Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-04-06

friends, had often before played the
part of reconciler but never before
with such success He, is man OF
wealth and at his London house some
six months before the general election.
he gave dinner party. The guests
were limited in number, but they were
important, for they were Sir Henry
bell-Bannerman, Lloyd George,
John Morley, Mr. Birrell, Mr.. Asquith,
Sir Edward Grey and Mr.. Haldanes,'
all members of the present cabinet.
Round the dinner table the member
ship Of the future cabinet and its pol
icy were decided. but IT. was not. with
out difficulty that a complete under
standing was reached and amity re-
stored Indeed it was Mr.. Birrell who
largely contributed to the happy re-
suit. Mr.. Birrell is one of the finest
converse tionalists of the day and lie
used his gifts OH that memorable evcf-l
ing to the best effect. He rallied both
the als-Imperialists and their
rivals in his brightest style andineither
side could Withstand his irresistible
fascination.
Office gave Campbell BanDerman adj
ditiopal strength and lirmncss and the
way in which he controlled and swayed
his huge majority impressed all Par
liamentiarians. He quickly established
himself in the affections of the new
House of Commons and the expression
Of his wish counted for more than the
most strongly worded whip" The
responsibility of high office in no way
dampcd his good spirits and his play
of humor His replies during the qucs-
ton hour which is j feature of the
British Parliament were always an
ticipated eagerly with the assurance
that he would say some good things.
He seldom disappointed the House. He
cvadcd awkward incidents with skill
and good humor which charmed all
parties. Seldom was there any note of
personal bitterness between him and
his political opponents but it was re-
marked that in the early days OF the
present Parliament there were signs of
very strained relations between Mr..
BalfOur and himself. Whatever was
the cause of that personal estrange-
mcnt-And it was ascribed to some
incident connected with the resignation
Of the late governmental was some
how removed. and last session was
witnessed curious and unusual spec
tacle of the prime minister sitting on
the front opposition bench chatting in
the most friendly and animated way
with the leader of the opposition. When
it was intimated at the beginning of
this session that. no prolonged daily
attendance was to be expected of the
premier, on account of his health, Mr..
Balfour was the first to give an assur-
ance that the opposition would do
nothing to render the position more
embarrassing than it was already.
Sir Henry made no pretensions to ora
tory and he was not ready debater.
but when he had time for preparation he
could make an excellent speech happily
phrased and with damaging, though near
ly always good hunored hits at his ad-
versaries Nothing was more remarkable
than the way in which he gagged the
temper of the new House. From the
first he realized the changed spirit and
dealt automatically with the mixed and
strenuous factions which followed him.
party, if not its adherents. If his fol-
lowers made any complaint it was that
he was too kind hearted, and inclined
social problems. Unlike many statesmen
of his years, he was ready to welcome
youthful talent and the youngest 1nem-
bers of the administration found in him
support and encouragement. He took a
fatherly pride i'll his proteges. Ae listen
ed to Winston Churchill beamingly and
when the under secretary took ceremonial
occasions the premier rose to the height
of his task and his last speech. that of
moving the resolution of coincidence with
the Portuguese royal family, was a model
of its kind.
If historians do not call Sir Henry
Campbell-Bannerman one of the great
British prime ministers they must de-
scribe him as a wise and witty man, par
ticularly human, Of keen common sense
and great political sagacity. which at
times rose to the plane of high states
moi