The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR P.M. Resurrexi. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1881.

Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 3998, 21 October 1881, Page 2

The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR P.M. Resurrexi. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1881.

The fact that it is considered necessary to place Mr Gladstone, the Prime Minister of England, under strict police protection, points to a state of feeling in Great Britain that few people can fully realise. It is a disgrace to the people of England that such precautions are considered called for, and is a reflection upon their reputation as the most law-abiding people in the world. It may fairly be assumed that the feeling against Mr Gladstone has arisen from the action of his Government in reference to Ireland. At such a distance from the scene of action, notwithstanding that communication is frequent by cable, it is difficult for us to imagine such a state of affairs, or that any Englishman could be found base enough to attempt the life of a Prime Minister, in revenge for injurious he may imagine he has received at the hands of a Legislature. Should any such attempt as that feared by the authorities be made upon the life of Mr Gladstone, it will arouse such a feeling throughout Great Britain as has not been known within the memory of men now living, and will awaken the people to see that their fair fame and standing among nations is in jeopardy. Is England to be classed with Russia, where assassination is the only means for redressing grievances? Are men entrusted with the control of an Empire to suffer in their own persons for the actions of the Legislature? Certainly not. In free England the Constitution provides for every man a hearing, for every man a means of redress ; and in the reverence of the people, the person of the magistrate is even looked upon as sacred. We trust the day is far distant when men will consider -the assassination of their political foes as the only means for redressing personal or national grievances.