Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-01-31
dixie AND LADY dixie.
Issues Involved in the Crawford Divorce
Trial-Its Political side.

From The PhladelpRiI Press.
LONDON, Jan. 2S-More depends upon
the issue OF Crawford VS.. Dixie tnsn is
generally supposed. Should Sir Charles
fail to vindicate his character by mega
irving satisfactorily the aspersions of an
bysterical woman his retirement from the
political arena must naturally I've TIE con-
sequence. Since his marriage the salon
OF Lady Dixie has revived the memories
OF the days when titled ladies were even
more active politicians than their hus-
bands. In LAZY DiIke's drawing.rooms
in the somewhat dingy looking man
sion IN Sloane street, Chelsea, may
be seen gathered, particularly on
sundays, the men of light and leading in
the Liberal and Radical camps. As Mrs.
Mark Pattisnn, the gifted and beautiful
hostess occupied subordinate position,
but her courage in raising Sir Charles
from tho dust in which, Wi bout due Tee-
son, he had abased himself mas reelected
favorably upon herself. In word, she
has leaped into notorietv. From the
breath OF scandal she has diligently pro-
tected her husband from the moment she
telegraphed from Nice Authorizing the
publication oftheir engagement. aud she
consented to the marriage taking place
just before the general election. by which
she obtained the right to assist him as
the first Lady Dixie had done, personally
in his canvass. No doubt she saved his
scat.
Since then che has found the columns of
reviews open to her, and she has aspired
to the character of a woman VINO can talk.
In this ambition the newspapers are help
ing her. Sir Charles himself takes pride
In having cast of his former labored vie
OF public speaking in favor Of the debating
method; that is to say, he now speaks,
except on set occasions, eXtempore, in
stead OF reciting carefully prepared har-
argues. 1t is the latter system, however,
that he recommends to his wife.
Her speeches are thOughtfulIy COM
posed, written and then mitted o
memory. 1t does not mater much
whether the lady adheres to her brief, for
the manuscript is handed to the reporters.
and the public is duly furnished with tae
neatly tuI ned periods Lady Dixie meant
to deliver, II she did not actually utter
them. Sir Charles has already found it
convenient touse her as as his moutbpiece
for a declaration of his religious belief.
the necessity OF which the turn OF election
events made apparent, and be Ia so shrewd
rs to keep silent himself on an occasion
when bis wife is talking, for he knows
very well that newspapers concern them
selves with considerations Of space alone.
The attitude of Sir Charles and Lady
Dixie indicates that they do not mean
lightly TO give up the struggle. the
right Hon. Baronet is a clear headed man.
He has the reputation, shared by the
Prince OF Wales, Of never forgetting a
name he has once heard or the face of any
individual to whom he has been intro
duced. de moves amongst bis consttu-
ents, and as an example of the attention
he considers their due, | may quote the
following: During the races, since the
elections, journalists have been very ac-
| tive in interviewing the leaders Of both
! parties with respect to the Irish question
When they have been inaccessible to call
ers these politicians have been bombarded
with circulars. Sir Charles has been
! proof against both attacks, and be will not
ne drawn into declaration OF mis- policy.
Even in his public speeches he
/ has lightly skipped over the
Irish problem. The reason for
al this is MS desire not to offend the Par.
nellites, for be knows that were they in
| possession Of his views they would at once
! be alienated, In proof of this assertion
an instance Of his courtesy to his constlt.
! uents may be cited: A day or two aeO
| he was present at a strictly private ward
meeting composed of hardly nifty nob0dies
To them he expressed a full expos tiOn of
| his opinions on the irish difficulty, speak
| ing with a freedom and directness OF
! speech which is quite unusual to him
Espying a solitary reporter taking notes,
! he asked him to desist, saving ttat if is
/ sentiments we're to be printed be would
not reveal them. In honor bound the re-
porter laid down his pencil, and has ever
since been bitterly repentant, for Sir
Charles gave a magnificent speech.
In brief ne declared himself utterly OPP
posed to home rule, and expressed be-
lief that it Won d be better to have a for
eIgn country as next door neighbor than
an ireland under such government. He
indicated the scope of a conciliatory
measure for elective boards which be had
submitted when in Office to his colleagues,
but which they declined 10 approve. and
from other hints it was clear TO his audi
tory hat in this and other matters Sir
Charles is at direct variance with Liberal
leaders. In fact, il be outllves the
oboquy which ar adverse verdict
in the coming cause ceiebre will bring,
Sir Charles will presently disasso-
ciate himself from the heads of his
party. Gladstone gone, the leadership
will be secured either by Harrington,
Chamberlain o. Dixie. Harrington, so the
last named considers, is not sufficiently
energetic. Cham Derlain is rather too ad-
vanced, ard there only remains Dixie
himself TO lead the Liberal hosts. Thi. is
his aspiration, and in this purpose Lady
Dixie is rendering good service There is
a vein OF sentiment in this c8mpaign, for
are not the lady and gen leman tirst lovers
united! So, at any rate, IL is said, aud
better late than never. BY the was, it is
not generally known that Sir Charles is "A
much-traveled man. He has been twice
round the world. and mas visited Russia