Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1907-02-28
g, with the shadow OF a smile be-

II
Frightened himself and once more be-
n to speak. This time his voice rang
ietlv true and commanding across
floor of the house.
No first step can he really great. 1t
|lst Of necessity possess more of
bphecy than of achievement. Never
bless 1t Is by the first step that man
inks the value not only of his cause,
of himself. Following broadly on
lines that tradition has laid down
the Conservative orator. Loder dis
ised rather than displayed the vein
strong, persuasive cloquence that
s his natural gift. The occasion that
Cht possibly justify such display
Individuality might lie with the flu
10, but 1t had 10 application to the
nsent. For the moment his duty
s to voice his party sentiments with
much lucidity, as much logic and as
lch calm conviction rs lay within
capacity.
Standing quietly in Chilcotcs place,
was conscious with Il deep sense of
hvity of the popularity of his posi-
n, and perhaps it was this uncon-
BUS and unstudied seriousness that
him the tone of weight and judg-
mt so essential to the cause he had
hand II has always been difficult
arouse the interest of the house on
tiers of British policy in Persia.
zee aroused 1t may. 1t is true reach
or heat with remarkable rapidly,
the Introductory stages offer that
rst danger TO the earnest speaker
dread Of an apathetic audience.
from this consideration Loder, by
sharp consciousness of personal
icultieS, was given immunity.
itching his voice in that quietly
sterful tone that beyond all others
lpcls attention, he took up his sub
and dealt with it with dispassion-
force. With great skill he touched
the steady southwark advance Of
ssia into Persian territory from the
FAINT days when, by curious irony
fate. Russian and British enterprise
1bined to make entry into the coun-
under the sanction, of tho grand
ke of Moscovy to the present hour,
EN- this great power of Russia-long
ce alienated by interests and desires
IN her former co-operator-had tax
a step which in the eyes of every
lking man must possess a deep sig
canoe.
18th his usual quiet persistence he
hted out the peculiar position of
shed in the distant province of
orassan. its vast distance from the
sian gulf, round which British in
lists and influence center, and the
sequently alarming position of hun
Is of traders who, in the security
British sovereignty, are fighting
# way upward from India, from
hanistan, even from England her.
blowing up his point, he dilated on
BE subjects of the British crown
B, cut off from adequate assistance,
only turn in personal or CONNER
nearest consulate. Then. quietly
landing the attention of his hear
he marshaled fact after fact to
honstrate the isolation and made
cy of consulate SO situated; the !
put arbitrary power of Russia, who |
Ter new occupation of Meshed had |
two considerations to withhold
from open aggression-the knowl-
of England as very consider
but also a very distant, power;
knowledge of Persia as an Nnmi-
I, but wholly iInpotent. factor in
case.
living stated his opinions, he re-
ed to the motive of his speech--his
RE to put forward strong protest
INST the adjournment of the house
bout an assurance from the govern
that immediate measures would
aiken 10 safeguard British interests
eshed and throughout the province
horaSsan.
immediate outcome Of Loder's
ch was all that his party had de-
|. The effect on the house had been
ked, and when, no satisfactory re.
Sc coming to his demand he had
It'll more resolute and insistent
s called for a division on the mo-
for adjournment. the result had
an appreciable fall in the govern
majority.
Loder himself the realization that
ad at last indicated and justified
self by individual action had n pc
+ effect. His position had been al
in one remarkable particular.
pre- this day he alone had known
|elf TO be strong; now the knowl-
was shared by others and he was
an enough to be susceptible to the
ge.
e first appreciation of it came i'm
lately after the excitement of the
ion, when Fralde, singing him
took his arm and pressed it affcc-
tely.
Y dear Chilcote," he said, 1--WE are
broud Of you" Then, looking up
his face, he added, in a graver
"but keep your mind upon the
re-; never be blinded by the pres
however bright it seems"
the touch Of his hand, at the spon-
pus approval Of his first words Lo- |
pride thrilled, and in vehement |
of ambition his senses answered |
be praise. Then. as Fraide IN all |
nsciousness, added his second SEN |
the hot glow of feeling suddenly