New-York tribune., 1908-11-01

morality. There Is no doubt that had Il not
been for his incrimination IN a sensational d.
vorce suit he would long this have been in
vested by his countrymen with the dignity os
Prime Minister OF the British Empire for which
his brilliant intellectual qualities and experience
OF the policies OF the world fitted him in an
altogether pre-enfnent degree. But as soon as
his name mentioned correspondent in
the trial in question. he became the object OF a
popular crusade which in the savagery OF its
violence suggested the idea OF a species OF
moral lynching. since there IS doubt that he
was punished far beyond his deserts and did
not receive full justice at the hands OF his
countrynen, to whose service he had devoted
his existence up, to that time The persecution
which he suffered had. however. one good re-
suit 1t brought vividly home 10 the mind OF
every statesman the necessity Of so CONDUCTING
bis private life to render it free from any
danger of fate such that which has over
taken sths most conspicuous OF their former
associates.
1t was not always so in England. In the
eighteenth century. and during the first seven
or eight decades OF the nineteenth century dis
sipation was the rule rather than the excep-
tion IN political life. Charles Fox's proafzacies
far from diminishing the popular idolatry "
which he was the object, seemed TO increase MS
hold upon the regard and affections Of his coun-
lTyLnen Inc numerous analrcS CS CCPur' Cf
Lord Melbourne and OF Lord PaInierston never
in any way interfered with their careers as min
listers Of the Crown and as premiers and al
though Queen Victoria was so blameIess in her
own life and established so high a standard OF
purity among the women frequenting her court
yet she did not, during the first forty years OF
her occupation OF the throne, display any ex-
cessive severity with regard TO the moral short
comings Of the men among her constitutional
advisers and the great officers OF her house
hold. At the beginning OF her reign incrimi-
nation in a divorce suit the part OF a states
considered almost in the light Of n
feather IN his cap. But toward the end thereof
her own views and popular sentiment had IN
dergone so marked a change that any assoca-
tion with an affair OF that kind had become
absolutely fatal to a political career.
One OF the most ardent champions OF ths
purity OF private morals in public men was the
great Prince Bismarck. who was never tired OF
condemning dissipation the bane OF political
careers. His own home life was exemplary. The
princess was not brilliantly Intellectual and
was sngularIy lacking IN feminine corueIiness
and elegance. In this connection II IS interest
Ing to recall his remarks concerning Gambettl.
which were uttered with the intention OF their
being communicated to that statesman. On be-
ing Informed OF the great French trtbune's in
fatuation for Mime. Leonie Leon he declared
thdI -thouSh GamoettA was no friend CT Ger
many ne did not Ike 10 50 able man
destroying his chances OF usefulness to his
country by dissipation. He burns the candle
at both ends" added the prince. He ought 20
take country house. marry. have children
about him. and get somebody to look after him
when he Is ILL., CT he Will die young" Garnbetta
was deeply struck by his advice. But II came
too late. For although he had purchased the
little country house at Les Jardies. near Parts.
he was overtaken by premature death IN his
very prime. the OF his marriage 10 Nine.
Leon. of whom he had written:
la lumere de mon anne.
fetotle de ma vie.
n Leonie Leon.
U-AT1rACaE