Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1883-07-15
THE PEACEFUL HONORS
ShOwsred by an Admlring People
Upon Their llIustrious
Representative.
The Career Of John Bright, tina
Great English Liberal
Leader.
The Htbls Course He Has Psrsusd
in the Long Battle for
the Right.
SPECIAL Correspondence of ne Rsoisss,.

His name has been on all lips aud his
character and deeds have formed the
i"sding topic Of discussion in the news
papers CT the country. The oc-
casion of this wide spread in
terest Is the celebration got
ten up in his honor by his eousti-
tCancy at Birmingham. This, at least.
II the immediate cause of il, though
there are others which are not far TO
seek. Behind this local celebration,
throwing 1t into national prominence
investing il, indeed, with International
interest, is the record Of splendid life
That white haired, calm faced mau,
who Was the central figure of Mondays
procession, is hero whom the whole
wOriu Is proud 20 honor. In the admir-
ing crowds who looked on, the venera-
ton OF countless millions was reflected
and, a. Shakespeare has said with refer
ence To different occasion:
You would have thought the very windows
% miS greedy looks OF young and old
through cISemeats dSrted their desiring
Ipon hrs viSsge,
The pageant reminded one of the
tTiumphS accorded the
Ancient DOnquerers,
and Vet, how widely different was il
rom these, for the victories celebrated
ale those of peace, not of war, while he
wears the laural wreath has always
been man of peace. 1t was his adj
yucary Ui this principle that led 20 his
connection Win Birmingham. His ca
.t,r IA Parliament covers period of
;,..ty years. He was first e!ectei from
durham i'm lSl3, and four years aiterways
y,.lsented to stand for Manchester, be-
H.. returned tor that town without Op-
iao lion. In 1852 he was reelected.
Then tcsan The agitation which result
Ell H. thu Crimeau aud war. That war he
COL u, sed from first 10 last, FORGETTING in
:. uuing both the popularity he had
wuH ia the country, and his MancheS-
,rr constituency. 20 strenuous were
Lis tiI0rts ia favor of peace at this per-
.Di that his health gave way under
them. In the campaign in which he
xa~ def u ed, he WAS not able to make |
3 single speech. and this circumstance |
Guub;ltSs, had much to do with the |
r suit. But this defeat most hOnOra.
b.eto Mr.. Bright, for rs the Manchester
Examiner said at the time, a few |
words spoken, or unspeked, little |
trimming, degree of suppleness on
Great questions which is afterwards set
down as prudence, would have sutticed
L. have insured him the undisturbed
enjoyment of popularity, but, true to
tie Instincts OF a noble nature, he has
chosen an opposite course. "FOur
months after being cast OFT by Man
chester he was returned to Parlia-
mrut 10y the town which now celebrates
Is silver wedding with him. Once again
y.centiy has he marked
His DetesIatIon of War:
not this time in ringing words, but by
s,u action that spoke with louder voice.
l!i- lips were closed 10y his position rs u
Cau.ust Minister, but he could show
LIS feelings To the country by resigning,
ana lie did this, his course in the pres
rst Instance being followed by a mag
l.i!c,nt Ovat. on. His own words are
H., t.st commentary upon his rejection
iy @ voters of Manchester, ~ we'll aS
we'll AZ the trueSC under his lofty char
ar,,f. In taking leave of his conStl-
iupLry lie wrUie,' | have esteemed IL u
Mgh honor to be one of your Represen-
Ltl.yts, and have given more of mental
ahu i.hy>ical labor to you service than
VS., list To myself / feel it scarcely
les an honor to suffer in the cause of
Itare. aud Oa behalf of what l believe
10 h. the true interests of my country,
tough could have wished that tue
bow had come from other hands when
lcuuld have been present to meet face
o. lsr. those who dealt it. If, "he add
I'll" the change in your opinion of me
has arisen from my course on the queS-
ton Of she war with Russia, l can only
,ay that on a careful review OF all the
circumstances OF the case, L would not
>av or retract aHy one of the speeches
Ihavp spoken, OF erase from the records
Of Parliament any one of those votes
have gwen upon il, if | could thereby
reverse The decision to which you have
come or secure any additional dlStlnc"
ton which 1t is in the power OF my
country man TO confer"
Mr. RriGht's Continued Advocacy
through life of the principles which an
mated his early career is fact which
makes his position among British
Statesmen somewhat unique. Most OF
tue others who have attained prOmi-
nrure have undergone great
rf augez. Sir Robert Pell, who
brought about Catholic Emancipation
reed dissenters from their disabilities,
relieved trade FROM its custom house
sEackles, aud eventually crowned the
victory of free trade by abOliShing the
corn laws. began by opposing every one
~ ln,S' measures. DIsraell, the great
Tory. started out with Radical notions,
whist Mr.. GlahssOne, the great Liberal,
Was Tory at the beginning. IL was
against the latter, who was at that
tine the Tory President of the Board
o.. Trade, that Mr.. Bright's maiden
speech was directed, and as the tive
men have since been three times aSSO-
r.at,d together in Liberal government
It l. interesting TO recall one OF the pas
sggtS Of that address. "l can assure
TIE IL. Hon, the President OF the
Ruari Of Trade" said Mr.. Bright,
that his fiimsy excuses will not avail
lin nj the bar of public opinion. lie
SHOWS what is right, and he refuses 10
GOit. Ills plea, that this is not the
tine l. as untrue as il is Insulting"
S.Lcc then these whilholm Antagonists
have come To be, on almost ail great
questions, entirely in accord with each
other, result, however, which mas
teen brought about solely by the
changes which Mr.. Gladstone has
Undergone, for Mr.. Bright has remain
cd tie same. That
The Prime MinIster
should thus have shown himself open
u conviction is nothing to his dlscredlt;
II l. an Indication rather that he Il an
honest man following the light Is II Is
revealed to him. Mr.. Gladstone has
On more than one occasion publicly
boosted of his change of opinions. But
fit be credtable TO embrace the right
As one perceives it, after having follow
Ell the wrong for some time, how mucn
more praisewOrthy must it be to nave
iiound the right at the beginning sndto
nave sttadfas,ly adhered to IL, as Mr.
Bright has done, through evil report
ana through good, to the end! MI.
Tiadstone's latest conversion, 1t may De
mentioned incidentally, was to the
Principle oflocal option, and the change
appears to have been q gradual one.
i"Oyears ago he voted squarely against
.st principle, while last year he re-
| Itaintd from voting. and this year gave