Rensselaer Republican, Volume 20, Number 48, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 August 1888 — NOTABLE GOLDEN WEDDING. [ARTICLE]

NOTABLE GOLDEN WEDDING.

Mr. and Mrs. Gladstone celebrated their golden wedding Wednesday. Testimonials in the shape of letters, telegrams and presents poured in upon them by hundreds. The couple were given a reception at the residence of Earl Spencer Wednesday afternoon, and were presented with portraits of themselves painted by Messrs. Frank Holl and Hubert Herkomer, and also with three large silver cups and an address signed by 150 members of Parliament. Lord Granville made the speech of presentation. Mr, Gladstone, replying to the congratulatory address, wished to indorse all that the address contained with reference to his wife. It would be difficult, ho said, to give an adequate idea of the domestic happiness of his married life. With regard to the allusions to himself he felt that they were too flattering. His conduct had often been criticised, sometimes,perhaps, unjustly, but he thought that on the whole the criticising had been more to his benefit than the reverse. He could fairly say that he was hardly able to recall an incident in his public life that was in any way painful to recollect. He thanked them warmly for their kindness. The following telegram was sent by President Fitzgerald, of the Irish National League of ‘America: “The Irish National League of America congratulates yourself and Mrs. Gladstone on the occasion of your golden wedding and wishes both many more happy years, crowned by the triumph of your policy of justice to Ireland.”