The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1875-05-29
Mr.. Gladstone on American independence.


The committee of the Z" Centennial Celebration - of
the battle Of Lexington-as the first armed collision
has been termed with which the war Of American
Independence was inaugurated-iuvited. amongst
other distinguished persOnages, the ex-Premier of
England to be present. At the banquet on that &C.
casiOn in response to the toast, England and the
United States,'' the following letter was read
LONDON, March 5, 1876.
"GExTLEMES.-I have the honor to receive the
letter in which you convey to me a very warm and
courteous invitation to attend the banquet which it
is proposed to hold at Lexington in commemoration
Of the attainment Of independence by the United
States Of America. The circumstances of the war
that yielded that result, the principles it illustrates,
and the remarkable powers and characters of the
principal men who took part, whether as soldiers or
civilians in the struggle, have always invested it
with a peculiar interest in my eyes quite i~ndepen-
IDENTIFY Of the intimate concern Of this country in the
events themselves. On account of these features
that war and its accomplishments seem to me TO con-
stitute one Of the most instructive chapters Of mo-
dern history, and 1 have repeatedly recommended
them to younger men as subjects Of especial study.
With these views 1 need not say how far l am from
regarding the approaching celebration with indifer-
ence. It is entirely beyond my power to cross the
sea, even with the present admirable communication,
for the purpose Of attendance. The present time
happens to be for me, even independently Of my at
tendance in Parliament. one Of very urgent occupa-
tious which l am not at liberty to put aside. But
earnestly hope and 1 cannot doubt that the celebra-
ton will be worthy Of the occasion. In a RETROSPECT
tive view Of the eyentful period my countrymen can
now contemplate its incidents with impartiality. l
do not think they should severely blame their ances-
tors, whose struggle to maintain the unity Of the
British Empire is enc that must, l think, after the
late great war Of the North and South, be viewed in
America with ONE sympathy and indulgence. We
can hardly be expected TO rate very highly the mo-
tiyes Of those other powers who threw their weight
into the other scale, and who so sensibly contributed
towards the celebrating if not, indeed, toward de-
termining the issue Of the war. Yet. for one, l can
most truly say that whatever the motives, and how
ever painful the process, they, while seeking to do
an injury, conferred upon US a great benefit by re-
leasing US from efforts, the continuation of which
would have been an unmixed evil. As regards the
fathers OF the American Constitution themselves, l
believe 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 ccunkee of
Providence they were made the instruments Of q
purpose most beneficial to the world. The ciruu-
stances under which the United States began their
n%ational existence and their unexampled rapidity Of
advance in wealth and 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 a greater scale. They will
be compared with the men, not only Of other coun-
but Of other times. They cannot escape from
the liabilities and burdens which their greatness
imposes on them. No one desires more fervently
than I do that they may be enabled 10 realize the
highest hopes and anticiPations that belong to their
great position in the family Of man.
al have the honor to be, gentlemen, your obliged
md faithful servant, W. Z. GLADSTONE"