The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-03-13

rupt our friendly relations with France will not
be carried any further.
John Stuart Mill in the House of Commons.
Brens TIE Times
The news last summer that the greatest living
thinker and philosopher on political economy
had been requested to stand for Parliament, was
received by the thinking public of this country
with the deepest interest. John Stuart Mill is
known in every cellege and academy through
out the United States, and his scattered writings
of late years on matters connected with govern
ment, or On the more abstract teld oil melaphy-
sizes have been read with the closest attention bg
many who knew his standard works only as text
books OF . college course. Inc remarkable
clearness, candor, and breadth oil MS intellect
have impressed every American reader. As a
philosophical radical of the highest culture, he
has been enabled to present to all readers theo-
ries or aspects of social and governmental ques-
tlons which would hardly be listened to from
any one else.
His reply to the nomination by the electors of
Westminster, and his speeches in the canvass,
added to the interest with which his first entry
in political life was watched on this side of the
Atlantic They seemed to announce almost
nsw era in the Parliamentary lite of England.
candidate accepting q nomination, but retus
ing to pay election expenses on the ground that
he should serve Tor the public interest, not for
his own, and declining to attend to local
measures, or to bind himself as to his position,
never covering Tor an instant his extreme and
radical views las, tor instance, his admission Of
a woman's speech in st. James Hall, and his de-
nunclation Of the Irish Church") utterly re-
iusng to use any OF the tricks or countenance
the prohgate expenditures customary in
English elections was certainly novel pheno-
lnenOn in the political sky Of England.
We could not believe that an English consti
tuencv we're enlightened enough to elect such
candidate. His remarkable success ia the cleo
ton was a surprise to all here who watched the
fhal lost fY,th hoqn mo do
his first appearance in Parliament
Those who know him personally never had q
doubt OF his moral and Intellectual success. No
one could be more ready in debate, clever in
TepGrtee, or clear IN statement. He is evidently
accustomed to argument, aud is fluent almost
| to a fault. His mind has always been occupied
with just those points which come up before q
body Ike Parliament questions OF practical
| administration, of economy and reform. His
| views are perfectly wrought out and clear on
| all the great subjects likely 10 be presented.
| Then he has that qualibcatIOn-to which Ye are
| so accustomed in American political hte, as the
! best quality of popular speaker or leader
| perfect courtesy 10 all men OF all ranks, and a
| certain generosity, tnot charity, OF sentiment.
Mir. Mill-aostraet thinker and thorough re-
| former as he is--s well known here as a most
refined gentleman and generous friend. He has
! il him tAe mental capacity Of an orator; that
! warm sympathy with heroism and the ire OF
| Indignation against oppression and wrong which
| so often inspire the highest iigAts OF oratory.
| in public speaking. Even this, however, may
| be overcome. But whether he shine as an ora
! tor or not, hls acute and searching thought
| must always be felt on most questions discussed
| OF referred to committees by Parliament.
| The accounts we receive thus far OF his utter
ances In Parliament fully Justify ali the eXpecta
! tions OF bis friends here. 1t must have needed
! the courage OF true reformer, for an English
| member, in the tull face Of "A Fenian revolution,
! to have gwen his vote, with a few Irish mem
| bers, in favor of a genuine effort at redressna
| the abuses OF the IRISH system.
| To speak with feeling OF the wrongs OfJamaic9
when The whole Parliament was aroused against
! the rebellion of Ireland, may be O mistake IL
the view Of the tilppant critical classes of Lon
| don; but 1t was protest which Mr.. Mill owed tC
| humanity.
That he should have CHANGED Government
bill that OF de,ermininT the rate Ofinsurance ol
cattle killed by the plague) by his first speech
was what one might expect from mind which
had devoted so much labor to similar questions
! His argument with Mr. Lowe, that the tax ough
to tall-not ON the consumers. but on the cattle
oWIers--Was unansWerable; and yet he wa
beaten, as might be expected, by body mad
w 10 so large degree by 1andlc"ds ana owner
OF cattle. His first attack on the arlstoCrdcy wa
made with the utmost courtesy, though with th
keenest rapier. 1t of course renders him unpOpu
lar in an arisocratic body, and we shall hear al
the organs OF this day try to throw contempt OF
! this philosopher in Parliament But Mr.. Nil
has place which should not be vacant in tina
| body The Liberals need such q scholar ant
critic in their ranks. MI. Bright's sledge,hamme
| blows viii have q most efficient aid in the keeI
thrusts OF hrs intellectual ally. And when tn
great question ofretorm comes up England vii
feel the value Of having so acute a thinker ant
rational reformer among her legislators.