The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1878-05-03

thought was in every respect most desirable
ani expedient y He knew too much
OF human nature, and of the business of the
state, to be led astray by visionary schemes of
hopeless purity and impossible perfection.
(Ihe man talks like an old machine polltician)
ms notice OF motion, on the 18th of Decem-
Der, opened brief but lucid exposition of the
outlines OF his plan, to which opposition gave
nnco praise Tor the matter and tie manner
lP1a,se, not ridi;ule
Great as Was the idea entertained of his tall
ents, expectation was infinitely surpassed by
the production of the plan itself. No
public measure OF the century received such
general encomium. Few speeches from the op-
position side of the House ever fell with greater
effect than this; and of itself, had he never
made any other, would place him 10 the first
rank of orators and practical statesmen, for
comprehensiveness of design, minute knowl-
edge OF detail, the mingled moderation, and
justice toward the public and to the persons af-
fected, the wisdom of its general principles,
and their application to local objects. As
composition it has been considered the most
brilliant combination OF powers that ever was
or perhaps can be devoted to such a topic"
But at that time Mr.. Dorman B. Eaton was
only tn MdrcelLuS eris
"Only one sentiment" says another contem-
porary, who voted against the measure, "per-
vaded the House and the Nation, on the unex-
ampled combination of eloquence, labor and
perseverance, which had been displayed BY
their enlightened author. They covered with
astonishment and admiration even those who,
from principle or from party, appeared most
strenuous IN opposing the progress of the bill
''Mr. Burke's Reform Bill" says the histori-
an Gibbon, whU was himself a member Of the
Board of Trade which the bill strove to abolish,
was framed with skill, introduced with elo-
quence, and supported by numbers. Never
can forget the delight with which that diffu-
siye and Ingenious orator was heard by all sides
OF the House, and even by those whose exist
ence he prescribed
"By the irresistible effect of his w.t." SAYS
Prior, "as much as his eloquence Sc ntence of
death was passed on the poor Board of Trade
by majority OF eight; the 1900 folio volumes
or ITS iabors, rather unluckily urged by Mr..
Eden in its defence, being ridiculed with such
inimitable effect by Mr.. Burke, as to be, in the
tion''
This then is the kind of "ridcule" which Mr..
Burke encountered from partisans aud spoils-
men when he first advocated economical re-
form" and which comforts Mr.. Eaton for the
demure and sometimes possibly irreverent OBJ
servations which attend his own extraordinary
Civil Service Reform performances. Edmund
Burke made speech in the English House of
Commons which filled his admirers with en-.
thusiasm and overpowered his opponents with
admiration. His statements were so clear, his
logic was so convincing, his ridcule was so
powerful, his plan was so practicable and so
wise that the guns of his foes were for the mo.
ment spiked, and his highest encomiums were
wrung from the very men whose craft was en-
dangered by his attack. In the whole Nation
there was butone response of applause aud de-
light, nor have all the hundred years since
ceased to ring with the echoes of that magnifi-
| cent hour. And Mr.. Dorman B. Eaton, seek
| ing shelter from the merry pelter of jest aud
| gioe over his syntax all askew, his logic all
a-limp, and his tropes tumbling heels over head,
| scrambes into his little mudscow, pulls up
along side this booming old English man-of-
| war. hOists his DOcket-handka On a atray
oar, and summons the scoffers to wonder and
perish as he prepares to paddle down the ages
in the role of The GREAT ARMADA
GAIL HAMILTON.