A Clever Reply.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume III, Issue 417, 15 February 1890, Page 3

A Clever Reply.

Mb Gladstone has, through Mr Herbert Gladstone, written a letter in reply to a correspondent, who sent him a report of a speech delivered at Ballster by Sir Arthur Grant, Unionist candidate for Aberdeenshire, in which it was asked : " What did the electors think of the burning of Alexandria, and the desertion of Gordon, at Khartoum 1 Who gave up New Guinea ? Who alienated the feelings of the Australians ? Who was it that humbly apologised to Austria almost the day he came into power 1. It was Mr Gladstone, probably the only Prime Minister of Great Britain that had ever done such a thing.” The letter ie as follows Hawarden, Dec. 1, 1889. Sir,—Mr Gladstone desires me to reply to your letter of the 28th, enclosing a report from tha Scotsman of some remarks made at Ballater by Sir A. Grant, described as Union* ist candidate for West Aberdeenshire. The style of controversy is a common one. Its success entirely depends uppn the jgnprenQe'of those Io whom' It is addressed. On our side ws can put any number of questions em* bodying charges each more or less difficult to meat within the limits of a letter, and con. vsying with a varying degree of fairness the loading accusations of one party against another. To give you a few examples. Who began the useless and costly Afghan war? Who scandalously abandoned Cavssnari? Wbo was responsible for the defeats of British forces? Who gagged the Indian Frees? Wbo brought about the massacre of Isaridula ? who intrigued with Mr Parnell against Lord Spencer ? And bo forth, A reasonable amount of information regarding current politico should enable most people to form their own opinione of such questions, whether put by one aide er the other.' It Iknow anything of Scotch political views, it is that West Aberdeen won't have much difficulty in disposing of Sir A, Grant and any questions he may like to pnt forward, and the- election I have no doubt Wil! demonstrate that. This legal Unionist candidate makes a most cruel and ungenerous attack on hie own leaden, seeing that Lord Hartington, Mr Chamber* lain, Lord Northbrook, and Lord Selborne were each and all as responsible os anyone else for tha policy of the Government from IMO MlMJ.***l»», Us, yours obediently, * Hkasgtw- S. GussboKEi