The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1858-11-24
Mr. John Bright's Speeches-Per
sonal Incidents.

49,
sona1 Incidents.
The following interes ing extracts are
from the London co~rrespondebte of the
New York Times, dated October %
In domestic matters Mr.. Bright las,
By one of bis clever, popular speeches,
rallied the political circulation of all
, classes from its recent state CT lapguor.
The strong declaration of his preference
for a representative system, more nearly
resembling hat of the United States
than that which We have hitherto possess
ed in the old country, aud the manner
in which it has been received by the
bulk of the Liberal Party, fills the
oligarchy CT all shades with anger. if
not with dismsy. 1The Times, Globe
and Posi- are, of course, unmeasured in
their wrath; but the majority of the
metropolitan aud provincial journals,
possessing character or Influence, are
loud 10 their Communications of the gen.
eral scope and tenor of the Birmingham
program of reform; though in hardly
a single instance do they fail to sever
themselves from any participation in
the peace crotchets or sectarian animos-
tiles to which the honorable member
for Birmingham continues TO adhere =
The unguiarity of the man, and total
want Of tact, are drawbacks indeed
which would always prevent him from
being the head of a numerous party.
His fearlcssness ofEopPositiOn, sincerity
of purpose, intense confidence IN his
own powers of intellectual vision, and
perhaps above all, his keen relish for a
6ght,-all contribute to make him one
of the most controversial of thinkers
and takers. Mr.. Golden used to say
of him, long years ago, that off he had
not been bred a Quaker, he would in
fallibIy have been q p~rizeighter." /
hear.I the other day al apecdote of him,
illustrative of bis mode of dealing with
distinguished strangers whom be met
in his recent travels abroad, which
serves to show that time aud sickness
have net quenched in him the old habits
Of puguacit and 6fnsQuerie. When at
Turin, he was Invited to meet Count
Cayour at dinner, at the British EN-
bassy; and the first thing he said when
seated opposite TO him at table, was
.eHow could a clever man like you have
been made sueha fool of by Louis Napol-
con and Psiners:ol, as to go to war with
Russia?" The amazement of the com
pany at this uncivilized sally, may well
be imagined. NJ. Cavour, who declines
conversation in English, replied with
unrufled suayity, and poured upon his
blunt questioner a whole cascade of
brilliant badinage mingled with a GER
tain portion of pointed rebuke. But
Mr. Bright, though he talks his own
language SO we'll, has never been able
to accomplish any other; and the con-
versation SO inauspiciously begun soon
terminated.
A curious incident happened to him
of a very different kind while at Nice.
One morning he unexpectedly received
a visit from the chamberlain of the
Empress .Dcwagel of Russia, then re-
siding there, aud who expressed a wish
that he should be presented to her. AS
be was much out of health at the time,
he asked permission for one of his FAM
lily to accompany him, which was at
once granted, and both were conducted
next day into the Imperial presence.--
The aged and worn widow Of Nicholas
desired them to be seated, and then, in
terms of much digrity and grace,
thanked him for the part he and his
had taken 10 the Parliament of
England, in the endeavor to avert the
the Crimean war. The rugged nature
of the Lancashire manufac;u er, was not
proof against the penetrating ac.
of unayailing grief thus addressed
TO him, and his eyes filed with tears as
he expressed in reply his qualification
at learning from such liPs that the eff
of himself and his friends had
been appreciated in Russia. Should
bis physical strength remain, | have
doubt that he will occupy the
most prominent place in the coming
for Parliamentary reform
There is no man, now that Golden is
laid aside by domestic affection, and
Roebuck is reduced BY bodily ipfrmity
to comparative inactiou, that can vie
him in Influence or capacity as a
rajicalleader. must repeat, however,
my conviction that the incurable faults
of his intellectual character, will con
repel and ALLEVIATE from him men
Of talent and sensibility; and that his
unmitigated hatred of Episcopacy and
rule of all sorts, will en-
list against any .caus be advocates a
mount of extra opposition.