Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1907-03-14
he moved the motion for adjourn.


Like a match to a train Of powder
bhe words set flame to the excitement
that had smoldered for weeks, and In
pm atmosphere of stirring activity, u
Rcene of such tense and vital concen-
traton as the house has rarely wit
messed, he found inspiration for his
great achievement
To give Loders speech in mere words
would be little short of futile The
gift of oratory is too Elusive, too much
matter of eye and voice and lndivid-
iality. to allow of cold reproduction.
10 those who heard him speak on that
blight Of April IS the speech will re-
huire no recalling, and to those who
lid not hear him there would be no
Substitute in bare reproduction.
In the moment Of action II mattered
bothng to him that his previous prepa-
Fations were to great extent rendered
useless by this news that had come
With such paralyzing effect In the
sweeping consciousness of his own
ability he found added JOY in the free
lon it opened up. He ceased to con
slider that bY fate he was n Conserva-
i've bound by traditional conventions
alities. In that great moment he knew
himself sufficiently a man to exercise
whatever individuality instinct prompt
ed. He forgot the didactic methods by
which lie had proposed to show knowl-
tdge of his subject, both as past and
future factor in European politics.
With his own strong appreciation OF
present things he saw and grasped the
Fast present interest lying beneath his
hand.
For fifty minutes he held the interest
II the house. speaking insistently, fear
essly commandingly on the immediate
heed of action He unhesitatingly
pointed out that the news which had
ust reached England was not so much
n appalling fact as a sinister warning
b those in whose keeping lay the safety
f the country's interests. Lastly. with
fine touch Of eloquence, he paid trib-
te to the steadfast fidelity Of such men
s Sir William Brice- Field. who what
yer political complications arise at
ono, pursue their duty unswervingly
n the outposts of the empire.
At his last words there was silence
he silence that marks genuine effect
then all ut once. with vehement. i'm
|ressive force, the storm Of enthusiasm
roie its bounds
It was one Of those stupendous bursts
I feeling that no etiquette. no decorlm,
powerful enough TO quell As he re
Enmed his seat, very pale, but exalted
men nre exalted only once or twice
n lifetime, 1t rose about hlm-clamor-
us spontaneous, undeniahle. Near at
and were the faces Of his party, exCit-
and triumphant; across the house
Fere the faces of Scarborough and his
inistry, uncomfortable and disturbed
The tumult swellcd. then fell away.
hd in the partial lull that followed
raide leaned over the back of his seat
is quiet, d gnified expression was un.
tered, but his eyes We're intensely
right.
"Chilcote," he whispered, II don't con-
ratuate you or myself. I congratu-
tie the country on possessing a great
am
The remaining features Of the de-
ate followed quickly one upon the
her The electric atmosphere of the
buse possessed n strong incentive
bwer. Immediately Ioder's ovation
hd subsidized, the undersecretary for
reign affairs rose and in careful
hd nonincriminating reply defended
e attitude of the government.
Next came Fraide, who. in one of his
re and polished speeches, touched
it'll much feeling upon his personal
lief at the news reported from Persia
ld made emphatic Endorsement of Lo-
.rs words.
Following Fraide came one or two
ssentient Liberals, and then Sefbor-
gh himself closed the debate. His
eech was mastery and fluent; but
ough any disquietude he may have
It was we'll disguised under a tone Of
assuring ease, the attempt TO reha-
ltate his position-already weakened
more than one direction-was n task
yond his strength
Amid extraordinary excitement the
vision followed, and with it govern
ent defeat.
II was not until half an hour after
votes had been taken that Loder,
Fed at last from persistent congratu-
lions, found opportunity to look for
Fe. In accordance with promise
pde that morning. he was to find her
biting outside the ladies' gallery at
close OF the debate.
Oisengaging himself from the group
men who had surrounded and fol-
wed him down the lobby, he discard
the lift and ran up. the narrow stair
Sc. Reaching the landing, he went
hward burriedly. Then with a certain
rupt movement he paused In the
orway leading to the gallery Eve
ls waiting for him. The place was
t brightly lighted, and she was stand
: In the shadow, but it needed only
lnce to assure his recognition. He
uld almost have seen in the dark that
Rht, so vivid were his perceptions.
took a step toward her then again
stopped. In second glance he real
d that her eyes were bright with
hrs and il was with the strangest
lsation he had ever experienced that
> know al "a a Sb oil ,,,,t, HIN, Hon,