The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1879-01-31
Stephen LdnOtO1I, the Great EccIe-
sidsticdL COnImOner.
BIZ HON. s. s. cox, If. c.

Six hundred and fifty years ago, on the
9th of July last, the spirit of Stephen Lang
ton left the body. He had been Archb bish
op of Canterbury, Cardinal of the Catholic
Church, a learned scholar and author, phi
losopher and theologian and above all
practical friend of the people, and lover
of liberty and law.
His theological and scholastic works are
no longer extaut; his dust, though coffined
in rugged stone, has long since mouldered
and mingled with that of others less con-
spicuous; the insignia of his rank, the per-
sonal grace and dignity of his manners,
may be forgotten tie very place of his
birth is disputed by three English counties,
but his memory will be cherished so long
as liberty lives, as the first signeT of Magma
ChaTta lie was the most efficient pro-
moter Of its principles up to November,
1914, when its bases we're drawn and IN
June, 1915, its leading champion, when it
was consummated. Indeed, it was in it's
best sense, as a popular charter, his paper.
lie watched over its observance, as if it
were his offspring,
That charter never lost its, emphasis
1t gave freedom to serf. To the Law, it ad-
ded reverence. 1t made habeas corpus
1t made The humbIest house of the citizen
his castle, Hallam calls il the keystone of
English liberty. 1t is more. 1t is the
! arch OF human freedom. It not only
| spanned the land, but the sea. 1t assured
/ liberties hitherto unknown to mankind,
| and suited to all the varied and novel rela-
/ tions OF our new world 1t made the Amer
] lean revolution and the Declaration of In
/ dependence. 1t is engTafted on all our
! constitutions. Our "bills of rights are
| copied from its catalogue of liberties. 1t
/ is the foundation of our rising empires. l.
| is protest against exclusive privileges
and prerogatives, whether in lands, bridges
I or fisheries. l. made the last will and
| testament sacred. Il gave dover to the
widow. 1t prevented frauds in weights
and measures, by making uniformity. 1t
| brought justice within the reach of all, by
courts of assize and circuit. 1t made bor-
! Ough and cities sure of their charters. 1t
| added new impulse to trade, and gave
wings 20 commerce, by giving to them
freedom from exactions. 1t gave glory to
tie realm by exalting right above the
( gross and mercenarY devices OF the proud
and powerful, while it gently placed the
| hand OF liberty within that Of law.
Well might TIE Deun Lduddnus be sung
| in Westminster for such a charter Well
| might censers swing and music swell in is
( praise /; and even laundering anathemas be
/ hurled against those who sought 20 abridge
! it's blessings or darken its splendors.
| For this great charter, let the organ re-
nc" ITO sHSIiihB peal iSb ne" sohBS inlSI-
! .wine their harmonies and among arcades
! and pillars and inches and shrines IN new,
| vast and cousecrated cathedraIs of a new
| hemisphere, where liberty loves to worship?
| let the divine effiuence steam in, through
| religious forms of saint and apostle, from
| the Father of all Light, as seven centuries
| ago it streamed in upon the august presence
of King, Lord, and Commons, in Westmin-
ster Abbey, when Stephen Laugton, the
great primate and statesman of Western
Europe, stood mp in their midst to hallow
the great charter, in The name of the ever
| blessed God and HIS Son, Jesus Christ!