The Strand Magazine, Vol. 07, Issue 38, February, 1894: An Illustrated MonthlyVarious
General
The Strand Magazine, Vol. 07, Issue 38, February, 1894: An Illustrated Monthly
Various
English literature -- Periodicals; Short stories, English -- Periodicals
On the late Lord Iddesleigh's feelings during the Bradlaugh campaign,
his son's letter sheds a gentle light. "My suggestion to Mr. Smith."
Sir Stafford writes, "was partly based on the recollection that my
father had often said to me that, while he had had no hesitation in
discharging what he believed to be his duty in the various painful
scenes with which Mr. Bradlaugh's name is associated, he had always
felt much pain at having to take a course personally painful to a
fellow-member of the House."
[Sidenote: THE BIRTH OF THE FOURTH PARTY.]
It is a mistake deeply rooted in the public mind that it was Lord
Randolph Churchill who gave the first impulse to the creation of the
Fourth Party. This is an error due to his fascinating personality,
and the prominent part he later took in directing what for its size
and voting power is the most remarkable engine known in Parliamentary
warfare. The real creator of the Fourth Party was Sir Henry Wolff, now
Her Majesty's Minister at the Court of Madrid. It was he who first
saw the opportunity presented by the return of Mr. Bradlaugh for
Northampton of harassing the apparently impregnable Government. It so
happened that Lord Randolph Churchill was not present in the House at
the time the first movement commenced.
[ILLUSTRATION: SIR HENRY WOLFF.]
In later stages of the struggle Mr. Bradlaugh, so far from showing
indisposition to take the oath, insisted upon his right to do so,
and even administered it to himself. There was nothing in the world
to prevent his falling in with the throng that took the oath on the
opening of the new Parliament on the 30th of April, 1880. Had he done
so and quietly taken his seat, the course of events in that Parliament
would have been greatly altered. But Mr. Bradlaugh was not disposed to
miss his opportunity, and having allowed two or three days to elapse,
during which prominence was given to his position and curiosity aroused
as to his intention, he presented himself at the table and claimed the
right to make affirmation.
Even then, had Mr. Gladstone been in his place on the Treasury Bench,
the danger might have been averted. But the Premier and his principal
colleagues were at the time, pending re-election on acceptance of
office, not members of the House. Lord Frederick Cavendish, then
Financial Secretary to the Treasury, and all unconscious of the tragedy
that would close his blameless life, moved for a Select Committee
to inquire into the circumstances. The attitude of the Conservative
party at this moment was shown by the fact that Sir Stafford Northcote
seconded the motion. It was agreed to as a matter of course.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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