The St. Louis Republic., 1902-11-23
Colonial Secretary Is Much Wis
er. Man When lie Sits Down
Than When He Stands Up.
TOO STRENUOUS IN SPEECH
Love of Controversy and Combat
His Greatest Weakness, but He
Appears ito Be Learning to
Curb His Tongue.
BY HERBERT PAUL.

SPECIAL BY CABLE TO THE NEW YORK
HERALD AND THE ST. LOUIS REPUBLIC.
London. Nov 22-Copyright, 19O2.)-Mr.
Chamberlain's speech at Birmingham on
Monday night was marked by good taste,
good manners and a natural simplicity
which is the best note that could have been
struck.
Upon the wisdom OF his visit to South
Africa opinions may differ. but nobody can
doubt he gees with the sincere and earnes,
intention of learning the truth at first hand.
1t is equally clear-and his speech has
made it clearer-that ne Will listen with
impartial attention to the reports OF all
races and opinions alike in the new colonies
ard in the old.
There are two Chamberlains There Is
the eager strenuous controversialist. using
every political advantage and Selling every
point that makes for triumph. There is
also the keen. shrew7. practical man of
business. efficient in the best sense of that
much-abused word. determined on carrying
TO 4 successful issue the task Immediately
before him.
WISE IN COUNCIL.
Mr.. Chamberlain is. in short, a much
wiser man when he sits down than when
fetal and otherwise, no Minister is more
entirely free from arrogance. pedantry and
dogmatism. No one listens more attentive
ly to the opinion of others or states with
fuller frankness his own.
If he be prudent he will make no speeches
in South Africa. but confine himself to con-
sutation with influential persons of every
class and school. What he said of Lord
Miner it was right and proper he should
say Whether the Government were right
or wrong in retaining the High Commits
sioner to preside over the settlement of
the Transvaal and the Orange Colony IS
now question merely OF historical interest.
That. having retained him, they are bound
to give him their absolute support and con-
iidence there can be no question at all.
1t would, perhaps. have been as we'll IL
the Colonial Secretary had expressed the
same confidence in the responsible Ministers
of the Cape. who have done their duty in
extremely difficult circumstances with tact.
cancellation and frmness. but they are not,
like Lord Miner, under the Colonial Office,
and that at least is the technical reason for
emitting mention of them.
A PART OF BIRMINGHAM
Mr. Chamberlain's references to his long
and honorable connection with birmingham
have more than local interest. His ascend
ancy over the political and municipal life
OF that great city is without parallel in pub
lie affairs. He is not the only man who has
reached the Cabinet through the Town
Council. Sir Henry Fowler, to cite n single
instance. has done the same thing; but,
even II Wolverhampton is as large as Bir-
mingham, then Sir Henry's position could
not be compared with the position of Mr..
Chamberlain.
Mr.. John Bright, whom Birmingham hon.
ored Itself by electing when he was cast out
by Manchester, took no part and but little
interest in municipal business. Neither he
nor MIR. Chamberlain was a native of Biz
mingham. Mr., Bright was born in I.anca-
sh re, Mr. Chamber. ain in London, but Mr..
Chamberlain is as much part of Birming-
ham as the Town Han. and the most con-
spicuous political leaders attended the din
ner Monday.
In their presence the guest of the evening
put curb upon his tongue and omitted
from the vocabulary that blessed word-if
It be a word-"Pro- Boer." 1t costs HIN a
great deal to abstain from controversy He
deserves The more credit for abstaining He
mas none OF MIR. Brignts lofty, sonorous
eloquence. His talent Is for debate Ir.
Br ght could invest the homeliest topics
with poetry and majesty all his own Mr.
chamberia ms gifts e in other directions.
II is enough TO say. and it is true, that |
IN Monuay night ne spoke on personal
topics like a man of feeling and on pubic |
like man of