The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1871-09-30 00:00:00

lIMIIIIIiiiiiiIIII.....-__

MR. GLADSTONE AT ABERDEEN.

On Tueeday afternoon the Freedom of the City of
Aberdeen was conferred upon the 'Ziglst Hon. Vs. E.
Gladstone, in the presence of an enthusiastic audience
sit ladies and gentlemen numbering alsuut 2,500. Never,
Indeed, in the memory of the oldest burgess was there
known to be such a demand for means of admission to
saltness the like ceremony. On his arrival at the
Muscle Hall, after having been introduced to the
members of the Town Council, the party at once pro-
ceed.' to the platform, when the whole audience rose
awl loudly welcomed the honoured guest of the day.
Provost Leslie, in proceeding to confer the freedom
of the city upon Mr. I ardmtotle, alluded to the hand-
some manner in which he had tweeted to the request to
accept the honour, considering the many calls on
his tune. After referring to the fact of the Pre-
mier's Scotela descent, the Provost, in a concise
and tasteful whirs., pointed out Mr. Gladstone's
eminence as a scholar, his distinguished career as
a member of the House of Commons, and his power
and popularity as leader of the great Liberal party.
These remarks were loudly cheered by the audience,
and his Lordship, having run over a number of the
famous names Aberdeen could boast among its roll of
citizens, concluded by asking Mr. Angus, lown Clerk,
to present in due form the badge of burgessaship. This
ceremony having been performed, and the diploma in
Latin read, the Town (leek affixed the document with
Its seal and Alan& to Mr. Gladstone's hat, when the
Premier, amid a tumult of applause from the audience,
aho rose vs noise, put the whole on his head. The
applause having subsided and the audience resumed
their seat.

•
Mr. (Ai:Astons divested huastlf of his tokens of his
isurgessship and said,—
" My Lord Provoet,—l acoept with sentiments of grateful
respect the enviable honour that has just been conferred
run me; but when! find my name added to the
ginsbed roll from which Ike Lord Provost has 1111 Vic •
sslectios. I speak to you not without some misgiving as
P o the ;levee In which I aai worthy to be added to such
a nompany and still more with much misgiving so to the
ton partial end too Indulgest recital which Ins Lordship
has been pleased to give of my public conduct. ;Applause.)
With regard to myself, my Lord Provost, I would only
sleeire to take one phrase fr.. 01 that recital. You wore
good enough to say that the course of my public life had
been onward awl upward. I can truly say It is my desire
that much it should be for the. Inture. ((heers. ;in-
ward. toward the diesharge with such resolntion As I may
be able to marshal to the politic duty that my hand may Ilnd
to do while I am permitted In continue in the vervire of the
howl., and upward In an honest if a feeble effort to purge
myself from the intrusion of those lower motives which do-
ped' the high vocation of a stet...man." cheers.)

: All referring to the progress of the Pity of Aberdeen and
ether local matters, the hon. gentleman In complimenting
the Aberdeenshire people for the measures adapted to street
the cattle plague in the winter of IMAM, went on to tap—
That transaction, nay Lewd Provost, brings to mind the
extraordinary value of the principles and practice and
habits of local government and local management of
affairs In this country. (Applause.) •Inr greet and Mos-
tdous nolsgthonr, the Rreneh nation, probably never would
hire amiergone the frightful ealatnities which It has been
destined to experience during the lest lb months had Its
people had that kind of peraonal and Individual self reliance
by which the people of this country are en largely distin.
mashed (loud applause , and which for my own part I 10.. k
apron a. one of the greatebt public blessings they enjoy.
(Loud applanse.) That is the kind of Home Rule, such as
you practised in the 0,64011 of the plague, which
every man must witness with satisfaction ; and I must feel
that iii., after all, in the energy of individual character and
the sense of individual reeponsihility for Willi, matters, MI
the facility 4,1 combination in our heal conin 1111 l ity that we
lahl the broad and solid basis upon which is erected the
fabric of the national greettiose tiond enPlaose.
- - '

- ----- --•
" My Lord Provost, when you spoke ol pul•lic affairs and
Alasie subjects able), attract the public attention the very re-
markable erhibttiou of Home Rule which I have spoken of
li, the coolity of Aberdeen retniuds mu of another cry h.r
Wolin htul,,wlp,elu ii now raise.) across the Channel in Ire•
land, and with %Odd. I can I Mid it not ao easy to dial in a
satisfactory neumer. I spa nor quite certain what is meant
In Ireland by the cry of Home Rule. I 4111 glad to know (1.4,111
thy mouths of those who raised that cry what it does imt
mean ; they hare told us emphatimdly by their principal
organs that it .10es not mean the breaking up into frag-
- mettle this Unitod Kingdom. (Applanso ) Well, that, after
all, is a most important matter. This Kingdom,
which we have endeavoured to maima Oiliest kingdom in
heart WI Well 11l in law (applause), we trust will remain a
united kimplom (bold applause p arid although as human
beluga the Issues of greet events are not in our hands, but
are directed by a higher Power, yet we intend and mean
every one of as, both high and lw. nor those merely who
meet within this hall, hot those who crowd the streetu of
y, slid every city from the north to the south of
It` isltatal we intend that it should remain pp united
kingdom. (Loud applause.) And, illy Lord Provo,4,
no this subject has been brought into discussion and has
attmeted considerable attention in the sister island, I, fir
one, have bet the slightest hesitation in saying that ( an,
extremely glad that the distinguished lawyer who has
just been returned for Limerick Mr. Butt) Inta again found
Isle way int.. Parliameot ; It will be an immense advantage
Us .icallng with this question that its chi, f advocates 8i1,011,1
lie there. f t is in this way that hi this country we deal with
all Politinal Uppr,etl tee. If there are wild bloas abroad, de-
pend upon it the pines whore they ran roost safely be pro-
u.ll:ipited is within the walla of the iii ice of Commons.
• I may retire:, perhaps, that sparficlnr
toeney syaflc t,) alt,w a ro.,mentary sympithy with ideas
which are very unintelligible and sopertlio.os but, pre-
riming that that disposition ...lista, I say it is of great
music benefit that the charaidonx of any impradimblesehetuo
5h.e.1.1 er.e before the reurese;.tntives of the people In the
jibe., of commons, and should there have the opportunity of
'Will all 11.4 Owl oru state on behalf of their views, and
alumni them be sobject to have those views brought to
the test of diermasloi and of smirching examination. and when
that learned kputleinan wad hit appearance ill Parlianient

we shall be very glad and we shall be very &talon' to do our
best to discuss all about this matter of Home Rule. Laugh-
ter anti cheers ) We ere Pod that it IS necessary for Ireland
to clue, her relations with the Perliainent if this country
and to have a Parliament of her own. Let me do the yr.'-
raters of this movement the fullest justice. Always spent:-
log under the conviction, as they most emphatically declare,
and as I fully believe them, that the union of the klitteloans
under Her Majesty is to be inalutained, but that Parliament
Is to be broken up—' Well. now, we shall say to this
learned gentleman, ' why is Parliainent to be broken
of' Usa Ireland great grievances / What Is It that Ire-
land haa demanded from the Impelled Parliament
and that the Imperial Parliament has ref .rd?' (Clicere.)
It will riot do to tent with this anal ter in vague
and shadowy assertions. I 1110'0 looked in vain for
the netting forth id any practical iteheine of policy whieh the
Imperial earliantent ill not equal to deal with, or which it
refuses to deal with, and which is to be brought shout by
Home Rule. So far as my research has gime, and I confetti;
It is not extemtive, we have not had the advantage of hear'
trig all that is to be said. I have seen nething, except that
it in stated there is a coot quantity of fish in tile se. that
surroural Ireland, and 1 het if they Will 1101110 Rule they
would catch a great deal if those Pah. (Thich laughter arid
cheers.) But there are fish in the eta width surrounds
Englausi and Scotland. England has no Home Rule, and
Scotland has no Home Rule, but we manage to catch
the fish. (Cheers and laughter.) Unhappily, nay Lord Ira-
Yost, it liau been one consequence of the policy towards
Ireland in former times that those principles of self-reliance,
those powers of local action, that energy anti public spirit,
which are the inherited possessions of this country have
been steadily enleebled RIO crippled in the Sister Inland
and therefore it is that these thing*. which in this country
every day and every month that we live the various classes
and the various coiumunitiee are doing for themselves the
Iriela people have tint yet learnt In the cattle way to do but
I an. hound It say they have not hail the tonic opportunity of
learning in the same degree to do for themselves, and
hence tllNy are liable to livening mitre or leas the vie-
time from time Pr time of this or that meitical delu-
sion. (Applause.) Ton would ezpoet, when it I. said
that the Imperial Pavliamene Is tO 110 broken up, that
at the very Mast a ease should be made teat showing
there were great subjects of ',silky, and groat 1101U:ill& necee
nary far this welfare of Ireland, which represoutatives of
Ireland had united to ask, and which the representatives of
Englaud. Scotland, and Wales had united to refuse. tl 'hares.)
There La 110 such grievance. There is uothing that Ireland
. has tusked suei witieli thin country and this Parliament have
refused 'Clils Parlianteut has done it Ireland what it wmald
Lave ncrupled to to for England and for scotland. (Cheere
There MDIIIIIIIS 110 W S single grievance a grievance with re-
; pied to University trim:Athol, which level so entirely free in
Ireland as it has lioVi 110011111:N1U in England ; lint that is an
exceptitaud subject, anti it is a subject on width I am bound
to say !rebind has made no united demand upon England ;
still, I reganl it no a subject that calls for legislation, but there
Is no demand which Irelami lure made and which England
hag refused, anti I shall be very glad to nee such a demand
put into a practical shape in which we may make it nubject
of candid and rational diecussion. What are the inequalities
of England and Ireland? I deelare that I know none, except
that there ere certain taxes Will remaining which are levied
over Englishmen mid Scotchauen and which are not
levied over Irishmen, and likewise that there are eertaiu
purposes tor which public money is freely and largely given
Its ireland and for which it Is not givers lit England or Scot-
land. (Clieem.; That seems to me to be a very feeble case
Indeed for the argument which has been made by means of
which, as we are told, the fixbrie of the United Parliament of
this country is to be broken up.
"Hut while I have thus freely criticised the promoters of
thiemovement, and endeavoured to give expression to what
I believe to be your feeling and the feeling of this rountay
about It, let rat-say I admit that large allowance bite lie made
for our friends and fellow-curantrynien In Ireland. Political
virtues such as we have been just referring to- I meau the
virtues of self-reliance and practical energy -are net
the creation of a day. 'the circumstances under which
Ireland was Pm long governed were hostile—uay, almost
fatal to their growth, ankl, on the whole, we ought rather
to lie pleased that Ireland is what she is, for, after all, we
believe this to be but a partial and superficial manifestation.
We ought rather to be ple.ed with regard to her issrowitag
ludustry RIO her general favetlom from crime than to coin-
plain that she Is not something better than alto ha f ever
had All opportunity of becoming. liut if the doctriees of
home rule are to be established in Ireland I protest on yoar
behalf thut you will be just as well entitled to it in Scotland
(hear, hear anti. neireover, I protest on behalf of Wales, In
which I have lived a good deal, and alit-re there are st1),000
people, who to this day, such is their seut animal of natienality,
cloak hardly :anything but their own Celtic tongue—a larger
number than speak the Celtic tongue„, I apprehend, in Scot-
land, and a larger number than speak it, I eppreliend, in Ire.
land -I protest on behalf of Wales that they are entitled to
home rule there. (Applstase.) Can any semible man, can any
rational man supa.se that at this time if day, in this con-
dition id the world, we are going to disintegrate the great
capital institutions of this country for the purpoee of making
ourselves ridiculous in the sight of all mankind. and crippliog
any power we poetess for beaters big benefite through legible-
Hun on the counti y to which we belong ?(Applause.) hie word
more only, niy Lord Provost, MI this atiliject. and it is this : -
People say that we have tried tit • Hiatt. Ireland. and that
we have failed. Ido not admit that Ireland is not going to
be conciliates! (epidemic), butt I .y this—that we Lewd alto 0,4
keep in mind that there is a higher law to govern the actions
of Parliaments and if politicians than the law- id emiciliation,
gookl as that law may be. ((lauent.) We desire to conciliate
Ireland, we desire to soothe her potpie. —the wounded feelings
and the painful resullectione of her people. We desire to
attach her to this island In the silken cords iif love (cheers),
lint there was a higher and a paramount aim in the mearures
that Parliament his passed, and that WAS that it should ilo
Its duty. It aoa to set iMelf right with the national con-
science, with the opiilion of the world, and with the prineinles
of Blade., (loud cheer.); mod when that is done, I say fear-
lessly that, whether conciliation be at once renliz.ed or not,
the position of this country is firm anti havulnerable. (' Hear,
hear' and cheers.)

Rut now, my Lord Provost, let me come to a question
which touches you--I %wilt say more nearly, for nothing
ran touch Seotiand anti Englaud more nearly than the con-
dition of Ireland, hut which toucheo you more especially
than that on which I have Just spoken. You have referred,
Sir, In your 4,pening address in wo de of the utmont modera.
titan to the state of Scotch legislation. (Applause. Well,
I am very glad, having at the commencement of these re-
marks endeavoured to discharge, at leant by acknowledg-
ment, a debt to the oity and county of Aberdeen,—l
am very glad that you have given me au opportunity
of so far discharging a debt to Scotland as it can
be dono lay an endeavour frankly natal fairly to en-
plain what I take to be the tulle state of the ease in respect
to the disehargo of Scotch legbdative business. e tas
been one solution offered, ladies anal gentlemen, width I
truant and belietrio Lot tile true one. It lass het it said by
persons who, I think. have Hot been very Mod nor'cry ioo
—Oltligillet —it 11119 lean said, at any rate, that we hare
frequentea Setattautal because We knew that Seetland was safe.
(Cheers and laughter . That is scourthitut like taro lines in
an old pou,nu, in which a laity speaks,—

'To Mm whom I 40 know to love me best,
'lle should be sure to have my favours least.'

Laughter amt cheers.) A 11.,. me to asmre you that is not
the principle upon which these matters have been teenaged
at all. li near, hear' and cheers.) I do not require to tell
you to dismiss such a phabtom from your minds. near.'
laughter, and applause.) The state .4 the ease, I think, may
really he put before you thus admit at once, without the
least hesitation, that the present unalition of the action of
Parliament In regard to Scotch business Is unsatisfactory ;
that we have not been able to deal with several suhjeets if
interest to the feelings of Scotland and material to its wel-
fare with the promptitude we should all have desired.

" hut now let as see what lelAilleSi Parliament has really
been doing. If Parliament has not been transacting Sc.telt
besinees, at least you will nsitnit it has not been idle. Pita
Muttired and fifty hours sat during the session after noid•
eight not before midnight—will give you an idea of what is
nometimes called, if in general terms, • met+ ate time :' tout
if Parliament has not been busy with Scotch business,
neither has it been busy with English. The chief me:wires
It has pastes!, the chief measures the Ilonse of C
ha. emleaveured to deal with are no more English than they
are Scotch. The abolition of Purchase in the Army—(lond
cheers) is a tuloject that touches alike all the three
, kingslonts : nay, my lord Provswt, whet; I think that. upon
I the whole, intellectual capacity, front the advantage .1
(lanai and long-eetatolished education, is more fully and
generally developed in Scotland than perhapse in either of
the other two countries, and as the purpose of the abolition
of Purchase In the Army lot,, open to such capacity advan-
tages heretofore in a considerable degree enjoyed by
wealth, I may even state that the abolition of Purchase is
a lathithi peetillar to iteotlallii. (Loud applause.) The
abolitiou of tests in the Unieendlies is lifitloUlitcolly iti Its
first aspect an English imestion. Is there any one in
this room who will say it Is not a Scotch question also ;
or that Seedelninet, particularly as belonging to a Pres-
byterian coentry, de not take the greatest interest In
hat Mg the path filmic terfectly free to those noble,
ancient, and still more valuable Institutions 1 (Ap-
plause.) The law relating to Trade's Pnima Is not more
as, English subject that • Scotch ; the abolition of the
Ecclesiastical titles Act, as a vindication of the principles 'if
religious liberty, lied no relation to England more than it
luel to Scotland, and, lastly, among the greater measures
which the House of Commons passed paring the Seesion.
the Bill introduced into Parliament for the protection if the
voter was certainly a aubjeet which applies; just as much to
you, and In w Web you take just ass deep and lively an interest
as that which is felt by the people of Estgland. (Applautne. )
ill speak of legislation peculiarly English,_you will find it
Is Just Is the same condition as legislation peculiarly Scotch,
and when we are in misfortune and can't get out of it there
is a kiud of coagulation in Luling that we have coinpaillons.
(Loud cheers.) There was a very intportant measure with
regard to the licensiug of public houses, specially English,
which could not he paused there waste very valuable ale's-
sure relating to local taxation, specially English, which
could not be passed ; there was. most important measure
relating to the reconstruction Id the thereto of Justice lift,
not refer to the building., but to the Courts themselves--
which could not be posited ; and if the Scotch Education
Bill is for the preseut unfortunately still In the linclio of
uncompleted projects, at least you will admit it lies
there In tolerably good company. (Loud deem) Still I
admit that England has got its Education Bill, and, that
being so, Scotland has the very strongest claim to the
earliest dealing with that subject which the Imperial In-
terests will permit. (Applause.) If you And its placing
subjects—of course you know there are certein measure,
Ike offspring of monetary necessity. and I do not speak of
these, and it Is not always in our power to regulate the order
in which hilts shall be brought before Parliament but if
you find us placing any English metware before your Educa-
tion 11111, I was almost going to say ymt may take assay from
me the ticket of bargees-ship winch you have presented.
(laughter .d applause)
Parliament is overtaxed ; it performs a great deal inure
work than it lifts at all times, most certainly within the last
forty years, performed a great deal niece work than any
other Legisla(iee Assembly its the world. 'Antoine...) Anil
sa after all, members of Parlifunce• are only 'wide of the XlllllO
bones and RillOWlll, the !Mlle nerves and theell.ll, MI the 111.•11,
hers of Parliament in other upon the Whole you
have not had reason to vomplaitt of being indolently served.
(Applause.) lint, at the same time, we have, I admit, at present
to et-intend with a greet pressure or difficult ies, partly they have
leen tenumntry clitlicultica. I don't refer to those which were
the temporary difficulties of the !ant Session. If there were at
any time vexations in the langeage and conduct of which
members 11 the tiovernment were the object, when they
come to assemblages such as this, arid when they ta Amiss
the indulgent, the over. indulgent, interpretation put on
their acts, they are amply vindicated and repaid. (Applause.)
lint bookies these temporary dilliesiltih there are real diffi-
culties of the newt serions kind in the discharge of the work
of legislation sod on this as-count, that the ustitnate foe-mod
by society of the prior subjects of legislation is totally ilif.
fereet from that which it Wla even 111 my younger days.
The dentend upon Parliament, the province marked out luy
public opiniou for legislation Is greatly enlargiel, and (ha%
which was, even when my life begao, ounite sufficient for the
strength if the llu,use.l Commons Is now growls to eueli a
ledght and mass that that strength bl to meet
It. You know, Icy Lord I'IVVOIII, and thin intelligent com-
pany well known, without mitering into details, ti what
• subjects .1 refer : but, generally, I would say that Par-
liament is sow expected to regulate the relations of life
between the different classes, and to pros ide for public
wants and !Latinist piddle evils id the descriptions which were
formerly believed (tile altogether beyond its competence tad
power. Legislation upon health, legislation upon atutos•
phone, legislation upon water, legislation lipuli drainage,
• legislation upon labour in all it. relatiota these are topics
which in few words contain the key to a vast mass of work
waiting to be done, and which it hots not bemi found
possible to overtake. There is no doubt that the
stuestem of improving the machinery of Parliament,
I with the view to the more effective despatch of public busi-
nose is Meowing ne,M and More one or the scrims questiims
of the day. (Applause. For Englishmen. Irishmen, and
Welshmen-4m us all—it is most important that we should
he able, If we can, to devise gene Imeroved arrangement In
that respect ; and it it be pessible for Parliament, withnut
breaking up its vigour and unity of a. !ion and es paramount
aethority, t s arrange to rc-ieljunt Its mar'nusery in si.:l; a
any a‘. to vs.. gretter facility and expedition in the despatch
of ttos'., large portions of its business which are either
or weds!, or nompolitical, there cart Inc no &MA that the
eccomplishmont of nun object will be matter if the highest
'Merest and Impedance to the community of the three
kingdoms. (Applause.)
"Now, toy Provost, havieg rendered to you my
111.Ea7,%'.3;t1!.(11r.ihriet;Ti't'tt slt:::l;l3lltwesvPirethheetess"ti:Tio„'lul!. stoff,itsi
0,161iM15 11100 ahueya be a long One, I con promise not:sites
Out the part of inyyolleagnes and myeelf but our earnest aud
good 'Mentions Anti our &Are to pursue the public
wood with a single eye, knowing that the voeation lit
which we are engaged is a high and nolde vocation, that
every act of ditty manfully done bripgs with itself its 1.11
reward, but that II ever it did Mot do Ming its owns reward

we should receive ample consolation in the testimonies
rendered to us by otos tellow.countrymen. Applause.
Having said that for myself, my Lord Provost, I will con-
clude by repeating my respectful and grateful thanks for
the honour to-day conferred upon me, and by 'miring you
that nothingean be more acceptable to my feelings luau the
references you were pleased to niche to my e01111C.,1011 with
Scotland. (Cheers ) Not • drop of blood runs in my veins
except Scotch blood (eheers and a large share of my heart
ever has belonged, and ever will belong, to Scotland.
(Cheers.) I conclude. then, toy Lord Provost, by heartily
wishing prosperity and happiness in all its enterprise and in
all its Industry, lii all Its public spirit, and in all its learning
and putanits, in all that touches thin world, and iti all that
touches the well to come, prosperity and happiness to the
good old city of Aberdeen. (ll rest cheering.)

The Lord Provost then called for three cheer; for
the youngest lturgeaq, which the audience rose and gave
with warm enthusiasm.

At the conclusion of the proceedings in the hall, Mr.
Gladstone received a deputation from the Aberdeen
l'nited Trades' Council, who, through their secretary,
Mr. Rennie, presented the hon. gentleman with an
addrese from the working classes of the city.
. . .

The Premier, having thanked the deputation, said,
. .

."There in one word, no 1 havethe honour 41 addressing the
representatlyea of the artisans and of 'skilled labour In
Aberdeen, that I may add in reference to a passage in the
speech of the 1.1.41 Provost. Ile adverted to the questions
that are now raised and now discussed .1141 agitated between
capital and labour. Ti deacribe them in simple terms, these
questions in some countries of Europe I should fear may
take a formidable shape. Wherever the institutions of
the country are not In the main honestly addreased to
the welfare of the community at huge, there the dia
covery by large and nunieroua dames of their own poWer
in likely to be attended, for the moment at any rate, with
danger before their rectification oceurs last with respect
to that very remarkable combination that has lately been
formed under the name of the International Sosiety, no
persoi can question. I think, that that may grow into an
institution productive of inumrlant arid, in tome ea... of
critical results but I cannot help saying that as regards
this eountry 1 take a saugunte view of the whole question
between capital and lalmur There is a meat shal to
adjust, a great deal to realty anti iniprove ; but I ail, INA,
suaded that e/ ounselves In the dispositionn and quali-
ties both of capitalists and labourers, taken aka classes, we
have good materials for having It adjusted, and nothing can
be more legitimate, nothing can he more proper, nothing
inure aalidery than that cumbination of working dame, for
the purtissee of securing their oWil poeition tutu, regard to the
fruit, of their industry. I hare not the least fear I may be
right or I may be wrong, but in my opinion there need be no
apprehension that the agency ereated for a ligitiniate pur-
pose will be turned to an illegitimate purpose, and I it, con-
fidently hope that from the success that has attendml the
effort, of intelligent men to mitigate the difficulties of this
question, I do confidently hope that from year to year we
shall see the relation between capital allti labour placed on
a non' eatisfactory boats. I take the liberty 44 exiiresallig
an opinion, it Is only an opinion, but it gives inc a cheerful
anticipation with regard to the future course of this very
Important class of quentions.

The deputation then withdrew.
Afterwards Mr. ( iladstone honoured Provost Leahy
by prooeoding to his Lordship's to luncheon.
On leaving for Balmoral, shortly after four o'clock,
the Premier was met at the railway station by a large
crowd, who heartily cheered him as the train departed.