The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-05-06
Mar. Glndstone's Letter.


mittee by the late Prime Minister Mr. Glad
stone. The American people accepted it NJ
an evidence of kindliness and patriotism on
the part of the English Minister and not as in
any way lowering his character as an English
leader. IL seems, however, that Mr.. Glad
stone has brought upon himself the condem-
nation Of the tory press The Standard, which
is the organ of the conservatives severely
criticises him for writing the letter, saying
that the habit Of toadying to America is dis
creditable to English public men and journal
lists. The results of the republican experimental
the United States are corruption of public
life, extinction of public spirit. oppression
Of the minority, disgust of honorable men
with politics and the transfer of the govern
ment into the hands of corrupt and unscru-
pulous and ignorant men" On the other
hand, however, tho Times indorses Mr.
Gla6stone's letter, although it says that great
evils exist in some American institutions,
(which must be remedied if the progress is to
be kept up.
We should regret if an act Of courtesy on
the part of Mr. Gladstone to the committee
of Americans who asked his presence at the
celebration of the battle of Lexington should
render him liable to Misrepresentation. The
criticism of the Standard only illustrates what
we have had occasion to say 50 frequently,
that there is a public opinion in Eng
land resolved to be hostile TO the
United States. OF course this opinion
arises from ignorance, and in time it must
give way. 1t is curious to observe, however,
that while Americans are always anxious to
welcome Englishmen and to cultivate the best
feelings between the two countries, there is
scarcely day in which we do not find in some
London newspaper just such an expression Of
feeling as we read in the Standard. There has
not been an Englishman Of any note who has
visited America recently who has not gone
back giving expression to the kindness of our
people, their friondness, their desire
above all things to be on pleasant
terms with their cousins Mr.. Forster,
in a speech made on the occasion OF
his returning to Europe, said:--''Thcre
are mischief makers who, sometimes from
recklessness and sometimes from malice try
on both sides Of the Atlantic to represent that
there is some ill-ieeling between the two coun-
tries and between the two places, and there
fore am glad to take this opportunity Of say
ing that from Boston to the Rocky Mountains
and from Niagara to New Orleans / never
heard one mention Of my country that an
Englishman would not like to hear" In
every relation OF life the English have been
made welcome to America. They form a re-
spectacle and influential body Of our citizens.
They preside over our colleges, edit our news
papers, practice law and in many cases are
chosen to high offices. II is not made q bar
that they are subjects OF a foreign State.
Several Of our journals in New York are
edited by Englishmen, but no one objects to
it. How long would the English people,
especially those represented by the Standard
be content if it were known that the Daily
Nel0s or Telegraph were edited by an American,
or that an American was Chancellor of Oxford
| University The truth is that Americans are
never welcomed into English business or
society as EngIishmen are with us There
| are few, but very few, cases to the contrary;
Sir Curtis Lampson. J. s Morgan, George
II
are few OF the names that we can recall Of
Americans that have gone to England and
made il their home. There are ten thousand
Englishmen who have had the same oppor-
tunity in New York, and they come to US
every day.
Dir. Gladstone expressed the sentiments Of
statesman and Christian in his letter. If
these Centennial celebrations were meant to
revive the old spirit Of the Revolution OF to
signalize the triumphs in war over the English
troops our people would reject them as I'M
worthy. There is nothing in the Centennial
celebration by the American Republic that
should not rejoice the heart Of every English
man. If the Centennial represents anything
1t is what the English race is capable of doing
in the advancement Of civilization. IL is not
spirit Of vainglory that leads us to say that
the United States Republic is the highest
achievement Of the English race. 1t is some
thing for England to have conquered India
to have overthrow Napoleon and to have
broken the power Of Louis XIV, to have COW
cred the world with its navy ; but 1T is some
thing greater still to have founded a Republic
Of forty millions Of people speaking the Eng
lish language, obeying the English laws aud
worshipping God according to the faith re-
ceiyed from English ancestors. The highest
craftsmanship Of both countries is that which
brings these nations together.
In the tremendous time that must surely
come nothing is more necessary than that the
men Of the English race should stand shoulder
TO shoulder in defence OF their liberties, their
civilization and their laws.