Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1889-04-12
Mr.. Brieht's Career.

John Bright the second son of Martha and
Jacob Bright, was born at Greenbank, near
Rochdale, Lancashire. November 1G, 1911.
Far back in his stock there were Jews, but
his near ancestors were stanch Quakers His
hatred of civil and religious oppression had
its birth in the experiences OF his own family.
AS a Quaker. his father persistently refused
to pay church rates and was habltually the
victim of distress warrants which we're salts
fed by seizures of the cotton goods he dealt
in.
The circumstances of his boyhood 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 constant agitation for Parliamentary
reform. The first exercise OF his oratorlcal
talents was in q literary and philosophical
society that had been organized at Roch-
dale He read much, and was especially fond
of Milton's paradise LOST and the Bible.
He had become local celebrity, when, at
the age of twenty-six, he formed an &C
ouaintance with Richard Golden that did
much, no doubt to direct his intellectual en-
ergies into the course they took. In 1889 he
took part in open air Antl-Corn law meet
ings and against the Corn laws and the
church rate he subsequently delivered Sc
ries of powerful speeches.
In 1843 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
abated.
Money poured in, tracts were circulated,
and trained speakers visited every village in
the country. Finally, in 1916, the import
duty on corn was repealed upon the propo-
sition of Sir Robert Peel, the Prime Minis
ter. On the last night Of the debate Mr..
Bright eulogized Peel for the stand he had
taken in terms that affected the Premier to
tears.
In 1860 Bright was associated with Cob
den in the negotiation Of the commercial
treaty between France and England. He
supported the repeal OF the paper duties,
which made the psany newspaper press Of
England possible. During the American
Civil War he was friend of the North, both
in and out of Parliament. In 1865 he took a
prominent part in the agitation in favor of
the extension Of the elective franchise, which
ended with the passage OF the Reform bill
OF Aug. 10, 1857. He also urged reform in
Ireland and the disestablishment of the Irish
Church, The latter was accomplished in
1869
Mr.. Bright had now reached the zenith of
his fame He commanded the confidence of
the Liberal party i'll no less degree than Mr..
Gladstone himself, and his name had been
linked with every great popular movement
of his time. 1t was therefore natural, when
Mr.. Gladstone was summoned to form
Ministry in 1868, that Mr.. Bright should be
invited to occupy a place in it. 1t was
natural, too, that public sentiment should
require a test Of his ability to frame the leg
iSlatiOn that he had SO long advocated.
cept the profered post of President of the
Board of Trade. He was the first Quaker tG
hold office in the British Cabinet. In re-
spect of achievement his political career end
ed with his acceptance OF Office. He was
President of the Board of Trade until 1878
when he appointed Chancellor of the
Duchy of Lancaster. To this post he was
again assigned when Mr.. Gladstone WIS re-
stored to power after the six years interval
of the Beaconsfeld Ministry. He resigned
in 1889 because he disproved the Govern
ment's 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 influence upon the
diction of other great English speakers, and
his speeches are splendid examples OF the
possibilities of the Anglo-Saxon tongue. He
was able to modulate his voice to suit the SEN
timent he expressed, yet his defamation was
never merely theatrical His words seemed to
reach the hearts as we'll as the heads of those
who heard HIM. He knew well how to make
wit and humor perform the same service as
pathos and tragedy, and was almost as quick
as Disraell in coming apt phrases
During his latar years he sat in Parlia.
ment for the most part in silence, appar-
emily living much in the past. When he did
speak, constant allusion to his own triumphs
marred the effect of his utterances. From
an early sympathy with the Irish, he fell
into the advocacy of coercive measures.
When he took his stand against Home Rule
the friendship that existed between Mr.
Gladstone and himself for nearly half a
century suffered a shock whose effects were
never repaired. Nearly ali his later public
utterances contain unkind references TO his
former associate.
His last great speech was at Birmingham
against Irish Home Rule, and this greatly
damaged Mr.. Gladstone's side. His last
speech in the Commons was on the Speakers
election in 1886. Has last prolonged speach
in the Commons was on the franchise. This
was a failure showing signs Of his mental
decay.
THE rush into Washington Territory IS so
great that it has been found necessary TO