National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1886-07-13

out Then, followed by his friend Her
bert, he left the house and kept quiet for
some time. The next memorable occasion
upon which he was the central figure was
the opening up of the Greek question,
about 1870. He spoke without notes for
-four hours, and showed so complete
mnstery Of not only the affairs OF
Greece but Of all foreign affairs that
both opposition and ministerial papers
agreed next morning upon the fact of the
Chelsea baronet being well up among first
class statesmen. There are few instances
Of any man having made so great reputa-
tion upon one evening. Every one knows
that Dixie wrote "Greater Britain" which
dwells upon confederation Of all the
English speaking races. The writer Of that
book is a hard ,unsympathetlc ,brainful pan,
with endless capacity for hard work, aud
political ambition quite equal to that of
Napoleon In another sphere. His absence
from parliament will not last long.
But of all the decapitated, Joseph Arch,
himself an agricultural laborer and noble
representative Of his class, is for many rea-
sons the most interesting figure. He sat In
parliament for only few months, and the
cable states that every man in the present
house regrets that he has not been returned
again. American readers have no idea Of
what an English agricultural laborer really
Is. There is no class In this country,
which, being honest and industrious, is
socially so absolutely degraded. We are
satisfied that the poorest Irish peasants
are, In all that constitutes manhood, many
long degrees above poor Hodge, and Mr..
Arch is worthy Of special mention as having
emerged from this terrible status. When a
very young man he became local
Methodist preacher, which was considered
disgraceful piece Of impldence in a
land that owns an established church. How
ever, "Joon went on his way, exercising
great influence upon his people, and rous-
ing some OF their dormant intelligence.
Upon one occasion, long after he had be-
come the leader Of his class, he was ap-
pointed to address a meeting about the
"unearned increment Of land" In the lar
gest hail In London. John Stuart Mill ad-
dressed the same meeting. Three or four
noblemen took part in the proceedings.
Mr.. Arch came on at the heel OF the hunt,
and as he advanced to the front Of the
platform we could see the coarse clothes,
the STOPPING shoulders, and the great
wooden clogs. lie took off short over
coat, which was patched with all sorts Of
colors and sizes of fabrics, only to eveal
q brown.black undercoat, patched like its
companion.
Mr.. Mil was delicate at the time, and the
audience could not hear him; but out OF
respect the audience listened to him In
silence, and permitted him to end his ad-
dress with very modified applause. But
when Mr.. Arch had spoken his first sen.
tence the enthusiasm Of the audience was
aroused, and the simple countryman spoke
on for two hours, urged by reiterated cries
Of $50 on, Joe 20 on, old man ~ When
Joe sat down Mr.. Mil ran across the whole
length of the platform and shook him
warmly by both hands. Arch's grammar Is
weak, but his manner and matter are I'D.
mirable, and II VIC had the honor to be
members Of any assembly of really wise
and true men We should regret the absencs
Of Joseph Arch more than thAt- OF Albert
Edward and. an the crowned heads Of
Europe.