Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1888-01-02
0LADsTONEs FAREWELL
The Shame of Brttains.

Englishmen as well as Americans and
Frenchmen have the vice and ingratitude
Of abusing even to brutality their greatest
men. The Greeks, Jews and Romans Of
olden time had the like weakness and
wickedness. The continuous stream Of
calumny poured out on William E. Glad
stone by the British Tory and Mugwump
press Is only equalled by the INSCRIPTIONS
and violent assaults which American news
papers from time to time have made on
Grant, Garfield and Blaine. Last week
the great English statesman arrived at the
Tory town Of Dover on his way to the
Continent by the advice Of his ply stefan.
A small crowd assembled at the station.
The venerable man at the age Of seventy
six, the greatest man in that vast empire
on which the sun never sets, was greeted
with boots. A number Of rOughs outside
the station threw snowballs at him, none
of which, however, struck him. A dele
CATION OF Kentish Liberals waited upon
him at the Town Hall and presented him
with an address Mr.. Gladstone, reply
ing, referred to the uncertain character OF
Lord Salisbury's declarations in reference
to free t: ade, and said they indicated, as
far as the majority in Parliament is con-
cerned that free trade is insecure. He relied
upon the masses Of the people to oppose a
return to protection. The coming session
did not promise well for the country. If
1t were true that the great measure Of the
session. local Government bill-would
not be introduced until April, the Govern
ment would infict an undisguised mockery
upon the country. The last was dark
session, but this would be darker unless
something was done to alleviate the situa-
ton in Ireland. The darkest blot upon
Parliament was the act now in operation
effacing the civil rights OF the Irish. The
Liberals were charged with interfering
with the administration of the law. What
nc was really trying to do was to retard
the Governments destructive policy of
perversion OF the law. II was well for
them that they were on the right side OF
the Channel. II the Christian knowledge
Society, in seeking to promote justice,
mercy, and truth, were publishing in Ire
land book applying those principles to
that unhappy country they would be sub
ject to criminal prosecution. Lord Sails
bury talked about the consolidation Of the
empire, while pursuing policy of nation
al disruption. How, the speaker asked,
could that be policy of consolidation
which disrcgardcd centuries OF national
tradition and opposed the will Of four out
of five millions of Irish people Ireland
only continued within the bounds of mod
Grafton because she knew that she had the
sympathy of friends in England. So long
as her moderation continued so long would
the sympathy be continued. Not long,
the speaker said, could any Government
face a unanimous people. With the single
exception of the Belfast Council all the
elective authorities sided with home rule.
The foreign imported Government stood
alone. The Liberals term of minority in
Parliament would cease at the first cleo
ton. Their appeal lay with the country.
The party had never inscribed on its ban
ner the name OF a cause without carrying
1t through. Having taken up the cause Of
Ireland the cause would assuredly triumph.