John Morrison Davidson

“ Richard been dubbed "member for Wales." He incarnates all the best characteristics of his race. If he is trusted as a good Welshman, he is none the less so as a stanch Nonconformist. Welshmen are born Dissenters, and it is natural that they should follow Mr. Richard in such matters; but it is a higher compliment to him to say that the confidence of his countrymen is heartily indorsed by the whole body of English and Scottish Nonconformists. There is not a better representative Nonconformist in Parliament than the member for Merthyr. ”

“ They who exercise lordship over us tell us of patriotism. What is patriotism? I have seen some of the votaries of the patriotic goddess at their devotions. I witnessed the loathsome exploits of the Hyde Park Jingoes, and I saw the Cannon-street Hotel sacked by the unconvicted thieves of the Stock Exchange. I have had enough of patriotism for a lifetime. ”

“ War is wholly the work—the infamous work—of "sovereigns and statesmen." Sovereigns must have wars. However peaceful their professions, they have a direct and overwhelming interest in the maintenance of division and discord among nations. ”

“ It is only fair that I should say that a countryman of yours—a most excellent Welshman, Mr. Richard, M.P.—did a great deal to open my eyes to the true state of the facts by a series of letters which, some years ago, he addressed to a morning journal, and subsequently published in a small volume, which I recommend to all persons who may be interested in the subject. ”

“ Similarly with regard to other questions of vital public interest,—such as the support of religion by state, whether in church or school,—the member for Merthyr finds something like absolute prohibitions where the great majority of professing Christians appear to discover the reverse. How wonderful is Mr. Richard in his exegesis! How wonderful are the majority of Christians in theirs! How marvellously malleable are the memorials of the Christian faith themselves! ”

“ His home at Tregaron was the rallying-point of much of the religious and philanthropic activity of South Wales. The chief actors concerned believed, and not without reason, that they were engaged in a work no less momentous than the regeneration of the principality; and their earnestness, as might have been expected, made an indelible impression on the open mind of young Richard, whose earliest memories are of fervent "revivals," "seasons of refreshing," &c. ”

“ Were it not for wars, the occupation of kings would be gone, and the credit of the kingly form of government would sink to zero. In other words, Europe must become a federated, self-governing republic, before the world can hope to attain to a permanent peace. ”

“ From the doctrines imbibed in his childhood he has never appreciably departed; yet the tenacity with which he sticks to his creed is not to be confounded with bigotry. In the sphere of civil action there is not in all England a more enlightened advocate of the broadest freedom. His human sympathies are as generous and keen as they were fifty years ago. ”

“ Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and their great ones exercise authority upon them. But so shall it not be among you; but whosoever will be great among you shall be your minister. And whosoever shall be the chiefest shall be the servant of all. ”