Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1875-04-30
Not the least notable of the contributions
to the Lexington Centennial were the let
tiers from two leading English statesmen,
Mr.. Gladstone and John Bright.

Mr.. CLADsToNE's LETTER.
LoNDox, March 5, 1875.
Gentlemen l have the honor to receive
the letter in which YOU convey to me very
warm and courteous invitation to attend the
banquet which it is proposed to hold at Lex
ington in commemorati0n OF the attainment
of Independence by the United States Of
America The circumstances of the war
which yielded that result, the principles 1t
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 Il
peculiar Interest in my eyes. quite indepen-
deuily of the intimate concern of this
country in the events themselves. On ac-
count Of these features. that war and its ac-
compartments seem to me to constitute one
of the mos; instructive chapters of modern
history, and have repeatedly recommended
them 10 Younger men Us subjects of especial
study. With these views, | need not say
how far am from regarding the approach
iug celebration with indifference. 1t Is en-
tirely beyond my power to cross the sea,
even with the present admirable communi-
cations, for the purpose Oi attendance. The
present time happens to be for me, even in
dependently Of my attendance in Parlla-
ment. one Of many urgent occupations,
which am not at liberty to put aside, but
earnestly hope aud cannot doubt that the
celebration will be worthy of the occasion.
Ia q retrospective view OF the eyentiul
period, my countrymen can now contem-
plate Its Incidents with impartiality. do
not think they should severely blame their
ancestors whose struggle 90 maintain the
unity of the BRUSH empire i one that must,
think, after the late great war Of North
and SJuih, be viewed in America with some
sympathy and Indulgence. We can hardly be
expected TO rate very highly the motives Of
these European powers who threw their
weight into the other scale, and who 50
sensibly contributed toward accelcrating. if
not indeed toward determining, the issne
Of the war Yet, for one. can most truly
say that, whatever the motives and however
painful the process, they. while seeking to
DO an injury conferred upon u a great bene-
fl, by releasing u from efforts the continue
ton Of which would have been an unmixed
evil. As regards the fathers Of the Amer
lean constitution themselves. | believe we
can and DO now contemplate their great
qualities and achievements with an admir-
alton a. pure a. that of American citizens
themselves, ami can rejoice no less heartily
that in the cjunsels of Providence they
we're made the instruments Of a purpose |
most beneficial to the world.
The circumstances under which the nitei |
States began their national existence, and |
their uuexampied rapility Of advance in
wealth, Population. enterprise and power
ave Imposed ON their people an enormous |
responsibility They viii be tried, a. we
hal. at the bar OF history, but, on a great
n scale they vii be compared with the
men, not Only Of other countries, but Of
'ther tirncS. Tnry cannot escape from the
abilities ard hlrLrn- which their greatness
imposes. No one desires moIe iervently
han DO that they may be enabled 10 real
ze the highest hopes and aniicipations that
eipny to their great position in the family
+ men. natethe honor to be, gen tlemen,
cur obliged and faithful servant,
" f. GLADSTONE