Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1875-05-12

LONDON, March 8, 1875. 5.-Gentle-
men: have had the honor to receive
the letter In which you convey to me
very warm and courteous invitation
to attend the banquet which it is pro
posed to hold at Lexington, in com.
memoratlon of the attainment of iude-
pendence by the United States of
America. The circumstances of the
war which yielded that result the
principles which it illustrates, and the
remarkable powers and characters of
the principal men who took part,
whether as soldiers or civilians, in the
struggle, have a lways invested it with
a peculiar interest in my eyes, quite
independently Of the intimate copcern
OF this country in the events them
selves. On account of these features.
that war and its accomplishments seem
TO me to constitute one of the most in
strnctive chapters in modern history,
and | have repeatedly recommended
them to young men as subjects of es-
pecIal study. With these views. T
need not say how far [ am from re-
gardlng the approaching celebration
with indifference. It is entirely be-
yond my power to cross the sea, even
with the present remarkable commu-
nlcatlons, for the purpose Of attend
ance. The present time happens to
be for me, even independently of my
attendance in Parliament, one of MANY
urgent occupations, which [ am not at
liberty to put aside; but [ earnestly
hope and | cannot doubt, that the cell
ebratlon will be worthy ofthe occasion.
In retrospective view of that event
ful period, my countrymen can now
contemplate its incidents with impair
tiallty. | do not think they should
severely blame their ancestors, whose
struggle TO maintain the unity of the
British Empire is Que that must, [
think after the late great war Of the
North and South, be viewed in Ameri-
ca with some sympathy and indulgence.
We can hardly be expected to raise
very highly the motives of these Eu-
ropean power who throw their weight
into the other scale, and who so sensi
bly, contributed toward accelerating.
If not toward determining, the issues
OF the war. Yes, for one, [ can truly
say that whatever the motives, and
however painful the process, they,
while seeking to do an in jury, confer
red upon US a great benefit by releasing
us from efforts the continuance Of
which woulo have been an unmixed
evil. As respects the fathers of the
American Constitution themselves, be-
heve we can and do not contemplate their
qualities and achievements with an ad-
mlratlon as pure as chat Of American
citizens themselves, and can rejoice not
less heartily than in the counsils of
Providence they were made the instru-
ment OF purpose most beneficial to
the world. The circumstances under
which the United States began their
national existence, their unexampled
rapldlty and advance in wealth, popu-
ulatlon enterprise and power, have i'm
posed on their people an enormous re-
sponsibility. They will be tried as we
shall, at the bar of history; but over a
greater scale They viii be compared
with the men, not only of other count
rles, but of other times. They carnot
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 highest hopes and aspirations that
belong to their great position in the
family OF men. | have the honor to
be, gentlemen, your obedlent and faith
ful servant,
WILLIAM E. GLADSTONE.