about Midlothian was not that Gladstone spoke from the platform. This was already common-place for many front-rank politicians. It was the fact that the campaign was effectively designed as a media event, with specific attention to the deadlines and operational requirements of the journalists covering it and crafted for maximum impact in the morning and evening papers. Content Gladstone's speeches covered the entire range of national policy, he gave his large audiences an advanced course in the principles of government that was both magisterial and exciting. The major speeches constitute a statement of the Liberal philosophy of government, reinforced by the fervour of his own deeply-held Anglican faith. Scotland, at this time, was a nation fixated on the promotion this sort of religious and moral rectitude and probity. His focus was usually on foreign affairs. Gladstone presented his commitment to a world community, governed by law, protecting the weak. His vision of the ideal world order combined universalism and inclusiveness; he appealed to group feeling, the sense of concern for others, rising eventually to the larger picture of the unity of mankind. See also Tulchan American election campaigns in the 19th century, for contemporary campaigns References Further reading Blair, Kirstie. "The People’s William and the People’s Poets: William Gladstone and the Midlothian Campaign." The People’s Voice (2018) online. Brooks, David. "Gladstone and Midlothian: The Background to the First Campaign," Scottish Historical Review (1985) 64#1 pp 42–67. online Brown, Stewart J. “‘Echoes of Midlothian’: Scottish Liberalism and the South African War, 1899-1902.” Scottish Historical Review 71#191/192, (1992), pp. 156–83, online. Fitzsimons, M. A. "Midlothian: the Triumph and Frustration of the British Liberal Party," Review of Politics (1960) 22#2 pp 187–201. in JSTOR Jenkins, Roy. Gladstone (1997) pp 399–415 Kelley, Robert. "Midlothian: A Study In Politics and Ideas," Victorian Studies (1960) 4#2 pp 119–140. online Matthew, H. C. G Gladstone: 1809-1898 (1997) pp 293–313 Whitehead, Cameron Ean Alfred. "The Bulgarian Horrors: culture and the international history of the Great Eastern Crisis, 1876-1878" (PhD. Dissertation, University of British Columbia, 2014) online Yildizeli, Fahriye Begum. "W.E. Gladstone and British Policy Towards the Ottoman Empire." (PhD dissertation, University of Exeter, 2016) online. Primary sources Gladstone, W.E. Midlothian Speeches. 1879 (Leicester University Press, 1971). Gladstone, William E. Midlothian Speeches 1884 with an Introduction by M. R. D. Foot, (New York: Humanities Press, 1971) online External links Time Traveller's Guide to Victorian Britain: Midlothian campaign Political campaigns