The Pensacola journal., 1922-12-24

notwithstanding my preoccupatlon
with my interrupted speech, two
scenes came to my mind during my
short journey to and from the Upper
Chamber.
First was the spectacle Of the
crowded House cf Commons nearly
thirty years age. When doors were
opened for prayers there was the un.
wonted sight Of a throng hustling
VI. P.s pressing through the swing
doors to secure their seats. I need
hardly say that this was not a symp.
tom or outcome Of any religious re-
Vival amongst our legislators. 1t was
entirely due to the ancient custom
that conferred upon a member oc-
cupying a seat at prayers. the un-
challengeable right to that seat fol-
the rest Of the sitting.
Rows Of chairs We're arrayed on the
floor Of the house. That was an in
noyation never since followed. What
was it all about? There sat in the
middle of the treasury bench, hud-
dled up and almost hidden by more
stalWart and upright figures, an old
man of So years, to all appearances
in the last stages OF physical de-
Crepitude and mental lassitude.
Champion OF Oppressed.
His name was William EWart Glad
stone, the greatest parliamentary glad
iator of all time. The lifelong cham
pon of oppressed nationalities was to-
day to inaugurate his final effort to
give freedom to the Irish race
troddeu for centuries by ruth
less force. The last remnant OF
his strength was to be Consecrated tc
the achievement of Irish liberty and
hundreds Of eager legislators, to
whom Peel and Russell. Palmerston
and Disraeli were but historical
names, were avid competitors for
seats from which they could better
listen to the man who had sat in
with the first. three and
crossed swords with the fourth. 1t
was a memorable sight.
Preliminary questions, which pre-
cede all parliamentary business. were
postponcd, and solemn silence, thrill
ing with expectancy, fell upon the
hunrning assembly as Mr.. Speaker
Peel, in his sonorous. voice, called out:
The Prime Minister.
The inert heap which was the centre
of all gaze sprang to the table an
alert and erect figure. Decrepltude
was cast off like a cloak lassitude
vanished as by a magiCian's wand
shoulders were thrown back, chest
was thrown forward, and in clear
ranging tones fun of music and force
the proposed new Irish charter was
eXpOundtd for three unWearylng' houfs
by the transfigured octogenarIan, re-
tuvenated by the magic OF an IN
spired soul
l had a seat just opposite the great
orator. and I was one of the multitude
who on that occasion listened Win
marvel to that feat of intellectual
command and physical endurance. IL
was more than that, 1t was an un-
djspla.' of moral courage rare
in political conflict.
Had Formidable Opposition.
Mr.. Gladstone had only just emerg-
ed out of a general election where IN
srite of sixty years of his eloquent
advocacv. the voice of Great Britain
l,d declared emphatically against his
Irish policy. and the poor parilameht-
arv majority at his back was made up
out OF the prepondering Irish vote
Ia was confronted with the most
parliamentary opposition
,,ar ranged against a minister; re-
3oubtable in debating quality, stu
more redoubtable in its hold on Brit
sh pride.
lie was SO years of age but he never
1uaiIed, and through the sultry sum :
nor months OF 1898 he fought night
~ night with the mighty the battle
II Irish emancipation, He did not
i've to carry the cause through to