[Letter from W. (William Ewart) Gladstone (Hawarden) to [C. A. Oldhenny ?], regarding the anti-nationalist stance of the Protestants of Belfast, on the visit of Lord Hartington. Hopes that the meeting in Dublin will bring out the Irish Protestants who sup

Hawarden Oct 23. 88

[UCD L 19]

Sir I saw with pain that on the late visit of Lord Hartington to Belfast a multitude of Protestants assembled to applaud every thing which their grandfather's condemned, and to condemn everything which their grandfathers applauded. [illegible] was more [devoted??] a century ago to the sentiment of Irish nationality: it may even have pushed that noble sentiment to excess. But now a large part

of its inhabitants meet to support Lord Hartington who holds that Irishmen are not entitled ever to common [civil?] liberties except on condition of abandoning the idea of nationality.

I hope that as you have boldly chosen at this time to bring together at a meeting in Dublin [the?] Feile Protestants favourable to Home Rule, that meeting may receive large and cordial support, & it may be seen that there are multitudes of [earnest?] & [decided?] Protestants in Ireland who are [true?] amidst what are obloquy

and misapprehension to the tradition of their fellows

I remain dear Sir Your faithful & Obdt Servt W Gladstone

C.A. [Oldhennry?]