The daily republic. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1853-1853, 1853-07-15
A British Statesman and orator.
From The Mean Yo,k T,ibu,lt


MAcAuLAY is Up.-When this phrase resounds
through the passage-ways and aisles of st. Ste
phen's there is always sudden and rapid move
ment among the loungers and hangers-on of Par
lament House. A loud slamming of doors and
shutting of feet is heard u rush toward the en-.
trance Of the Commons; buzz and sensation
that betokens something important going for
ward. The strangers, idle before, crowd into thu
galleries; the reporters prick up their ears, ant
even the obese country members, who are quietly
taking chop at their club, bolt the food and thu
porter and hobble hurriedly to the seats that hav
not known them for some time. 81
| The cause Of the unwonted Tivacity is. tina
Thomas Darlington Macaulay is on his legs, tt
speak to some question, and such is the reputa
ton he has left in Parliament an orator, that
no one would miss hearing him, if he could help
it. for the world. When it announced late
ly, therefore, that ssMacaulay was up" in the de-
bate on Indian Afairs-a debate that had already
continued through two weeks, exhausting the
talents as well as the patience of members-all the
seats in the House of Commons were at once
filed, and that noisy assembly maintained rigid
and respectful attention until the orator had
of course, the customary hears
and cheers which, in his case, were rather more
frequent than usual.
His speech was characteristic in every respect,
not very profound nor bold but very brilliant, with
learned episodes and admirable strokes of learned
III. lCS
everybody but convincing nobody that was not
already convinced, and carrying off the plaudits
of the house. if not its votes. In other words, il
was an elaborate, glowing, and astonishing essay
worthy of the great Edinburgh reviewer and the
great historians but not an earnest, impetuous,
irresistible speech, which required an adjourn
ment of the house before men s minds were in a
condition to legslate with calmness and judg-
ment Compared with the remarks of Golden,
or Bright, or even of Sir James Graham, on the
same evening, it was tsu de joie in the midst OF
discharge of well-shotted cannon. si.i-r I,
Yet Macaulay is not deficient IN logic, nor
does he want convictions; on the contrary, he is
most adroit reasoncr and, we believe, sincere
in his political opinions; but his logic is rather too
adroit, giving one the impression of facility more
than of strength, while his sincerity is not of that
deep, intense, irreprcssible kind which takes an
audience off its legs. He is consequently more
admired and trnsted-s more likely to dazzle than
to demonstrate; and, though courted as friend
and dreaded as an enemy, is not regarded as an
efficient leader by parties. He wants both ear,
nestness and practical activity to make nm equal
as parliamentarian to men OF tar interior talent,
such MS Sir Robert Peel, Lord Derby, or Lord
John Russell. No one disputes the greatness of
his powers, the ygor of his intellect, the fertility
of his fancy, the cxhaustless reach and readiness
Of his learning, the various and charming grace,s
of his style, and yet he is never sure TO command
tho majorties by his utterance'