The South Wales Star

OPEN LETTERS TO LEADERS OF WELSH OPINION. No. VIII. W. PRITCHARD MORGAN, M.P. DEAR PRITCHARD,—You are a queer fish. Your detractors don't know you, and your admirers mis- understand you. And I am thinking that if your biography comes to be written, without elimina- tions or embellishments, it will be the funniest record ever traced for the delectation of a wonder- ing world. I suppose you are really a Welshman according to the recognised canons of national definition though if a cow were born in a stable it would not be a horse; unless -natural history doth greatly err. You have played many parts in various countries, and have always shown your. self to be an alert little man with your weather eye on the main chance. Ebenezer Beavan tells me that you and he graduated in the same humble Monmouth seminary and in those youthful days you were the same adroit, eager-hearted lad as, in a wider arena, you are to-day. But Monmouth, and even Wales itself, were far too small for the plans and projects of your restless energy so in due time you sailed away to foreign shores to try your luck there. Like a prudent young man you had the good sense not to be over fastidious in the selection of a profession. You were evidently of opinion that it is the man who honours and ennobles the profession, and not tqe profession that honours and ennobles the man. So you began at the very lowest rung of the ladder, and worked upwards until you discovered a rich vein of shining gold. Then you came back to the old country, and began to search for gold and other things in Wales. And that strange ambition which harasses most prosperous men began to afflict you. You were seized with an irresistable longing to become a Briitsh legislator. In your gold excavating opera- tions you were seriously hampered by the old. fashioned enactments that prevail in these realms so you thought it would be a fine thing if you could make laws to suit your own peculiar interests. But how were you to get to Parlia- ment ? That was a tough job to encounter, but you had encountered jobs almost as tough as that before, so you resolved to make an effort. It is but simple justice to tell you that you are not easily daunted. What man has done man can do" has ever been your motto, and you have captured positions that men with twice your ability have shrunk from laying siege to. So it was when you resolved to secure a seat in Parlia. ment. You had had no previous experience of that sort of thing in this country, and you were shrewd enough to know that the cantrips of the antipodes would not flourish here. So you just had a quiet look around to see how others had succeeded in the matter, and set yourself to imitate and improve thereon. You had a good square look at David Thomas, and soon persuaded yourself that you could make as good a show in Parliament as he was doing, and when you learned all his methods of operating in order to get there you believed that the battle was won. But you did not sit down to wait in idleness. Oh no you are too cute a bird for that. You began at once to lay the lines, and you laid them solidly. Now it must be conceded that your task was a difficult one. You know how to cater for a bush party and humbug a colonial jury but the politics of this land of old and just renown" were a puzzle to your active brain. You were wise enough to per- ceive that to master the subject within the com- pass of a. few weeks or even a few years was beyond your capacity. But the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong. Time and chance happeneth to all, and the conjuror's art plays a wonderful part. You acted wisely, from a tactical point of view, in determining to run the Radical ticket. For had you tried the Tory dodge your cleverest tricks would not have availed. At the outset of the Merthyr campaign you were con- siderably mixed in the confounded confusion of our intricate party politcs. It was not at all times clear from your actions and your speeches whether you intended to be regarded as a Liberal or a Con- sevative. And some stern old fogies of the rigid school denounced you accordingly. Mr. David Davies, of Glebeland, was, in particular, exceed- ingly wroth with you. David is & man who is always consistent. He neither blunders nor errs, and so it was becoming that he should denounce you as a weather-cock and a whirligig. And the wrath of the esteemed and venerable Alderman Williams, of Gwaelodygarth, was fearful to behold. His political conscience was fairly outraged, as well it might, when you had the unblushing effrontery to storm the Merthyr stronghold. And the self-constituted leaders of that iron-girt borough still hate you as the devil in his zeal hates the ripple of holy water. But the antagonism and the wrath of the Merthyr magnates did not deter you from executing your sublime purpose. What the Merthyr shopkeepers despised, the horny-handed toilers of Dowlais re- ceived gladly. You were heralded and trumpeted as the gold king whose enchantments had made Dolgelly give forth gold in abundance and you promised great and wonderful things. You were not skilled in the practice of the Welsh tongue; you had neglected its faultless rhythm and liquid beauties amid your rugged experiences in other lands. But though you couldn't speak it, you could speak about it, and you promised to place yourself under the hands of Dr. Gumos Jones and master the language, so that you could talk it like a veritable Major Jones before your next election. Now, Pritchard, I should like to know what progress you have made in the art. The general election is rapidly approaching, when you will be expected to display the hwyl like the very mischief in Welsh; and it will be awkward for you if you have to face the Merthyr folks and tell them that you have been so fully occupied with digging for gold, and State affairs, you have had no time to attend to Gurnos's lessons in element- ary Welsh. And when are you going to build the public halls and other institutions you so lavishly promised when you were on the stump? lam well aware that a Parliamentary candidate is sup- posed to have a sort of poet's licence, and his pro- mises are not to be taken literally; but. for all that, he is supposed to do something tangible, and you have practically done nothing. The chapel people and dissenting clergy are growling at you something also because you won't pony up. They say that they have never seen the colour of your Dolgelly rhino—excepting in the Western Mail window, and they cannot flourish on that. That is really too bad, after what you led them to ex- pect. Don't be shabby, Pritchard, while there's gold in the mine. And you've got to face them all some day before long, when they may ask some awkward questions unless you square them. A few cheques would fortify you wonderfully. Take my advice and get ready. David, your colleague, has been humming around lately and dispensing a few charities in view of the general election. He tipped the British Association, and now with a £100 he has squared the disestablishment cam- paign committee. So you must do something. It is taken for granted that if a Welsh M.P. possesses the wherewithal, he must part. And, besides. what is the good of money if you don't make it birl around ? Though I don't think you are in any way bound to subscribe a large sum to the pro- posed disestablishment campaign, Stuart Rendel is going to top all the Welsh subscribers with a donation of £500 so that, like Aaron's rod, his gift will swallow up all the rest. Stuart will be the boss of the concern, and all the rest will be overshadowed. But have you not not done more for Welsh disestablishment than any of your col- leagues ? You are a^lucky dog, and in the ballot you were successful in securing a first place for your motion in the House. It was, as you will re- member, a double-barrelled affair, and shot both ways, as Mr. Gladstone wisely reminded you but, in spite of that glaring defect, you drew the badger, and made the great statesman declare himself on the subject. That was a triumph greater than the achievements of Henry Richard and Dillwyn. But don't crow too loudly. One sows and another reaps. These worthies have la- boured through all the burden and heat of the day, and by a lucky stroke you have entered into their labours. You are a born politician (see an etymological dictionary), but a statesman you are not. And I fear you will never rise to a great occasion. You are not to the manner born. But. for all that, you may make a fairly good show in Parliament. Indeed, you have already scored some excellent points due to the mother wit you learned in the bush. But so far, your Parlia- mentary work, even though it pleases Sonley Johnstone, would hardly be accounted much by a sensible man. But you are going to do better. So far, like the eaglet, you have only been trying your wings. Henceforth you are going to do something more solid and praiseworthy. Your Minister of Mines resolution was only a paltry affair; and even though your portfolio is already manufactured and decorated with Dolgelly gold, it is hardly ever likely to be required for active service. But who knows ? Strange things come to pass. You may find use for your portfolio in another ofSce. You would make an excellent Secretary of State for Wales, and aftoi the Llan- drindod conference that appointment is quite within the range of practical politics, though you will have to reckon with Alfred, who is lead- ing by two lengths in the race; and Tom Ellis will make a bold bid for the coveted prize. An old friend of mine, known by the sobriquet of "Dolly Hepple," used to tell a story, in his exalted moods, of a person whom he had known who got on to a line of demarcation, and walked along it till he got to China and married a China wife. Dolly never tired of telling that romance in Council Chambers (for he was a Councillor) and in chapel tea meet- ings (for he was a Dissenter), and a rare good story it is. There is nothing like walking along a line of demarcation. And yet, my dear Pritchard, that is just what you have not done. When that wonderful vision, a seat in the British Senate first rose before your animated mind, you had no fixed opinions in our politics. You knew how things were worked in the Colonies, but that caper doesn't operate here and you were too wily to attempt it. But a man with one eye, and that optic sand-blind, could see the fatuity of hoisting the Tory flag in Wales. So in your worldly wis- dom, for you are wise in your generation, you determined to play the popular sentiment. Land reform, gold reform, disestablishment, and other things you dangled before the eyes of the Merthyr electors until David's influence was vanquished by your plousible speech. In vain did Sonley John- stone thunder forth in sepulchral voice the terrible things that would happen to Wales if the Merthyr boroughs failed to elect your handsome and eloquent opponent. Sonley skirled his bagpipes to a people who would not dance, and when he mourned they did not lament. Alas alas the ingratitude and cupidity of this unregenerate generation almost broke Sonley's gentle heart. And you won. But not because you were a better Liberal or truer Radical than Foulkes. That, in those days, you were not. But in the doctrine of plausiblex you knocked him into a cocked hat; and despite the most frantic efforts of your Merthyr friends you will win again.' Your seat is a safe one unless you yourself should blunder. Though, at the start, you were but indifferently acquainted with the bearings of our political questions, and swirled about with every gust that blew, you soon learned your lesson, and to-day you are, in prac- tice, in the House of Commons, as good a Radical as Aaron Davies himself and that is saying a great deal, for Aaron is the best Radical in Wales. At least he says so himself, and he ought to know. You have shaped very well in Parliament, con- sidering all things. You had many difficulties to surmount, and a world of prejudice to crush. But you have surmounted and crushed admirably. You are the most adroit and alert Welshman in St. Stephen's and I am sure there is no one more ready to seize a golden opportunity and take occa- sion by the hand, either to make the bounds of freedom wider or narrower. You are not over particular which way the thing goes so long as it does go. But you hate to stand still. Like Solomon Andrews, you like to keep moving and to move others as well. That old stick-in-the-mud, Hussey Vivian, thinks you require to be taken in hand by someone like himself, who knows most things in political life that are worth knowing, and who never blunders. But what Hussey and Davies of Glebeland and Sonley Johnstone orate upon as your glaring defects are, after all, not your vulnerable points. They think you are merely lucky, and that in politics you would not allow a fine conscience to hamper you. They don't give you credit for the genuine cleverness which you undoubtedly possess. But I know you. I have watched your operations, and can see you are determined to be in the front. Aye, and you'll be there. You are equal to most emergencies, unless the thing comes like an avalanche, and then you may get flabbergasted. But that is nothing. The strongest of men get perplexed at times. Under any ordinary circum- stances you will acquit yourself with credit to yourself and the revolters of Aberdare and Dowlais, who are your supporters and most sincere ad- mirers. The way you dished the old fogies at Merthyr was quite funny. They were sincere in their delusion that their position was impregnable. They really believed that neither gold king nor silver prince would be. accepted by the Mer- thyr electors without their approval. And they did fight hard for the fancied supremacy they had held so long. But your manoeuvres and pro- fuse promises, like an autumn flood, swept all before them and the organisation that had been so strong in its own self-sufficiency vanished like a mummy exposed to the atmosphere. Of course there was a good deal to say for the Merthyr leaders, self-elected though they were. They had held the position for a long time, and regulated things according to their heart's desire. They were Radical enough for anything so long as it did not threaten their pockets or interfere with their authority. Their record was good. You must bear in mind, too, Pritchard, that there is something in dissent. Even Radicals jealously guard the avenues which lead to place and power, The daughter of an hundred earls is not more snobbish than your orthodox Radical. There is an aristocracy of Radicalism quite as faulty and select and haughty as the aristocracy of Norman blood. And though Merthyr is a place not readily associated with social cast, there is still a good deal of humbug about the people and you were not regarded as quite the thing for the representa- tion of a constituency hallowed by the immaculate name of Henry Richard. Oh they said awful things about you. Indeed, they said you had actually polished boots for your daily potatoes in some foreign place called Ipswich and in Bal- larat; or was it Baccarat ? or some other town you had performed the humble duties of a hotel waiter. The shop-keeping fraternity, like David Davies, who dispense tap and tallow candles, turned up their pug noses at you, because you had actually, under stern necessity, earned an honest living. Of course, they said nothing about your exploits at the Colonial bar. That did not suit their policy. Some of us are very strange persons, and Williams, of Gwaelodygarth, is one of the strangest. Yet he means well for himself, though he is the most conservative Radical I ever knew and I have known and examined some rare speci- mens in political history. He is one of the old school, and has not learned to trust the people. At least, he won't trust the Merthyr democracy. Not those, that is to say, who support you. But be of good cheer, Pritchard, in the struggle for supremacy, the alderman of Gwaelodygarth went to the wall, and you were left cock of the walk. Even the glowing eloquence of my friend Sonley Johnstone failed to avert the catastrophe that befell Foulkes's rear-guard. Though your colleague loves you not, you have nothing to fear. Neither of you are first-class statesmen but you are far and away the better of the two. Strong efforts have been made to secure a candidate to fight you, but no one game enough has been found. Do not be dismayed, though a search was made from Carmarthen to Holyhead the man who could oust you from the representation of Merthyr would not be found. I make free to prophesy that when the general elec- tion comes round you will head the poll. David will not be in it; and he and his friends had better beware lest a third candidate should leave him lamenting. The persons who have shown the bitterest antagonism to you are forced to admit that you are an excellent Parliamentary represen- tative. Whenever the direct interests of Wales have been concerned, you have been to the front, and in the general/policy of the Liberal party you have shown yourself a force not to be ignored. You are not an orator and that defect leads me to conclude that there must be a considerable in- fusion of the stupid Saxon in your veins. For all Welshmen are orators, like Major Jones and Hwfa Mon." But you know well enough your- self that you are not an orator, and therefore you will not sicken when I remind you of the inevit- able fact. But, though not an orator, you can speak clearly and pointedly, and that is more than some of out orators can do. It was my privilege to listen to you in the House when you seconded the amendment to the Address, moved by your friend and colleague, Alfred Thomas. On that occasion—and it was a trying occasion—you did remarkably well. You didn't fumble and flounder, as some of your colleagues would have done, but went straight to the point like an arrow shot at a mark. You had, of course, your own axe to grind, and you worked in as much as Parliamentary rules would allow for the "Minister of Mines." That was only human. When self the wavering balance shakes 'Tis rarely right adjusted." You improved the occasion, for which we at once condemned and condoned you. But I say, Pritchard, where were you on the 25th ult. ? You sent a very lame excuse to Llan- drindod, and it was badly received. Even Ellis's plausible and carefully-constructed letter did not satisfy the Home Rule conference that there was a sufficient reason given for his absence. You may as well know that some of the most influential speakers condemned the absentee M.P.'s in no measured terms, yourself among the rest. Though the newspaper reports kindly omitted the truthful references, the conference heard them gladly, and cheered the strongest most enthusias- tically. You would have been at Llandrindod, and so would my friend, the member for Mid- Glamorgan, had either of you been top sawyer of the Home Rule crusade. But being in the rear, you thought you would gratify a whim of fallen humanity by depriving your countrymen of your valuable counsel. But you made a mistake. It was a magnificent conference, and' your absence was rather an advantage, as there was a super- abundance of talkers, and you couldn't have gone there without talking also. ° Trim your sail to the steady breeze is not a bad policy if you are determined to be a political leader. "Follow your leaders, gentlemen, and your leaders will follow you," said a perfervid Irish orator in a period of exaltation, and in politics the bull holds good. The leaders must follow. You early made that discovery, and are not likely to revolt against the inevitable. Bat; don't forget that you are a representative of Non- conformist Wales and Nonconformist Wales baØ a conscience. The Welsh people may be hood- winked for a time with plausible proposals but once let them see that they are led by a policy which is unsound in principle, and they will not hesitate long in deciding the right course keep that fast in mind, Pritchard, and shape yourseu accordingly. And I would urge upon you the expediency of acquainting yourself with the hi.ry and science of politics and the principles of prniticai economy- The province of political economy is to ascertain the circumstances most favourable for the produc- tion of wealth, and the laws which determine abd regulate its distribution among the different rankø into which society is divided. Politics is the theory and practice of obtaining the ends of civil society as perfectly as possible. I fear you are not quite clear on these matters. But you are still young in Parliamentary life, and you will no doubt, improve as you go along. You are populftf at Dowlais. That is a fact not to be gainsaid. He who disputes it need only go to Aberdare and enquire. Success of a kind has been yours since you were elevated to the House of Commons, btffr be careful that success does not turn your hetA and be careful always to practice the gospel that you preach. Then if you preach the right gospel all will be well. But there are names I could mention that were once great in Wales which long ceased to charm. And why ? They forgot that they were Welshmen first of all, and so thef were swept away liked withered leaves before the autumn gale. If I forget thee, Oh! Jerusalem, m»y my right hand forget its cunning." You are »t least three parts a Welshman, and never lose sight of that valuable fact. Have the long and splendid history of your brave country ever before you, 90 the guiding star of your public life. Wales bat a history of which any country would be prood* She has given birth to sons as noble and patriotic as have breathed on any soil:— And their memory liveth on your hills, L Their baptism on your shore, Your everlasting rivers speak Their dialect of yore. Your strength lies in your affinity with th8 people. You know what manual labour is, anI the hard pressed toiler looks to you and thinks thsj "a fellow feeling makes us wondrous kind. Don't lose sight of that important point. A tiJØØ may come when the tempter will allure you, witk dazzling prospects from the pursuit of the highest interests of your native land, when you may eVSIJ be tempted to forget the pit from whence yo" were dug. But as you value your reputation" public life shun these temptations as you woa16 shun the trail of the serpent. Clever moves on tbØ political chess-board may serve you for a but if you would be a permanent force in politico* life you must be actuated by those high which alone command the love and confidence 0* of the Welsh people. Read the wide world's, annals, you,, And take their wisdom from your friend. f Hope the best, but hold the present Fatal daughter of the past, Shape your heart to front the hour, But dream not that the hour will last. I have frequently remarked that your manner of speech, though very direct and telling for a rougJa- spun crowd is against you when you are face tØ face with a half-refined mob. You are and unpolished, and you are devoid of the and capers of literary polish. Logic is not yO°r strong point. You are second fiddle to yo«* colleague David in that accomplishment. JIa-. you forgotten the lecture Mr. Gladstone gave JoXl on that very point when you moved your ment ? Your speech was readable and with a number of excellent things, and it .¡{IØ garnished with facts hard to be minimised or plained away by the most subtle sophist; but yoØ used your facts and arguments badly. yoøt battery riddled your own fortifications. Befo" essaying to delight the House with another of yout funny speeches consult with our friend Mab^ he is an authority on Parliamentary polish dialectical skill. When you are addressing a public assembly f**? your audience in a more manly attitude. DoO- stand up as if you were going to carve a goose » a side-table. Don't gesticulate when you don feel exalted. Don't try the oratorical dodge unles* you are displaying before your friends at or Aberdare. They will forgive many airs 0 gait and dress, but the general public prefer man, even though he be an M.P., to speak quietv and to the point. They don't care a straw the palaver in which little orators so greatJf delight. But in spite of many defects and varied drances, you have acquitted yourself creditably jØ Parliament. You are a good, useful represent- tive, and, with larger experience, you may do ful and solid work. The unco guid on the hand, and the squirarchy on the other amongst whom you dwelt for a time in Norther- Wales, despised and rejected you but you are a whit the worse for that. I am rather so*1^ though, that you didn't play your cards a W better in Merionethshire. It didn't use to be at a hard county to be made a magistrate in when late Lord-lieutenant was alive. But you didn't ta* with the squireens, and so you could not write after, our name. Fancy the superior manner which you could address Sam Evans were justice of the Peace! I can't find it in my heart quarrel with you about it, though. But you have tried to conciliate either the unco guid the squires. But you did neither. The would have nothing to do with you, and alienated the aforesaid unco guid by your Calvinistic manner of life. Why didn't you Welsh there? There was Owen Edwards just jv at Llanuwchlyn, who would have taught you £ most approved Dafydd ap Gwilym style of We d and the latest thing in Welsh orthography ,.øtD there was Tom Ellis at Cynlas, some 15 miles your right, and Arthur Price, who hopes to outU us all and become the historian of the Nationalist movement, near you atLlanaber. tbÍ' yet you are still a Philistine But I must say for you you are a genial, hearty good fellow, never forsakes a friend nor shows the white when the drum rolls for battle. I like you v much; and admire you all the more becaUse øt your faults and failings. But your virtues, y abundant good qualities, and your valuable alike in triumph or defeat, -far outweigh all 7 defects. Your detractors are a gradu»**Jj diminishing band, while your admirers genuine friends grow more and more as your worth and practical aptitude are manifested 10* world. These, Pritchard, are the opinions and sentiments of your sincere friend well-wisher, THEODORE Depp* :i Next week Theodore Dodd will address an opel Letter to J. Lloyd Morgan, M.P. (

PORTHCAWL NOTES. 0 The weather is horrid. We are expecting g, summer with every spring, but it does not cOs to Nature seems to have lost her lover. She seet* be for ever in tears morning, noon, and night- crops are generally in before St. Mary Hill J but they will be a long time this year get ripe. ———— tJJØ Great stir seems to have been made about Free Education Act of the present The managers are on the horns of a dilemma* Z.4V to move with safety have been their great 1 g,tØ tion. It appears to me much like people ef on the ice it makes but little difference If t* stand still or move along, they do so under fearful dread of a terrible fall. What the Ch 0{ folk are afraid of now is losing the reiO power. Poor souls their hands will soon be weak to hold the reins of a startled horse. *n t*? There is an interesting correspondence m « t columns of a contemporary upon the gift. 0 of piece of land some years ago for an extens1<J jgf the Church tabernacles. How will it end I at times. Ond rhwng gwyr Pentyrcn gilydd," we are improving here but we still room for improvements in the place. I se%Af^ one of your agents, Mr. Samuel Lewis, has B 0tf/tP a lending library. We are very pleased to the fact. It will be a boon to many strangeT0' I think, sir, that all chapels and churches be thrown open to strangers, so that they get in to shelter from the rain at the presen fegP and from the hot sun in winter, to read- 0 and from the hot sun in winter, to read- 0 themselves. There was an excellent movement by Mr. James at the Methodist chapel on jyeiP evening last week. Afterthe ordinary vited all the people present to stay a I and join in singing a few of the old Welsh tP to favourite tunes. No one moved, altho°8 .^i*j* I chapel was crammed. Three tunes were sun a deep, impressive, end devout feeling, 0 being shed. To conclude, Miss Jones^ Vale, sang three verses to the tune of eiI Cassia," the congregation joining in the -Aed Miss Thomas, C.R.A.M., Merthyr Vale, PreS { the organ.