The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-09-14
From the Times-Herald.

London, Aug. 30.-JuStin Mccarthy
once said that magazine editor had
told him that the teachers of the people
are divided into two clases. .those who
know something and can't write and
those who can write and know moth
ing. Mr.. Mccarthy qualified the re-
mark. or rather made a downright eY-
ception in Professor Huxley's case. A
like exception might be made in his
own case. He knows a great deal, and
he can write 1t well, as he has shown
in great many charming books-as
he is showing today in the best political
leaders that appear in the London
daily papers.
Mr.. McCarthy's reelection as chair
man of the Irish parliamentary party
was a foregone conclusion. 1t is a mis-
take to call him a leader in the full
sense of that word. Since Parnell's
death removed the one man in the
Irish party whose fire was the fire of
flint against steel no leader has been
possible for the turbulent faction. Mr..
Mccarthy would be the last to give his
position that name. He is chairman of
the party, presides over it's meetings,
and practically stands for it in the
house of commons when matters of
vital concern demand attention. Fur
ther than that he does not so, nor care
to go.
His Mildncss and Availability.
It was because of his mildness and
amiabilfty-the general affection in
which he is held by all classes-that
he was chosen at the memorable meet
ing in committee-room 16 after Par
nelrs overthrow. 1t must be said that
Mr.. Mccarthy contributed as little to
that overthrow and rejoiced in 1t as
little as any man in the house of COM
mons. There is very little of the poll
tician In him-small craft or guile. He
Is in politics because of the traditional
respect for parliament which even a
man born in Cork must feel and which
still is strong in spite of election rows
and Jabez Balfours. Being in politics,
1t was esential that he should become a
follower of Parnell. then at pergee.
When the old leader was deposed, it
was equally natural that Mr.. Mccarthy,
impressed by the feeling of Mr.. Glad
stone and the attitude of the bishops
and priests, at whose side Mr.. Mccarthy
had often fought. should go with the
majority Less ill-will is cherished
toward him by the Parnelite faction
than toward any of the others.
Mr.. Mccarthy is one of the men in the
Irish party who looks toward England
to accomplish. on her own account, the
long sought reforms in the Irish govern
ment. Pacific by disposition. he is also
more English than Irish In his tastes.
Long contact with the English people in
London, especially such close contact
as a successful literary man must enjoy
whose tastes are worldly and who likes
the passing show, has softened any
earlier antipathies he might have de-
rived from Celtic forbears. He is we'll
received in society and numbers among
his friends some of the cruelest de-
spoilers of his beloved people. In fact.
there is quite as much pretense about
bitterness in politics in England as
there is in America. Here the vulgar
especially the conservative vulgar
monopolize the pleasure of hating. But
Mr.. Campbell-Bannerman Is justly
popular on the government benches,
and the believer i'm such politics as
John Randolph. of Roanoke, used to
practice and preach was frequently
amazed during the last session to see
Mr.. Balfour and Mr.. Morley drive up
together in a cab and dine at the same
table. A wag remarked "But then,
you never can tell what might have
happened in the cab. And perhaps Bal
faur kicked Morley under the table"
Mr.. Mccarthy is particularly friendly
with English members. and may even
entertain a liking for the erstwhile
"bloody Balfour" himself. 1t would he
a fine thing if the Irish parliamentary
party were disposed as kindly to its
enemies. the friends. as 1t is toward
its friends, the enemy.
His Dcxtcrity with the Pen.
Mr.. McCarthy's literary side is more
pleasant than his political side, neces-
sarily. He Is in his sixty-sixth year
and comes from Cork. where all the
great men come from-if you hear
them tell 1t. He began writing as re-
porter on the Cork Examiner, but.
following the attraction that carries
every writing 1rishman to England at
one time or another, he crossed the
channel, worked on the staff of a Liver
pool paper for a short time and then
went to London as parliamentary re-
porter on the Star. (The paper after
ward died, but its name was revived
some years ago by Mr.. McCarthy's coll
league. "Tay Pay" O'Connor. who
made 1t flourish. sold 1t out and es-
ta'blished his present journal, the
Weekly SUM- Meantime he contrib
uted papers to a number of important
magazines, including the Galaxy of
New York, now defunct, then under the
control of Richard Grant White.
Shakespearean defender OF the faith Of
good English and critic of all things
that traced their origin from South of
the Connecticut Valley. 1t was in the
Galaxy that Mr.. Mccarthy printed
many of the charming papers that af-
terward found their way, with addi-
tions. into a book called "A History
of Our Own Times"
In 1868 he went to America. He had
long sustained friendly relations with
49, % thof nfYxy had
been associated with John Bright and
had learned the meaning of liberty from
his lips. During the war when English
sentiment was bitterly hostile 70
America, he was one of the few men of
standing who not only defended the
justice Of the northern cause, but per-
ceived that northern arms were ire
sistible. He delivered lectures in
America. and was well received then
and on occasional visits thereafter.
Ills Contributions to Literature.
Mr.. Mccarthy is one of the most pro-
life writers of our generation. He has
written as much and on as many sub
jects as any living man, leaving his
daily pot-bolling at newspaper work
entirely out of consideration. His lit
erary activity began over forty years
ago. lie is the author. either alone or
in collaboration with Mrs. Campbell
Praed. of sixteen novels. the best
known being maid Of Athens and
Red Diamonds" Besides these he
has published volume of critical es-
says, History Of the Four Georges"
a Life of Sir Robert Peel" a short
story called THE Epoch of Reform"
and an account of PrOhibitory Legisla-
tion i'm the United States" His chief
work, though. and the one which now
supports his reputation. is "A History
of Our Own Times" Some one has
said truly that the most difficult thing
in the world to find Is competent
record of the events of the last thirty
years. Mr.. MCCARTHY. by an inspira-
tion, went to work on a history which
should include the reign OF Queen Vic