The Temuka Leader TUESDAY, MAY 4, 1880.

Temuka Leader, Issue 251, 4 May 1880, Page 2

The Temuka Leader TUESDAY, MAY 4, 1880.

The Hon Mr Gladstone is a gentleman highly fayored in more respects than one. He is not only blessed with good natural gifts, but has ala© received a liberal education. Very early in life he distinguished himself as a scholar, and soon he manifested that true independence of mind nnd feeling which always brings its reward sooner or later. Mr Gladstone wua ever a ' friend of the oppressed, and at the outset of bis political career he determined to release the political prisoners confined in the Sicilian dungeons. Being a man of sterling principles, he never joined in the nefarious practices indulged in in high places. A colleague of Sir Robert Peel, he was, like him, some time in coming to tha front as a L'bern' m-d Free Trade advocate. He aided that able statesman in his bold policy of-free trade iu coin. We he threw up more than once than sacrifice his sacrifices he iuadi, no ffort. young Earfr

der conscience. This keot him straight, and was his staying power abovo ad his other powers, when brought face to face with temptati h. Many a sigh no doubt escaped him when lie was put to the trial of giving up the companionship of sue! high-minded noblemen as Earl Derby uuo others with whom he was at one time associated, but the noble minded Gladstone was above flattery or vain-glory. From the time tl at he was the means of converting the French Government to fret trade, his triumphs multiplied. During the time of the Crimean War Ids honesty <f principle was again put to tha t.st, ano stood the trial well. During the lute war between Turkey and Russia, Gladstone again was on the unpopular side. No. only was the wholeßritish influence against him, but ail tho Continental powers beside.;. For his bold opposition to the British policy at that rime he was subjected to much ridicule and scorn by high and low, rich and poor. Nevertheless, Gladstone did not seek to curry favor or court ] o. pularity by pandering to party. On the contrary.) he boldly denounced the tish Policy because it led to the upholding of a rotten state of Mahotuinedan am Gladstone would not say black was white to please any man. Ho saw that Turkey was a state which was doomed ;he saw, also, that Christianity could never prosper side by side with Heathenism, s> long as Christendom supported Heathenism. He therefore (after mature deliberate- ) resolved to. denounce the policy which bolstered up idol worship, and true to his principles, ho washed his hands of tho consequences. Britain rejoiced over the fall of Russia. And why not ? Because, she believed_it_l I I ' JiPjSfSded to her, Gladstone, on the other hand, die net believe in doing evil th-t good might come of it, and he was right. No permanent good lias resulted from any sacrifice of principle. The glory that would accrue to Britain by conquering Russia dazed it, Gladstone, more fur-sec-Ang and better read, could so® that any peace, bringing honor to Lord only delaying the annihilation of idolatry in one of the fairest countries of tho world fWbat course Gladstone’s Ministry will pursue, perhaps no one at this moment I can tell; but this we can tell—that GUd--1 stone will act from principle and not, from pride. AH'his past life backs us up in tl.iopinion, «nd whatever comes about wo may rest assured of this, that Gladstone will not sell Britain of her Christian principles. Being a man of study and' deep thought, it is not impossible that ho may have carefully studied divine prophecy and come to the conclusion that the time for its fulfilment, so far as regards Turkey, is at hand, and acting upon this principle, he may, at this very ’moment, be turning over in h’s mind what power will take the place of the heathen Turk, or under what rule Turkey shall bo placed. That a Liberal Ministry will encourage any extension of a despotic power like Russia, we need not fear. The present Liberal Government is composed of other statesmen besides Gladstone, who are prepared to defend Liberal principles. We may rest assured, therefore, that Russia will be watched, and her ambitious schemes kept in check. Lord Beaconsiield, with all his experience and ability, kept self always in view. From first to last his aim has been to possess the summit of power, that lie might leave a name and a fame behind him. Gladstone’s aim, from hia youth up, has been to set an example to every your g man, by teaching them to do that which is right,however unpromising tiio prospect of reward. It is seldom the lot of good men to live to receive the reward of their labors. Nay, the case is rather the other way— Ona soweth and another reapeth, or enters into his labors, is very often.tho ex, erience of grout philanthrophists, great geniuses, or great reformers. Few live to enjoy tho fruits of thei" labors. Gladstone is a r<’-»iari£ablo instance of the possibility of doing so. Who, a couple of years ago, would have taken a hundred to o e that Gladstone would, in 1880, bo Prime Minister of the British Empire ? Boaconsfield being hurled from his power by the will of the people ? yet such is the case. Tho Right Hon Wm. Ewart Gladstone, born in Liverpool iu 1809, lives as an example of what perseverance in the right path will do. No better example could be placed boforo auy young man than tho life of the Hon Premier ; no greater stimulants to perseverance in the path of duty could be set before our colonial youth ; no better field than politics could be pointed out to them to cultivate* Glandstone was insulted, often slighted, and often snubbed by those in high places ; even the Queen choose to ig nore his existence when the last Royaj marriage took place. We can scarcely forgive the old dame for this slight, but, letting it pass for the moment, we say* to young men—Go and follow the example of Gladstone ; make It your mnxim to do what is right, and leave the rest with the King of kings. Many old (as well as young) men have to bear a good deal of persecution, oven when acting conscientiously, and it is very often trying-to the flesh to see cringing sycophants preferred to honorablA men. W® say to voting men—Never Bind ; fear not; make Hkulve to act rot, u'iT3~

speak the truth, defend the right, curry not favor with the rich, or you may come to grief; eschew crime, yield not to the force of habit, determine to make for youraelf a name and a fame. In the colonies, principles are almost ignored : every criminal baa his crimes palliated by the term, “He is a good, hearted fellow.” Give not place to such thoughts, parley not with, crime, but denounce it in all clatsos. Resolve tset an upright and honest example, and in time h> nor will come. Gladstone was not more highly favored than some of our • oluniui youths. Here in Now Zealand you have an opportunity of acquirl. g a good education. Independence of thought, freedom of action, and means to assist to tarry it out—not mot with in old coun-tries-are to bo found here. Why, then, will not our young men emulate Lord Beuconslield’s and Derby’s example? Why do they not r- solve to make a mark in 'he uistory of their adopted country? Up, young men, and at it ; resolve to win thr prize ; tho triumph that has crowned Gladstone’s efforts will crown yours if you persevere.