New-York tribune., 1906-05-06
CHURCH[LL'S FUTURE.
Tributes to His Increasing In
portance.

a&e NANNY responsible for his increased I'm
portance. They ridicule and reyile him; and
tnat is helpful for a rising man. Was not Mr..
Dtsraeh In his time laughed and Jeered into
prominence when he persisted IN making him
self talked about by his eccsntrfcfties OF dress
his theatrical style. his political romances and
his staggering Independence as a free lance?
Mr.. Churchill has changed sides IN politics
early In his career, as Mr.. Disraeu did but he
has acted more soberly and with less frivolity
IN abandoning Toryism on the Free Trade issue
than the romance writer, whose affectation OF
advanced RadicaIlsm had failed 70 carry him
into Parliament. his literary work has also
been sounder and more dignifed for his biog-
raphy OF Lord Randolph Churchill has not been
msrTed by breaches OF taste and whimsical
freaks Of cleverness such as characterized the
early Disraeh novels. II he has compelled peo-
pie to talk about him and to forecast a brill
liant future for him. It has been by sheer force
OF intelligence by genuine talent for debate by
an instructive faculty for discerning the trend
Of public opinion and by phenomenal displays Of
versatility and audacity. As his father had
merciless1y assailed Mr.. Gladstone and as Mr..
DisraeH had violently attacked Sir Robert Peel,
so Mr.. Churchill has defed so mastery a tacti-
clan as Mr.. Balfour and so resourceful de-
batter as Mr. Chamberlain; and he has come to
the front with an Irresistible rush as a man OF
aggressive force. apparently destined for leader
ship If his precocious genius for politics can be
controlled by sObriety OF Judgment
The anfnostty and abuse which Mr.. Churchill
has inspired are tributes 20 his increasing I'm
portance In public affairs No other Minister
on the front government bench is dis1iked and
feared IN the same degree The Prime Minister
Is personally popular with every section OF the
Commons Tor his uniform courtesy In debate, his
genial optimism and the good natured pawky
NTH
questions. Mr.. AsQuith, Mr.. Morley. Ne Bryce,
Sir Edward Grey. Mr.. Haldane and other min
listers are honored on both sides Of the House
as loyal party men and efficient servants OF the
Crown. Mr.. Churchill Is singled out for con-
temptuous ridicule and acrid and Incorporate
criticism, to which his colleagues are not ex-
posed; and IL Is not merely on account Of his
change OF party. but mainly because he is
hard hitter Of amazing energy and resource,
with courage GOODNESS and dexterity requisite
for every emergency. Whether he Is smiling
complacently when incisive questions about
Colonial policy are to be answered, or with
flushed face and vibrating tones is menacing
Mr.. Chamberlain with scornful gesture. he Is
the fighting man on the Liberal side, and his
opponents dread his impetuous attacks, and de-
scribe him as fnsOlent swashbucher and
reckless soldier Of fortune. Naturally the Lib
erals cheer Justify when he faces his most for
midable opponent without hinching, and returns
blow for blow: and the trade-unionists are
drawn to him as leader with democratic inn
pulses In spite Of his high lineage With the
Prime Minister smiling epprovingly when the
Under Secretary for the Colonies is hinging sar-
casms across the table at Mr.. Chamberlain. and
with the 1ubIlant shouts Of the fighting Rad
icals ringing IN his ears. Mr.. Churchill needs to
be on his guard against the rashness and i'm
petuosity Of youth. So far he has not lost his
self-possessiOn and sanity Of judgment.
Remembering the career OF the father. hostile
critics are predicting similar meteoric course
and final catastrophe for the son. Analogtes
are frequently misleading. however, in the study
Of temperaments. Mr.. Churchill has inherited
his fathers brilliant talents and independence
Of character; but he also has superior physical
resources and better health, works more syste-
matically and strenuOusly and has greater
steadiness Of purpose and sounder judgment A
most defective speaker af the outset, he has cor
rected his faults OF breathing and delivery and
has become q brilliant debater, with q true sense
Of literary form and the power Of thinking
clearly while on his feet When he prepares his
speeches he is apt to overstock them with cpl
grams and finished phrasing; and he is heard to
the greatest advantage in the ordinary course
OF debate when his cocksure manner IS toned
down TO 6rmness and confidence, and he Is
fluent and clear without being labored and
theatrical He has been savagely attacked by
the Opposition press for his speeches on South
African affairs and Lord Miners adninistra-
ton; but when the difficulty Of mastering In a
few weeks the details Of business in depart
ment nke the Colonial Once Is considered 1t
must be admitted that he has shown great ap-
titude for work and remarkable GOODNESS OF 5udg-
ment Subjected 20 the supreme test Of replying
twice IN a single day TO Mr.. Chamberlain, the
most formidable antagonist in the Commons,
Mr.. Churchill has held his ground and vindi-
Gated his right 70 be regarded as one Of the
coming leaders In English public life. Brilliant
and almost startling has been the rise Of
this Commoner Of thirty-two. there are sober
Qualities and reserves Of character which indi-
cate that he win remain permanent force in
English liberalism.
This conclusion Is confirmed when the business
Of the present session is scrutinIzed The Work
mems Compensation, Trades Disputes and Nfer-
chant Shipping bills will be carried through
standing committees, and Parliamentary repu-
tations are not likely to be made In connection
with them. During the next three months the
Education bill VIII be constantly debated, and
Mr. Brrell, accomplished and brilliant advocate
as he is, with literary grace and original hunoC.
which are safeguards against gulness, viii be
fortunate If he escapes the fate OF Mr.. BOrster
IN dividing the Liberal party and In estranging
from u the support OF influential sections OF
opinion. It Is session when regulations OF
ministers can be impaired rather than strength
ened BY legislation ON controversial questions.
and while among the new members there Is e
group Of dashing literary men such as AFr. Her
bert Paul, Mr.. Iehrnann. Mr. Mason, Mr. Mas
terInan and 1Tr. Harold Cox and while also1n the
Opposition a most promising orator and phrase
maker has been found In the young barr1steTS