The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-01-17
LA.DOUCIIERE.

4
If tho cynical sentiment OF tkis cpl
sramHatic observation was true wheI
Carlyle inditcd 1T, how much more true
Is it now. How much shorter is the
memory OF fame in this DAY of rapid
panoramic shifting OF men and events
to and from the stage OF the world 5
actions!
/; Announcement of the death in re-
thement OF Henry Labouchere but
reads US another sorrcwfui honlily
on the forectfulness of fame. But q
few years back few men attracted !.
greater share of the worlds gaze than
did this English puhlicist and jour-
nalist; nor were the public gaze, and
the admiration mingled with it, ever
concentrated on a man from more
angles. Brilliant many sided. albeit
erratic at times, Henry Labouchere
was, in the zenith of his period Of
active contact with men and AFFAIRS, a
tremendous force in British politics
editorial chair OF Truth. the newspaper
he established, SO long conducted and
to which he gave worldwide reputa-
lion.
Educated for the diploma tic service,
he served in Il for ten years, part
OF the time attached to the British
legation at Washington. His pGrlia-
nentary experience began In 1865, and
from his first seat he was ousted on
petition. Thereafter ne represented
several respective constituencies, but
meanwhile, under the signature OF
THE Besieeed Resident" ne contrib
uted-lS70-'5i-to the London Daily
News a series OF letters from Paris
which commanded the widest OF at
tenticn.
Henry Laboucherc was advanced. not
TO say radical or nothing. in his ideas,
and IN Truth, which he founded in
1876, as society and political Jour
nal. he demonstrated that he had the
courage OF his convictions, to the Limits
OF daring anything and all. and, If
necessary, offending any and all. in
chanpioning cause. He vitalized
with the sting OF the scorpion every
thing he touched with pen or tongue
in the way OF reform advocacy. and
made Truth "a terror to both social
and political British circles, as Truth
made abuses III these "a byword and
Kissing" Beginning with 1856. he was
an ardent advocate OF home rule for
al hut IN, -oa -.T, 70 fnl
low Charles Stewart Parnell in the
latter's attack on the English wing
OF the party.
No man OF his generation was ever
subjected TO more violent elimination.
or was ever made the object OF more
systematic and varied effort at be-
l!ttlcment, than was Henry La bouchcre
Sneers. satirrs pasIunade misrcpre-
sentation. We're constantly ana des.
perately resorted to in the hope or
discrediting him, weakening his in
fiuence, gagging him. cowing him and
turning him from his concept OF duty
10 lay bare the evils and the Ills
which We're. as he saw 1t. vitiatins
the British political and social systems.
But all 10 no purpose. Tic continued
to how TO the line OF that concept with
an honest. persistent sturdy swing
until illness overlook him in 1906. and
the axe fell from his nervelcss ana ex-
hausted grasp.
In the few short years since then
Henry Labouchere has afforded indeed
u sad vindica,ion of Carlyle's cyn!cis:n.
Mary who were wont 10 acclaim or
cry him down from day to day during
several decades had even lost sight Of
his existence.
Some of the chips the now cold.
Dead hand cut, not carin: whittier ,hcy.
few, might well have remained urc,r,
They were the product Of in-adviso,
strokes. directed by zeal nut over.
mastered judgment, Others j, is inn
nitely well ana good that they ,yero chi
end let us hope that in dying wher,
they did they will stand as n part oi
British social and political reform ina,
Will be lasting ana recognized ,r,b
hte TO Labouclcrc'S memory