New-York tribune., 1908-04-23

+rio,,s1x Divided II was the provincial elector
who settled the matter With the advantage VI
perspective. he had acquired juster conCePlloIl
of the capacftv Of C-B than common TO
members Of the House of Commons. IL was
made Enthusiastically clear that CB was the
choice OF the nation. and before this decision
personal ca bal was hushed. But It died hard
An ex-minfster of subordinate rank in Mr.. Glad
7 stones last government was offered an lmpor-
tant post Of Cabinet rank in the new nlnfsIry'
He declined to accept it save on condition that
C-B would carry his Premiership 10 the House
of Lords. leaving the leadership in the House OF
Commons in more habiIe, more virte. hands
The simple statement of this fact throws a
food of light on the msapprehension OF the real
C-B that clouded the view even OF those VINO
long lived in close coIleagueship with him. De
ceved by the bland manner. the indlsposltIon 10
assert himself the reluctance to give pain. even
where punishment vas merited. they thought to
sheve the Premier in the luxurious obscurtty OF
the House Of Lords. But C-B was already trans
lated The silken glove was off, flung aside and
behold, the iron hand. He would not go 10 the
House Of Lords. The centre of power and IN
fuence was in the popular chamber. and that
was the proper place for Liberal Prime Min
lister.
This was a surprise for old colleagues that
almost took the breath away They had speedy
it. The formation Of a government out Of a
party that had been in the wilderness for ten
wears bristIed with difficulty. There were rem
nants of a former structure naturally looking
for reinstatement in the new one. Other claims
more or less justifable had grown up among
the rank and file of younger members CHS
business was to get together ministry that
would best serve the state by carrying those
social measures TO which the Liberal party was
pledged.
Every one was surprised by the originality, not
TO say the audacity of some of the selections
To mention only two. there was Mr. Lloyd
George. in private business and status a solicit
tor in an obscure Welsh town. In the House
of Commons he had distinguished himself
brilliant debater not unworthy the steel Of Mr..
Balfour or Mr Chamberlain He must have
something and might have felt himself well re-
warded with an under secretaryship. or even
lordship OF the Treasury. There was John
Burns in social position day laborer, whose
political career was among other things marked
by the distinction of term spent in jail. follow
ing on disturbance of the public peace in TrafaI-
gar Square Elected 10 the House Of Commons.
he still wore a bowler hat and a serge suit. But
he spoke effectively topics within his per-
sonal ken. and for government established by
= great wave of democratic impulse il would be
d desira BILE thing TO have genuine working man
numbered in its ranks. All things considered.
an under secretaryship would be rather over
whelming for John Burns. A junior post at the
Treasury with a salary OF $1,000 a year would
be generous guerdon. C-B made Mr.. Lloyd
George president of the Board of Trade and Mr..
John Burns president OF the Local Government
Board, both with seats in the Cabinet.
That his kindly but keen eye knew capable
man when he saw him. disguised in whatsoever
humble circumstances, has been proved by the
success Of these two appointments. In the case
of Mr. Lloyd-George, it has perhaps exceeded
any other achieved by colleagues in an excep-
tionally capable administration.
Had C-B yielded to the gentle pressure
put upon him on his accession to the Pre-
miership. and sought the leisure Of the House
of Lords. he might have still been among u.s.
hale and hearty, with the prospect of an after
math Of dignihed rest. Had he been personally
inclined TO take that step there was an OBJ
lection to him insuperable. Lady Campbell
Bannerman was strongly opposed to his re-
tirement from the fighting line OF the House Of
Commons and TO him her wishes were a sacred
law. 1t happened that shortly after he assumed
office his wife was stricken with illness that
long lingering. proved fatal. When in the
session of 1906. his first term Premier. mem
hers watched the worn and weary leader seat
himself on the Treasury bench prepared for
a nights work, they knew he had spent
hours by the bedside OF his dying wife. had
on some days Of the week come on 10 the
House after presiding over a Cabinet council.
This touch of nature made the assembly kin.
Political animosty disappeared before the
spectacle OF a brave man struggling with ad-
versity. Old party ties rebound and
strengthened. Within a few weeks C-B.
doubtless to his modest surprise. found himself
the most popular man in the House, his slight
est utterance received with profound respect.
his genial little Jokes hailed with rapturous
laughter
In this sudden blaze Of sunshine he bloomed.
All that was best in him, chilled in the bleak
weather OF Opposition times. unfoded and
grew apace. After the period of depression
that followed on the death of his wife was
passed he found in work and In attendance
on his Parliamentary duties the best tonic. the
surest solace. But opportunity came too late
The silver cord was fatally loosed. Too soon
the golden bowl was broken. II rs pleasing TO
reflect that after patient drudgery in untoward
circumstances Henry Campbell -Bannerman. one
of the trlest hearted, finest natured men who
ever served their country in high places. lived
long enough to know that he was at length
understood.