The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1868-10-24


the strongest, as scrupulously as we maintain our
own; to study and preserve, in the first instance,
the peace OF England; next TO that, as lies in
| our power, the peace of Europe and the civilized
world; to seek no narrow, selfish, no exclusive
object, but TO consider that even our material in
teltsts are ndssolubly connected with these neigh
| boring nations, who are at once neighbors and
our customers; in points of honor, not too hastily
or impetuously re- cnt any real or imagined wrong
| but rather to willingly submit to the dispassonate
atbiItation Of some competent tribunal.
| Whatever claims we think may have upon
others, or claims others may think they have upon
us, these are the general rules of conduct, which
are equally accepted by both great political parties
dividing this country, which are equally certain to
be carried out by the Foreign Office whether that
| department remains in my hands or passes into
those OF followers and colleagues of the eminent
state who is entertained with me as your guest
| 1t would be a happy day for England, for Eu-
ropc, and for the world when these ideas and feel
inGs which i'm this country pervade every class of
socioty-that desire for peace and for abstinence
from Aggressive policy and respect Of national
fiehtf-when, say, these shall be equally dftused
among the populations Of these great neighbOring
nations of the continent, with whom we have many
ties, and not till then, shall we end put to
tlat greatest drawback upon material progress
that sTot of scandal upon the civilization of conti-
mental Europe. l mean the necessity, real or ina
emcd, for those enormous military preparations
which have attained proportions never approached
before, which oppress With taxation, dcpress in
dustry and draw heavily upon the resources of the
future; which introduce, in time of peace, social
condition only one degree removed from war, aud
which, If the system is to last for two three gene
raons, can only end in one of two results, either
equally unsatisfaCtory-hna ruin, or those who
are III ucDt must continue to pay.
What is to be done to supply that which seems to
be tie great want of the time, namely, greater
degree of mutual confidence between the various
great powers? must say, frankly, it is a question
cannot answer. He who solves The problem will
be the greatest bcnefactor of humanity that this
generation mas seen. IT is something, however, to
point out where the evil lies even if you cannot
point to remedy. Though tits perfectly absurd to
they can be prevented by the interposiion of any
one else, yet in nine quarres out of ten, if dealt
with early, much may be done toward stopping
them by the frank interposition of neutrals, who
have nc interest except to preserve peace.
We have lately been disturbed by rumors of Euro
pean wars. cannot say these rumors are without
since have had TO do with foreign affairs, there
has been a tendency, not in England only, but
throughout Europe, to eXaggerate the danger of
the situation, and take the gloomiest view possible
of things. This is mistake, not only because it is
unpleasant but because it apt to bring about the
evil apprehended. cannot predict the same facts
before us ALL cannot say that the future is with
out any cause of uneasness anxiety; but say
this, having some means of knowing, do not be-
leve there are statesmen in any cabinet of Europe
VINO view the prospect OF general war otherwise
than with aversion. Some of them may think that
result inevitable or propable but, without being
sanguine, there is some reason to hope that what
everybody deprecates will not happen.
Some Of you may think have said enough, or too
much, of European affairs. You may ask why L say
nothing of America? My answer is that that sub
ject has been pretty well taken out of my hands.
Our esteemed guest, who has, it seems to me, on
hasty computation, made good many more per-
sonal friends in England than he has passed days,
and with whom-l may say it to his FACET is
pleasure to do business, has told you, clearly and
minutely, of the relations between England and
America. He has stated with perfect accuracy
what two, at least, of the impending questions have
been. will not say absolutely and fully disposed
OF, because that would under the circumstances be
impossible, but SO far dealt with by mutual agree
ment that, if the American government should
ratify the acts of its Envoy, of which there be
no reasonable doubt, there is hardly any possibility
OF any difficulty arising upon them. With regard
to the last, no doubt the greatest question is the
claims arising out of the late war. L am not in
position to say anything more than that we have
both sides approached the subject with earnest
fn find of 1tItin md Nf,Iy
there is on both sides will not say confident ex-
pectaton, but decided hope, that asolution may
am not going to make you a speech on the
ture Of the relations that ought to exist between
language, literature and origin, which are all true
but lack the charm of novelty We may at this
take for granted: That as civilized men, on both
sides of the Atlantic, it duty friends and
to be friends. As two commercial countries, con-
Quoting gigantic business with each other, and
meaning to make that business greater before we
are done, 1t is very decidedly our interest to be
friends. That is a strong combination of motive.
When mems principles, feelings and interests all
pull one way it would take very strong disturbing
adverse influences to overcome such inducements
to remain on good terms. For myself, do not
think it ought to be denied that after the close of
the late civil war in the United States there did
exist considerable irritation against England whe
ther reasonable or not it is not our business to dis
cuss.
/ may affirm with certainty two things. First
that the feeling, whatever its amount may have
been, never was reciprocated this side of the
water. Next, it is yearly may say almost monthly
and weekly, diminishing in America. l never like
to look forward confidently to the future but if it
should happen within the next few weeks that the
American Minister or l should have opportunity
of settling those questions which still pending
| between the two countries, thereby removing the
last pretext for quarrel can only say, /, for one,
shall feel that the result is ample compensation for
all labor responsibility and anxiety attached to the
conspicuous and not always enviable position of
| an English Foreign Secretary of State. (Repeated
| cheers)
| Mr.. Gladstone, in reply to the toast "The House
of Commons" after the usual preface, said: l
need not refer in detail to the subectmatter of the
great controversies by which these three years
have been marked; but one topic may mention, as
| to acknowledge a debt we owe for the lesson
learned from the nation which is worthily repre-
sented in the person of its distinguished Minister.
We have been taught much by the uneXamped
| struggle in which several portions of the United
| States were recently engaged But can say for
myself and for many, that one practical lesson we
| learned from it was enormous increase of ener-
gy, vigor and stability, which every State must
ceve from the extension of political privileges and
interests, and share in the governing power to the
| largest possible portion of this community.
In my opinion the lesson will not be without its
effect upon occurrences marking the history of the
present Parliament but these considerations are in
opportune This occasion is no mere tribute to the
| duties or mere enjoyment of splendid hospitality.
| 1t marks an epoch in international relations.
| shall be much surprised, after the speeches have
been read, if this be not long remembered in Liver
pool, and If its echo does not pass across the At
lantic WELL 1t is great pleasure to be present
| on occasion which allows opportunity of
| bearing testimony to the conviction deeply en-
! tertain, that unhappy is the country which mixes
questions of foreign relations with those of domestic
policy, and happy that the wisdom of Ministers and
the forbearance of party enables them to be sepa-
rated We stand in the latter predicament.
| / have heard the speech of the noble Lord the
| Foreign Secretary. We are parted, to my regret,
on questions of domestic cimpoTtance-ofthe deepest
| importance-but to the speech generally which he
| has delivered-settlng aside only those sentences