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

| great poet III England, HAS Calleu IroHi
Mr.. Disraeli 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 readers have
had their "Byronic days." and for their
benefit we print the speech in full.
Mr.. Disracl, on rising to open the pro-
cecdings was loudly chccred. He said :
"Ladies and gcntlemen-I am happy to
meet for the first time the members of the
committee who have before consulted up
OH 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 of this
century poem was published by a young
man which instantly commanded the
sympathies of the nation. There is no
instance in literary records of a success
so sudden aud so lasting. To uso his
own words, he Evoke one morning and
found himself famous" From that time
for u years lie 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
are most distinguished by their power Of
expression and by the sublime energy of
their Imagination. And then, after
twelve years, he died; he died in the full
ness of his fame, having enjoyed in his
lifetime degree of celebrity which has
never fallen to the lot of any other man
not only admired in his own country,
but revcrenced and adored in Europe.
Applause. How is it, then, that after
half a 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 transccndent? Applause.
1t has been said rs some reason for this
strange and dark neglect that the private
character of this poet was not as illus
trious as his public one. When half
century has elapsed private character is
scarcely an ellment 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 is no man in
this room-aye, | would say even 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 as another excuse
that his works were deficient i'll morality,
and that lie INDUCED in too free spccula-
tion 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, as he ur-
doubtly did, into many erroneous con-
clusions upon divine subjects, it may be
urged for him that he WAS very young.
Hear. remember once Lord Iyndhur>t
disscrting upon the character and carcerof
Mr. Canning, and he then asked Of some
one who WAS present, what was the precise
age ut which Mr.. Canning died. lie WAS
told that he had died ut the age of 60
"What," said Lord Lyndhurst, then ad-
vanced in life, but yet in tie fullness of
his mental capacity "only IS; why he
was mere boy" But We 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 in that wonder
ful character and that marvellous career
should never bc 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 80 years that have elapsed,
and during which no public meeting has
ever been called to recognize his Mcrlts,
chorus of poetasters 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. He has
impressed his mind on that country more
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 su!lilscd with the sweet
ness of his song. If you follow him in
his Italian residence you will tind that
Italy was to him source OF scarcely III
fcrior inspiration.
But the last and greatest of his works
docs 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
tice to one of the greatest Of England's
sons. Hear, hear. What form our feelings
should take it will be for you to decide
You know, aud You will know more as
these proceedings continue, OF what has
been attempted can ettcctually apollo
gizo for not having taken part III any
. proceedings, that my life is Il busy and
urgent one, and that could only lend
to the Committee the depth OF my SYM
pathy. But when l saw that III that
movement respecting tablet that 1t was
sanctioned by the presence and the active
intcrposition of one who had the proud
est and the nearest claim to intcrposc in
such blisincss-I mean the son-in-law OF
BYRON cheers who more than 40
wears ago was my companion in that AL
bania which Byron celebrated, | felt that
il was under the influence of kindly and
able counsels. For myself, though pre-
sumo not to dictate To this asScnlb y what
form their feelings shall assume i'll this
respect, [ will cxp press my individual de-
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