San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1889-07-23
"Reminiscences ST His Early Struggles and
His Audacity,


His Audacity.
When Mr.. Disraeli first appeared in the
political arena he made up his mind that the
preliminary step to success was to create
sensation. Hence bis wild radical speeches,
his challenge to O'Connell and his outbursts
on the platform and elsewhere, which made
him the butt of all the wags in London. 1t
may, indeed, he said with truth that he never
ceased to be an object of ridicule with large
part of the press and his own party until just
before his death The Jew the "adven-
turer," the "mountebank," these were about
the mildest epithets which were flung at him.
Whether he cared for them or not must
always remain matter of conjecture Some
of his friends have told me that he was indif-
ferent alike to praise or blame | have known
many men of whom that has been said, but
never one Of whom it could be said with
truth Disraeli, no doubt, had the usual
hsnian feelings, although he was much more
skillful in Disgusting them than nine men out
of ten. | always regarded him as the most
accomplished orator on any stage, and very
few persons ever saw him without his stage
make up This may be said without any dis
paragement to his great penetration, fore
sight and courage az a statesman.
Everything he did was done with an eye to
effect, and before be was sure of receiving
public attention in the legitimate way he
beat the big drum TO attract their notice.
His velvet coats, his gorgeous vests, his rings
ON every finger his wondrous watch chain
and his flaming cravats We're as much part
of the theatrical business as his bold attacks
on individuals or his dashing statements
which were not intended to bear strict ex-
animation.
When his position was secure these aces
series were discarded. He always retained
his partiality for garishness and finery, but
when he threw away bis rings he began to
weigh his words. The sensational part OF the
performance had done its duty, and the actor
remembered that the English are essentially
a humdrum race and that they always dis
trust a man who is'too clever.
When Benjamin Disraeli tried to get into
the house everybody was opposed TO him,
including his own relations, one of whom
condemned it as the maddest of all mad acts,
as Disraeli wrote and told his sister at the
time. 1t is not very often, perhaps, that
help or encouragement comes from ones own
relations when it is most needed. Disraell's
sister believed in kim, but we have no record
of the opinions of his father or brother. he
got into parliament in spite of all obstacles,
and on his first day he took up his seat inn
mediately behind Sir Robert Peel on the
second bench, the place which is usually
occupied by some old and well tried friend Of
the party, if not of the minister.
"Tou jours audace" was the motto of Benja-
min Disraen People laughed at first, but
they soon began 10 see that they had for
midable power 20 reckon with Next TO
undOubted success" wrote Disraei TO his
sister, 1.-THE best thing is TO make a great
noise, and many articles that are daily writ
ten 70 announce my failure only prove that
have not failed. London Cos. Philadelphia
Timss