The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-01-07
VIEWS OF BRITISH STATESMEN.
John Redmond, vi. r., Talks of His
Colleagues.

Colleagues.
John Redmond, M P, lectured to a
house full Of Irish patriots last even
ing at Conover Music hall upon his
fifteen years experience in the Brit
ish house of commons. The speaker
held his audience in the closest atten-
ton for over an hour and a half.
Mr.. Redmond is a man Of striking
personality He has face which
plainly Indicates the logged persist
ency Of his nation, together with all
its wit and intellect. There were those
in the audience last evening who
claimed to have seen a striking re-
semblance between Mr.. Redmond and
Mr.. Bryan, SO far as facial expression
goes.
Mr.. Redmonds lecture was replete with
the most interesting personal "reminiscences
of Gladstone, Charles Stuart Parnell John
Bright, Disrael, Lord Randolph Churchill
Mr.. Redmond, of course, is an Irish Ma
tionalist. From the time he first entered
parliament he stood for the cause of Ireland,
and in connection with his entry into British
politics, the speaker told rather amusing
and thrilling tale. He was sworn in as
member Of parliament, made his maiden
speech and expelled from the floor of
the chamber all within two hours. England
in extraordinary political situation
when Mr.. Redmond took his seat Charles
Stuart Parnell had just doomed up with amaz-
ing strength leader of the Nationalists
and behind him he had mere handful of
followers. This was in 1880. England at
that time was amazed by the startling audac-
1ty Of Parnells policy of obstructing legis-
lative business by endless f1libustering for
the purpose of compelling the government to
give some heed to the voice of Ireland Par
nell, said the speaker used all the means In
his power to perpetuate debate On every ques-
ton, matter how trivial in order to pre-
vent the transaction Of any business. He
was the first Irishman who ever compelled
John Bull to give Ireland a fair hearing
When Parnell entered upon his career he
was hating, embarrassing speaker, but the
phenomenal force Of his character soon as
serted itself and ParneIl attracted the atten-
ton Of tie entire nation. His skirmshing tao
tics soon made him the object of the wrath
of all England. The house ridicuIed him.
and frequently he stood unmoved for half
hour amid the jeers and Interruptions of the
other members awaiting an opportunity to
continue his speech. He was expelled from
the floor over and over again, but each time
returned to the attack with new courage and
persstancy. The speaker narrated how Par
nell, fired by the business of the cause of
Ireland, and in his own indOmitable courage
dictated even to Gladstone the terms of the
first home rule bill of 1886. His answering
purpose so exasperated the speaker of the
house of commons that the latter repeatedly
disregarded all rules Of procedure and named
the member for expulsion. Parnel never
aspired to be an orator. He rarely used
figures flowers of speech. He was noted
for the terseness, directness and clearness of
his remarks.
Speaking of Gladstone, Mr.. Redmond ignored
the grand old man a statesman, saying
he preferred not to critieise the ex-premier
on that line. But orator. the speaker
said that Gladstone was probably the most
peerless of the century. and certainly of the
Victorian age in British political history. He
possessed wonderful voice. which swayed
the most hostile audience. Gladstone is
today in his etghty-seventh year but said
Mr.. Redmond. the grand old man Is still writ
ing from ten to twelve hours day in his
private work, and appears to be fully as
robust as he did ten years ago. Gladstone's
career has been one of strange vieiss.tudes
and glaring Inconsistencies. He entered upon
his career as a Tory, and closed 1t dar-
ing Liberal AT one time in his life he was
an advocate of the union of church and state
and later became enemy of the former
For fifty years he battled against Ireland
and then turned and wrote the first home
rule bill, to the establishment of the world
Now he would be popular In public fancy
and at another period his life would be al
most in danger. aud he never safe from
insult. But said Mr. Redmond Gladstcss. will
shine out probably the greatest orator In
British history.
While Gladstone's political career has been
the longest in British political history that
OF Lord Randolph Churchill was the shortest
The sneaker narrated several instances con-
nected with the leadership Of the latter and
said he was man of the most brilliant in
tellect.. He was possessed of fry and UNI
comfortable temper. and in moment of an
ger Churchill resigned his control and went
to the continent, to return some time later
a physical wreck.
: In closing.Mr. Redmond said that he looked
upon the British house of commons as a
body which. In it's rough and ready sort of
way. aimed at an attempt at fair; play and
honesty. In II any man would soon find his
level He who possessed intelligence and
talent would soon rise among the leaders,
and those who were not would fall to their
level Mediocrity was never known to have
any influence in the parliament.