New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-04-01

the note OF enthusiasm which Is na'cTS"s ''"'
est Just after his retirement
ST. William Harcourt does not belong In mat
rank but he Is great enough IN the ho"'c :"
make one wonder why he IS MOI greater Ill INC
minds of the multitude. II Is not from i'cH VA
either general or special capacity men ho "'
hejnc pressed for Prime Minister 1t was sHu'
and SAID truly. that re had done far more P'i!
work IN and down the country than Loru Nose
berry had He had spoken much oftener iro'" TIC
platform than Lord Rosebery. sir Wl'ai' J..
moreover. an exceedingly effective speaker -
he is not in the high sense OF the WoruS' s''''
orator. he has an energy OF MIND ana rnc'o''
cal art which make him easily the master y.
most audiences. l once heard MIN III Inv nan
u.h,cb is indel,blv associated with the memory
of Bright: the great Town Hall OF birhlihsHa"l'
Tho audience IS the most critical in England.
They have all the natural acuteness ana haro
sense Of the best type OF artisan. and their eau
-, l., or,,orv and in the criticism of oratory
was the work Of Bright himself They gave Sr
William on this occasion no ordinary weico'"e'
and he made them no ordinary speech. re-
,or ,b,rlinr at the time that the best might
ho talon as decisive and that Sir William ana
h,s oratorv both came we'll out OF the ordeal
rboro nover was doubt of his success. from be-
Ginning IN end A month since he spoke al
portsr,outb before the National Liberal federa-
tion. an audience of hardened politicians VINO
loo, unon a speech as political instrument; as
ono mart and not the most important part, OF
the machine which they have invented ana con-
etructed TO turn out majorities. There also, ana
before these highly practical critics, his success
was complete. The two occasions may be taken
as the two extremes of requirement. ana tue
sneaker who can satisfy both has very little TO
learn in the matter Of political oratory with
definite purpose. Yet with all these accomplish
ments and achievements, Sir Williams influence
IN the country is not quite what might be ex-
pected.
an, reminded Of the late Mr.. Bradlaugh. and
~ HE account of his own relation to the public.
He was telling me that whenever ne preacheu
the Republic he carried the audience with hiin'
and he was ready TO infer that Repuoilcah ldeas
had a foothold among the English people. bul
suppose, Mr.. Bradlaugh. that instead OF MAKING
them a speech You set them letter or mes
sage in favor of the Republic what then?' He
reflected a moment and admitted that II wouIu
be without effect. There ia an analogy between
his case and Sir William IIarcourts. The IN
ononco Of each with the country depends in no
small measure upon the goodness OF their speak
ing: and in a less degree upon their general
/
Sir Williams case, the absence Of convictions.
He Is never without convictions and the unlag-
Gins, sincerity with which he accepts and up
holds each new set is very striking proof of the
robustness Of his nature. and Of moral vigor.
The least sketch Of Sir William Harcourt
| would be misleading If 1t did not deal with
| some of those personal traits which, after
all are more interesting and more descriD-
| tive Of the man than any number OF po-
utical characteristics. II is these personal traits
which have made him a delightful parsonage to
/ the House Of Commons. The larSencss of his
nature fills that large chamber. lie fills good
deal of II with his large frame and stature ana
| manner. The stranger who behed him Tor the
first time would be in no doubt that the leSis-
lator 10 whom this imposing physique belonged
| was somebody II Is a massive and powerful
face which surmounts the powerful body. You
oxnoc, him 70 be massive in speech and some
| times he is sometimes even ponderous, but only
when he thinks the occasion demands this meth
Cd His obvious preference s for light comedy.
! His intellectual exuberance manifests itself In a
stream Of sparkling sentences. He has humor
| and good humor; tact and sympathy; ard these
| are qualities which are invaluable. or cid time
| he was thought to have a temper which
| bazed somewhat fercely when stirred. If he
| ever had II he PROBABLY sun mas II, out IL Is
| under control. and nothing is more useful than
a temper under control. He is not mcrcifu in
! debate Perhaps he enjoys seeing his opponent
go down under his smashing blow. Most COM
batants do
Even In private, ebullitions Of this energy may
be noted Neither in public nor in private do
| they diminish his popularity. OF malice there is
never trace; it is all honest. hearty, outspoken
and manly. No IS more genial, no one has
more surprises, no more varied conversation
| and no asserts a more just supremacy amid
a company of his fellow men. lie has that calm
ness which goes with strength; 10 need of ef
4ort If you are conscious Of being equal
| to the occacion. Ana he is equal There
is hardly more interesting social spectacle than
to see him take possession Of n dinner table and
keep 1t. The smooth strong low of talk is fed
! from many springs. He has authority but is
never didactic; earning which escapes the re-
| prOach Of pedantry; wit that Is too genial 10
scorch; and he uses. if need be. all the resources
| OF the accomplished debater at critical moments
| Of conversation.
Never was better opportunity to judge Sir
! William HarcOurt than during these recent
weeks. He had undergone a bitter mortihca-
ton: the ambition Of his political life baffied as
| IT seemed within his grasp. But If you had
met him in the first days Of this chagrin, you
| would have found him in his most admirable
mood. cordial and sunny to all the world and in
| his very best form. as society says. Society
| watched him curiOusly in these circumstances
and paid him the honorable tribute due 10 an
undisturbed demeanOr. 10 faculties which shoue
their brightest In this hour Of lasting disap-
| pontment. and to a cheerful heroism OF which
only me character is capable. G.. W. $.
GAMBIA OBLITERATED FROM TIE NAP