Marietta daily leader. (Marietta, Ohio) 1895-1906, 1900-09-21


T ONDON is the only city on earth
so big that it doesn't have to
care ABOUT it. 1t is larger than
Chicago. but not so big as the whole
state of Illinois. so there is yet hope
for Chicago. None. however, for any
other city in America. Which is all
right: no other city in America am
bilious to pass London. Good city for
correspondent. Feel good-natured;
praise everything in London up to
skies: Londoners don't care ha'pen-
ny: not at all grateful; knew it all
before. CORES spOndent in evil mood;
got mixed up in English money and
"done himself up" in making change;
or got mixed up with cab driver, and
got done up in other fashion; takes
it out of London generally; rakes
town fore and aft; calls bad names
and uses harsh language; empties
vias of wrath and whole carboys of
sarcasm; Dondouers do not mind 1t;
just as pleasant to him as ever; will
read his letter if he shows it to them;
enjoy it with him. very likely; see no
reason. however, for b making row
about it. Correspondent therefore,
reioices that has made mighty spicy
reading for home consumption, and
nobodys feelings hurt Everybody
happy
This capital of oppressed and en-
shaved people-who do not seem to
know it-has very deep convictions on
subject of free speech. Man being
Briton. born under weight of crown
and scepter, has right to say what
he thinks. and say it out of
doors. in open air very loud and
with skirmish lines of "H's' mount
ed on disappearing carriages max
ing speech wildly picturesque. Last
Sunday afternoon heard dozen speak
ers in Hyde Park Grating and preach
ing on politics. mostly "agin the
governments" socialism. exclusively
against government, and six or eight
different kinds of reigion-not one
being the established kind. Not long
ago. however, several fervent street
preachers were arrested ana cast into
prison. This shows that the heavy
hand of monarchy ard the iron heel
of despotism has Sme to remem-
ber. however. those arrests of Saliva
tion Army street preachers were
made on Boston Common. which is
quite altogether another thing. Cradle
of liberty too old to rock All sorts of
babies in, however. One thing to he
said about preachers in Hyde Park.
however. They have freedom to
preach. Haven't heard any OF them
shifting Sabbath stiffness with loud
sounding cymbal and resonant bass
drum.
Used to think fondness for oratory
strictly American characteristic: it is
inherited trait, however, Our cousins
very fond of making speech on every
possible occasion Rather given to
great length. however. cNhausting
subject speaker. audience. in inverse
order. But they are eXcellent listen
ers. as well; Hyde Park speakers seem
well informed; very ready quick, and
usually very apt with reply to any
interrupting question, but in such
deadly, intense, serious earnest.
Those ! have heard are mostly utterly
humorlesS. ! mean, i'm their speeches.
They have never "frivo,cd" in my
hearing. and | have wondered much
how they held so well the audiences
they gather so quickly around them.
They discuss everything that is de-
hated in parliament, and, as rule,
with little more fueucy and ease of
delivery.
If you want to hear the British "er
-er" in its perfection YOU must shun
the Marble Arch and attend session
of parliament. | will admit that my
countrymen do talk through their
noses. but we do not tie our words to-
gether with irregular links of "er-
ers." English preachers do not do
this, But appears to he unwritten
law compelling parliamentary orators
to do so. To err is not merely hu.
man; it is essentially English. Tc
| foruiya tho srrars il fiyinn