New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-10-03
ENGLISH REPUBLICANISM.
MR.. BRADLAUGH AS ITS LEADER.


IcAL vIEws-Ms STRENGTH IN THEOLOGICAL
DEBATE
pRox THE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF THE rRiBuSEI
LONDON. Sept. 1e.-Mr Bradlaugh has made speech
this week at Northampton. from which, II IL m cor
rectlv reported but conclusion can be drawn that
aTorv IA TO be elected to the House Of Commons Tor
that borough. The speech confirms MI Bradiaughs
previously reported determination TO stand except
In one contingency that majority of the electors
should ask him to tender his resignation fbe con-
iition IS artfully wOrded for it is pretty certain
that neither in Northampton nor elsewhere can the
opinion of a majority of the electors be expressed
except by an election. Mr. Bradlaugh holds hrm-
self as he is fond of saying bound by the
l65s votes recorded for him at the last election
to stand again. Well, there is objection to his
standing except the triHing one that he may bring
in q Tory by doing 80. He cannot be the candidate
Of the Liberal party, for the Liberal party mas
selected Mr. Jacob Bright 1t is in vain for MI
Bradaugh to tell the Liberals-or Wings, as ne pre-
fers TO call them-tbat he is their friend and advo-
Gates their principles. There are friends whose
friendship is not helpful. Mr.. Odger thinks that
Mr. Bradlaugh's theological views should not hinder
his return and that those who complain of his views
as too advanced are the kind of men who crucihed
Jesus Christ who also was man in advance OF his
tlme l am afraid Mr.. Odger, too, must be set down
among the friends whose friendship is not helpful
To Hken Mr. Bradaugh to Christ is not the way to
secure support for him in an English constituency.
Mr. Bradaugh has merits, but think few, even
among his admirers, look upon him as pattern OF
the Christian virtues, such meekness and charity
or as a Messiah. He is man who has consider
able controversial powers some acquaintance with
polemcal literature, is fluent and powerful
speaker, and has unbounded confidence in the
abilities of Charles Bradlaueh. He is known politi-
rally as Republican II you should ask him whether
be would introduce in the House of Commons
resolution for the establishment of Republic, he
would think, assure you that he should dOnOthing
of the kind. Ask him again whether, if elected, he
would make Republican speech In the House or
say or do anything in purely Republican sense,
again he would have to answer, No. Ask him
whether the audiences of wOrkingmen who cheer
him not far more profoundly interested in social
questions and the rate of wages than in questions
between Republic and monarchy-he must coDcede
that also. Ask him whether he, Republican, could
stand against Trade Union candidate in a work
in9mens borough, with chance of SUCCESSIVE would
have to own he could not. Having answered these
anu a few similar questions frankly, he would find
himself inevitably admitting that the Republican
party in England of which he prOcaims himself the
leader has scarcely an existence for political pur-
poses. In my judgment it certainly has not Mr..
Bradlaugh is leader without followers There are
three four questions to say the least more blaz-
ing. Mr.. Disrael would say, than this of Republi
ranism l do not find even in Mr.. Bradlaugh's
speech at Northampton, any allusion whatever to
Republicanism-the speech in which he states to the
electors of that town his claims to represent them.
But it would be unfair TO assert that he really said
nothing that subject; the only report have
being a condensed one, occupying half a column.
The most that can be said is that ii is unlikely that
any declarations such topic should be omitted.
1t appears that Mr.. Bradlaugh is going back to
America this Autumn to lecture. He will not even
remain to look after bis election. having pledged
himself last year to return to the United States,
where his agent has entered into engagements for
him. He complains that the Speaker of the House
of Commons, with whom rests the power of issuing
wrts for new elections, on the certificate of two
members. connOt he got at. There is reason why
the election should not have taken place in ten days.
but Mr.. Bradlaugh to suspect the Speaker of
keeping out of the.way to thwart him. and to post
pOne the election till MIR Bradlaugh has to leave the
country, just Mr.. Gladstone dissolved Parliament
while Mr.. Bradlaugh was in America. These artful
Vaccinations if such they be, will not succeed. !
Mr. Bradlaugh has presented Messrs Watts and |
FoOte TO his supporters in Northampton men |
chosen by him to speak and act in his |!
behalf during bis absence, and he promises to |
be back in England in time for the opening of |
February you will have plenty of time to hear him
in America. Certainly be is worth hearing as large
audiences found out for themselves last year He |
is by all accOunta speaker of unusual oratOrical |
power, and he keeps his religious and irreligiOus
opinions to himself on the PLATFORM that the most
tender need not fear TO venture within range Of his
voice But he is perhaps one of those men whose |
judgement takes too frequent council with their |
wishes. RepublcaniSm in England is very far from
being what he last year-In all sincerity doubt |
not-represented it to you TO be. Even Mr. Brad |
laugh himself with all his capacity ard audacity is
not yet important political figure in this country
His real strength les inclInd to believe. in
theological debate, and the atheism which
he avOws is not creed which he will succeed
In persuading any political party to adopt should
he wish to- / dare say he does not, since
it has nothing to do with politics. If be would,
with equal frankness, separate himself from the
Liberal party should be content to see him in Par
lament The House of Commons is not body
which sets high value oratorical power unless it
be accompanied with other solid qualities. If Mr..
Bradlaugh should get the ear of the House-mOst
members Of which would have a strong prejudice
against hint would be q very striking proof of
his aptitude for public life. and for politics on a
large scale 1t would also bring his Republicanism
10 book at once There is no reason why the form
of government should not be debated there. Parlia-
Oent is supreme. 1t put the House of Brunswick
the throne and can take it off again whenever it
likes. can any oaths of loyalty fetter the free
dom Of action of its members.
The Conservatives Of northampton are naturally
awake to the chance which divisions among their
opponents offer them. They have united on
Mr. Merewether, who has twice contested the
borough unsuccessfully in the Tory interest
"a fact which of itself gives him some claim