The Grand Old Man by Richard B. Cook
page 47 of 386 (12%)
page 47 of 386 (12%)
![]() | ![]() |
|
|
country, is so characteristic, both in substance and in form," that we
reproduce it here from Dr, Russell's work on Gladstone: "Thus much, sir, I have said, as conceiving myself bound in fairness not to regard the names under which men have hidden their designs so much as the designs themselves. I am well aware that my prejudices and my predilections have long been enlisted on the side of Toryism (cheers) and that in a cause like this I am not likely to be influenced unfairly against men bearing that name and professing to act on the principles which I have always been accustomed to revere. But the good of my country must stand on a higher ground than distinctions like these. In common fairness and in common candor, I feel myself compelled to give my decisive verdict against the conduct of men whose measures I firmly believe to have been hostile to British interests, destructive of British glory, and subversive of the splendid and, I trust, lasting fabric of the British constitution." The following extracts from the diary of William Cowper, afterwards Lord Mount-Temple, we also reproduce from the same author: "On Saturday, October 27, 1827, the subject for debate was: "'Whether the deposition of Richard II was justifiable or not.' Jelf opened; not a good speech. Doyle spoke _extempore_, made several mistakes, which were corrected by Jelf. Gladstone spoke well. The Whigs were regularly floored; only four Whigs to eleven Tories, but they very nearly kept up with them in coughing and 'hear, hears,' Adjourned to Monday after 4. "Monday, 29.--Gladstone finished his speech, and ended with a great deal of flattery of Doyle, saying that he was sure he would have courage |
|


