The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-12-16
The Hon. c. NJ. Depew. Bore

| The audience which assembled at the
National Theatre on Friday to listen to
Mr.. Winston ChurchilFs lecture on the
Bocr war was obviously not prepared
for the Hon. Chauncey NJ. Depew. But
Mr.. Depew was there, and he talked
| steadily for twenty minutes, while the
| audience gaped and twisted and shud-
dered. Il remember" said the doctor, in
tone Of laEguid "Reminiscences
81 remember the first time I heard Charles
Dickens. Great man. remember. oh,
how well 1 remember. the time heard William
NJ. Thackeray. An! what a leonine head he had
and what English he spoke! And the great
Engiishmen OF the present day! What giants.
And here We have young Winston Churchill one
OF the few in the world whose name is known
to all mankind. 1 knew his father-his mother
and they always received me terms of perfect
equality. 'Dnetor.' they said enc day. What
shall we dc with Winston?' Well, you see.
Winston is iiere."
The patient audience drew a long breath
and Strengthened itself: it was in vain.
for the good doctor droned on:
and remember when left the Capitol this
afternoon the thought came to me how strange
1t was that should leave the lawmakers of my
own country engaged the problem Of Anglo
American relationship and go to the other end
OF town to hear the same question discussed by
the young English lawmsker. journalist soldier
whom. ladies and gentlemen, il is now my great
privilege
Signs of JOY from the auditorium. and
general stiffenIng of backs
ito call my friend These are gracious s,ays.
3ut it not always so. How we'll / remember
when it was diferent-when the passion of our
civil war spread across the Atlantic and our
English kinsmen were as divided We were.
Yes. remember all these things. and how there
came a day when privileged to dine with
Lord and Lady Randolph Churchill at their own
home, and Winston there Just as you sec
him now-the tall young form. the deep brown
eyes, the rudy cheek, the air of gracious
patience whenever he came within the reach of
my voice. He sat as he sits now. slightly stoop-
ing, but when he arose he will arise before
you here--but | go toe fast. You must know,
my friends. that both his father and his mother
were dear friends OF mine. and l always
welcome at their house. Lord Randolph Churehilli
What man he was, and how the House of Com
mons trernbled in his presence. There were
Gladstone and Bright and Bradlauyh but Lord
Randolph always got away with Bradlaugh. All!
what man he was and what a fri..;d to me.
Come and dine with us, Doctor wa ever on
his lips. And this is his son who at tventy-six
has not to be introduced to the world as his
father was But now it Is time that he spoke
for himself
Suppressed cheers in the auditorium.
rays Of the rising sun. But l remember that it
not always Old men used to have their
value and their place. Do not think. however
that grudgc the passing hour to the young giant
at my left. He has his spurs and he will
tell you how they won"
Prolonged applause.
but must not forget my duty Mr.
Churchill here present Is sick. and was warned
by his physician not to appear. DIR. Depew'
he said to me. You old friend OF his
father and mother. The boy is i'll. You must not
let him speak
A voice: We'll. you are not letting
him, are you?'
but ] remember you could never give orders |
to Churchill. The OF my old friends, Lord |
and Lady Randolph Churchill. is here. and he will
speak to you. And now that remember it. let |
me not forget to tell you that he is worthy |,
of your kndest indulgence. He Will give you q |
good lecture and when he is done l to |
take him horne with to dinner. Dear boy,
how many times have l dined with his father |
and mother. Lord and Lady Randolph Churchill, !
at their ancestral home in England"
Exit ito chair the Hon. Chauncey NJ
Depew. Enter Mr.. Winston Churchill.
whom for twenty maddening minutes five
hundred people had been waiting to hear. |