by a long measure

Hello everyone
I'd like to ask about the meaning of the phrase "by a long measure" in the following passage.

But people absorbed the news with surprise and resignation. Which was a little dissapointing, curiously enough. It would have made Jopale feel more secure about his solution -- more optimistic by a long measure -- if what he was doing caused pointed hatred in the people that he was prepared to leave behind.

Does "more optimistic by a long measure" mean "more optimistic for a long time"?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by KLPNO

Hello everyone
I'd like to ask about the meaning of the phrase "by a long measure" in the following passage.

But people absorbed the news with surprise and resignation. Which was a little dissapointing, curiously enough. It would have made Jopale feel more secure about his solution -- more optimistic by a long measure -- if what he was doing caused pointed hatred in the people that he was prepared to leave behind.

Does "more optimistic by a long measure" mean "more optimistic for a long time"?

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No, normally it means 'much much more optimistic', but the English in your piece is very stilted and it might be that the author intends something different.