The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1871-11-04 00:00:00

Mr. GLADSTONE to his CObISTITUENTS.

141-, !Midden° paid his pronti4ed vi.it to his con-
cuustituents at Greenwich on SaturdAy afternoon, at
three o'cock.
- • ••

A covered hustings hail been erected on the north-
eastern corner of Blackheath, in front of which more
than 15,000 persons were present, who, it should be
stated, conducted themselves throughout the proceed-
ings in the most orderly and creditable manner.
Prmisely at the hour appointed, the Premier, accom-
panied by Mrs. Gladstone, drove up to the hustings in
an open carriage, where many of his warmest sup-
porters 'and several membete of parliament Were
awaiting his arrival. The right hon. gentleman was
received with enthusiastic cheering.
Mr. Angerstein, having been requested to take the
chair, briefly introduced Mr. Gladstone as the greatest
statesman of the age, whose words of whalinn would be
conveyed by the public Press and the telegraph wires
throughout the world. He believes' they would always
find Mr. Gladstone is firm advocate of the rights of the
whole people without reference to class, and a manful
defender of the Constitution in its integrity. (Cheere.)
The right hon. gentleman, having asked for their
indulgence in regard to his discharge of local duties,
made a brief reference to the state of Greenwich
Hospital, expressing a hope that when Mr. thischen's
plans were matured, that institution would be applied
to a purpose satisfactory alike to them and to the
country. Next he justified the course taken by the
Government during the past session, and this was
! followed by an elaborate defence of the general
policy of his Administration, in which he replied
to the charge that economy had been purchased
at the expense of efficiency, and that partiality had
been shown in the reductions which have been matle.
To those who complained of the short-zomings of the
Education Act he would say, was not that measure a
great step in the path of real progress? At the same
*me, Mr. Gladstone admitted that the question of
rates for deno inational schools was one of serious
difficulty, lie believed that the ballot had nearly
reached its final triumph. Speaking of the Con-
tagious Diseases Acts, Mr. Gladstone said that
the mode in which the Ministry proposed to
deal with them "would be likely to command
the general approval of the intelligent com-
munity." He also held out a hope that non-
political legislation would form no inconsiderable
part of the business of next session. The right hon.
gentleman deprecated any hasty or violent action in
dealing with the constitution of the Howe of Lords;
and with respect to what has been called "The New
Social Alliance," he wsnied his hearers well to consider
before they committed themselves to vast changes,
and to the introduction of new principles. A vote of
confidence in Mr. Gladstone was carried by an over-
whehning majority, and amid tremendeus shouts of
applause.

•
We give the following extracts from Mr. Cladstone's
speech :

THE NOBLE HOSPITAL OF GREENWICH.

I must trespass on your Indulgence, and beg you to believe
that if I touch but lightly, or even pass over altogether,
many topics of public importance it is not because I am in-
sensible of their weight, but on account of the restriction of
the physical conditions under which I address you. (eheers:)
Of your local interests, gentlemen, strictly so called, I will
now say but one word, because it refers to a point at a hick
in fact, they touch upon a national subject, I mean with re-
spect to the noble Hospital of Greenwith. (Cheers.) I had the
honour of stating to a deputation of your number, formed
without any distinction of political opinion, the views with
which Her Ma)esty's Government would approach the con-
siderationsof the question connected with that truly national
anilding. Since that time the matter has had the careful at-
tention of my right hon. friend the First Lord of the Ad-
miralty, and lam sanguine in the belief that when his plans
are matured you will find that it will be, as I hope, in nsr
power to apply that Hospital to a purpose which will be
satisfactory to you and to the country (cheers): nor do I
despair oven of this, though it woul.l be premature to express
a positive opinion, that it may also be a purpose which
revive and renew the traditions of that glorious peamthm
with which from the gist it has been connected.