The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-11-14
BEECHER ON GLADSTONE.
THE GREAT PREACHERS FISH,
MATE OF EN6LAND'S
Leading Statesman, the CT; attest Of
English Speaking Men-His Ora
tory and Appearance.
copyrighted, 1861

I
not the luck, which most ministers
have, Of having bronchitis or dyspep-
STA, OF liver complaint, and 80 quiet
vacation on my farm has been all that
needed. Even this spring bad
been urged again, vehemently, to
make a visit, and reso'utely refused
10 do SO. II is not necessary to say
what it was that whirled me about in
less than day. On June 10Th took
pa:ssge on the good ship ElruIia, of
the Cunard Line, and on the next
Saturday night landed in Liverpool.
By IL O'Clock / was safely epsconced
in the Northwestern Hotel. The voy.
age was SIS pleasant as any voyage
could be to me. My opinions on the
subject OF the ocean are pretty well
known, and l do not need to repeat
them. do not see any use in the
ocean, except to solidify it.
Learning, on my arrival in Liver
pool, that Mr.. Gladstone was to speak
on Monday, l concluded to wait over
and enjoy the opportunity of seeing
and hearing him. l accordingly Sc
cured tickets for the platform at Hen
gler's Circus, building capable OF
holding several Thousand persons.
The meeting was to be in the after
noon. A sort OF invisible excitement
seemed to pervsde the whole city OF
Liverpool, in that Gladstone was
to make O speech, the last of his cam
paign speeches.. When / drew near
TO the building the streets were filed
with scattering bsnds, growing thicker
as one approached the circus. But
Nth some difficulty, under the con-
voy Of policeman, effected an en-.
trance in the rear and was admitted
to the stage. Preeuming upon my
sympathy with Mr.. Gladstone, the
audience soon recognized me and gave
some hospitable cheers. At the re-
quest OF the committee, however,
repaired to an ante room in order
to meet Mr.. Gladstone. PROMPT
to the hour he appeared, together
with Mrs. Gladstone and few ladies
OF his party. He bore the marks Of
the campaign through which he had
gone, and his voice was quite husky.
He had wrapped around him a sort of
tppet to protett his neck and throat
Mrs. Gladstone seemed to have him in
special charge, and, like a mother
nurse, watched over him and checked
any person that wanted to talk with
him, for fear that it would hurt his
voice. She also eat near him during
his address and he frequently turned
to her, either because of some sugges-
ton that she might have made or
from the habit OF courteous Difference
to her.
The storm Of applause when he as.
csnded upon the platform could hard
ly have been surpassed. The roar and
cheers rolled loud and long, and it was
with extreme difficulty and after con-
siderable lapse OF time that the audi
encs was reduced to anything like
generous silence. sat in the front
row on the platform, where, by turn
ing toward him, had a full view of
the sreAt orator. His voice showed
evidence OF much use in open air
speaking, yet, while its finer qualities
were obscured, it WIS resonant and
one could easily zee that it was voice
eminently adapted to the best pur-
poses of oratory. He held his audi
ence for an hour or more with perfect
control; he charmed them; he filed
them with an overlooking enthusiasm.
At times the applause burst out
into an uncomfortable stream,
which refused 10 be damned
up, or checked even. / was not capa-
bic of judging of many of the themes
introduced; had not the local knovl-
edge. He seemed, however, to touch
al The springs necessary to be affected
and he lett the impression on nv
mind that he would be inyincible.
There were very slight shades of hu-
NOR in his speech, butt predominant
characteristic was that Of profound
convictions on deep moral grounds.
Whatever in his discourse may have
played upon the surface OF things. he
seemed most 10 be stirred when the
underlying elements of morality came
in for discussion. There were no dd
cdptdndun, illusions; there was moth
ing OF the element OF combstive attack.
The scope OF his knowledge and the
minuteness of his information vera
rema kab!e. If it be the object of an
orator to convince, it may be said that |
on this occasion he exhibited himself
to be master in oratory.
Taking the address as a whole and |
comparing it with the elaborate efforts |
OF such an American as Daniel Web |
kter, or with some of the old Greek |
orators, it could scarcely be said to |
have the form and finish that APPLIES |
to many Of the masterpieces OF elo- |
quence. Judging Of its effect upon |
myself, stranger, foreigner, one not |
well versed in the details which he |
discussed, l found myself, neyerthe-
less, glowing with the sympathy OF |
the audience and in full admiration of
this remarkable man. Whatever may
be the issue Of the great question upon
which he has expended his genius,
which he regards as his last great LIES
work-the emancipation OF Ireland
there can be no doubt that Gladstone
is pre-eminently the central figure in
the politics OF Great Britain, and that
he also is or has been q leading
figure in the affairs Of all Europe.
His versatility is proverbial. His
knowledge Of classical languages and
of modern languages, which is not 30
profound or so minute ss that OF many
other men, is, nevertheless, remarka-
BILE. There are few subjects which in
terest thinking men today about which
he cannot wiss and instructively dis
course. His memory is something
prodieious. His command OF material
very striking; his accuracy In state
ment marvellous. He impresses one
as O far.seeing and comprehensive
void of the arts OF poll
ticians, in deep earnest and with
strong moral convictions.
~ Mr.. Gladstone seems to be man, l
should say, Of about FIVE feet ten
inches in height. He is active, supple
and erect; capable of enduring great
Iatigne, quite elastic in spirits, genial
and social. His head Is said to be
terian head, but in my judgment
{ will hardly bear that comparison.
The Inns Qpon bis face ara strong his
eatures are large; and, being nearly
)ald, the Impression Of the height OF
lis forehead is apt to be exaggerated.