The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1908-04-09

view already too long. We trust then
that we may, with prnpriety, approach
the conclusion of this article.
1t would be unjust, we believe, to
neglect a brief reference to the rela-
tive Importance of Hastings life work
to the nation he represented. Here
was man who had never known the
advice and cooperation of experienced
politicians, who had risen from coun-
try-house position to occupy the high
est post in complex government and
there by sheer force of talent to re-
form and readjust the vast system to a
practical working basis. 1t would be
positively absurd to deny his great
ness. 1t would appear equally prepos-
terous to exalt him to Immortality.
But his supreme genius cannot be de-
MED. Its frequent flash across the
dark background of warfare and rob-
berry, of horrible plots and frightful
consequences. render too sure the GER
tainty of the lofty existence.
1t was in the days of dubious sus-
pense that England had unwittingly
assigned to him the sacred trust of
national honor, and he proved him.
self wholly worthy of the high faith.
He had risen unaided and alone 20
maintain that honor at any cost, thru
the despairing years of invasion and
rebellion that passed, the years that
witnessed his proud country at her
lowest ebb, when, ali awful shame
played in the shadows among her peo-
pie, and of all her many possessions
the one intrusted to his care was alone
! preserved intact. Well might Eng
lishmen thank and praise him for the
inestimable services he had so freely
rendered. Yet all thanks and all
praise was to be denied. The master
hand that had swung an empire for
twenty years, was to return to the land
of his boyhood, to fan with stole i'm.
passiveness the accusations of his
conntrymen, to feel the bitterness OF
their unutterable contempt, to mutely
sorrow under the load of caiumny
thrust upon him. The parliament OF
the dignified nation he had served and
loved was to call him before their bal
to answer the imputations of high
crimes and misdemeanOrs. Their
there was to be enacted one of the
most magnificent spectacles the worId
has ever known. Representatives Of
every profession and every art thrOngec
, to witness this scene of gigantic splen
, dor. Learning, wit and beauty were
, nowhere wanting. 1t was most Ger
> tainly an event we'll calculated to ex
, cite attention, to inspire awe. Th'
, vast thrOng of noble spectators were
, to laugh and rOmp, to applaud ant
: feint while the grand melodrama fol
lowed out its plot. The distinguished
culprit was to deny emphatically tn
many accusations or to justify wha
1 seemed to admit of probability. Tn
n genius of Burk in brilliant fire was t.
n arraign with terrible invective tn
: gross infamy of the wrongs that ha'
t been committed, to pray with intens
O passion that the perpetrator be brough
to justice. The English nation was t
:, rise as one man and brand Warrel
:, Hastings as criminal.
d The stigma chung for thirteen year
!. to the unhappy victim, to fade event
d ually where repentent people, soft
/ ened by the lapse of time, deemed
If proper to offer unstinted honor an
j. general absOlution to him who had dt
e] served so much and received so LITTLE
Is And the aged martyr held out hi
,r trembling hand to receive what the
n might offer. Thetwilight of his lit
# had already passed. The stars ha
r even began to fade, and soon this chill
"a of greater faith and higher hoI
re- than most men know, was to gatht
10 his garments about him and sink int
e. q welcome grave.
Was the Hastings of Daylesford |
,e theend? Yes, his proud heart and 81
Of preme mind rested beneath that che
st ished soil. He had wandered muc
n but he had returned to fulfill his yout
p full VOW.
o. The measure of life is short to Il
K universe. The rise and fall OF its ma