"There is an undoubted and smart rally on behalf of Turkey in the metropolitan press. It is in the main representative of the ideas and opinions of what are called the upper ten thousand. From this body there has never on any occasion within my memory proceeded the impulse that has prompted, and finally achieved, any of the great measures which in the last half century have contributed so much to the fame and happiness of England. They did not emancipate the dissenters, Roman catholics, and Jews. They did not reform the parliament. They did not liberate the negro slave. They did not abolish the corn law. They did not take the taxes off the press. They did not abolish the Irish established church. They did not cheer on the work of Italian freedom and reconstitution. Yet all these things have been done; and done by other agencies than theirs, and despite their opposition."
Quote Details
Added by wikiquote-import-bot
Unverified quote
0 likes
Prime Ministers of the United KingdomPoliticians from EnglandTheologians from EnglandAcademics from the United KingdomNon-fiction authors from England
Original Language: English
Available Languages (1)
Sources
Letter to Olga Novikoff (17 October 1876), quoted in John Morley, The Life of William Ewart Gladstone, Volume II (1903), p. 557
https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/William_Ewart_Gladstone
Revision History
No revisions have been submitted for this quote.
Categories
William Ewart Gladstone
1868 – 1874
William Ewart Gladstone (29 December 1809 – 19 May 1898) was a British Liberal politician and Prime Minister (1868–1874, 1880–1885, 1886 and 1892–1894). He was a notable political reformer, known for his populist speeches, and was for many years the main political rival of Benjamin Disraeli.
298 quotes on TrueQuotesView all quotes by William Ewart Gladstone →
Related Quotes
"Now is the time for the true friend of his country to remind the masses that their present political elevation is owi…"
"I am a Free Trader on moral no less than on economic grounds: for I think human greed and selfishness are interwoven …"
"George III in his private character shows to advantage when compared with Charles II or George II. But, if George III…"
"I am thankful to have borne a part in the emancipating labours of the last sixty years; but entirely uncertain how, h…"
"[W]hat I call the ‘mad and drunk’ scheme of my colleagues on the naval estimates. ... [T]hat scheme (the most wanton …"
"In 1880, Midlothian leading the way, the nation nobly answered to the call of justice and [br]oadly recognised the br…"
"I am vexed to see portions of the labouring class beginning to be corrupted by the semblance of power as the other cl…"
"I cannot help regretting that the hon. and gallant Gentleman has felt it his duty to put the question. It is put unde…"
"I agree with you that a grave calamity overhangs the Liberal party in connection with the plan which I described to y…"
"This means war!"