The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1874-03-17 00:00:00

MR. GLADSTONE AND THE

0 P POST rioß:

Mr. Gladstone has forwarded the -following letter to
the papers for publication :

"11, Carlton House Terrace, March 12.
"My dear Granville,—l have issued a circular to
members of Parliament of the Liberal Party on the so.@salon of the opening of Parliamentary business.
"But I feel it to be necessary that while discharging
this duty I should explain what a circular could
not convey with regard to my individual position
at the present time.
" I need not apologife for addressing these explane-
tions to you. Independently of other reasons for so
troubling you, it is enough to observe that you have
very long represented the Liberal party, and have also
acted on behalf of the late Government, from its com-
mencement to its close, in the House of Lords.
" For a variety of reasons personal to myself
I could not contemplate any unlimited extension
of active political service; and I am anxious that
It should -be clearly understood by those friends
with whom I have acted in the direstion of affairs
that at my age I must reserve my entire freedom to
divest myself of all the responsibilities of leader-
ship at no distant time.
The neol of rest will prevent me from giving more
than occasional attendance in the House of Commons
during the present Session.
"I should be desirous' shortly before the com-
mencement of the Session of 1875, to consider whether
there would be advantage in soy placing my services
for a time at the disposal of the Liberal Party, or
whether I should then claim exemption from the
duties I have hitherto discharged.
"If, however, there should be reasonable ground
for believing that, instead of the course which I hare
sketched, it would be preferable, in the view of the
Party generally, for me to assume at once the place
of an independent member, I should willingly adopt
the latter alternative. But I shall retain all that desire
which I have hitherto felt for the welfare of the
I'arty, and if the gentlemen composing it should
think fit either to choose a leader or to make pro•
vision ad interim, with a view to the convenience
of the present year. the person designate would, of
course, command from me any assistance which he
might find occasion to seek, and which it might be in
my power to render.
"Believe me, my dear Granville, always eleserely
yours,
_ _ _ _

"w. B. GLADSTONE."

The followh4 circulate have been Issued to the
Liberal party:—
'lB, Carlton-house-terrace, March 32.
"My Lord,—l have the honour to inform you that
the Address in answer to the Royal Speech will be
movedin the House of Lords on the 19th instant,
and to express a hope that you will find it convenient
to be in your place.
"I have the honour to be, my Lord, your obe•
client servant, GRANVILLE.

" 11, Carlton-house•terraoe, March 12.
" Sir,-1 have the honour to mention to you that
the Address in answer to the Royal Speech will be
moved in the House of Commons on the 19th instant,
and to express a hope that you may find it convenient
to be in your place.
" I remain, Sir, your most obedient and faithful
servant, "W. E. GLADSTONE."