New-York tribune., 1897-01-18

A GREAT DAY IN A QUIET WELSH VII
LAGE-MR. GLADSToNEs LAST
WORD TO THE SULTAN.


dom has been manifested to European Gentiles
and to the "Unspeakable Turk" by the unveiIlng
Of the Armenian memorial window In Hawarden
Church: and 10 Mrs Gladstone has been present.
cd a portrait of Mighriditch l. the Supreme Patri-
arch Of prosecuted church. deputation from
the Anglo-Armenian Association has been in At.
tendance at each ceremony; Mr. Gladstone has
made a characteristic speech and the Bishop Of
st. Asaph has preached notable sermon The
quaint village has been filled with strangers
making a religious pilgrimage 10 the parish
church. where. in the Bishops stately phrase.
'worships one whose weight Of years has not
been allowed to abae his lifelong zeal for the op-
,ressed" The more distinguished guests have
b.en entertained I'm the several Gladstone houses.
and there has been a servants ball In the even.
ing in honor of Mrs Gladstone's birthday. II
has been a singular gala day for the quiet Welsh
village which Is famous throughout the world as
the cherished home Of great man.
There NAV be unique celebrations at Hawar-
den but railway corporati have their sched-
ules, and conservatism Is the unwritten law Of
English life. The village lies about eight miles
from Chester. but the journey by railway occu-
pied to-day the better part Of an hour. This Ia
because the village Is approached via junction
bearing the complex name Of Connah's Quay and
q
long detention The train crowded with pill.
grms many Of them ladies, but they were COM
PEELED to alight within two miles OF Hawarden
10 seek shelter for long half-houi in a rough
shed with a long bench one side. 1t was q
raw damn morning without a CLEAN Of sunlight
I'm the cold gray sky. and the more sensitive
travellers hovered about a small radiator with
an ordinary oil lamp inside-the only means Of
heating the shed Possibly it was a suitable
preparation for commemoratng the butchery Of
the Christians at Sassoun but hardly the Turks
themselves would have been more inhospitable
TO a band Of travelling pilgrims. Nothing would
have been simpler than modification OF the
regulations so as to secure the passage of
special train directly to Hawarden; but the ordi-
nary schedule remained in force. the lamp was
burning in the radiator. and there was space Tor
walking on the platform for those who could not
force their way into the crowded shed
pREsENTATIoN TO MRS GLADSTONE
At Hawar rden the bells were pealing mernly
and the white flag was futterng over the beau
tiful parish church. The village is hardly more
than a single winding street. with quaint little
houses and shops on either side AT the Dottom
near the gateway OF Hawarden PARK. IS the
church with the rectory near by. In the rectory
were Mr. and Mrs. Gladstone with their sons
daughters and grandchildren and upon taoIe
near large window was an oil portrait OF
mechanically but strongly featured and dignifed
face-that of the Armenian Patriarch The
Anglo-Armenian delegation entered with MI.
Stevenson. the president at the head ana foi-
lowed by the treasurer and other ofhciais' Inc
Rev Mr.. Isagkian, Armenian priest OF Mancnes-
ter was in a black robe: DR.. Beet as the repre-
sentative Of English Nonconformty was ar
rayed in robes and doctors hood and the Rev.
W. f.. Cockshott. formerly chaplain or the brit-
,sb Embassy at Constantinople, in the back
ground with DR.. CaIantarents. the head OF the
Armenian community In England. The room
soon filed up with visitors. and the proceedings
began after a few formal presentations. Mrs.
Gladstone sat in a high backed chair opposite the
paintng with her children and grandchildren be-
hind her Mr. Gladstone stood near the fire. his
body bent and his forehead CHASTITY pale, but his
eves bright and with genial smile on his grim
face.
Mr. Stevenson Mr. Schwann and DR.. Beet
speedily explained the mission Of the pilgrims
Grateful Armenians scattered over the VIDE
world had desired that the wife OF the FORE
most champion Of oppressed races ana perse-
cuted faiths should possess portrait Of the
spiritual head of their Church. who now occu-
nied the throne of St Gregory Ii gift
from Armenians residing chiefly in India and
the Straits Settlements and IL a token OK
their gratitude for Mr.. Gladstone's sympathy
with their people in the deep and dark night
OF their sorrow 1t had been painted by Tneo-
dore Axentowtz nephew OF the Archbishop OK
Lemberg 1t was presented with love and ad-
miration for a statesman who had been In the
service OF mankind and with good wishes for
many happy returns Of the day to Mrs. Giad-
stone The speeches were brief but hearty; when
the last word was said all eyes were turned
toward Mr.. Gladstone. who stood leaning on
his cane. with his cape overcoat over ms snou'-
ders There a short interval of hesitation
before the clear. low tones Of the melodious
voice heard.
MR. GLADSrONE'S SPEECH.
1t was evidently an extemporaneous speech.
deliberately phrased and delivered in measures
tones as though Mr. Gladstone were mercy
thinking aloud yet II was impressive IN its
simplicity, and almost solemn in its closing
passages He began with graceful expression
Of thanks on the part OF Mrs. Gladstone ana
himself. and referred to the unanimity OF feei'
ing In England on behalf OF the Armenian
cause. A hearty expression of applause prous".
a flush to his pale face. but his voice only seei'eu
to deepen he warned his auditors that 'ne'
must not conceal from themselves the fact INA.
for the moment the cause or humanity GIL"
justice had failed. There had been no faiur0
in stirring the heart of the English people as
one man. But. though England was great
moral force in the world, still the direction
OF the worlds affairs had not been In the hahoS
OF her people, and II had been beyond 'he''
power to do more than TO give utterance ~
convictions profoundly entertained. stu, u
though he had long passed the time OF lie to'
sansuine dreams there remained In him ."
inextinguishable hope"
Music which had always inspired the ora'o'
on platform or in Parliament greeted MN % =.
said these words. There was an outou's' "