The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1875-08-12
Disraeli's Tribute to the Author of
''Childc IIarOld.''

tended to erect to the memory Uf the
great poet in England, has called from
Mr.. Disracli one Of those characteristic
speeches few men can make SO well or
with so little effort. The premier touch
ed with light, graceful and gentle hand
all the phrases Of Byron's career, and de-
Tended the poet while scarcely seeming
to praise him. Most of our rcadcrs have
had their "Byronic days." and for their
benefit VIC print the speech in full.
Mr.. Disracli, on rising to open the pro-
ceedings was loudly cheered. He said {:
"Ladies and gcntlemen-I am happy 10
meet for the first time the members of the
committee who have before consulted up
on the subject which will engage our at
tention to-day. Before going further l
wish to take this opportunity Of attempt
ing to draw your minds TO the contcm-
plation of The real object that we have
before us. In the twelfth year CT this
century poem was published by q young
man which instantly commanded the
sympathies of the nation. There is no
instance in literary records of a success
so sudden and so lasting. To use his
own words, he Evoke one morning and
found himself famous" From that time
for y years he poured out series of
complete inventions, which are not equal
ed for their number and their consistency
ofpurpose in the literature ofany country,
ancient or modern. Applause. Admi-
rable for many qualities, for their pictu-
resqueness, their wit, their passion, they
arc most distinguished b. their power Of
expression and by the sublime energy of
their Imagination. And then, after
twelve years, he died; he died i'll The full
ness of his fame, having enjoyed in bis
lifetime degree of celebrity which has
never fallen to the lot of any other man
not only admired in his own country,
but revcrcnced and adored in Europe.
TApplausc How is it, then, that after
half century has elapsed, we are met
here for the first time in public meeting
to devise some means of Il national cX-
preston of admiration and gratitude to
qualities so transcendent? Applause.
1t has been said as some reason for this
strange and dark neglect that the private
character of this poet WAS not rs illus
trous as his public one. When half q
century has elapsed private character is
scarcely an elment in the estimate of
literary genius. Applause But Of
his private character it may be said
that it was ambiguous; of it little is
clearly known, and there no man in
this room-Aye, | would sa. zen in this
country-that upon that subject can pre-
sumo to give q definite and precise opin-
ion. Loud applause.
But then, it was said rs another excuse
that his works were deficient in morality,
and that lie INDUCED in too free spccula-
ton upon those subjects which the human
mind can never penetrate, yet which 1t
is organically formed to reverence. And
vet il might be remembered that he was
born in an age of contracted sympAthies
and restricted thought, and that much he
then questioned has been since surrcn-
dcre'. Applause. If he fell, us he un-
doubtly did, into many erroneous con-
clusions upon divine subjects, it may be
urged for him that lie was very young.
Hear. remember oucc Lord I.yndhur-t
disserling upon the character and careeroi
Mr. Canning, and he then asked Of some
one who was present, what was the precise
age at which Mr.. Canning died. lie was
told that he had died at the age of 80
"What," said Lord Lyndhurst, then ad-
vanced in life, but yet in tie fullness Of
his mental capacity "only 56; why he
was mere boy" But VIC must rcmcm-
Der that when Byron died he was 20
years younger than Mr.. Canning, and in
these speculations upon his character and
his career, that element i'll that wonder
ful character and that marvellous career
should never be omitted. 1t should be
remembered that we arc always on the
life of one who, like those whom the
gods love, died young. Applause.
During these 30 years that have elapsed,
and during which no public meeting has
ever been called to recognize his merits,
chorus of poctasters have Increasingly
worked to decry his abilities and ulti-
matcly aim to deny his genius. No one
who has travelled in Greece can ever
question for moment the place of Byron
As poet of the highest class. lie has
impressed his mind on that country moro
than any other poet who has existed since
Homer. There is not cape, i promon-
tory, column, that he has not touched
with the fire or sulluscd with the sweet
ness of his song. If you follow him in
his Italian residence you will find that
Italy was to him source OF scarcely III
ferior inspiration.
But the last and greatest of his works
does not depend upon local influence; 1t
will remain as it is now recognized an
uncxampled picture Of human nature and
the triumphant effort Of the English
tongue. Loud applause. We are met
here, then, to-day at last to do some JUS
ticc to one of the greatest of Englands
SONS. Hear, hear. What form our feelings
should take it will be for you 70 decide.
You know, and you will know more AS
these proceedings continue, of what has
been attempted. can effcctually apollo
gizc for not having taken part i'll any
proceedings, that my life is i busy and
urgent ono, and that | could only lend
to the Committee the depth of my SYM
pathy. But when l saw that in that
movement respecting tablet that it was
sanctioned by the presence and the active
intcrposition of one who had the proud
est and the nearest claim to intcrposc IN
such busincss-I mean the son-inlaw of
Byron- cheers who more than 40
years ugo was my companion in that Al,
bania which Byron celebrated, | felt that
it was under the influence of kindly and
able counscls. For myself, though pre-
sumo not to dictate to this assembly what
form their feelings shall assume in this
respect | will express my Individual de-
| sire TO see in snmC nnhllc rlAec 4 SEM