New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-07-05
PERSONAL FREEDOM.


principle which nave already pointed out the pillar
~ dr. Illuminating Whole o. orr later path In
dcpcIdcui people That This light has been no mere
fasy, caering Uncertain guide. but steadily direct
ing toward the attainment Of new and great results.
ben Iga net more immediately ourselves than Incl
dentay IT, progress ~ the other nations of Tie I'd,
It viii be the object ot this adress 10 explain Ley us
review the century.
aud first OF al appears powerful influence Of the
rev doctrine Of freedom, though indirectly applied the
cooperation with rs in our struggle OF he Sovereign
Louis the sixteenth and the sympathy OF the people OF
France TE- topic would Of itsclf suffice for address
bu have much more To SAY rcallvs 10 ourselves as
a directing power that | must content myself with
Simply recalling your minds what France in l77S.
when governed by absolute monarch cooperating 1Ith
establishing principle, bat solely FOR the motive
= depressing Great Britain, and what she In this our
centennial year. independent republic; after long
and sey,re trbuaon ut last deliberately ranging Itself
as diseipe Of school and frankly recognizing the
| force of great law Of liberty.
our var for had been time over, and the
arduou. tack ~ restoring by cooperation o the
Who'll. OF the people IN organizing an effective form
Of government. The Drt experiment Of tue KIND In his
Tory by the spontaneous selection by
that people OF TIE hero no. having proved himself
eminent leader and rusty guide through the erils OF
ycaTs' was called Ia labor with oven greater
glory be the -uceeul organizer and director Of ib
| erty toward the arts Of peace.
10 Wing nom this point o Tune IN tile year lIeJ when
this original e1perm the latest and the most delib
crete ever attempted, the verge Oi trial. II now
becomes nv duty pass review the chief objects
which have secured by II during the century. Has
| Il succeeded has m faIedl Above ALL what has II
douo ny aud indirectly IN expanding the mnn.oce
Of ~, great doctrine OF liberty, not merely at bone, nut
over the wide surface Of and land-nay the great
globe its-R
Washington President but he had not had time Ia
collect tocetbcr his Cabinet and distribute his wors
When EVENT. occurred which demanded immediate atien
wtaout waiting for the advent OF Jenrrson whom
he had chosen his aid n the Department Of Foreign
Affairs drew with his hand certain papers Of in
structions when Ia committed 10 che charge Of MT
Gouyeruear Morris, then about sail for Great Britain.
with directions To confer with The Ministry Oh the sec
IN band Mr. Morris went out aud communicated With
the British Foreign Secretary the Duke Of Lcds. The
object 90 negot ate treaty OF commerce, very
sary az the TINE hut was not long before
another and much emDa rsin matter Interviewed
IL reported Mr.. Morris that several persoDs
claiming to De American citizen. when ~Aki-g ID The
street, o. London sGsp,ctng guile, had BEEN afer
the fashion ~ hat day pOuneed upon nv press gang
aud psf board uf British vessels to serve ~ sesm-n,
VII tner they would or Here the beginning OF
question personal freedom, started ont Of she earth al
once v hch no american agent could venture dsre
gard Although without special instructions, Mt Morris
did not hesitate n Ia subint the grievance 90
the consideration o, the Minister. That deDitary con
tented himself with eyasivc answer, and the plea Of
the dnicultJ OF distinguishing between eitzeus speaking
the same language aud hs became the standing prctext
for the of Americans Tor many years TIE act II
self looked at Ia prcscnt hight, 10 have been
britsl enough even when applied To subjects How much
more lntocrahe whrn invading the liberty OF men bc
ing allegiance TO the Crown. DOUBT whether many
OF you Will believe when tell you now many Amer
cans underxent Thu. Kind ~ slavery IL appears from
the orcia papers that IN 1875, 6jl persons were
corded as IN . condition. Eight years later the return
IL Increased 20 273 and the year after II Amounted 10
l22g Tie fragrant act Of ali Was tie seizure Of
several men on board of tdc Chesap-9e, American
vessel II war NY formal order of au Admiral of Brit
tsh frrate on tie coast The ultimate consequence {
III. .quvoeating Of Great Britain wa that this
grievance entered with other causes Into tue Necessity o.
/ making dcc,a. alton Of War.
fever there was u question of liberty under the def
milton Of 1916 to have been this, and the sue
cesslve Pres dents who ia office during The period
though Themselves natives and citizens If region lea Il
liable he subjected danger OF such fate, were not
the least ard determined on thar account Ia
rphuIdiug the right on the other hama, Ia not without
its lesson ~ the dangers OF tnfataaton among purely
party politicians 10 ud that the spirit OF liberty burned
with much the most qualified heat In the regions most
Inhabited by those equcutIng the seas and therefore
liable 10 cnslayeMent The singular spectacle theD
followed the perseverance Of those eminent statesmen
IN unfolding at the cost Of war; OF the rght' 81
thar portion OF their brethren frtheot removed from
their own hOmcsseads winch were free from danger ;
while. the other hand. considerable number OF tho
population " COASTS absolutely exhausted ali the
vals VI their wrath Upon the distinguished strteS
men Tor lbortug the cost Of g. SECURE che
safety laud aud water Of those who actually were
! their nearest neighbours and friends.
The result you all know. the War Of 1912, wagcd
I'm part under the cry Of free trade and sailors 1sEs.
severe ti,l but abundnniy rewarded, by the oeneh.
gained .or liberty From the daic OF the peace with
1re. Britain down the present hour ~ cause OF com
plnt occurred for the iuprcssnent OF an American
citizen No difficulty In distinguishing citizenship has
been experienced though no change has oerh u'do
~ the o. the language common 10 both NATIONS. IN
short no more have been taken. whether On land or
on tho ocean. by force. GA any prrtense whatever
snguarly enough however, 90 years later question
OF parallel import suddenly spring up which Tor the mo
mrnf threatened present the same mar 1us IN posi-
ton precisely reversed Anlval c01linaud ofa United
ststes var weasel assumed tia right 70 board British
pa-sengor steamer crossing The sea on heT way hode
ami 10 zs aud carry of two American citizens just as
British officers hal former times THIS proceed
ing was Immediately resented, aud the consequence was
= new step in favor Of liberty the ocean, for the
security OF the civilized wOrL The great waters arc
uos open all aud the lag ofany nation covers
all Who sail 1t In times OF peace AID Great Britain
h,rgclf. too often In times long gone ny meritug the
odious tIte Of traut Ivy resortua to other
and better means Than the horrors Of tho press gang ss
not only raised tho character OF her marne but has
| pledged hetself 10 follow In the very path Of
humanity and civilization hrss marked ou by ourselves.
".
| LIBERTY ON THE SEAS.
Such the nrst example Oft direct effect upon liberty
Of the law proclaimed hundred years ago. proceed
| to CONSIDER the second;
In is year OF cur Lord 1876 looking back the
~ he