Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1886-05-06
nowELl,s BIsLB AnaumnNr.
His brilliant Treatment OF Inter-
national Copyright.

hhtiOMh OopyNASnG
The following is from "Topics of the
Time" in The Cen u'y for May: at is
not too much to say that the scene in the
room of the Senate committee on patents
on the morning of Friday, January goth,
1856, wns one of the most interesting
and significant events of our generation
We refer to the hearing there given by
committees of both houses of Congress to
James Russell Lowell, president of the
American Copyright League, who pre-.
sented in person his argument in favor of
international copyright. The journals of
the country have already printed Lowell's
words, but no report, verbatim or other
wise, could re-create the atmosphere of
this remarkable scene. The legislative
power, TINT very power hitherto appealed
To in vain through generations of authors
and congressman, was here confronted in
behalf of the intellectual world, in behalf
of public morality, and in the name of
common honesty and common sense, by
one of the chief living exponents of lit
ernture-who is also one of the chief citi-
zens of the Republic. Nothing could ex-
ceed the tact, good.nature, ready wit and
hurtliDg sarcasm with which Lowell took
NAN hOAhs "A MClA hhOMu hut
Washington lobby, and opposed to the
measure, had been permitted to precede
MIR Lowell, This, as it were, gave for
his lance, at the most fortunate moment,
an embodied foe; though we doubt
whether the subject of his genial and ex-
quisite scorn will ever realize that, like
one of the heroes of Dante's Inferno he
was then and there transtixed for all time.
The keenest thrusts were accompanied by
twinkle of the eye, u pleasant falling
infection of the voice, or smile,
that was like the glistening of
Damascus blade, with an edge as sharp as
its glitter. 1t was not only in direct as
sault that Lowell proved his ability, but
throughout the long session by answering
quickly and ably the questions coming to
him from every side, by turning off
queries too vague for answer with, for
instance, some quotation from Charles
Lamb, and himself asking questions that
went to the marrow of the subject. When,
in answer TO a question, the president of
the league answered, Il do not know of
any way in which nations distinguish
themselves except by their brains, that is,
permanently to make an impression upon
all mankind those present could not
help thinking how the truth of this state
ment was illustrated by the author of the
'Biglow Papers and the 'Commemoration
Ode, whose name to-day isknown among
the cultured throughout the world quite
as familiarly as that of any battle ever
fought under the American flag.
"but the great value aud force of
Loweli's argument lay Ill the fact that he
uuI ltt.4l nj tho tpI,,la Iianttu
he leyel OF interests and expediencies
sntO the clear air Of duti and nIorulities.
WlIlt he hnd with all distinctness and
3ti iteration that, so far as human fore
l.sht could determine, the granting of
lore gu copyright would benefit American
literature, would not make books dear,
and would be for the good of the whole
country, with still greater emphasis he
upheld the leading issue. Said Lowell
4 myself take the moral view of the
question. believe that this is simple
question of morality and justice; that
many of the arguments which Mr.
- used are arguments which might be
used for picking mans pocket. One
could live great deal cheaper, un-
doubtedly, if lie could supply himself
from other people without any
labor or cost. But at the same
time-well, it was not called honest when
was young, and that is all can say.
cannot help thinking that book which
WIS, / believe, more read when l was
young than it is now, is quite right when
1t says that righteousness exalteth a
nation" believe this is a question of
righteousness. l do not wish to urge
that too far, because that is considered
too ideal, believe. But that is my view
of it, and if were asked what book is
better than cheap book, should answer
that there is one book better than a cheap
book aud that is book honestly come
by
"The moral question is, and always
has been, the leading issue in this con-
troyersy, so long left unsettled, through
the clamoring Of narrow and selfish
nterests-interests too often able to COM
mand tho degrading subserviency of
brains fitted to nobler uses. 1t is the
moral question that has most interested
the thoughtful and honorable portion of
the community-which let us not doubt,
is, in fact, the great body of the reading
public of these United States"