MR GLADSTONE’S BIRTHDAY.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1481, 6 March 1885, Page 2

MR GLADSTONE’S BIRTHDAY.

Daily News,” December 29.

Mr Gladstone to-day completes his seventy-fifth year. The cordial greetings and well wishes of his countrymen throughout the United Kingdom and the Empire will direct themselves to the retreat at Hawarden in which he “ interposes a little ease ” between the strenuous labors of the closing and opening year. Nor will the greeting be simply from his countrymen. All that is best among Eng-lish-speaking and civilised people all over She world will send spoken or silent good wishes to the illustrious statesman. Mr Gladstone’s present position illustrates how little foresight and intention have to do with the disposition of men’s lives. Ten years ago the circumstances which now surround him would have seemed impossible. On December 29, 1874, Mr Gladstone’s birthday meditations were probably of a period of repose and slackened activity. Little more than a fortnight later Mr Gladstone, in a letter to Lord Granville, announced his retirement from the leadership of the Liberal party, and his intention of withdrawing from the more strenuous labors of political life. The letter was written on January 13, 1875. The Parliament which will re-assembla next February will find Mr Gladstone the most powerful leader of the strongest and most united Liberal party ever assembled in the English House of Commons, and the most trusted Prime Minister of modern times. Events were too strong for Mr Gladstone’s resolution. He from 1875 onward continued to frequent the House of Commons, at first paying rare visits there, afterwards attending more habitually. It soon became evident that ■ r Gladstone could not remain among the Liberal leaders without becoming again the Liberal leader. If in the House, of Commons at all, he must be the most considerable person in it. To be anything else he must cease to be himself. He must strip hipjself of his knowledge, of his experience, of bis forge of mind and of character. He must rob the country of the confidence which it felt in him. It is just as impossible for a man by any act of his own will to lay aside these things as it is fop him to assume them. They cannot be put off aud on like a robe. They are a vital and inseparable growth. Mr Gladstone proposed, but forces greater,than he disposed. A something not himself, to apply in a political sense the phrase which embodies Mr Matthew Arnold’s theology, making for the public good worked its way. The general ejection of 1880 aas a sort of plebiscite reversing the retirement of 1875. The question of thp leadership was properly left open for decision by the country. Th 3 attempts to name Mr Gladstone as the leader while the struggle was going on were deprecated by himself in the strongest terms. But when the Bouse of Commons was elected it was clear to all observers that only ho could lead it. After a depeat interval of negotiation with the interim leaders, the Royal choice ratified the popular nomination, and Mr Gladstone became a second time Prime Minister.