New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-07-03
THE BONES OF WILLIAM PENN.

The desire that the dead should repOse in the
midst of scenes created by their skill, adorned
by their art, or immOrtalized by their pen, is
one common to all races and all times. The
grave of the engineer of the Gotha Canal is
ten feet under its bed, Sir Christopher Wren
lies without tablet in st. Paul's Cathedral,
London, while Chateaubriand is buried on q
lonely rock at St. MalO, close to the favorite
spot where he retired to compose.
Now that Mr.. Harrison, the agent selected
to negotiate for the removal of the bones Of
William Penn to Philadelphia, is well on his
way, we may fairly consider the difficulties he
will have to encounter The mission requires
both patience and tact. No principle lies
deeper in the instinct of the common
law Of England than the right Of the
dead to undisturbed repose. An executor
or heir-at-law has no title or right in the
bones of the dead. He may have the
custody of the dead for tho purpose of sepul-
ture, but more. He may bury Or in cases
of temporary burial, he may deposit and af-
terward remove the remains to their final rest
ing place. This done, his powers entirely
cease. Not that the English are careful of the
condition of their churchyards and burying-
grounds, which for taste or ncatness cannot
compare with an American cemetery. The
sentiment on the subject is not very strong
and an Englishman who neglects the graves of
his ancestors, and leaves them a tangled ncttle-
bed, only discovers regard for the place when
a proposal is made to disturb it.
The only machinery which can effect Mr.
IlarrisOns purpose is either order of the
Queen in Council or private act of Parlia-
ment The trustees of the burial ground have
no interest tide in the freehold. They are
only the guardians Of the rights of the dead
Where, in the construction of railways through
towns, power to disturb churchyard has
been granted, the British Parliament has al
ways guarded the act with strict conditions,
and appointed special officer to see to the
careful reburial of the remains. But the con-
templated removal in this case has so far as
we know no precedent. 1t is removal from
a spot selected by the deceased or by those
who had right to select, to another country, and
for sentiment only. 1t involves the separation
of the family who now lie side by side There
being no rights in the matter, the question is one
entirely of public sentiment, and the success or
failure of the mission depends on the skill with
which public opinion in England is cOnciliated.
The present Government may be expected to re-
gard the proposal without hostility. If it be
necessary to discuss the subject in Parliament,
an advocate would have to be selected from
among the Liberal party, who, from their natural
affinity for this country, will probably be not
unwilling to crafty American sentiment. AS
n Liberal and member of tho Society of
Friends, none better than Mr.. John Bright
could be chosen. But tho final outcome of
tho movement will depend on the good taste
and tact with which it is presented to the
British public. The chief difficulty will be in
convincing England that the only object of
Philadelphia is to honor the dead, and that
the most fitting resting place for the bones of
Penn is the great city which he founded in the
New World.