From Fraser's Magazine.
CONTEMPORARY ORATORS.

flattered, cajoled, played off parties and opinions against each other with delicate finesse, but never directly outraged deepWHATEVER may be suggested to the rooted prejudices or long-established opincontrary by personal or political antipathy, ions. And so, indeed, it is with him in it will be generally admitted by men of all the present hour. While ruling his politiparties, who are conversant with the sub-cal contemporaries with a power so absoject, that Sir James Graham stands next to lute as to be almost without parallel in reSir Robert Peel and Lord John Russell in presentative assemblies, and, at the same the degree of influence he exercises over time, so well masked as to require all the the debates in the House of Commons. It envenomed ingenuity of a disappointed is not as an orator, more than respectable partisan ere it could be discovered, much though his pretensions be, that he ranks less believed in, Sir Robert Peel has conthus high; for there are many, even among trived to avoid exhibiting most of the his inferiors as statesmen, who in eloquence harsher symbols of his sway. His despotfar transcend him. Nor is it because he ism has not been obtrusive, or his tyranny has, in the course of his long and chequer- odious. He has made men enslave each ed career, developed those higher qualities, other, without himself standing forth as either of character or of intellect, which the confessed cause of the general degralead men in the aggregate to wait upon the dation. If he has no natural or personal judgment of the individual, yielding them- followers, so also he has no organized opposelves to his guidance; for the public life nents,—at least their organization nielts of Sir James Graham has been singularly away at his approach; they are valiant unpropitious to the accomplishment of that only behind his back. glorious distinction. Nor.is it that his re- The more genial, mild, and natural inputation has grown with the growth or fluence of Lord John Russell with his folidentified itself with the successes of any lowers is also to be accounted for; nor is great national party, whose gratitude would it at all surprising, that he should be a fahave given him a following, and that fol- vorite as a speaker with the House genelowing an audience prepossessed in his fa- rally. Of the Whig party, first the provor; for there is scarcely a public man of tege, then the pupil, and now the leader, the day who has been so deeply and irre- he has always been the firm and consistent coverably inconstant to political alliances, supporter. Of one side of the House he or the virulence of whose temporary oppo- possesses the favor by every right of politisition may with more precision be guaged cal service, and party is not slow to be by the fervency of his former support. On grateful, however wanting it may be in none of the received grounds, in fact, can other political virtues. To his opponents his influence-popularity it cannot be called and the House generally, he has always -with the House of Commons be account-exhibited a deference and respectful coned for. Such as it is, it depends on himself sideration, which, if it sprang from policy, alone. It is anomalous, like his position.

The solitary, self-created, almost undisputed sway wielded by Sir Robert Peel, one can understand. He has been the foremost man of his time. Always the leader of, even in adversity, the most powerful party of his countrymen, he has never, except, perhaps, in the single instance of the Reform question, run counter to the feelings of the nation.

There are principles and sentiments which, even in the hour of the uttermost estrangement, he held in common with his opponents; there was always some neutral ground for reconciliation. If events proved that his advocacy could not always have been sincere, no one could point to habitual virulence and acrimony assumed to give the color of earnestness. He soothed,

was wise in the extreme, for it has secured a degree of prepossession on personal grounds which is not enjoyed even by Sir Robert Peel himself, and often acts as a counter-balancing make-weight for mental and physical short-comings in his oratory.

Sir James Graham's influence in the representative branch of the legislature is not to be attributed to any of the causes which have secured its favors for these two distinguished men. Like Sir Robert Peel, he has constantly been in antagonism with parties and opinions to which he has at some other time, before or since, given his most hearty support. But his changes of opinion and of policy have been made under very different circumstances, and the tone and character of his advocacy and opposition have been of a very different na

ture.

Sir Robert Peel's first great act of to stage of party defence in the face of the inconsistency, however it may have exas- advancing enemy, which, together with perated his followers at the time, still bore many personal qualities of an amiable the stamp of statesmanship; inasmuch as character, have secured for Lord John it was the application of a great and, in Russell so much of the regard of foes as some respects, a desperate remedy to a well as of friends. Sir James Graham has state of things to which the history of the acted on wholly opposite tactics. There constitution afforded no parallel. It carried has been more (so to speak) of brigandage, with it, also, to most minds the justification more of the loose policy of the Free Lance, of an overpowering necessity. His subse- in his political life. His attacks have alquent deviations from the line of policy pro-ways been fierce and virulent in inverse fessed by him in early life, and while still proportion to what has proved to be the the leader of the old Tory party, have, in depth of his convictions, and to the appalike manner, been to a great extent the re-rent necessity of the case; his defences sult of circumstances which he could not have always been distinguished by a blind control. Many compromises of principle are and passionate obstinacy; his compromises forgiven in the regenerator of a great party. and abandonments of professed opinions And Sir Robert Peel, too, has always kept have always been sudden. These are great his motives so free from suspicions. His defects of character in the eyes of Englishambition is, at least, of an ennobling and men, and they react upon Sir James exalting character. He has never been Graham, and lessen his consequence as the more partisan, or allowed politics to a statesman, to this hour, in spite of his become a passion with him, but has pre-commanding talents and great position. served his dignity amidst all the heats of Sir James Graham has made enemies party strife. Personal motives are seldom of almost every party in the legislature. assigned to him when he sees fit to change It has not been because he has opposed his policy. He has preserved in an emi-them from time to time, for other men nent degree the respect both of parliament who are much more popular have for many and the public.

years done so more effectually. But it has Not so Sir James Graham; and the fact been on account of the extreme virulence affects his position with the House of Com- of his opposition. His fighting has always mons, or it would not be so broadly stated been à l'outrance. He has been too in this paper, which, with the others of the prone to disdain the courtesies of political series, treats of public men with reference to warfare; fictions though they be, yet agreetheir personal position and their influence able ones and humanizing. He has always as speakers, and not with any political bias. appeared to import his passions into party Upon the same principle that high praise has conflicts, as though he were not merely been given to Lord John Russell or to Mr. fighting the battle of opinions, but also Macaulay, although Whigs, because they maintaining his own personal quarrel. are fairly entitled to it, the faults in the And yet he has never succeeded in imcharacter of Sir James Graham, and the pressing one with the idea of his being in flaws in his position, will be dealt with earnest. That would have rendered par without reserve, notwithstanding that he is donable, language otherwise too severe. so distinguished and so useful a member of His harangues while in opposition, and ina Conservative government. Sir James, deed all his party speeches, rather seem we repeat, has not, amidst his many changes the elaborate efforts of one having little of opinion and party, preserved the same real sympathy with the themes he is dishigh character, the same freedom from the cussing or the views he is urging, but who imputation of partisanship, the same pre- has worked himself up to a state of fictitious sumption of stainless motive, that have up-enthusiasm or moral indignation, in order held Sir Robert Peel, and retained for him the more effectually to gratify political vinthe personal favor of the House of Commons, dictiveness, or advance personal ambition, even in the most critical and dangerous pe- by obtaining the applause of audiences riods of his fortunes. Still less has he ob- willing to be misled under cover of those served that steady devotion to early received high-sounding pretences. But, whether and possessed opinions, that tolerant and simulated or real, some of the speeches liberal appreciation of principles and views here more particularly referred to-and to entertained and professed by opponents, which, it must be added, no one could that gently repulsive retirement from stage listen without being struck with admiration

at their boldness, skill, and sustained speeches. Who could have suspected that energy-were scarcely reconcilable with a man whose sentiments breathed so much that liberal and charitable interpretation of of the very spirit of license, would in comthe motives of opponents, which is one of paratively few years stand before the world the first duties of public meu to each other. one of the favored leaders of the party he Nor has Sir James Graham, while conduct was then denouncing so violently, and as ing his combats in this spirit, been at all the most arbitrary home-secretary the counchoice in the weapons he used. Any mis- try had known for many years? Again, sive that came to hand was hurled indis his attacks upon the landed interest in the criminately at the foe. No epithet, how- earlier part of his career were so harsh and ever heavy its imputation (always, of course, virulent, that one can scarcely believe, saving that it is parliamentary); no taunt, though the fact stares one in the face, that however bitter or exasperating, whether to the same man has been, for twelve or fourindividuals, to parties, to opinions, or even teen years, one of the chief counsellors to whole natious; no general charge, how- and leaders of those whom he then treated ever grave as against the policy of a party, as the pests and enemies of their country. or however damnatory of the motives of Furthermore, let us look at the zealous his opponents in their councils or their partisanship with which, when he was a conduct; and, finally, no manœuvre that member of the Whig government, he atcould by any stretch of license be ac- tacked on the one hand the Radicals, of counted not inconsistent with parliamenta- whom at least, in opinion, he might once ry honor, even to the extent of partial have been accounted a leader; and on the statements of opponents' opinions, or par- other the Conservatives, in whose ranks he tial quotations or withholdings of justifica- was so soon to hold one of the most distory matter; not one such expedient, how- tinguished posts. Nor can it be forgotten ever little to be approved in fair and free how when in power as a Conservative, public discussion, by which a temporary minister, he has stood out in marked relief triumph could be won, or a rival for the from his colleagues, in the virulence of his hour put down, was ever rejected by Sir attacks on those with whom he had so James Graham from any delicacy of tem- lately held office, and towards whom he at perament; or from any high and fastidious least, and Lord Stanley, should have been seuse of honor, such as restrains some men restrained in resorting to the more envenfrom gra-ping the victory which is theirs omed hostilities of party. It cannot be on such conditions; or even from that cou- attributing too much importance to the stitutional love of fair play and open, stand-effects of this constant antagonism on his up fighting which is the Englishman's part to the convictions or the self-love of boast, and which is covertly the guiding his contemporaries, when we say, that they principle in all the debates in parliament.

It will be observed that blame is imputed to Sir James Graham, not merely because in the course of a long and very stormy political life he has changed his opinions. Men have always been held at liberty to do that; and of late it is becoming quite a fashion. It is on account of the extreme virulence and unscrupulousness with which he has from time to time advocated the opinion or the party object of the hour, and the suddenness with which he has changed those opinions and objects, that he has failed to secure his fair share of the respect of his contemporaries, at least far more than his great talent. A very cursory glance at his speeches will fully confirm the view here put forward. Look at his earlier political career, when as "the Cumberland Baronet," he frighted the isle from its propriety, by the violent and unconstitutional tendency of his writings and

detract very materially from the estimation in which he is held, and preclude the possibility of his being popular in the House of Commons, however much his eloquence, his debating powers, or his extraordinary aptitude for business, may cause him to be admired, and render him valuable as a minister and a statesman.

It has been in the face of all these selfcreated obstacles, in spite of drawbacks and disadvantages which would have long since consigued an ordinary man to oblivion, that Sir James Graham, after having deserted his post in the van of one party-the party with whom his early political life was spent, and to whom he was indebted for his position-has forced his way to the very leadership of another; of a party distinguished for the possession of talent, legitimately occupying its ranks and not at all dependent upon chance recruits for the figure it makes before the country. Without a following,

after having violently discarded the political | When he was a Radical, or at least so very friendships of his youth and manhood, and ultra a Whig that the steady ones of the in spite of an habitual, almost a studied party were almost ashamed or at least afraid avoidance of all the ordinary arts of popu- of him, he was so thoroughly uncomprolarity, which at times has almost gone the mising in his denunciations, that Mr. Dunlength of courting public odium, we find combe, whom he is now nightly striving to Sir James Graham the right hand and con-extinguish with all the awful terrors of law fidential counsellor of the most powerful and order, would have been by his side but minister this country has known since Pitt; mere wretched shadow of a demagogne. the absolute dictator of all the internal ad- In fact, we have no such Radicals now as ministration, and of much of the internal Sir James was then. They are all fat, policy, and the originator, or at all events jocular men, growing wealthy upon corothe arbiter, of the internal legislation, of nerships, and such like abominations; or this great kingdom. More than of any blasé dandies in search of an excitement. other living statesman it may be said of Some of the speeches of Sir James Graham, him that he has made his own position. It whether in parliament, at the hustings, or was probably the object of his early ambi- at public meetings, at the time referred to, tion; yet, if we look at his career, how un- would in the present day be accounted alpropitious was its commencement for such most too bold for the most determined aspi a close! So much the more merit, then, in rant for the honors of political martyrdom. an intellectual point of view, is due to him For they were unredeemned by the philosowho could thus compel circumstances to phy of liberalism; they had not even the his purposes. It is to his talents alone that dignity and tone of Chartism. They were he is indebted for the high post he holds, simple, unadulterated, partisan speeches, and the distinguished position he enjoys made to serve a purpose, and forgotten as among his contemporaries. He has literal- soon as uttered. But about their talent ly fought his way up; and a hard fight he there was no mistake. It was not that they has had. If he has muliplied the natural were distinguished for high eloquence, obstacles of such a career, so much the but for power and downright hard hitting. greater is the talent and the determination They gave the speaker a claim on the risof purpose by which they have been over-ing party of the time; and in a few years come. What Mr. Macaulay has won by the quasi-demagogue shot up into a minishis eloquence and capacity for statesman-ter. ship, Sir James Graham has attained by the same spirit of self-dependence, working out its mission in the more active and stormy scenes of political excitement, by more bold and dangerous ventures, and more skilful and daring pilotage.

His

And a capital minister he made. most determined enemies do not deny this. Whatever may be thought of Sir James Graham as a politician, no one hesitates to admit that he is one of the best administrative officers this country has for many years proSir James Graham has always been equal duced. The same talent, the tact and aptto his position. Various as have been the itude, which had made him so clever an parts he has played in that political drama assailant of the former government, renderof his time, he has always glided naturally ed him immediately fit for office. He was into them, and distinguished himself as one here, as before, equal to his position. As of the first actors, rising naturally to the a speaker on behalf of the government, too, top. His speeches from time to time afhe proved himself a most valuable ally,forded an accurate barometer of his politi-turning the flank of his quondam Radical cal position. On whichever side of politics associates with provoking skill and unerring they were male, they have always been precision. But the prior claims of those marked by great aptitude, readiness, tact, who were already designated as the succesvigor, and power. Except Lord Brough-sors to the chief posts in the Whig party am and O'Connell, he has been, perhaps, still kept Sir James in the background, and the most actively militant orator of his day. forbade the hope of his taking that distinWhen he was down he attacked those who guished position for which his talents and were uppermost; now he is in power, he ambition alike indicated him. The reorwages perpetual war with those who are out.ganization of the party at that time, and Whether attacking institutions or defending their adoption of a policy of dangerous prothem, however, he has shown equal ability gress, afforded an opportunity for a change, and determination to conquer at all hazards. and accordingly, in a very short time we

find Sir James Graham (after a short time which are to be found in his speeches of spent in a chrysalis state) a full-blown Con- that period. What detracted from the efservative. Here, again, he was fully equal fect of the declamatory passages was a to his position; and as it was during the somewhat pompous and stilted tone, a too long and glorious struggle of the Con- evident affectation of solemnity and earservative opposition headed by Sir Robert nestness; which might have been partly Peel, Lord Stanley, and Sir James Graham, natural, arising from physical causes, and that the latter made his best speeches, a therefore not fairly the object of criticism, better opportunity cannot be taken to treat though materially marring the effect of the of his pecularities as an orator-which was speeches. But allowing for all these dethe part he then laid himself out to fill-be- fects, they were yet remarkable efforts of fore attempting to describe him as he now oratorical skill, which raised Sir James to is in his new character of repressor-general a level with the best speakers in the House of the insubordinates in the House of Com- of Commons. The exordiums and peromons, or "crusher"-in-chief to the minis-rations always bore marks of the most caretry. ful preparation, and were usually models The Conservative speeches of Sir James of fine composition; the quotations were Graham, made when fighting side by side most apt, and often from recondite sources; with Sir Robert Peel and Lord Stanley the poetical passages delivered with a fine against the Whigs, were admirable speci- emphasis and full appreciation of the mens of what may be done by highly culti- rhythm. As a debater, rising at a late vated powers, extensive acquaintance with hour, perhaps, to reply suddenly to the arthe best models of eloquence, persevering guments of a previous speaker or speakers, care, and elaborate preparation, without where the novelty of the topics precludes oratorical genius, or that earnestness and all preparation, and the real powers of the sincerity of purpose which will often ad- orator are therefore tried to the utmost, Sir vantageously supply its place. Assuming James showed himself the possessor of the them to have been deliberately got up to very highest order of talent,-in readiness serve a certain purpose, it would be impos-of argument, retentiveness of memory, sudsible to withhold admiration from the pow-denness of quotation, quickness of retort, er, tact, and aptitude, with which the means in invective, sarcasm, repartee, declamawere made subservient to the end. Up-tion, he was seldom or never at fault, and on the supposition that the speaker was was always the antagonist most dreaded by really sincere, it was difficult to account the ministers. Perhaps one reason for this for the absence, even in the most solemn appeals to the religious feelings of the auditory, or to their cherished constitutional prepossessions, of those touches of deep feeling which are the utterances of the soul, not the promptings of art, and which But all these successes as a politician, act like a talisman upon the sympathies. and all these triumphs as a speaker, will The speeches referred to were, many of not account for or justify the assertion with them, superior as compositions to those of which these observations commenced, Sir Robert Peel or Lord Stanley, contain-that Sir James Graham's influence over the ing more of the great argument on which House of Commons is only second to that the whole movement of the Conservative of Sir R. Peel or Lord John Russel. For party was based. For, although Sir James influence he does possess, although in Graham evinces so little readiness to bend the face of all that has been here said to his will to those around him, he shows an his disadvantage, it is most difficult to trace almost chamelion-like power of reflecting it to its source, seeing that there is no man their sympathies, opinions, or prejudices. in the house who appears less to court popThey were in this respect admirable manu-ular favor than Sir James Graham. Lookals for the party, and no doubt did gooding back at his career while joint leader of service in the country. But the impetu- the Conservative opposition, it was certainous eloquence of Lord Stanley, and the ad-ly then impossible to predict that he would mirable persuasive art of Sir Robert Peel, enabled them to achieve more, with materials which in justice to Sir James Grahan we must admit are not superior to those

might be the virulence of tone, and unscrupulousness in the use of weapons, of which mention has already been made, as one of the chief faults of Sir James Graham.

develope into the sort of character he has exhibited as minister and home-secretary. Prominent as his position then was, he was rather the servitor of party than otherwise: he