The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1896-11-14


which compelled his temporary retire
,nent from political life, left their
strong marks behind, and in particular
when he thought of making a speech.
He told a. friend Of his and mine that
he seldom got up to speak, for the Tea-
son that he had the horrible anticipa-
tion that he would drop down where he
stood while he was attempting to address
the house.
AS the years went on the speeches OF
Mr.. Bright became fewer and fewer; IN
the end, he seldom spoke at ali. When
he did speak. those Who loved his fame
would have preferred that he had not
spoken at all, for the advance OF years
destroyed a noble and thrilling voice,
and there remained Of it nothing but
feeble and almost croaking monotone.
The last speech OF his remember was
on the redistribution bill. 1t was cred
liable to the splendid consistency Of the
old man that he got up to defend the
right of Ireland to full representation
in spite of the fierce differences OF opinion
by which he had been separated for
years from the Irish representatives.
But the speech was a pathetic ana
painful sight. The Irishmen were 700
embitterad 10 find any cheer for the
former friend, even when he was de-
Tending the Irish cause, and the broken
voice took away from the speech All
the old charm. 1t. was, indeed, hard to
realize that the speech ever came from
one who had been the greatest orator
Of his time. IL confirmed the opinion OF
Sir Charles Dilke, that the secret of
Rrieht's power was bis voice. and al
most that alone. -
But, though he was thus dtsappollit-
ing to listen to, Bright still had power
to make speech which would deeply
influence men. / have little DOUBT that
it was the speech he delivered at Biz
mingharn. Just in th middle OF the
general election of 1885, which gave
Mr.. Gladstone and the home rule bill
OF that time their coup de grace.
heard at the time OF that speech that it
turned hundreds of votes III the con,
stituencies. It was in this disservice 10
Ireland that the career of the great
tribune ended. Or his last days / have
heard & good deal from persons acquainf"
ed with them and they were worthy
Of the strength and greatness OF
his character His Interest in the
Irish movement and HIS hostility to the
irish members were evidenced by tie
fact that he was PERHAPS the only man
in the kingdom who Fead every oaS
every 1iue CT the volupinous evidence
given in the F'al,lell commission. This
Interest in detail was nof characteristic.
In the desire and capacity Ito grasp the de-
tails Of parliamentary work he never
showed any aptitude. have heafa H.
said that. he himself confessed that he
mad never read bill through in his
W hole career, and he certainly never
was given CT took the opportunity Of
| responsibility for the carriage Of a bill
through the house Of commons. rae
was net either intellectually or physl.
ca,ly. a man Of active habits. He used
to say to an intimate friend OF his that
his great and passionate desire to 90
nothing and his love OF the cigar was
probably in part the calse and IN part
the result of that temperament. When
he knew that his last hour had ccne ne
met his fate with splendid courage and
dignity He was great and a acble,
though essentially a narrow man.
T had intended to- say something OF
many Of the other figures which nave
passs.d before my eyes in the course OF
my parliamentary life, but must at
this moment bring this series to I'll end.
I reserve to the last q few words ABOUT
| Lord Randolph Churchill. When 1
| first entered the house of commons ne
still looked mere STRIPPING rae. Was
nlean-s11aven, except for a smali anu
rather irnnlature-]oaking naCustache. 1
remember almost the moment When the
| Fourth party was born. IT was on
that Afternoon, whe.i SLOWLY, slientiy,
almost stealthily, Mfr. Byadlaugh walked
IN the floor of the house of COM
mons. Nobody can, ever forgat-~-it
would be difficult even TO descr.be the
resource and energy Of Lord Randolph
Churchill at this period ef his; existence.
Nobody could have foretold at that per-
io,7 the gloom and disaster in which the
career would end.
He was rarely, if ever, out OF his seat
that first seat ON the first bench below
the gaasWay which he made historic. i4e
was always there on the flank OF tile m1h-
istry, art. it is certainly due to him thar
one of the mos. powerful ADMINISTRATIONS
OF modern times was gradually weakened
ard finally destroyed At that period, too,
his habits were the steady and temperate
ones of the man who means to succeed.
He used to smoke cigarettes pretty con-
stantlg, but not to excess, and ne was
satisfied with very light dinner and cup
of coffee. In the sInoking~room ne was o.
pleasant and unpreteutious companion
WAS personally popular. For men Who
thcught of anything else but political work
at this time he had nc words of scorn too
profound. There was pro1nn nent member
Of the front opposition bench-then in the
occupat ion of the Torie5-Who was sup.
posed to. be rather too fond Of the wine
cup. and he was the subject OF many {.
fierce and open gibe on the part Of poor
Lord Randolph.
But even then there were signs that the
physical machine would prematurely break
down. Though the face and figure looked
extremely young from distance, The facs
was singularly unhealthy when ,Qbssrved
closely. There was always a yellow and
almost greenish complexion; the eyes we're
lacking luster, and the hearing was bad
a sign OF premature decadence And oitap
| it was seen that Lord Randolph's attacks
we're made in spite of great physical nerv-
ousness. There was a famous occasion ON
which, in the middle Of his speech, Lord
Randolph shouted ont to Sir Henry Drum
1nond Wolff, then his faithful lieutenant,
to bring him in a glass of brandy and water.
I think the occasion of this breakdown
vas the sudden temperance OF Mr.. Glad
stone. Mr. Gladstone had taken a sea yoy-
age to recover from the remnants OF a Sc
we're cold, and Waen poor Lord Randolph
stood up he found himself confronted by
the .opea-eved and eagle-gaze of the great
|parliamentarian, aad the young leader,
frankly confessed that the sight rather lln-
-. -. .i-f -, f-sy . h. .