The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-07-06

OF Lord Salisbury, he is, when out of harness
as lght-hearted and frolicsome as a lad at school,
1t was only year or two ago. while deeply en-
gagged with the defense of national religion as
assaied and affronted by Mr.. Bradlaugh he un-
dertook task of quite different order, the ac-
complishment of which testified to his courage
and to his indomitable character. At dinner
one night some one expressed doubt of the posi-
blllty of running across Westminster bridge
what time Big Ben tolled the quarters and rang
out midnight "Fll do it, said Lord Ran
dolph, and he did
Lord Randolph Churchill entered Parliament
in 1874 on the crest of the wave of Tory reaction
He sits for Woodstock, family possession that
went with Blenheim. For some time he came
and went unnoticed, and not appearing to take
notice. In those days, as became the son of a
duke, who was also a colleague in the Ministry,
he took up position Immediately behind the
government, and though he did not take kindly
to long Debates the whip had nothing to COM
plain of in respect to his attention to divisions
1t was Sir Charles Dixie who first stirred Parlia-
mentary impulses within him. and it was Mr.
Sclater Booth who completed his emancipation
from the obscurity of a back bench, where he
sat among stout and sleepy squires, whose par
liamentary functions were fulfilled when they
had cheered Minister or called out "Oh! OH" or
NO! no." to on opposition speaker. Sir Charles
Dixie was also making his way in those days
One method he had hit upon for securing Par
limentary position was to attack unreformed
corporations, which lie apart from the great En-
glish highways, perpetuating quaint customs dir
verse in Development but all leading to the local
authority, once a year oftener enjoying o
bountiful dinner for which they do not pay
The withers of Woodstock wore not unwrung in
this connection and the noble lord who repre-
sents the borough gallanty came forward to its
defense. Very few knew him when he rose the
first time to move an amendment to Sir Charles
Dike's resolution. But he instantly attracted
attention. There was in this, his maiden speech,
the same lnsouciance the same recklessness
and the same fresh way of looking at and saying
things which charm Of
and the public. This duel between Sir Charles
Dixie and Lord Randolph Churchill came to be
sort of annual treat to which the House looked
forward with increasing interest and on the
night fixed for the debates the benches were all
crowded as if Mr. Dlsraeli were expected to
speak.
But it was Mr.. Sclater- Booth who was the
unconscious and altogether involuntary means
of bringing out Lord Randolph. There are
stories told of tiger cubs taken into households
and made pets Of For year or two their con
duct is irreproachable. BY accident they taste
blood; thereafter nature asserts itself, and at a
with Lord Randolph Churchill Mr. Scater-
Booth. then, President of the Local Government
Board had brought in bill dealing With county
government. Having made his speech, the right
honorable gentleman sat on the Treasury bench
in his familiar attitude of self compacency, sun
ming himself in the consciousness that he had
done a. piece of good work. When Lord
Randolph Churchill rose he naturally con-
cluoeo that ne Was ABOUT 10 near his praises
hymned and his bill extolled. But Lord Ran
dolph fell tooth and nail upon bill and author
The former he described as STUFFED with all the
little lodges of President Of Local Govern
ment Board when he comes to legislate upon
great question" AS to Mr. Sclater- Booth him
SELF Lord Randolph observed confdentially to
the amused and delighted House that it was
remarkable how often we find medocrity going
about with double barreled name" Lord Ran
dolph Churchill was never the same man after
Of lu
smiling pompous officlalism. of fioutipS his own
tltuiar leaders, and readers of parliamentary de.
bates know to what extent the habit formed on
this memorable occasion has developed
But it would be mistake to suppose that
Lord Randolph Churchill is q mere political
gamin lie has in remarkable degree the far
reaching keen, political sight which distinguish
ed Mr.. pisraei He has also Mr.. Disraelrs bold
scorn of conventionalism and, like his prototype.
is not to be debarred from, upon occasion, filch-
ing slice OF Liberal policy because the party to
which he belongs happens to call itself Conserv-
ative He has already fought a good fight
against the traditional internal policy of the
conservative party, and in spite Of overwhelm-
ing influences has single handed conquered
What else he will do when he gets the chance
remains to be written. But, speaking from the
Conservative side, he has but lately announced
bis Willingness to see the experiment tried of
Ireland being governed under the ordinary law.
Two other things which he possesses in
so common nstrcsth WIN Mr. Disr"e are are
the House of Commons likes and the power of
say ing the right thing in the right way. man
may be as omniscient as Mr.. Courtney or as
high an authority finance as Mr.. Hubbard,
and yet the House of Commons will not stay 10
listen to him. If Lord Randolph Churchill
chose to chatter on the budget, even on pro
portloral representation, he would have full
audience, who would be rewarded by hearing
something fresh.
Lord Randolph began in the Disraean Parlia-
ment; by rapid strides he advanced to a fore
most place in the Gladstonian Parliament. That
he will not fail to fulfil the highest expectation
is belief most firmly held by those who know
him best From time to time he shocks the
world by some such freak as his recent letter
about Lord Granville But these are merely
the bubbles on the top Beneath there runs
current of strong, we'll defined purpose, which
will not be banked by any difficulties, nor shirk
any labor in order to attain its end.