The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1895-10-24
GLApsToNE.s MESSAGE TO us.
Adopt Free Trade, He Says, and Be
the Greatest of Commercial Powers.

Adopt Free Trade, He Says, and Be
the Greatest of Commercial Powers.
Ex-Postmaster General Thomas L.
James, of New York, just returned from
Europe, tells of an interesting interview
he had with William Gladstone. While
Gen. James party was in Liverpool
they received invitations to grand
party at the ex-premier's home, Howar
den. 'tI never had met Mr. Gladstone"
said Gen. James, in speaking about his
trip, "and I was very anxious to have
that pleasure. He is man for whom
have a great admiration, a. d was nat
araIly curious to see him and hear him
talk. | was not disappointed in him.
He was very much the sort of man
that / conceived him to be, and he
shows no sign of mental or physi-
eal decay. IL the Tories think
he is going without making any sign
they are mistaken. Mr.. Gladstone is a
remarkably vigorous man now. In his
recent Grafton at Chester he spoke for
sixty FIVE minutes, and the latter half of
mis- discourse was as full of fire as bis
arst. He has remarkable voice for a
public speaker. Before we visited Howar-
den we were advised to wear frock coats
and high hats. We followed this advice,
but when Mr.. Gladstone came in few
minutes after our arrival I noticed that
he wore a gray suit and soft hat. His
pictures don't do him justice. He is tall
and somewhat bent, but has the most
beautiful and piercing eyes that shine
with the indomitable vigor and intellect
within
''The day before our visit sixty or
seventy Americans had called on Mr..
Gladstone They said that they did not
want to disturb him or his family. They
wanted to visit the castle, and thus
would be satisfied with a glimpse of the
ex-premier. Mr.. Gladstone is kindly
disposed toward Americans, and when
he heard of their request he stepped to the
window and bowed to them. The tour
lists replied by giving three rousing
cheers for him. When We were presented
to him he remarked that he was a bit
deaf, but that was not surprising in
man of his years. Mr.. Gladstone ex
pressed his appreciation of the sympathy
of his American cousins, and remarked
that he was al ways glad to meet them.
We tod him that America fully apppre-
ciated his great speech at Chester on the
Armenian question. 4 want you to
take this message to the American PEG.
pie for me- said Mr. Gladstone. Il want
you to tell them that when the United
States of America adopts free trade she
will be the greatest commercial power on
the globe, and she won't hurt England,
either. When the United States adopts
free trade she will have so to go per cent
of the carrying trade of the world, and
England will have % per cent more than
she has to- day
"The conversation was turned on
races, and Mr.. Gladstone remarked that
as rule the English were not good speak
ers. He contended their difficulty was
poor enunciation. Americans he said,
'have an excellent enunciatlon, but of
oil others the Irish are the best. The
Irish are a nation of born orators. What
capabilities for nation like that when
they have their rights Justice will not
be long delayed. 1t will come, and it will
come speedily if they only stop quarrel
ing among themselves