Mr Bradlaugh's Career

Feilding Star, Volume XII, Issue 95, 3 February 1891, Page 4

Mr Bradlaugh's Career

~ withdraw,' was taken into 'custody, and imprisoned in the Clock Tower, but-was released by vote on 24th June. After this a resolution ,~ moved' by Mr , Gladstone, that affirmation be accepted instead of oath in certain cases, was opposed by Sir Stafford Northcote, but the resolution was accepted, Mr Bradlaugh aflirinod, was admitted, and voted on 2ud July. It is hardly necessary to recapitulate the discussion that ensued 1 at the time, or on Mr Bradlaugh's subsoqueut political life, these events being still green in the memory of all.

Charles iJradlaugh, whose death was ' annouuced'tm Saturday 'lastij Vas born on 26th Sept^inber^ 1833;^ and at the -age of seven was sent to the National t School^ Abbeys SStreet;t t ;; Bethual Grreen. . Hisi father was i. very < poor, and when "•the -boy had ..reached the; 1 ripe age of .11 it was considered that his education complete. When 17, he found j himself ; alone >in \ the;; streets ; <6f London; having left obis ; home ? owing to * differences ■•{ in ; ihia family, > and he .started as a coal • dealer, ii^hen ndfc • engaged in this .and other moneymaking pursuits^ he perfected .;. himcself by studying, jareek,-rand Hebrew, ; tjongaeß/-jfor^discussioiii';and •early developed EreeV thought tendencies. Jri'rlßa»o irhe jenlisted as a svdhinteer in- the East- India service, Taut ,_>was.;:: transferred to, the Dragoon Giiards.- : r^While still serving in the Ertby^ his f atHer dfed, and'reaving the -army he became errand-boy to Mr jEogers, d sdlicitlar^ "Here: he 'soon displayed marked talents, and after a .while i -was^entrusted with the manage--ment^of the 'common law department. Ini-1854 he, a married the daughter of Mr? Hooper, ;■' a rwurkiiig;' plasterer. "Under the norn de plume oi .'" Iconoclastv^^liradlaugh did :all <his antitheological work t till 1868, when his employer died, and he then devoted everyj spare moment r.toi the work of propaganda, lecturing two or three i-tiines/ a^week-H' lirKthos'e^ days the Seculariat jiaity 1 arely es stetY as an organisation,^ ' the 1 - 'i'ieethiakers of England being scattored. He found means of visiting Italy on 'several occasions'in the interests of Garibaldi, delivering lectures there with success, and he .also carried despatches "successfully resisting efforts for his capture. After unsuccessfully contesting Northampton, he lectured in America, and reluming to £j(m{lon"i the Secular Party organised a grand fete in his ; honour. After twelve years of patient endeavour and foujrjc£ntes3ts, jßradlau^h was elected in 1880 member for Northaui ptou , polling. 9827 votes to Mr'Labouchere's 4158, these two beating the Conservative candidates, , Messrs Phippsand Meievvetlfer; He ol>jected to takethe oath of allegiance (not believiiig in bod), his affirinktion was .refu3ed.nu 3rd .May., -and Jiis offer to take the "■■bath" wae i; tiot' permittGa on 2'l : st ; May.' A ; curimrit! cc Xv »is : uppoin ted who recommended thai: he be allowed to affirm, and i a;tor jn/ii-h:; disou.ssion in tiie House, the 'resolution ; o'f.\Mr Labpuchere that he be }jermittdd to Sffirln, was- ueguti ved on 22ncl June; Mr: BiadJaugh's claim to lake; the < athj or aflirm was (ioiiied hy the •iMIPUse pn- 2tJr«i j he'.-, refused' to :