San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1888-06-04
ENGLANp's GREATEST ORATOR AND ONE OF
HER LEADING Liberal STATESMEN.

The death of John Bright, which ls
expected, will be o bereavement deeply
felt on both sides Of the Atlantic. Amer
lea never had q staunoher friend among
British statesmen than the great Com
moner now on his deathbed Of Rochdale.
Eminent as lover of unity, peace and
concord" John Bright has not the less
been always courteous and aggressive IN
the maintenance Of his opinions.
He was born at Greenbank, Lanca:
shire, November l6, 1911, the son OF
Jacob Bright. He was educated In q
Yorkshire school belonging TO the
Society of Friends. At the age OF flfteen
he was put to business by his father,
who was q cotton spinner. When, IN
1888, the Anti.C League was formed
in Manchester, Mr.. Bright attached him.
self to 1t, and In few years was promi-
nently associated with Richard Golden
in the agitation conducted by that body.
It's operations soon covered England
with Jealous supporters and resulted In
the repeal of the CORD laws In the year
1916, measure due In great part to Mr..
Bright's effective oratory. In lS43 ne
entered parliament as representative
from the city of Durham. Four years
afterward he took his seat In the house
of commons as q member for Manches-
ter. which he continued during four
wears. In 1857 Birmingham elected him
one OF Its members, and he has repre-
scented that constituency ever since. He
was president of the board OF trade,
1851, and chancellor Of the duchy OF
Lancaster, 1874. Upon the advent OF
Mr.. Gladstone to power In 1851, Mr..
Bright became chancellor OF the duchy
of Lancaster the second time, but re-
signed in 1882, because opposed to the
policy OF the government with regard to
Egypt. He was returned for Birming-
ham at the last election. Mr.. Bright's
views on the Irish question are strongly
opposed to those Of his friend Glad
stone.
His services as 9 statesman have been
devoted to the expansion of popular
power. He is a member OF the Society
OF Friends, and as such is opposed to
war. In 1854 his voice was raised in OPP
position to the war with Russia, made
in that year by the allied forces OF Eng
land. France and Turkey, who were sub
sequently strengthened by an army from
Sardinia. During the civil war in this
country he was an earnest defender OF
the federal cause.
The great commoner Is simple and
O0m66LlC III ulb udulIb, uappS III his
home, surrounded by his family. His
.avorite recreation is fishing, in the pur'
suit OF which pleasure he makes pill
grimages to unfrequented streams in
Scotland and elsewhere. Mr.. Bright lie
generally regarded as Englsnd's great
est orator. The qualities of his diction
are simplicity, direotness and strength
His delivery is easy and natural, giving
the expression of extemporaneoue
speech by q man full OF his subject, and
with the courage not to say defiance Of
earnest conviction. The remarkable
aptness and force of his expressions are
attributable in great measure, to hic
thorough acquaintance with the earlier
English classics, Of which the works o.
Milton are to him familiar as his garter
His business is that Of carpet manufac'
turer and cotton spinner, and he is
man OF considerable wealth, OF which he
appropriates generously to deserving
charities. Mr.. Bright's residence is a.
Roohdsle, Lancashire.