Connecticut western news., 1889-04-03

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 motion of MT. Evarts for extending the principles of Free Trade, of which he had been the earnest advocate out of doors. His oratorical powers had not then caught their later volume and variety. There was perfume of the preacher about him, and he did not show the promise of his subsequent success. Endowed, how ever, with great energy and faculty of endur ance, he displayed the greatest activity in and out of the House in advancing the cause of Free Trade. He plucked even out of the Irish famine an argument in it's favor. He turned his attention to India, and in 0 speech ofgreat power and evidentlygreatp preparation in which he gave the first indication of his great fame, appealed for commission to enquire into it's condition. As partner in the large establishment of John Bright & Brothers, cotton-spinners," he naturally enough looked with much concern upon the Indian possessions, but he failed ill 0 request for his commission. In 1847 he married his William Leathman, of Wakefield. By this time he had acquired considerable Parlia- mentary influence, and his powers as an orator rose with every occasion. He was the constant coadjutor of Richard Golden in seeking to promote financial reform not only
 
 orations. The naval and military institu- tions of England were regarded by him as far too extensive, expensive and mismanaged, and as member of the Peace Society, when he did not lose any opportunity of pressing those principles at whose feet he has now laid down position and place. In the Pacif1co affair in 1851 he took a fierce part in opposi- ton to Lord Palmerston, the commencement of Q bitter political quarrel which terminated only with that nobleman's death. In 1852 I.4 H. come given to Kossuth, and some of his finest speeches. were delivered at that time. On the accession of the Derby Ministry in this year, with Disraeli as Chancellor of the Ex- chequer, it was thought necessary by MT. Bright and his friends to revive the Anti at Manchester, and 0 subscription was raised which produced in half an hour close on to $15O,OOO. The acceptance of Free Trade principles by the new government rendered further agitation on this ubjectunnecessary. The Eastern question began, about this time ative on public men to take their position, and MT. Bright lost many friends by that which he took He sternly opposed then, as later, the war policy which was in the ascendant and the war spirit which was rising and spreading over the land. when the Quakers, in 1854, believed that Eng lands differences with Russia could be settled by reproductions and without appeal to arms, MT. Bright was one of those at meet- ing when it was resolved to send the celebra- ted deputation to the Emperor Nicholas to try and win him to peace policy. How kindly the deputation was received and how absolutely the advice was thrown away is now 8 matter of history. War was declared against Russia in March, 1854, and peace was not proclaimed until April, 1856. Early in the war Mir. Bright was checked in his pub- lie career by serious illness-a nervous pros tration approaching paralysis-from which he had never wholly recovered. His profuson of hair, which up to this had been raven black, became suddenly white as snow. For 8 considerable period he took no active part in national affairs. In 1857 Lord Palmer ston was defeated on the Canton question and Parliament was dissolved. MT. Bright was then in Italy and had not taken any per sonal part in the affair, though he approved popularity of Palmerston was then at it's height and MT. Bright was rejected by Man- chester by a large majority A few months later, however he found himself M. P. for Birmingham, position which he held unin- terruptedly for tho past twenty-five years. As member for Birmingham lie took @ strong part in measures for the extension of the suffrage. But what has specially endeared his name to this country is that not less in the darkest hour than ill that of it's triumph was he the bold and active advocate of the cause of the Union. In 1866 he visited Dub lin, where he was entertained at 8 banquet amid considerable demonstrations. But his strong stern Puritan nature was not fitted to catch the Celtic sympathies. There was little enthusiasm. In both of Mir. Gladstone E Cabinets he had Q seat, with the same office Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. The off ce, the salary of which is $1O,O0O q year. is almost sinecure, still it has been held by Lord Holland Lord Campbell and Lord Dufferin, and by many other eminent men of
 Although member of the Society ot Friends Mr. Bright passed most of his life in struggles and contests of a political char. acter, it is true, but in so determined and energetic a spirit that tho London "Times' once asked "Is there absolutely no con. ceivable world in which MT. Bright might have been prize-fghter? It suggests the decisive and undnunted character of the man. He was for a long time regarded by the majority of the House of Commons as it's greatest orator, even superior to MT. Glad. stone. But in this comparison it seems to be forgotten that Mir. Gladstone delivered many orations in one night; MT. Bright one in many nights. His tavorite author wus Milton. copy of which he always, carried natural powers ot thought and expression, he added much to his influence by his ire quent appeals to mems consciences With & courage as rare as it was crcditable, he would not scruple to allude to the claims of religion as well as to those of humanity y, and he in- voked the sanction of the Most High himself. Witness the eloquent peroration of his speech on the Irish Church question: "I dare claim for this bill the support of all good and thoughtful people within the bounds of the British Empire, and 1 believe, and I cannot donht that in it's early and great results ii will have the blessing of the Supreme, for l believe it to be founded on those principles oi justice and mercy which are the glorious at tributes of his eternal reign" It must have cost Mir Bright 0 painful struggle to separate from MT. Gladstone, for whom, as Mr. O'Con- said, he entertained admiration ap- preaching idolatry. Since that separation Mir. Gladstone achieved his greatest triumplis while MT. Bright's star seemed on the wane. The Governments policy in Egypt was the particular occasion of Mir. Bright's secession from Gladstone in 1882, and though subse- quently returned to Parliament from Birm- ingham, he never again became thoroughly en rapport with the Grand Old Man. The Irish question divided their paths finally.
 His attitude on this subject, indeed, contra dicted the whole public career.
 In spite of this his name will be always honored il the political history of England. Even Tn his later years, under the growing in- tirmaties of age, he presented still the mas- sive, wel-set head, tlie lofty brow, snow- white surmount, the clear blue. honest Saxon eye, and when he rose in the House, 'sThere came up lion out of Judah!" was the ex- clamation. MT. Escott, in one of those bril- liant sketches with which he has adorned literature, says of him-we do not perhaps