Litchfield enquirer., 1875-04-29
A8Fs CIadStone'S Letter to the Lex In@ton Centennial Committee.

Gentlemen: I have the honor to receive the letter in which you convey to me a very warm and courteous invitation to at tend the banquet which it is proposed to hold ct Lexington in comn1emoration of the attainment of independence by the Uuited States of America. The circum- stances of the war which yield that result, the principles it illustrates, and the re- 1nAkkAble lpossFs and eharactefs5 Of the principal men who took part, whether as soldiers or civilians, in the struggles, have always invested it with peculiar interest in my eyes, quite Independently of the in- timate concstn of this country in the events themselves. On account of these features, that war and it's accompaniments seem to me to constitute one of the most instructive chapters of modern history, and have repeatedly recommended them to younger men as subjects of especial study. With these views. I need not say how far am from regarding the approach ing celebration with indifference. It is entirely beyond my power to cross the sea, even with the present admirable communi- cations, for the purpose of attendance. The present time happens to be, for me, even independently of my attendance in parliament, one of many urgent occupa- tions. which l am not at liberty to put aside, but earnestly hope and I cannot doubt that the celebration will be worthy of the occasion.
 In retrospective view of the evenful period, my countrymen can now contem- plate it's incidentsl with impartiality. Ido not think they should severely blame their ancestors whose struggle to maintain the unity of the British empire is one that must, think, after the late great war of north and south. be viewed in America with some sympathy and indulgence. We can hardly be expected to rate very highly th0 motives of those European powers whO shrew their weight into the other scale, and who so sensibly contributed to- ward accelerating, if not indeed toward determining, the issue of the war; Yet, for one, can most truly say that, what ever the motives and however painful the process. they, while seeking to do an in- jury, cOnferred upon HIS a great benefit, by releasing us from efforts the continual ton of which would have been an unmix- cd evil. As regards the fathers of the American constitution themselves, 1 be- lieve we can and do now contemplate their great qualities and achievements with an admiration as pure as that of American citizens themselves, and can rejoice no less heartily that in the counsels of Provi- dence they were made the instruments of purpose most beneficial to the world.
 The eifeumstances under which the United States began their national exis- tence, and their unexampled rapidity of advance Tn wealth, population. enterprise and power have imposed on their people an enormous responsibility. They will be tried. as we shall, at the bar of history, but on greater scale; they will be com pared with the men, not only of other countries, but of other times. They can not escape from the liabilities and burdens which their greatness imposes. No one desires more fervently than do that they may be enabled to realize the high hopes and aaticipations that belong to their great position in the family of men. I have the honor to be. gentlemen, your obliged and faithful servant KE /
 .NIA|l LTW. E. GLADSTONE.
 London, March 5, 1875. v s1