The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-02-12
THE TURE SEAS ON



lecture in the Congregations Church Fourth
street. here was fair audience in attendance.
rhe subject Of the reverend gentleman discourse
was tn Life of John Hampden." He com nenced
by saying that there have been many persons
whose names have great influence in history, but
when we search their biographies we often find
that there is lack OF striking Incident. They have
oftentimes identified themselves with and led their
cause. This was the case with John Hampden. He
was born in 1894 of a wealthy English family nearly
related 10 that of Cromwell He entered Magdalen
College and was distinguished for scholarship. He
commenced the study of the law in 1913, and was
member OF Parliament in 1620-2l. This was
the last Parliament but one-that of 1922
ard l623-during the life of James the First
Hampden was distinguished for literary attain
ments, and for flowing courtesy to all
men, The period when he entered public lie was a
most remarkable one--the spirit of liberty was
abroad and the people were already arriyed against
the king. In reference TO the growth of rhis spirit in
England the speaker said that the liberal party in
England the middle class-tbe bill and bog men
In the front racks OF battle snd the gallant foresters
oil the green wood. They had, 10 a certain exteat
the right OF preventing excess of taxation, tax
could be levied without the con cent OF the Commons
speaking through Parliament. But, at This period
the people were almost without allies. The wars of
York and Lancaster had rhinned the mobiles, and
there was hardly any cheek uQon the sovereign.
Therefore, the prioces Of the Tador line rel xaed
with almost leg3l power. But the spirit OF mtelli
gelce vas abroad. The press sprang forth into ligat
--coMIneIcs and manufactures became power Ia
the realm. The Commons we're aot Altogether plant
however under Elizabeth but she knew HOY to
govern them Though a woman she was every inch
king ard she was succeeded hy James, who was a
coward, des pot and pedant. When James mo nted
the throne The people we're not well disposed 10 yaris
him. He attempted TO force bis prerogat.ve no IA
them, and vas unsuccessful. HIS first Parliament
(that of which Hanpden was a memher,) was a
most powerful one IL issued a protest viii n
bIeathes the true spirit OF freedom Liberty was
xbroad-but the man and the hour had not come and
James died in pea,e. During this time Hampden
Vas in the front ranks Of those who supported the
peoples rights. Charles the First was not 50 much
10 blame as his ancestors. Like Louis XVI, he met
the waves OF popular opinion when they we're breast
high. and was carried away by them We cannot
help feeling little pride at the manner of conduct
ing this revolution and the French. Tue system
Of tactics was exhausted before the sword
was resor'ed TO. There were May men in Par.
hament whom we cannot admire; but from their
work came much OF good. and by it thousands
OF people now i've 10 perfect liberty to the
The lecturer gave glance at the first and second
Parameuts of Charles the First-the speech of
Hampden against the forced loan, his Imprisonment,
and his return to Parliament in triumph Then
cane dark period OF eleven years, when Charles
ruled with absolute power. AT this time Hampden
lived in retirement, but called out by the laying
OF the tax called ship money. This vas levy Of
direct tax the prelence that needed for the
fitting of ships for defence OF the coast and against
pirates At ore time this might have been levied
on sespors; but by the petition, of right il could not
b. levied without act OF Parliament Hampden re-
sisted-joined Issue with tne king, aud though de.
feated q. law he gained the victory Even the royal
judges divided as to the Legality of che tax
The king finally consented to SUMMON another
Parliament. The Disturbances ia Scotland Obliged
him 70 eau on the people for aid. II short
mon, and then issued period of war, tyranny
and disorder. Then came the Long Parliamsnt-the
most extraordinary assembly ever convened. The
avaon Nh arat J. Il
formed abuses, condemned ship money impeachei
and executed STAFFORD. In all these acts Hamp-
den was the foremost man. After the king at
tempted to seize Eve members of the House of Com.
mons, OF which number Hampden was ons it
changed him entirely. He found that the time for
talking was gone. The civil war broke out-the
royal Standard was erected at NOttingham-a.d tue
friends of freedom joined the Parliamentary army
Hsmpden was among these. On his banner wss ia
ecribed !" No footsteps back The speaker drew an
eloquent picture OF the death Of Hampden in q Skin
mish with the royal cavalry, June Is, 1863 There
vas no stain on the memory of Hampden. Lord
Nugent bears this testimony Macauley says
thai history furnishes no parallel TO him, unless IN
Washington. There were many points Of resen-
blance. Both loved liberty controlled by law
both had the same steadfast gaze upon the
and for which they struggled, and both were dis
tiDguished for completeness of genius, and b)th
had the saIae religious iath which sees God everT-
where The name Of Hampaen Is one of those senti-
mel words which pass from lip to lip on the battle
fields OF iIef dom aud his history gives valuable
hints for the struggle il which the world is soon to
be engaged There are men in monarchies today
who have rbe spirit OF Hampden and there are men
In our own republic who have the feelings OF Land
and STAFFORD The speaker had 10 patience With
foreign conservatism, and il ridiculous 20 hear
Americans who fivei over the defeat of kings aud
obgarches. If revolution is wrong, we are bastard
Batlon. The speaker made an eloquent allusion to
the war in Europe and said that the spr. OF despot
Ism always comes from the North In relation to
conservatism in the United States he said that there
was an assumption which could not be borne
assumption that he wno attempts to speak for free
dom on the broadcast basis of human rights is an ia.
novater. II such Is the case, the Revolution must
be an innovet But the cause OF lioerty has suf
fered much from i'll used victories. IL must be the
result Of gradual growth, and the best sort OF free
dom comes out Of q fusion OF conservatism AID rad
casm The speaker closed with a most eloquent
peroration 10 the memory OF Hampden.