New-York tribune., 1885-10-23
RECALLING THE EDIoT OF NANTES.
SECRETARY bAYARp AND PROFESSOR BAIRD BEFohE
THE HUGUENoT SOCIETY.

THE HUGUENoT SOCIETY.
The French Church du Saint Esprit IN twenty
secondst, Ffth-ave, was filed yesterday ai'er
noon with descendants Of the Huguenots who came To-
geher to celebrate 200th anniversary OF the eyo-
cation OF the Edict of Nantes. which drove their ances-
tors many years ago to England and America III
search of religious freedom The exercises were under
the direction of tho Huguenot Society OF America Oh
which John jay is president Among those present
Secretary Bayard, j. +. Chamberlain OF Name
Professor Henry NJ. Baird, F. j. De Peyster Johh
Hamersly the Rev. DR.. Vermilye. After snort re-
gious service In French, Mr.. Jay made an introduc
tory speech and presented Professor Henry NJ bau'
of the University of the City of and author
of the " Rise of the Huguenots" Professor Baird
spoke in part follows;
by the descendants OF the Huguenots in America this
is day deserves to be celebrated with joyful acclama
tons But for the fanaticism Of Louis but for h OBJ
sequous CON plasance of the Parliament of Paris where
had been the names now found upon the roll OF the
heroes that won our national independence, or on that
other roll of statesmen that framed our National con-
stitutOn Where had been Henry and John Laureps,
aud Marion. and Jay, and Gabriel Manlganlt VINO
freely loaned great part of his fortune to help South
Carolina in what appeared to be desperate resistance
to the overwhelming forces Of the mother country ana
Elias Boudinot who as president of Congress, signed
the Treaty OF Peace with Great Britain Where had
been that host Of other names not less wortdy Oh
eternal n membIancc We are not here to cOmmemO-
rate "A successful crime. Thank Col there are no such
crimes in tire history of manknd. Not alone every at
tribute OF the Deity, but every latent force ID the uni
verse anc every movement IN the progress OF the
human race are banded together to Oyerlhr0" that
which for time promise to be enduring and pros
perous iniquty From stII end0us blunder, from a
munrous violation OF justice, ha4 been drawn lortn
lesson of inestimIble value Tor all future tn G.
Secretary lIayart was then introduced aud received
with applause. After reading .erics OF resolutions
drawn up for the occasion, Eo sal in part nave
on the work OF this society the work OF commrno-
rating tho most marked incident III the history o re-
ligous liberty and not only in the history ol
but OF civil liberty. For religious ana clVu
liberty must exist together or not at III
The lesson Of the IIugnenos is that OF conscientious
indiyt uality OF the necessity ~ nohr uptiSn, prl
sona Independence These qualities with the llugu'
nOts ariayed themselves against single dtSlOt pn
have not another desp0tism to when 10 opl0U--'
them. The dcspOlism OF the ignorant majority. W.
must permit orr ndiy yIduHl conscience |" DC o'
borne by amy majority, however vast. however III
tolerant which find nrraycd against 1t. Let hS TO
member she qualities which made the iugucnot nln'
respectable through the world md let b" careful t1
transmit the same nubc traditions OF hIcIN 10 con
yicion The history of the lusuenots 10 well summed
M in Longirows couplct;
In me wreck o. noble lives
Something immortal su survives
About seventy FIVE members o; the society anu thtl
friends Sat down to dinner nj Drln'nic'T IN the even
inc Two hours wcrr devoted To III" bill of fare ana tt
cor vcr4ntinn Corks popped freely and the orchestra
played elections from " The Mkado At 10 O'Clock
/ Mr. JAW TuIucG Tor order hdl Hll'T ~" i"Pl =
marks called on Secretary Bavard to respond 10 the
toast Delegates from distant llugrcnot NentieS.
lie replied IN a vein of serious coqucn"e. following on
bi. tnric ot the afternoon aud dwelling upon the llu
gucuot oriuc IL oi fidelity to con7cieaious CONVICTION
IN the -af, gunrd of the Kcppbic other toa,t' were
rcspouded 10 hy Mr.. Gnurdain of South carolina. an'
Professor Baird Letters of regret were feai ir"h
J,hn g. Whittier and others More toa,ts followed
and o. into Il night the sons o. tie llueuenoIs "er
repeating the gloric, OF thor ancestor the h,rois
aud ,riucs OF the sterling race OF H'arh ana La $50
/ chplle