The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1875-04-21
Centennial Clippings.
The follow is the letter from Mr.. Gladstone,
read at the Lexington Centennial:

The follow is the letter from Mr.. Gladstone,
read at the Lexington Centennial:
LONDON, March 8, 1875.
GentIen,en:-I have mad the honor to receive
the letter in which you convey TO me very
warm aud courteous invitation to attend the
banquet which it is proposed to hold at Lexing-
ton in co1memOratiOn of the attainment OF In-
dependence by the Unitid States of America.
The circumstances of the war whi5h yielded
that result, the principles it illustrates and the
remarkable powers and characters OF the prin-
cipal men who took part, whether as soldiers
or civilians, in the struggle, have always in
vested it with a peculiar interest in my eyes.
quite independently of the intimate concern Of
this country in the events themselves.
On account of these features, that war aud
its accom- mDanimeuts seem to me TO constitute
one of the most instructive chapters of modern
history and l have repeatedly recommended
them TO younger men as subjects OF especial
study.
an from regarding the approaching celebration
with indifference. 1t is entirely beyond my
power to cross the sea, even with the present.
admirable communications, for the purpose OF
attendance. The present time happens to be
for me, even independently of my attendance
in Parliament, one OF many urgeOt occupations
which i am not at liberty to put aside. But
earnestly hope, and L cannot doubt, that the
celebration will be worthy or the OCCASION
In retrospective view Of tne eveuIul period
nv countrymeu can now contemplate its incl
dents with impaItahty. do not think they
should severely blame their ancestors, whose
struggle to maintain the unity OF the British
emDire is one that must, j think, after the late
great war of the North aud South, be viewed
in America with some sympathy and indul-
gence We can hardly be expected to rate
very highly the motives of those European
powers who threw their weight into the other
scale, and who so sensbly con ributed towards
acceleratng, if not indeed towards determin-
ing the issue of the war; yet, for one, can
most truly say that, whatever the motives and
however painful the process, they, while seek
ing to do an injury, conferred upon us great
benefit by releasing US from efforts the con-
tuuation of which weuld have been an uD-
mixed evil. As regards the fathers OF the
American Constitution themselves, beheve
we can and do now contemplate tneiT great
qualities and achievements with an admiration
as pure as that of American citizens them
selves; and can rejoice no less heartily that in
the counsels of Providence they were made the
instruments OF purpose most benehcial 10 tRe
world.
The circumstances under which the United
States began their national existence, and their
uuexampled rapidity OF advance in wealth, pop
ulation, enterprise and power, have imposed on
their people an enormous responsibility. Ihey
will be tried as we shall, at the bar OF history;
but on greater SCALE They will be compared
with the men not only OF other countries bu1
of other times. They cannot 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 blgnest
hepss and anticpstions that belong TO their
great position in the family of man.
have the honor to be, gentlemen,
Your obliged and faithful servant,
w. e. GLADSTONE.
C. Hudson, NJ H. Merriam, w. IL. Munroe, Esq.
TIE WAVING GRASS AT LEXINGTON.
1t is one of the traditions of what has been
called the ''batte," but which perhaps might
more properly be called the "staud," of Lex
ington, that the grass "waved in the wind
during that glorious morning. That was one
hundred years ago to-day. As We write, ana
WRITE an imposing ceremonial, graced 0y the
highest in the land, is commemoralnS on Lex.
ington Common the famous feat OF arms,
and reconsecrating the spot for anOsher century
OF patriotic remembrance. The lncldent OF
the waving grass has often been questioned, for
in New England the spring comes late, and
tba gr1ss IS rarely high enough to wave in the
wind on the 18th of April. We remember,
however hearing ex-Presdent Hill OF Har-
yard Univ. rsity, say that having watched the
GRASS on the college grounds Tor about twenty
Years to see If it waved ut SO early date, he
was at last rewa rle1, one 18th of April, by q
SIGHT of the welcome phenomenon. What
happened in Cambridge that 18th of April may
we'll have happened 10 Lexington on the spring
morning hundred years ago; and so the world
NAV be reasonably well assured Of the events
of that day, even down to the minutest.-N.
Y Post.