The
flame shot out on every side, scorching and brilliant; but in the
midst, there was a darkness.
That Mr. Gladstone's motives and ambitions were not merely those
of a hunter after popularity was never shown more clearly than in
that part of his career which, more than any other, has been
emphasised by his enemies--his conduct towards General Gordon. He
had been originally opposed to Gordon's appointment, but he had
consented to it partly, perhaps, owing to the persuasion that its
purpose did not extend beyond the making of a 'report'. Gordon
once gone, events had taken their own course; the policy of the
Government began to slide, automatically, down a slope at the
bottom of which lay the conquest of the Sudan and the annexation
of Egypt. Sir Gerald Graham's bloody victories awoke Mr.
Gladstone to the true condition of affairs; he recognised the
road he was on and its destination; but there was still time to
turn back.
It was he who had insisted upon the withdrawal of the English
army from the Eastern Sudan. The imperialists were sadly
disappointed. They had supposed that the old lion had gone to
sleep, and suddenly he had come out of his lair, and was roaring.
All their hopes now centred upon Khartoum. General Gordon was cut
off; he was surrounded, he was in danger; he must be relieved. A
British force must be sent to save him.
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