National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1886-06-23
A Radical Engiishman.

lICiuHus MT. NOWen ls wealthy nlue |
proprietor and manufacturer of the city |
which returns him to parliament. Great
part Of bis wealth he inherlts from his |
father, and has added to II rather by an |
economical mode OF life than by any wonder
ful business energy or capacity. He Is n
thinker, student a statesman, and |
an orator rathe er than business man. His |
patriotism is lofty and comprehensive, but
the direct antithesis Of the conventional
article. His beautiful residence, near New
castle, has been for nearly ffty years a
refugium for the political oxlles Of every
country in Europe. When it was by no
means popular TO be so, Mr. Cowen--in-
variably called "Joe" in the house of COM
mons and throughout the country-was the
unbending ally of Poland against Russia, Of
Greece against Turkey, OF Hungary against
Austria, Of Italy against Austria aud the
Vatican, OF Schleswlg. ITolsteln against
Prussia, Of the French republic against the
empire, and Of Irish nationality against the
whole force of the British empire.
With all this catholic sympathy, which
has been manifested in acts of boundless
generosity as well as in words Of the finest
justice, Mr.. Cowen is a John Bull to the
backbone. Although Polish exies partook
Of his hospitality at the same time that
such diverse characters as Garlbaldi, MAJ.
ziui, Kossuth, John Mitchell, John Martin,
and Louis Napoleon found safe tenn
porary hiding place in his northern home;
although Mr.. Cowen defended in public
and private, with voice and pen, as oppor-
tunity presented, the causes which such
names represent, he never faltered for a
moment in admiration and reverence for
that wondrous British empire which the
capacity and energy of Brltons had built
up, and which their genius and tenaclty
have maintained.
Ever since Isaac Butt presented the first
draft OF home rule bill TO the English
parliament, Joseph Cowen has been the
only Englishman who went into the division
lobby on every occasion with the Irish
national party, no matter whether that
party comprised FIVE or eighty-hve members
But when, under Disraeli's last admlnistra-
tion, the Eastern question was opened up
in 1873 and Russia threatened to march
upon India; when the liberals, radicals, and
home rulers combined to embarrass the
tory government, Mr.. Cowen snapped in
bound him to the past, and made speech
in favor of Dlsraeli's war policy toward
Russia, which was the most powerful and
most eloquent delivered during the session,
and which did more to form English opin-
ion and check the designs Of Russia than
all other parliamentary and diplomatic
tactics put together.
When he had accomplished what he con.
sidered his duty with regard to Russia he
quietly fell back into the small radical liue
again, and has ever since remained the most
trusted leader OF that party, below the
gangway, and the most Incorporating
advocate Of Irish nationality.
The opinions Of what the Italians call
such gnldntuomo (honest MANI are of
more than ordinary interest at the present
crisis, and the Tribune Of yesterday quotes
them very fully from cable dispatch.
In the extract given below Mr.. Cowen
expresses his opinion on four interesting
| topicG-his intimate acquaintance with the
leaders Of the young Ireland movement OF
1s4S, the prospects for Gladstone in the
of Protestants by Catholics where the latter
haye majority in Ireland, and the newt.
able victory for home rule. 1t is well to re-
member that Mr.. Cowen is about the most
absolutely independent member Of the Brit
ish parliament;
81 voted for Mr.. Gadstone's blll,' Mr..
| Cowen said, "for have been in favor of prac-
| tical home rule for Ireland for many years
past. have been closely associated no. only
| with Tecentsupporteno oil home rule butw with the
best and ablest Irishmen who have entertained
| hopes of their coUntry's redemption. was
| we'll acquainted with Smith. O'Brien, and
| "Meagher of the sword" gallant earnest,
waIm.hGarted man, and n capital speaker, who
married and died in America. | knew John
| Mitchell also, and how we'll he used the Eng
| llsh language, and what fire and force OF style
he had. The patriots of ~ glowed with the
| enthusiasm which at that time swept like u
wave over Europe. | did not like Mr. Glad
stones bill; II was crudely and hastily drafted;
nor do like his method so far in conducting
this campaign. II Is open to objection as being
too theatrical, but the principle of home rule
for Ireland has been put by Mr.. Gladstone into
! the domain of practical politics. That Is, in
| ITSELF great service rendered, and 1t will not
be taken out of practical politics till II has
| been settled, and working system built upon
1t. This expect TO sec whether Mr.. Gladstone
succeeds or fails in the pending contest.
"As 10 the religious aspects of the matter, l
do not believe In the prosecuting disposition of
the Catholic Irish toward their Protestant
neighbors. IN my observations Of Ireland ]
have, on the contrary, found the Catholics
disposed to be specially liberal and even gen.
erous in their treatment of Protestants living
among them, taking pains To make their Pro-
testant.. acquaintance feel that they were not
distrusted because they were Protestants.
"Yes, home rule will win in the eud, aud
that is of much greater Importance than that
It should win under Mr.. Gladstone or under
any other man, 1t will win with the victory o
sound radical democratic ideas, not only IN
Ireland, but throughout Great Britain"
One word In conclusion about the personal
appearance of Mr.. Cowen. Like Walt Whit
man, Victor Hugo, Tennyson, and many
others of the real "men Of light and lead,
ing" he wears large turned-down shirt
collars, which are without starch.
lie has strong northern burr in hi'
voice, which, nevertheless, Is wonderfully
masculine and musical when "Joe" settles
his great speeches steadily down into regu
lar marching order. Apart from his dis
tinction gained by sheer ability and higl
character, Mr.. Cowen is remarkable as th'
only man in parliament who invariably
wears soft, wide. brlmmed, black sloucl
hat; and Of such ought to be the kingdom
Of Heaven,
|
FEW years ago the national govornmen
made a most excellent road from the city u