The Washington herald., 1914-09-11
HISTORY BUILDERS.
An Instance Of Gladstone's Prophetic
Insight.
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ny DR. z. ). EDWARDS.


Insight.
fwritten Exrss6 for he Hslhl
ny DIR. 4. J. EDWARDS.
A year or two before the death OF WILL
lam z. Gladstone Chauncey NJ Depey,
who at that time was president Of the
New York Central Railroad. having his
career as a Senator before him. met the
grand old man at a dinner in London.
1t was not their first meeting. As early
as 1880 Gladstone and Depew met at the
house Of a common friend, and Depew
was astonished not merely at the amount
Of information respecting America which
Gladstone revealed in the conversation,
but also at the persistency with which
Gladstone questioned him respecting GER
tain prominent Americans-not merely
those who were conspicuous In public life.
but some who had gained international
reputation for large achievement in the
world OF finance. commerce, and industry.
Gladstone recalled that earlier conver-
sation while chatting with Depew after
dinner on the occasion OF the later meet
ing. The opportunity arose for saying to
Gladstone that in the United States
strong disposition had been developed
since the successful arbitration by which
the difficulties between Great Britain and
the United States-represented by the so
called Alabama claims for damages in
fiicted upon American commerce by the
Confederate privateer Alabama-were
peacefully settled to extend the principle
Of arbitration In the hope that thereby
world peace might be established in the
future.
Gladstone instantly became very earn
est. Depew observed the peculiar express
sion which came into the Englishman's
eyes when discussing a subject in which
he was deeply interested. He said:
Mr.. Depew, in modern times many OF
the leading statesmen Of the world have
in days when peace prevailed expressed
a strong hope that the way would be dis
covered by which permanent peace could
be established among the nations Of the
earth But ] have observed that when
great crises have arisen these statesmen
have turned their attention from peace
to war.
II wish with all my heart that the
Of arbitration could be perma-
nently established, but my experience and
my knowledge, not only OF human ma
ture. but OF that composite nature which
is the characteristic of each nation,
teaches me that the hope OF peace must
continue merely a hope.
Look at Europe-great armies main
talned constantly. and a fearful taxation
on the people on account OF that: pOpu-
lation growing very rapidly, for which
an outlet must be found. That means the
establishment OF colonies, and COLOMBIA
tlOn soon or later involves friction with
other nations. which usually leads 10 war.
Il cannot look into the future without
a vista of a great struggle upon
the Continent of Europe To me 1t seems
l hope that my own country
may not be drawn into IL. l cannot look
far enough ahead to picture forth In my
what the results OF a contest
Of that kind upon civilization will be. My
heart and soul are for peace. but my
judgment tells me that permanent peace
is a condition OF a rarer and finer civili-
Eation than the one We now possess"
lCOpyrEht. 1914, by Z J. Edwards. All rights ~
Scrvedl
Tomorrow DR.. Edwards will tell How |
North and South Fraternized After the |
Civil War"