Democratic Sentinel, Volume 11, Number 33, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 September 1887 — MR. GLADSTONE DECLINES. [ARTICLE]

MR. GLADSTONE DECLINES.

Pressing Work Prevents Him from Accepting Philadelphia’s Invitation. 1 London dispatch.] In the letter which Mr. Gladstone wrote declining the invitation to attend the centennial celebration of ihe adoption of the American constitut on at Ph ladelpbia. which has stirred up considerable comment in the old country, he says: Tte attractions of th? invitation are enhanced to me by the circumstiuices that I ha.a always regarded th .t couat.tuti u as the most remaraable work know u to the modern times to have been produced by human intellect at a silicle stroke, so to speak, in its application to. political affairs. The invitation is accompanied by every accessory that even American hospitality could devise. Had I a real option in the case I could not but accept, but the limitation of my strength and time and the incessant pressure of engagements maks me feel too well that I have none. So far as I can see the whole small residue of activity at my command will be dedicated to the great work at home. I regard the Irish question as the most urgent and most full of promise of beneficial results to my country that 1 have ever been engaged in. I ought, perhaps, to add that, viewing the jealousy prevalent in England, it is doubtful whethez they might not be stimulated w ere Ito accept the distinction you offer me, which is not less signal than undeserved. The first of these reasons, however, compels me to decline the most flattering proposal I have ever received. I shall watch with profound interest the proceedings of your celebration, when you will look back upon a century of national advancement that is without a parallel in history, and look forward to its probable continuance upon a still larger scale. That you and your children may be enabled by the help of the Almighty to worthily meet the accumulation cf high duties and responsibilities proportioned to everjgrowing power will be, I am confident, the prayer of your kinsmen here, who hope, nay believe, that the moral relations between several portions of one race are wisely destined to acquire increasing harmony and closeness. Your obliged and faithful servant, W. E. Gladstone."