West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1889-04-04
Mr.. Bright's Career.


John Bright, the second son OF Martha and
Jacob Bright, was born at Greenbank, noat
Rochdale, Lancashire, November i6. 1911.
Far back in his stock there were Jews but
his near ancestors were stanch QuakerS His
hatred or civil and religious oppression had
its birth I'm the experiences OF his own family
As Quaker, his father persistently refused
To pay church rates and was habitually the
victim OF distress warrants, which we're salts.
lied by seizures OF the cotton goods he dealt
in.
The circumstances Of his boyhool strength.
ened John Bright in the sentiments which In
spired his political career. His earlier years
were spent at Rochdale which was the thea
ire OF n constant agitation for Parliamentary
roform. The first exercise OF his oratorical
talents was in a literary and philosophical
society that had beon organized at Roch-
dale. He read much, ar.1 was especially fond
OF Millions Paradise LOST and the Bible
He had become a local celebrity, when, at
the age of twenty-six, he formed an ac-
quaintance with Richard Golden that did
much, no doubt TO direct his intellectual en-
ergeS into the course they took. In 1899 no
took part in open air Anti-Corn law meet
ings, and against the Corn laws and the
church rate he subsequently delivered n So
ries OF powerful speeches
In lS43 he was elected to the House OF
Commons as member for Durham The rich
harvest OF the following year delayed the
success OF his crusade against the Corn law,
but the enthusiasm OF his followers was not
Rbated.
Money poured In. tracts were circulated.
and trained speakers visited every village in
the country. Finally, in 1886, the import
duty on corn was repealed upon the propo-
sition OF Sir Robert Peel, tho Prime Minis
ter. On the last night OF the debate Mr.
Bright eulogized Peel for the stand he had
taken in terms that affected tho Premier to
tears.
In 1850 Bright was associated with Cob.
den In the negotiation OF the commercial
LwNn n
supported the repeal OF the paper duties
which made the penny newspaper press Of
England possible During the American
Civil War he was friend Of the North both
In and out Of Parliament. In 1865 no took a
prominent part in tho agitation in favor OF
the extension Of the elective franchise, which
ended with the passage Of the Reform bill
OF Aug. 10, 1851. He also urged reform in
ireland and the disestablishment OF the Irish
Church The latter was accomplished I'm
1869.
Mr. Bright had now reached the zenith of
his fame He commanded the confidence OF
the Liberal party i'm no less degree than Mr..
Gladstone himself, and his name had been
linked with every great popular movement
OF his time. II was therefore natural, when
MIR. Gladstone was summoned 10 form n
Ministry in 1868, that Mr. Bright should be
invited TO occupy q. place IN it. 10 was
natural too, that public sentiment should
require a test Of his ability 20 frame the leg
isation that he had so long advocated.
These considerations influenced him TO ac-
cept the prOffered post Of President Of the
Board OF Trade. He was the first Quaker 10
hold Office in tho British Cabinet. I'm re-
spect Of achievement his political career end.
ed with his acceptance of Office. He was
President OF the Board OF Trade until 1873,
when he was appointed Chancellor OF the
Duchy Of Lancaster To this post he was
again assigned when Mr. Gladstone was re.
stored 70 power after the six years interval
of the Beaconsheld Ministry lie resigned
Ia 1852 because he disproved the Govern
ments Egyptian policy, which eliminated In
the bOmbardment OF Alexandria
As an orator John Bright produced with
the simplest aids the greatest effects. His
mind was free from the classical associations
that have exercised an infuoncs upon the
diction Of other great English speakers, and
bis speeches are splendid examples of the
possibilities Of the AngiO-SaKOu tongue. He
was able TO modulste his voice 20 suit tho sen.
timent he expressed yet his defamation was
never merely theatrical His words seemed 10
reach the hearts as we'll as the heads OF those
who heard him. He knew well how 10 make
Wit and humor perform the same service rs
pathOs and tragedy, and was almost rs quick
as Disraoii in coming apt phrases.
During his later years he sat in Paria.
m8nt for the most part in silence, appar.
emily living much in the past When 10 did
speak, constant alluson 70 his own triumphs
niarred the effect Of his uttsrances. From
an early sympathy with the Irish, he fen
into the advocacy Of coerciva measures
When he took bis stand against HOms Rule
the friendship that existed between Mr.
Gladstone and himself for nearly half n
century suffered q shock whose effects were
never repaired. Nearly al his later public
utterances contain unkInd references 20 his
former associate
HIS last great speech was 20 Birmingham
against Irish Home Rule. and this greatly
damaged Mr. Gladstoue's side. Ffis Iast
speech in the Commons was on the Speaker
election in 1886 His last prolonged speech
In the Commons was on the franchise. This
vas n failure showing signs of his mental
decay.