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[Defeated candidate (Labour) at by-election of Scottish Universities when J.B. elected]
4 James Gray St Langside, Glasgow
14.5.27
Dear Mr Buchan,
Your very kind letter duly to hand. I appreciate very much indeed your references to myself, & even more so your observations on Bridge.
I was annoyed at the time, but all my annoyance has completely gone & I recognize now that perhaps it was part of the day's work. I know, however, that you would recognize that it is a sound British sporting instinct never to rub it into an opponent when he is beaten.
You have my heartiest congratulations on you success. I am sure to land across you
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soon in the House of Commons, more than likely in the smoke room, as I am often up lobbying on behalf of the Educ. Institute of Scotland.
If you are ever in need of a "crack" with a congenial spirit on Scottish educational questions there is one at your hand in the person of Mr. Cowan, the Liberal representative of the Scottish Universities, and a very good friend of my own. I don't always agree with Dugald - that's neither here nor there - but while he was still a teacher he was easily the best head in the profession at knowing what education needed, and how best to get there. You will never go very far astray in seeking his advice.
In regard to your remarks on the general political situation I am afraid there are pretty dark & troublesome times ahead of us. I am content to remain outside the hurly-burly of strenuous political life in the House of Commons & insist that the one condition for ordered & progressive development of our social life is an educated people. There is a section of your party that fear an educated people lest they may ask too much, just as there is a section of mine that fears it lest they may be too reasonable & ask too
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little. Personally I fear both of these sections & am perfectly satisfied that if you give men ideas & ideals they will certainly demand more of life, but they will have the mental equipment to make sure that this demand is reasonable, & capable of being brought about by reasonable solutions.
I trust to renew acquaintance with you at no distant date.
Yours sincerely,
Hugh B. Guthrie
