, 1875-05-29
Friendly words for America,

ex, Premier, ". Z. Gladstone,..M p,
in reply 10 an invitation extended to
him to attend the centennial celebra
tion at Concord, New Hampshire
GENTLEMEN Il have the honor TO
receive the letter in which you convey
to me very warm and courteous H.
ritation TO attend the banquet which
it is proposed TO hold at Lexington in
/ eommemoraiion Of the attainment of
their independence by the United
States 0! AmerSa. The circumstances
of the war that yielded that result, the
principles it illustrates, and the re-
markabie powers and characters Of the
principal men who took part, whether
as soldiers or civilians, 10 the struggle
have always invested il with a pecu-
liar interest in my eyes quite :ndepen-
| IDENTITY Of the intimate concern of tins
country in the events themselves, On
account Of these features that war and
its accompaniments seem To me 10
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 | need not
say how far au from regarding the
approaching celebration with inditier-
ence. 1t is entirely beyond any power
to cross the sea, even with the present
admirable communication, for the pur-
pose of attendance. The present time
happens to be for me, even indepen-
dently of my attendance in Parliament,
one Of urgent occupations which | am
not at liberty to put aside. But |
earnestly hope and | cannot doubt that
the celebration will be worthy Of the
occasion in a retrospective view Of the
eyentful period my countrymen can
now contemplate It's incidents with i'm
partiality. | do 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 the
North and South, be viewed in Amer
lea with some sympathy and indul-
gence. We can hardly be expected
to rate very highly the motives of
those other powers who threw their
weight into the other scale, and who
so senSibly contributed toward the cell
ebrating if not, indeed, toward deter
mining the isSue of the war Yet, for
one, can most truly say that what
ever the motives, and however pain
ful the process, they, while seeking to
do an injury, conferred upon England
great benefit by releasing us from
efforts, the continuation Of which
would have been an UnmiXed evil.
As regards the fathers Of the Ameri-
can Constitution themselves, | 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
counSelS of Providence they were
made the Instruments of a purpose
most beneficial TO the world. The
circumstances under which the United
States began their national existence,
and their uneXampIed rapidity OF ad-
vance in wealth and population, enter
prise and power, have imposed On
their people an enormous responsible
ity. 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 countries
but Of other times. They cannot es-
cape from the liabilities and burdens
which their greatness imposes on them.
No one desires more fervently than
do that they may be enabled to rea.
lie the highest hopes and anticipations
that belong to The great position in
the family Of men.