,, 1ntn ~ Ma
Philosopher of Ferney that when he made
his triumphal journey through Paris some
one asked woman IN the street. why do
so many people follow this MANI" Don't
YOU know" was the reply. He was the
dcliverer of the CALAIS" No applause went
to Voltare's heart like that MIR Glad
stone also had golden memories OF delv-
erarce no one else moved hand or foot to
effect; and multitudes. even nations, fol-
lowed him because OF that"
1t seems that toward the end OF his life
Mr.. Gladstone asked our author what the
latter would advise rule OF policy with
regard to the anarchists who had thrown
the bombs in the French Chamber MIR
Holyoake answered that there were serious
men who came to have anarchcal views
from despair Of the Improvement OF society.
There are also foolish anarchists who
think they could put the world to rights
had they a clear field before them. There
are also q class who are quite persuaded
that by killing people who have nothing
to do with the evils they complain of they
will intimidate those who have. They
take destruction to he a mode of progress.
These persons are as mad az they are made.
and you cannot legiSlute against insanity.
BY way of example. Mr.. Holyoaka mentioned
the case of Nonconformist minister who
was so incensed by the injustice done to
Mr.. Bradlaugh that he took a revolver,
loaded. to Palace Yard, intending to shoot
the policemen who maltreated him. The
Member for Northampton himself was
altogether against such proceedings. Our
! author submitted that to crazy etullitions
! OF vengeance society has been exposed
in every age. and that its best protection
lies in intrepid disdain and cool precaution.
/ Mr. Gladstone himself gave the best answer
/ to his own inquiry lie said thnt "the
| Spanish Government had solicited him to
! Join in a federation against anarchists,
| But how could we do that? We cannot
| tell what other Governments may do,
! and we should he held responsible for their
acts, which we might depore."
! Personal intercourse convinced our au-
| thor that Gladstone had the fine spirit
) of Able Lamennas, Who writing Of n
| book of mark depicting the "pas rive-
! Christian, said; -Of the active Christian
who is ceaselessly fighting the enemies
| of humanity. without emitting to pardon
and love them-of this type OF Christian
| | find no trace whatever In Mr.. Hol-
yoakes judgment, Gladstone was OF that
ideal type. at was his distinction that
he applied this afectonate tolerance not
! only to the enemies Of humanity but