New-York tribune., 1909-12-29
HONOR GLADSTONE
BRYCE PAYS TRIBUTE.
He Was One of My Heroes, .
Wrote President Taft.

James Bryce, British Amb2 2ssador at
Washington. gave TO the Civic Forum last
night his estimate OF William Ewart Glad
stone, the centenary OF whose birth was
the occasion OF the gathering in Carnegie
Hall. AS his friend. as one Who had sat
in his councils and with whom he was in
tellectually sympathetic in many ways. his
talk was an unveiling of the great states
ans life. revealing the heroic proportions
of his services % his country and to the
world. 1t evoked warmth OF approval
from the large audience that was thrilling.
President Taft had been invited. but sent
letter OF regret In which he said that he
had always had such deep. admiration
for Gladstone that he would have been
glad by his presence to do his memory
honor. He had been one OF his heroes the
President said. Ex-Mayor Seth Low pre-
sided and introduced Mr.. Bryce
The British Ambassador. before he spoke
of Gladstone, referred to Lincoln whose
centenary was celebrated Iast' February.
in a way that won ringing applause lie
said he had always looked upon him as one
Of the greatest and wisest of men. with
the lofdest character. Then always calm
ly. showing feeling only in the deep SYM
pathy with the career of his friend. the
delineation of the life of the great Liberal
was given.
He said he had known Mr. Gladstone in
timately. He had been a friend and a COL
league. Often he had said to him that the
future of the world, and especially of the
English speaking race. lay in the United
States. He would try 10 take him and
look at him, il he could. in his several
great aspects
Gladstone held that a nation had con-
science, and should live up to it: should
live according to righteousness. and should
never abuse its own strength His course
i'll office reflected this belief
Mr.. Bryce SAID that Gladstone first
fame by his oratory. but ne was a states
man. scholar and a writer. and by gem
eia' consent was, in the British political
sphere. the foremost man of his time.
1t was In 1870. after visit TO this coun-
try. that Mr.. Bryce had his first confer
ence with Gladstone. The Alabama claims
We're agitating this country and England.
Gladstone was already considering arbitra-
ton, Mr.. Bryce said. and listened to the
latter's account of the feeling in this coun-
try with absorbing interest He was much
blamed for submitting the matter TO arbi-
tration. but every one now recognized the
wisdom of that course. Mr.. Gladstone be-
lieved. Mr.. Bryce said, that Providence
meant that the two countries should be
friends.
This led Mr.. Bryce to refer TO Gladstones
attitude toward the North in the Civil War.
He had used language that gave the i'm
preston that he had taken sides but he
admitted afterward that he had not prop
eriy understood the questions involved.
Mr.. Bryce said that such ignorance was
common among the upper classes in Eng
land. But there were never open meetings
against M in re
ings, he said. the subject was taboo The
English people as body were with the
Union cause
Mr.. Gladstone often told Mr. Bryce In
his later years that the chief mistake of
his earlier life had been In not ha wing sutti-
cient faith in and love for liberty, in liberty
as force making for good in all human
affairs. That became. however. the ground
of his boundless admiration for George
Washington. whom, in respect of his fidelity
to freedom, he placed far above Oliver
Cromwell
Mr.. Bryce said that Gladstone knew the
Bible better than ministers OF the Gospel
He was helped in all his public life by his
deep religious faith and earnest piety. His
leadership was marked by his work for
peace and good will among the nations
This moral courage. Mr. Bryce said was
rare among politicians. Gladstone's mind
was open to the call OF any good cause
which was the finest test of leadership. the
British Ambassador declared This was
one of his best titles to be remembered by
posterity.
Many characteristics were told Of his
freedom from resentment his disnterested
zeal his love for the struggle Of politics
and his keen enjoyment of debate Mr.
Bryce said that the anticipation Of con-
hict in the Commons acted as A stimulant
When Mr.. Bryce closed there was long
continued applause. Then E R l. Gould.
who was on the stage. moved a vote OF
thanks. and among the reasons for ii gave
the interview with Gladstone after Mr.
Bryce returned 10 England from this coun-
try in 1870, which Mr.. Could understood
to have Influenced Mr.. Gladstone 10 arbi-
trate the Alabama claims The vote was
given with good will. but Mr.. Bryce got up
and sald that he had heen misunderstood.
He had said that when he returned he
found Gladstone already in favor of arbi
tratiOn.
Mr. Bryce then said that he would con-
vey the honor paid TO the memory Of Mr.
Gladstone to his sons and daughters. whom
ne considered among his dear friends
On the stage in addition TO Mr. Bryce
Mr., Low and Mr.. Gould. there were Henry
Cl"ws. Marcus n. Marks and Isaac y.