But Churchill never was a medal hunter. The
routine of barrack life irked him, and in foreign parts he served his
country far better than by remaining at home and inspecting
awkward squads and attending guard mount. Indeed, the War
Office could cover with medals the man who wrote "The Story of
the Malakand Field Force" and "The River War" and still be in his
debt.
In October, 1898, a month after the battle of Omdurman, Churchill
made his debut as a political speaker at minor meetings in Dover
and Rotherhithe. History does not record that these first speeches
set fire to the Channel. During the winter he finished and
published his "River War," and in the August of the following
summer, 1899, at a by-election, offered himself as Member of
Parliament for Oldham.
In the _Daily Telegraph_ his letters from the three campaigns in
India and Egypt had made his name known, and there was a
general desire to hear him and to see him. In one who had attacked
Kitchener of Khartum, the men of Oldham expected to find a
stalwart veteran, bearded, and with a voice of command. When
they were introduced to a small red-haired boy with a lisp, they
refused to take him seriously. In England youth is an unpardonable
thing. Lately, Curzon, Churchill, Edward Grey, Hugh Cecil, and
others have made it less reprehensible. But, in spite of a vigorous
campaign, in which Lady Randolph took an active part, Oldham
decided it was not ready to accept young Churchill for a member.
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