General Wauchope

by F.S.A. Scot. William Baird

On the 14th April 1899, General Wauchope had conferred on him the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws by the University of Edinburgh. The spring graduation ceremonial in which arts, science, and law degrees are conferred, is generally of an interesting character, but on this occasion it was more than usually imposing. This was owing in some measure to its being performed in the recently opened M'Ewan Hall, an adjunct of the University, and the handsomest hall in the city; but more especially from the fact that like honorary degrees were to be conferred at the same time on Lord Wolseley, the Marquis of Dufferin, and other distinguished men.

It was a magnificent spectacle, and the large audience which crowded the spacious hall at an early hour in the forenoon cordially greeted the General as he ascended the rostrum to receive the degree from his father-in-law, Sir William Muir, who as vice-chancellor presided on the occasion.

In formally presenting him to the Senatus, Professor Sir Ludovic Grant took occasion to say: 'It is a fortunate coincidence that a graduation ceremonial which is honoured with the presence of the Commander-in-Chief, should also include among its distinguished guests one who is so noble an embodiment of all that is best and bravest in the British Army, as is to be found in General Wauchope. Here in Scotland his name is a household word, synonymous with high courage and devotion to duty. It were superfluous to recall the occasions on which their gallant commander has led the Black Watch to victory, or to rehearse the long tale of all his exploits and all but mortal wounds. But it is not in his capacity as a soldier only that he does with his might that which his right hand finds to do. There is not a miner in the village of Niddrie who will not testify to the watchful guardianship which he exercises over his people. He has thrown himself with characteristic zest into public affairs, and we all know that the battle of the warrior is not the only form of contest in which he has shown himself a dauntless foeman. The University rejoices to inscribe the name of so gallant and public-spirited a soldier on her roll of honorary graduates in law.'

That General Wauchope had not only won his spurs but his doctor's hood in fair fight goes without saying. His military services could not refuse him the former; and it says much for the discrimination of the great Scottish University that it should have discerned in one whose scholastic education was of the smallest, and who certainly had not the benefit of a university training, a fitting subject for so great an honour as it conferred. But the Senatus recognised this fact, that his life all through had been an educational training, equal at least to all the learning of the schools. A life of hard experience well utilised has often achieved great results, as in Wauchope's case it did.

But honours of this kind did not turn his head, or cause him to forget the commoner duties of life, or lessen his interest in others. He could and did sympathise with distress and trouble, and even the brute creation were not forgotten by him, as the following instance will show. Lord Wolseley arrived in Edinburgh the day preceding the graduation ceremony, and was the guest of General Wauchope at Niddrie. One evening the two officers were taking a walk together round the grounds. As they passed the cottage door of one of his tenants, the man's daughter was noticed to be leading a horse which was labouring under a severe attack of inflammation. Wauchope at once stopped and inquired of the girl what was the matter, and on being informed, the two commanders were soon as much engrossed in the discussion of the poor animal's malady, and the best remedy for it, as if it had been a question of important military strategy.

One other event in civil life gave General Wauchope in the summer of this year considerable notoriety. On the sudden death in June of Mr. Robert Cox, the member for South Edinburgh, he was, at the urgent request of the Unionist party, induced once more to enter the lists as a candidate for parliamentary honours against Mr. Arthur Dewar, advocate, who represented the Liberal party.

The contest was a short one, but while it lasted it was sharp, for both the candidates and their supporters threw themselves into it with vigour and earnestness.

As in his famous campaign against Mr. Gladstone, the chief feature of the General's policy was the integrity of the Empire, as opposed to the cry of Home Rule for Ireland, and although other subjects formed a part of his programme, still that was for him the root question of all others at the time.

At a largely attended meeting of his supporters, held on the 9th June, Mr. John Harrison, the chairman, in formally nominating him for the vacancy, spoke of the name of Wauchope 'as one which stirred the blood of every one who had any pride in his country. He was known wherever the English language was spoken. Wherever the British went he was known as a gallant soldier, who had done his duty to his country in many climes and in many circumstances, as a soldier of the Crown. He was known in a narrower sphere all over Scotland as an honourable politician, who fought some years ago a good fight in Midlothian. He fought an uphill fight—what some considered an impossible fight—and in losing it he scored a tremendous success. But he was also known as a good neighbour, whose ancestors had resided at Niddrie for centuries back.'

General Wauchope's speeches at this and various other meetings, held almost daily for the following two weeks, were of a most stirring nature, but were always characterised by courtesy towards opponents, and the utmost frankness in stating his opinions. He scorned to 'hedge' a question to secure votes, and when challenged with being a Tory, and therefore ineligible for a Liberal constituency, he boldly took up the challenge. 'Mr. Dewar had said he was a Tory. (A voice, "Quite right.") Quite right. Yes. Mr. Dewar was quite right. He never said he was wrong. He often wondered why there should be any disgrace in being called a Tory. Who had done most for the working classes in days gone by? Who passed the Factory Acts? Did Mr. Gladstone or Mr. Bright pass the Factory Acts? No; it was the Tory party—that party which had been so much abused.' At another time, referring to free speech, he said: 'He knew there were many in the hall opposed to him in politics. There was no use putting the blinkers on that fact; but he did not see why, though thus opposed, they should not meet together as free citizens of a free city, and have it out thoroughly. He never liked to use the word opponent. He always said "political" opponent, because he found that some of the best friends he had were politically opposed to him. He was pleased to think that in this country more and more both sides were coming together to discuss political affairs in a quiet and proper manner. It was not always so. When he was young, things were much hotter then. There was more powder in the air.'