The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1886-01-14


CHARLES BRADLAUGH, who has at last
been seated in the House Of Commons,
has had short but remarkable public
career.
lie came 10 the front In 1867 as a leader
in the park riots. OIbetter education than
the mass, an effective public speaker,
studonS, thoughtful and bold in the pre-
sentaiion Of his views, he got wonderful
hold on the people and became popular
idol, He led the movement to force open
Hyde Park for Sunday meetings. He was
outspoken in his republican views, adyo.
Gated the Malthusian theory and achieved
notoriety as an ATHEIST. The publication
Of 1.-THE Fruits Of Philosophy" the joint
work Of Mrs. Besant and himself, in which
the people Of Great Britain were advised
to keep down the population BY cutting
down the birth rate, brought Bradlaugh
into the courts, Bradlaugh and Mrs
BCSant were acquitted, but the book was
suppressed as coming under the head Of
Obscene literature.
In 1850 hO was elected to Parliament as
a Radical by Northumberland, Mr.. La.
bouchsre, the fearless editor and politician,
being chosen at tho same time by the
same constituency, This was the be-
ginning Of series OF the most remark.
able scenes that ever disgraced a legisls.
tive body. Bradlsugh, appearing to take
his seat III the House Of Commons, desir-
cd to affirm, as he might have done in any
court In Christendom. This privilege be.
ing denied him, he asked to have the oath
administered. The House held that 1t
would be sacriloge to administer an oath
to an ATHEIST, and Bradladgh was refused
his scat. Entering again to take the oath,
he was elected by the sergeantat.Arms
alter asCuflle and a scene Of general tu'
mutt. For this Bradlaugh was arrested /,
but the House found him o white ele-
phant and lot him 60.
After this disgraceful episode BradlSuRh
was allowed to be seated on affirmation,
subject to all penalties. The case being
taken into tho courts went against Brad
laugh. Hehad voted in the House with.
out being sworn, although he had asked
the House to swear him. ExpulSlon from
the House followed conviction in the
courts, but tho Northampton constituency
was by this time very much interested In
Nj. Bradlaugh's case and reelected him.
lie was Ggain denied the right to be
sworn and again the Sergeantat-Arms
put him out. Watching his chance Brad
laugh went into tho House, Sprang to the
Speakers desk, and swore himself on the
Bible. Again the House expelled him.
Once more be was elected and once more
expelled. Three times the House out
ragged liberty Of conscience, the rights Of a
constituency to select It's own representa-.
tive aud Of the representative 10 take bis
seat. Men Of views no More orthodox
than himself eat in Parliament, but they
had not made themselves 20 obnoxious.
50 long as BradlAush was willing TO take
The oath and was otherwise quallaed, II
was not the privilege Of the Commons to
pry open his conscience and see what he
believed or dlbbellsved. Colonel 1nger.
soils views are we'll known and are 70.
pulsivs 10 the mass Of his Count1ymsn,
but II elected 10 the 1iouse and willing "
take tho oath be would be seated without
question. Any other course would offend
the American sen0s oi decehcy and iait
play Btadlaush's triumph In the fourth
attempt shows that the House Of Com.
mona is not incapable oil learning some.
thing IN four years.
liRtheihts take comfort out Of the final
seating Of Lhslf champion II 10 because The
Commons made BfadlAugh the hero Of 4
celebrated case, Oi which the British hiB
torlan will write with shame.
Looking . the NS1t census.