The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1896-05-31

or Mr.. Joseph Chamberlain. we read on pages
434-435 that his most formidable opponent Is
his own dead self. 1t Is pronounced a "misfor-
tune that he should be a master OF clean-cut
phrase, q forger Of unerring bolts of declama-
tion and denunciation. When he has anything
to say, whether the averment be that n partic-
ular thinG Is white or black. he says It in q man
ner that goes straight home to the understand
Ing and fingers long In the memory. II a wet
sponge could bs passed over the record of his
public speeches up to the end Of 1885 and no
echo of them lineer in the memory OF man, his
position in the politics of to-day would be i'm
measurably strengthened. That is impossible.
Mr.. Chamberlain, when now he rises to address
the House OF Commons, is ever faced by the
ghost OF his dead self, wrestling with
whom Is q much more exhausting and
damaging exercise than any nero battling
with Sir William Harcourt. Mr.. Asquith, or
even the ruthless Mr.. Tim Healy." Mr.. Lucy.
however. bears testimony to the fact that moth
ing can exceed the coolness and courage with
which Mr.. Chamberlain faces these terrible
odds. while he is on his legs. and in COM
mand of the House, he shows no sign OF con-
seriousness OF the presence OF the supernatural
adversary. He knows, even better than close
students on the Treasury Bench of his former
speeches. what he once said. II he were disposed
to forget particular past turns Of he
has no opportunity. Since their echoes rumble
daily through every political speech, whether
made in Parliament or on the platform. A
debater OF rare skill. he might, II he chose,
shirk nasty turnlngs, that inevitably lead back
to the well-thumbed volume OF his speeches,
published ten years ago. But he takes every
fence, lodges no ditch. and. on resuming his
speech, bears with unfinching calmness the in
evitable punishment"
1t Is we'll known that the task OF leading the
House of Commons after MI. Gladstone's re-
tirement from public life was n hard one. calcu-
lated to tax the most even and serene of tenn
pers. In the case of Sir William Harcourt the
strain, mental and physical, fell upon a tenn
permanent naturally explosive. Mr.. Lucy recalls
an incident connected with Mr.. Gladstone's
successor in the leadership of the House of
Commons, dating back to the far distant time
when he was Mr.. Vernon Harcourt. earning a
living at the Parliamentary bar. 1t seems that
In one railway case he had a difference with
the Chairman OF the committee. who had called
him to order on . particular point. "Oh,
very WELL" said Mr.. Harcourt. hotly.
"f am not to be heard, 1t Is just
as we'll the fact should be made known"
Clear tho room!" said tho Chairman. quietly.
Tho order having been obeyed, and counsel.
witnesses. and the general public having with
drawn. the Chairman appealed to tho committee
to say whether, In his remarks, he had been per-
sonally offensive to tho counsel or had In any
sense exceeded the limits OF his authority. The
answer being unanimously In the negative, the
doors were reopened and the public admitted.
With them csmo Mr.. Harcourt, wondering
what the proceedings might portend. He was
not long left in doubt. The Chairman said:
NJ Harcourt, before you proceed with yonr
address It will be necessary for you to apologize
for the remark you last addressed TO the Chair"
For all answer the learned and irAte counsel
flung down his brief, and, with head erect
strobe out OF the committee room.