The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1885-11-12
The la France Makes Bitter Attack
Upon England.
The Servian Government Denies Its
Troops Have Crossed the Frontier.
Gladstone Addresses a Great Audi
ence in Edinburg.


Lord Roseberry and wife today drove in a car
riage from Delmeny Park through the principal
thoroughfares to the Free Assembly Hail. Crowds
of people lined the route, and great enthusiasm
was manifested at the appearance of Mr.. Glad
stone. On reaching the hall, Mr. Gladstone found
it literally packed with human beings awaiting to
hear his address. Mr.. Gladstone said many lies
paign, many OF which he specified, and all Of
which he denied. He then read an extract from
his recent manifesto, as follows:
''With respect to the severance of the Church of
England from the State, think it obvious that so
vast a question cannot become practical until it
shall have grown familiar to the public mind by
that the proposal when thoroughly discussed shall
be approved Neither, think, can such change
arise IN country such as ours, except with
large observance Of the principles of equity and
lberality, as well as with the general consent of
the nation. We can hardly, however, be surpris-
throughout the civilized world, slowly sets in this
direction, should desire or fear that among our
selves too it may be found to operate, cannot
forecast the dim and distant courses of the future,
but like all others | have observed vast and
ever-increasing development for the last fifty
which belong, of the powers of voluntary sup
port. These abridgements of her prerogatiyes as
its establishment, which have been frequent OF
late years, have not brought about decrease,
and have at least been contem poraneous with the
Increase of her spiritual and social strength. The
English church appears to be emlnently suited IN
many and weighty points to the needs OF the COM
ing time, and have strong conviction that If
this great modification our inherited institu-
tlonS Snall herea1Ler pc acc0MpIlSneu tne ViIaHty
of the Church of England will be found equal to
all the needs Of the OCCASION"
He then said "When wrote that section con-
Sitlered it a posthumous requisite, fully believing
and still retain the belief, that never should be
called upon to share in the practical controversies
in relation thereto. wrote simply to recommend
that in the future, more or less remote, when the
controversy arise it be prosecuted in an equitable
temper and with careful endeavors to master its
enormous difficulties. After writing the passage
in the manifesto heard nothing of the question
for many weeks. certainly did not excite alarm.
For long time was not aware OF the intention
to make E1dlsestablishment' a test question: but l
am now confident it will be made test question
by Tory influence.
He then severely arraigned the Tories for bring
ing this question into politics at this time and
protested against introducing the church question
to the exclusion of every other question.
Continuing he said "Just consider the effect OF
voting for candidates on this question only. There
is no sense in it, What contend is that there is
no state Of things now existing which makes 1t
necessary Just Or allowable to raise the question
DisestabliShment in Scotland is a question the
Scotch people should deal with when the proper
come 1t would be an outrageous folly for the
Liberals to allow themselves to be drawn from the
other real solid issue of the day by this question.
We confront the electors and say vote for or
against the candidate, on grounds connected with
the great questions ripe fer discussion, which eau
be treated in practical manner and so as to be OF
Referring to the disestablishment of the Irish
Church, some 20 iyears ago, Gladstone said the
reforming spirit then was universal and the ques-
tion had been alive 80 years, and the moment at
tention was drawn to the Irish church it was seen
to be m0ckery There was no comparison he
sad, between the Irish church, then, as regards
the question of disestabllshment and the Church
of England now. DiSestabliShment of the Church
of England is a gigantic operation. In the case
of the Irish church the constant allegation of the
Tories was that we should disestablish the Eng
lish church Immediately afterwards. | answered
that challenge then to the effect that disestablSh-
ing the Irish church was great undertaking and
doubt whether man breathed the air of Par
lament who could diSestablish the Church of Eng
land and have the same doubts now. Many OF
these writer's about disestablishment in England
know little They frame utterly impossible plans
and the English people cannot accept them now
having made up their ne minds TO question which W i
people. 1t is a very great and serious question
and the public mind in England is unprepared for
suchIa tremendous. change and until the public
Coming nearer home there are considerations OF
this question applying to the north as well as to
ing disestabshment in Scotland would be my En-
gllsh advice thrown to the winds. The supporters
of the church would rush in solid phalanx to
the polls against disestablishment; therefore the
subject in Scotland ought likewise to be left to
future occasion. 1t is a serious responsibility
der. We have most remarkable unanimity re-
specting the questions which require first atten-
ton, the reform of the land laws, the reform of
the procedure of Parliament, the completion OF
the reform bill and the settlement of the imperial
relation towards Ireland. These questions afford
record which would make the coming Parlia-
ment must effectual for this country.
have been asked whether | will support DR..
Camerons resolution disestablishing and Olsen
dowing the Scotch church. No settlement will
satisfy Scotland unless it be the genuine offspring
of Scottish sentiments and feelings and decline
to support an abstract resolution on any subject
because it is tantamount to making a solemn
promise to the country whenever such resolu
tion is adopted. l never shall do so until see a
prospect that shall be able to perform my prom.
Use. (Cheers.) l am laboring now for Liberal
unity and am preaching unity to the best of my
ability. But hope the Liberal party will split
before sacrificing. conscience. A party is an in
strument for attaining great ends. It IS an inyal
achieved all the good Parliament ever did
Mr. Gladstones speech lasted eighty minutes
and he received an ovation on leaving.