The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-03-28
80 pEATH OFyoRN BRIGRT.

TIE DEATH OFJORN BRIGHT.
The telegraph nnouncc the death Of
Mr.. John Bright, the great English states
man. The sad bu, no, unlocked for event
| occurred at his home near Roohedale yes
terday. and was the result Of a prolonged
and serious illness which he bore heroic.
ally. Thus has passed away one Of the
first orators in our language, in this or any
other time; oneo Of the most unoompromis-
ing Of English Liberals, a strenuous friend
Of the people, a rciormer who bad no COM
promises 10 offer or make with the enc
mics Of tho masses. and an arden, advocate
OF freedom regulated by law. Mr.. Bright
was chief among the leading English Lib
erals. This is to be said OF him not
withstanding his inconsistent and un-
explainable opposition to home rule for
Ireland W II was proposed by his
friend Mr.. Gladstone, in the bill defeated
by the detection Of the Liberal. Unionists
under the lead Of the Marquis Of Hariing-
ton. Reared and educated In the faith Of
Fox, a Quaker, he was guided by the
cardinal tcncts Of that singular body OF
Christians and as much rs was possible 10
him endeavorcd to ongraft some Of them
on the legislation OF Great Britain. lie
believed that the three Kingdoms should
be governed rs a Christian commonwealth
and in the spirit Of candor and justice
ineulca,ed by the founder Of the Christian
creed. lilo believed that nations, like In.
dividuals. should DO rs they wished 10 be
done by. Hence he argued for freedom,
free trade and for the fullest and hirost
opportunities for the people. This he
made apparent at the outset Of his career,
when, in 1888, no made common cause
with Golden, then nj the head Of the Anti.
Corn Law League, urging and arguing for
FREQ trade, and especially for free bread
Tor the laboring masses. During that
agitation aud until lsi0, when the Corn
Laws were repealed, lac was an eloquent
advocate Of that and every other measure
for the eniranchiscmont, education and
advancement Of the people. lie saw aud
felt the depressing effects Of tho class and
creed legislation that then prevailed. some
Of which still remains 10 hinder the Brit
ish people. and he became tho champion
Of free trade In aud out Of Parliament,
which he entered IN 1913, aud was among
the Liberal members Of the House Of
Commons who witnessed with delight the
accession Of Sir Robert Pcol 10 the ranks
Of the Liberal party. and after him AZ
other Tory statesman, aud the greatest
England has ever seen. Mr.. William
Ewart Gladstone. Succeeding upon the
passage Of the reform bill usJ0-32l the
substitution Of a free trade policy for pro.
lection by England was the most sweep.
ing aud radical change over attempted by
a dclibcraiye body. Il brought about
a complete revolution in trade, 10.
viycd tho depressed industries Of
the manufacturing districts aud sur.
priscd the farmers because they shared
in the general prosperity and were
not ruined as their Tory task.masicn In
sisted would be the ease u the Corn Laws
wcro repealed. The condition Of England
Just before this was accomplished usill
Is painted In very gloomy colon by Mr..
Noble In bis Fiscal Legislation Of Great
Britain" every interest In the country"
he writes, "Was alike depressed. In the
manufacturing districts mills aud work,
shops VEN closed aud property was dc.
prcciatcd In value; la the scaports ship.
I ping was laid up useless In the harbors,
agricultural lahorcu were cking out a mis-.
cradle existence upon starvation wages and
. parJchial Ulict the revenue was Insult
hcicnt to meet the national expenditure.
aud the country WA brought 10 the ycwco
national and universal bankruptcy
: The adoption Of a FREQ trade policy no
. vcrscd all this and instead Of ruin
! there was an advance In the yolum,
Of exporis, trade was revived, manufactor
les Increased aud tho shipping were full,
employed. Instead Of tho ~disinicgralior
p and ruin Of the empire, as was prcdiclct
j by Disraeli, there was a feeling Of didusct
happiness, and all classes felt the siimuluI
d OF a series VI enacimcnts that have sine,
: placed Grea, Britain In the advance a. the
e greatest OF the manufacturing aud export
ing nations Of the earth. In bringing
about this change Mr.. Bright bore a lead