The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1871-10-21
THE NEW IRISH LEADER.
Isaac Butt, the Coming Daniel O'GOn-
nell.

nell.
Justin Mccarthy writes to the New
York Mail, of the man who is now dis
t1ngulshing himself as the great advo
cate, in Britain, of Fenian prisoners,
and the leader of the Irish liberals
Long years ago, when most of us
were boys, Butt distinguished himself
as an opponent of OConnel's. He
was professor of political economy
and lawyer. Then he suddenly
flashed into a genuine ren0wn as the
defender of Thomas Francis Meagher3
in the Irish State trials of three-and-
twenty years ago. Then, and since
then, l heard him often and | think,
allowing for all the defects arising from
an impulsive and irregular nature, and
an exuberant physique, he was one Of
the most eloquent and persuasives peak
ers have ever heard. He had mag
niticent voice, none the worse for its
rich depth of sonorious Irish accent,
and has flashing eyes that reminded
you of the description of
Robert Burns. He was any
thing but a handsome man; his face
looked like that of -blanched;
but his eyes, his voice, and his power
full frame lent him dignity and some
thing like grandeur. | think il his
best days he must have somewhat re-
sembled Mirabeau. He was at this
time, although he defended the Irish
prisoners, Tory and a Protectionist
He was taken up by the English Pro
tectionists and became the pet orator
of their great meetings. Through this
interest he entered the House of Com
mons as the representative of an Eng
lish Tory borough Gradually he re-
nounced Toryism and became a Liber-
al. But meanwhile he was falling fast
into ruin He lost his practice at the
bar, because no one could trust him to
keep MS engagements. He became
renowned in London as q gambler,
| Il spendtnrltt, scapegrace OF
every kind. l shrink from saying to
what depth of degradation sank this
richly gifted, generous man. At last
he disappeared from Parliament and
from society. He was past the prime
| of Life. and every one regarded him as
gone forever But after some years he
| turned up again, resumed the practice
of his profession III Dublin, aud was
said to have put aside wholly the errors
not of his youth, but of his well.
matured years He became the most
conspicuous advocate OF the EenlaI
prisoners, and. unlike most very elo
quent pleaders, Butt IS profound an6
willy lawyer, as well as a persuasive
powerful orator He soon recovered
his forfeited popularity, and has, be
lieve, well-nigh regained, his place IL
society Ii he goes into Parliament
again, and becomes the leader Of the
Irish nationalist party there, he vii
lend to that party folce and subtlety
which it now badly wants.
Setting aside Gladstone and JOIN
Bright, of course, l know OF no MAJ
among the English liberals to be com
pared for eloquence and capacity Will
big Isaac Butt. If he really does SET
out in a new career, every one Will wlsl
! him well. The man, never, | think
had an enemy, even among the credit
ors whom he neglected and the cabmel
whose fares he sometimes would no.
pay. After all, he still has time tC
make a name, for although he was dis
tinguished man five and thirty year.
ago, he is not sixty years old now. liz
began life soon and lived many lives
Perhaps he will find his real career nov
at last.