THE STORY OF A STRONG MAN

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXVII, Issue 25, 22 December 1906, Page 36

THE STORY OF A STRONG MAN

The physical breakdown of Air. Joseph Chamberlain, after his vigorous tariff campaign and the sweeping defeat of his party at the polls, commands the sy npathy of an Empire. That removed from active party strife and the strain of the campaign he should regain a measure of the strength which has served him so well will be welcome news. There can he no question but that Joseph Chamberlain at 70 must in many respects be a

disappointed man. It seems an irony of fate that the virile career of such a man should be discontinued without bringing him nearer than the threshold of his life ambition. It is said that more than anything else he wanted to be

Premier of England. By many it is thought that disappointment in this ambition and the unsuccessful results of his latest and greatest political battle for a protective tariff, caused the physical collapse. But through all time Joseph Chamberlain will be a conspicuous figure in Brit-

ish history, lie has been a constructive, daring and resolute statesman—a "man unafraid.’’ The physical breakdown did not come sooner than most |H>rsons who knew his habits of life 1 predicted. The wonder is that he could fend it off so long. Always he refused to take exercise. Unlike most of his countrymen, he has

disliked walking, and generally rode in a closed carriage. During the day his practice has been to smoke many long, strong cigars. When ordered by his physician some time ago to give up this practice, he replied that life would not be worth living without cigars. Born a commoner, Air. Chamberlain had

class prejudice to fight from his entry into puglie life. It is stated that when he made his first speech in Parliament, in August, 187 ft —“a smartly dressed, elegant man, with youthful-looking, clean-shaven face and slim figure”—a good old Tory of the aristocratic line, Sir Walter Barttelut, assured him in a patronising way that if he always spoke

with - <he same quietness and the BUM intelligence” the House would always be; ready to listen to him. Most of those who heard that speech lived to see the time when Chamberlain’s name was on the lips of all Europe and the world —the time when he was called the "Bogey Man of the Continent.’ 1

They lived to sec his chance refereiw# to a homely proverb, made in an ordinary speech, set Russia, usually unemotional enough, “spluttering with rage from the Arctic Ocean to the Black' Sea”;' his occasional remarks concerning Franca throw that nation into hysterical attacks of nerves, and three words iu a- commonplace address drove stolid Germany t*

laah itself into a frenzy of Anglophobia. There was something peculiar, almost weird, in the power of this statesman, risen from the common people, to tweak the national suceptibilities of Europe. Other public men roundly abused their neighbours, and the assaulted nations never turned a hair; but when England’s famous Colonial Secretary breathed the name of a Continental Power above a whisper parts of Europe were sure to boil over. When it is stated that Mr. Chamberlain has been called the “best hated” man in England it doesn't mean the most unpopular, by any means. For many years be has had an extraordinary personal following.

Many leaders of opposition in his own country have detested him — and this ■was a compliment to his power —while statesmen of other nations have feared him. But an immensely numerous class in England is still proud of him, although hrs plans have been a little too far advanced for the plodding English brain to grasp and appreciate offhand.

Mr. Chamberlain was not born to greatness; he achieved it. When a man, in the face of bitter ridicule, class hatred, party opposition and personal venom has fought his way from obscurity clear to the top of national politics and so dominated the situation that, even tvhen out of office, it is said of him, like McGregor of old, ‘’Where he sits is the head of the table,” surely there is something in him.

Among his most cherished possessions is a gold casket presented him by the city of London four years ago, at a time when abuse and denunciation were breaking over his head like angry waves upon a rocky coast. The occasion of the presentation was one of the most remarkable demonstrations of popular good-will ever accorded a man. Only a few months ago, in July, Birmingham, his home city, joined in the enthusiastic celebration of his birthday anniversary.

Mr. Chamberlain was bom in 1830. His father was a shoe manufacturer in London, the head of a business that had been in the family 150 years, and young Joseph was reared to that trade. A brief summary of his history has it that he was three times Mayor of Birmingham, President of the British Board of Trade, President of the Local Government Board, member of Parliament since 187(i and Secretary of State for the Colonies or Colonial Secretary, as that official is usually called. But sueh a resume does not give one an insight into the life and character of the man.

It is related that when he was a boy his father presented to him and his sister sets ol toy soldiers and popguns. Thereupon began a series of battles, in which the army of one child were pitted against that of the other.

Joe was able, easily, to knock down row after row of his sisters soldiers; but, try as she would, she could not put one of his boys in scarlet out of commission. While she was weeping with chagrin over this fact, the father entered. The little girl explained the situation to him.

Taking up a gun, the elder Chamberlain aimed carefully at the ranks of Joe’s soldiers aud fired. Not a man fell. He fired again. Still no casualties. Then lie went over to examine the array, and found every single soldier glued fast to the floor.

This foresight and ingenuity of mind was characteristic of the boy in later life. When young Chamberlain entered business in Birmingham as partner in a firm manufacturing wooden screws he found plenty of competition, with no especial advantage on the side of his house.

Promptly he scanned the manufacturing world and learned of an American invention that would increase the value of his article of trade. Control of this invention was secured, and through it the firm of Nettleford and Chamberlain was soon able to control the screw market.

Aso time went on, languishing competitors were brought out and their establishments retired from business, and Air Chamberlain,, at 37 years of age, found himself able to retire with a fortune.

Even at that time he had aspirations for a political career. He was not a fluent speaker, and was often stumped for a word to express his meaning. So he founded a debating society in Birmingham—which still exists—and through constant practice became one of its most fluent and forceful of orators.

It was the debating society sclretno that really put Chamberlain into polities, jnat as his ingenuity in planning • wood screw monopoly had made him

wealthy. He was elected Mayor of Birmingham. At that time the gas and water supplies of the city belonged to private monopolies, and the service was notoriously poor, Mayor Chamberlain took over, for the city, the gas and water, gave the people the cheapest and best service possible, tore down the worst slum of the town and built the beautiful Corporation street in its stead, and led the way in that policy of municipal activity that has had sueh momentous results. When he went into the Board of Trade —which exercises supervisory control over British commerce—he was struck by the fact that more than 3000 British sailors perished at sea every year. One in every sixty died afloat. Together’ with Plrmsoll, he set about to stop the overloading and overinsuring of ships, and when that had been accomplished disasters were much less frequent. NONE SUSPECTED HIS POWER. So, when Birmingham sent Chamberlain to Parliament, in 1870, he already had a reputation of considerable national extent. No one suspected, however, that the germs .of statesmanship, especially of progressive, constructive, worldinclusive statesmanship, lurked in the quiet figure that took a scat on the Liberal side of the House, below the gangway, near Parnell, the famous Irish leader. Chamberlain has remained in Parliament ever since. He was destined to become the most aggresive Colonial Secretary tliat England ever had—one whose dreams of empire enthused the nation and bound the colonies closer to the mother country than had ever beer even dreamed. Mr Chamberlain had trained with the Radicals, and there was considerable curiosity concerning his personal appearance when he entered the House. Many expected to see a modern Felix Holt, without collar, a cap on his head, and a scowl upon his face. Instead, they saw a slender man, looking much younger than his age, erect, well-dressed, courteous, smooth-spoken and gentlemanly in speech and demeanour. “Why,” exclaimed one of his colleagues, “he looks like a ladies’ doctor.” Always Air Chamberlain has been welldressed. Of late years it has been a tall, slender, commanding figure tliat arose to address the House, more authoritative, more pronounced in. utterance, with evidences of greater responsibility than in 1876, but with the same pale, keen, intellectual face, the same polished manner—more cynical, perhaps.

The black frock coat at the last session of Parliament was as close a fit , the high collar and scarf added with same distinctiveness, the orchid in the buttonhole was there. The monocle, without which no photograph or caricature of Afr Chamberlain is complete, still held its place in the eye or dangled at the end of its silken eord.

Up to 1886, when Air Chamberlain refused to support Home Rule for Ireland and left Mr Gladstone’s new government, he has been regarded generally as the future Liberal leader, and in direct line for the Premiership. While he did not carry the majority of Liberals with him. as he probably hoped, he prevented the establishment of Home Rule and gave Air Gladstone’s party a blow from which it was long in recovering. He became an ally of the Duke of Devonshire and Lord Goschen, whom he bad criticised with great harshness in the past, and formed new political friendships all along the line. During the many exciting scenes following the defeat of Home Rule, Mr Chamberlain was a conspicuous figure. He was hit savagely, but gave as savage blows in return. Tl»c name of ‘Judas” was flung at him by those who suspected that personal motives prompted his opposition to Air Gladstone. In 1863 and 1894, when Air Gladstone, onee more Premier, made a mighty effort on behalf of Home Rule, some of the greatest delrating conflicts of modern times took place. Air Chamberlain was his chief opponent, and almost every night there were wonderful battles between them. It was after the return of Afr Gladstone’s opponents to power as a hesult of these struggles that Afr Chamberlain took office in the Cabinet as Colonial Secretary. That his influence in this position was most marked and speedily attracted the attention of the world hns already been stated. His well-known imperialism

stimulated, in England, interest in the colonies, and even his opfuments admitted that he stirred imperial feelings and greater loyalty in the colonies themselves. AUDACIOUS AND AMBITIOUS. “He had audacity and ambition, an extraordinarly quiek, adaptable mind, perfect fearlessness as to criticism, and a rare power of dear, vigorous speech. He has few equals as an administrator anil none as a debater. His thrusts are sure and his retorts dangerous.” Sueh is the man who devoted the best part of his life to the service of his country, always having in mind the expansion of her greatness and the supremacy of her glory. Afr Chamberlain's wife, who, for years, has accompanied him on his speaking tours, was formerly Miss Alary Endicott, only daughter of W. C. Endicott, who was Secretary of War in President Cleveland’s first cabinet. She is his third wife. The beautiful Chamberlain home at “Highbury.” Birmingham, is one of the show places of England. It was unfit under the personal supervision of its famous owner, and there, for years, he has been aeeustomed to invite the youth and beauty of the city to splendid entertainments. During all the late years of Mr Chamberlain’s political career his spacious orchid gardens have been his especial pride. Every morning the gardener would eull the two handsomest blossoms and forward them to London, where they would appear upon Air Chamberlain's lapel. In fact, the English public and his fel-loW-statesmen would scarcely have recognised him had he appeared at any time minus his famous eyeglass and the orchid in his buttonhole.