The Indianapolis Journal

THE GRAND OLD MAN

WILLIAM E. GLADSTONE EIGHTY-FIVE YEARS OLD YESTERDAY.

He Makes a Short Speech to a Delegation from Armenian Associations-Many Congratulations.

LONDON, Dec. 29.-At Hawarden to-day the Right Hon. Wm. E. Gladstone celebrated the eighty-fifth anniversary of his birth and, as usual, he received many congratulatory telegrams. Mr. Gladstone's eyesight has been restored and his health is good. He spends hours daily in classical and theological study. In addition to the many friends calling on him to-day Mr. Gladstone received a deputation from the Armenian Association of London and Paris. The Anglo-Armenian Association and delegates from several Armenian communities abroad held a conference at Chester to-day. Francis Seymour Stevenson, Member of Parliament for the Eye division, of Suffolk, presided. Resolutions were passed thanking the press and the pulpit for the part they had taken in bringing to public notice the Turkish atrocities in Armenia and saying that under no circumstances could the Porte's promises of reform be accepted unless a governor general for Turkish Armenia was appointed with the sanction of the signers of the Berlin treaty. A deputation from the meeting then proceeded to Hawarden, where its members were received by Mr. and Mrs. Gladstone and their family in Hawarden Church. The deputation first presented the Rev. Stephen Gladstone, son of Mr. Gladstone and rector of Hawarden, with a beautifully chased gilt chalice to be used in the church in memory of Mr. Gladstone's sympathy with and the assistance rendered to the Armenians. After Mr. Stephen Gladstone had accepted the chalice the party proceeded to the vestry of the church, where Mr. Gladstone, the venerable statesman, spoke for about twenty minutes with great emotion. He said:

It is not indifference which has thus far led me to do nothing in regard to the affairs reported from Armenia. Rumors have gone abroad of horrible and indescribable outrages in Armenia and the impulse of every man has been to give vent to a burst of strong feeling. But I am convinced that in a grave case of this kind every nation is most appropriately represented by its government and it is their duty not to assume that the allegations are true, but wait for the result of the examination and see whether they are based on ascertained facts. The intelligence which has reached me tends towards a conclusion, which, however, I hope may not be verified, and that is that the outrages, sins and abominations of 1876, in Bulgaria, have been repeated in Armenia. If this is correct it is time that one general shout of execration, directed against such deeds of wickedness should rise from the outraged humanity and the force of the Sultan itself and to make the ears of him sensible, if anything could make him sensible, of the madness of such course. If the reports are established, it will more than ever stand before the world that there is no lesson, however severe, that could reach certain people, of the necessity of observing to some degree the laws of decency, humanity and justice. If the allegations are true, it will stand as if written in letters of iron on the records of the world, that a government which countenances and covers the perpetration of these outrages is a disgrace to Mohammed, whom the Turks profess to follow; a disgrace to civilization at large and a curse to mankind. This is strong language, and strong language ought to be used when the facts are strong. However, we should keep our judgment in suspense until the evidence grows and the case darkens, my hopes have dwindled, and as long as I have a voice I hope it will be raised upon such occasions in behalf of humanity."

At the conclusion of Mr. Gladstone's remarks many of the hearers were in tears. After a peal of bells had been rung from the belfry Mr. and Mrs. Gladstone drove to Hawarden castle, to which place the deputation was soon afterward escorted by Mr. Gladstone's sons, Herbert and Stephen. The congratulations of the Tory newspapers on Mr. Gladstone's birthday seem to be mingled with fear that Mr. Gladstone may be prevailed on to return to active political life. The St. James Gazette says:

It is pleasant to think that the veteran is enjoying his ease with dignity, and we regret that he did not take the rest which he was entitled years ago. How much better for his reputation had he retired before the home rule bill of 1886."

The Pall Mall Gazette trusts that Mr. Gladstone may for many years be able to look back with satisfaction on his old age and study the classics and theology and the encouragement of trade in eggs and jam. The Midlothian Liberal Association and the Scottish Liberal Association and other political associations have sent congratulatory messages to Mr. Gladstone.