New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-03-22
GLADSTONE on HIS LIFE.
.N INTERESTING LETTER TO A MID
LOTHIAN LIBERAL.
1RrrAND.s FIRST DEMANDS MUST BE MET BE
FORE ANY OTHER LEGISLATIVE WANTS
CAN BE MET-THE TRUE PRINCIPLES
or DEMOCRACY-HIS SEAT IN
PARIIAM MENT.

London. March 21.-The following letter was
written by Mr.. Gladstone TO John Cowan' chair-
man Of the Midlothian Liberals, from Brighton
last Saturday.
beg TO apologize for not replying earlier TO the
.Tectionate address OF the Edinburgh Liberals. but
the DELAY has been due TO my troublesome cough
,bank Won very much for the generous desire that
7 shall not cease TO represent Midlothian In the
House Of Commons. but am unable TO judge as
vet 10 what extent the condition Of my sight and
hearing will disable me from performing the duties
attaching to the seat.
am careful TO distinguish the and gen.
erous cooring you have given 10 my merits ana
demerits My career has certainly been charge
able with many errors Of judgment. but hope II
has been governed by uprightness OF intention ana
q desire for strict justice.
But the public aspect of the period which closes
for me with fourteen years connection with MID
lothian is too important TO pass without word
consider my career beginning with the Re
form act of 1892 which for England meant improve
ment and extension. and for Scotland poitlcai
birth Three score years later they offer us pict-
ures which the historian will recognize. The great
legislative and administrative period-perhaps the
greatest in our annals-will be the history OF the
emancipation political, social moral and intellect
ual Almost numberless have been the causes which
have been brought TO issue in that period and In
every instance rejoice to think that Scotland has
done battle for the right.
Another period opens: period with possibly yet
greater moral dangers. and certainly great ordeai
for those classes which are now becoming largely
conscious of their power. but have never hitherto
been subjected to its deterorating influences These
Influences have been confined TO the classes above
them because trey the sole possessors OF thls
power. Now is the time for every true friend OF
this country 10 remind the masses that they owe
their present political elevation TO no principles less
broad and noble than these: Love OF liberty lot
all without distinction of class creed or country,
and resolute preference for the interests or the
whole people TO any interest Of narrower scope.
am sanguine In the hope that Scotland VIII IN
the future cherish a Of duty no less 'oi'!
and enlightened than in the past. and do not
doubt the suiciency OF her influence and power 70
obtain without serious difficulty everything needinl
to satisfy her special wants
For myself. | need say little more than that l
carry with me out OF office the political opinions
professed in It, 1t is indeed source of satisfac-
ton TO that after sixty years Of highly con-
tentious life. / can be honorably relieved OF some
Of that active participation in political connect ol
which / have had full share.
But recognize the great and growing demands
of these countries for satisfying their legislative
wants. lament that the discrepancy Of senti-
ment between the Houses Of Parliament has
been revived TO such an extent to raise cues
ton between the chamber responsible ard the cham
Der totay irresponsible 10 the nation ana raise IL
In such form as will demand at no distant day
conclusive judgment from the constituencies.
Zee! deeply convinced that. until the first de-
mands Of Ireland are satisfied. as the House OF
commons tried TO satisfy them, neither will the
legislative Of any portion Of the United
Kingdom be adequately met nor will the Empire
attain the maximum OF its union and power nor
British honor be effectuay cleared Of the deepest
historic stain ever attached 1t. / remain. with
warmest regard, W. L. GLADSTONE.
The Political Committee Of the National LIBERIA
cub Will act as the committee on the national
memorial 10 Mr.. Gladstone Leading Liberia
organizations throughout the country will CO.
operate with this committee in collecting money
for the memorial