The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1891-07-17
Many American Writers Sit at Table
with the London Society of Authors
Lord Monkswell Praises President Harrison
for Extending the Copyright to England,
snd Minister Lincoln Replies
Brilliant Programme Arranged for the
Worlds Fair Delegates Reception.
Radical Moral Reforms Discussed BY Nam
Der Of American Ministers at the Inter-
national Congregational Council.
WRITER'S AT A BANQUET.

WRITER'S AT A BANQUET.
The Society OF Authors Celebrate the Inter-
national Copyright
LONDON. July l6-The Society of Authors
celebrated the adoption OF the American
copyright act this evening with dinner ut
the Hotel Metropole Lord Monkswell was
In the chair. and among those present were
Mr.. Robert L. Lincoln. United States min
lister: Professor Huxley. Mr.. Bryce. NJ. p;
William Black, Bret Harte. Walter Pater.
Lewis Morris. c. ID. Warner. Louise Moul-
ton, Brander Matthews. Thomas Hardy,
Walter Besant. Sir +. Pollock. Edmond
Goss, Rider HagGard, Max O'Rell. Canon
Doyle, T.. w. Westall Theodore Watts.
Mrs Oscar Beringer. Oscar Wilde. Justin
Mccarthy and son. Mrs. Monacaird, w. q.
Willis. Oscar Browning and Augustine
BierreIl.
Lord Monkswell, In toasting President
Harrison and the success of the copyright
act, commented upon the friendly feeling
shown by President Harrison in extending
at once. without demur. the act to England.
He thought that clauses existed in the act
to which exception might be taken. Yet,
he SAID. the United States had gone as far
as could reasonably be expected, under the
circumstances. in meeting the wishes Of
England. He hoped no vestige of irrita-
tion or annoyance would remain either on
the part of England or on the part Of
America to cloud the perfect understand
ing that ought to subsist between the two
peoples so closely allied and SO worthy of
one anothers friendship, ICheers.l
Mr. Lincoln. in his reply. SAID: 1T is q
great honor to me to have an opportunity
of meeting at once 50 many who are devot-
ing their energies and talents 20 the in
structi0n and literary entertainment OF the
great Notwithstanding race. Ii Is an espe-
cial pleasure to do SO under the circuri-
stances which make this dinner OF the
Society of Authors so peculiarly notable
to you in signalling the end of the Impa-
tience which has existed so many years en-
both sides of the water over the delay IN
establishing proper relations between the
copyright laws of England and those of the
United States Ii is not strange that this
impatience existed so, for while our gov
ernments differ In form, the duties, rights
and privileges of the people of both nations
are Eearly identical. With their common
language, and. for the most part. common
origin, their equally advanced civilization,
their aspirations and modes of thought
make them almost one race IN the history OF
the world. Cheers.
BAD LAW KILLED.
"Under these conditions it long seemed
to many-among them myself-almost arbi.
trary and unreasonab BILE to keep in force a
rule Of law which denied in each country
to the authors of the other. and to them
alone, of ell the people carrying on the
numberless active professions and trades
of our present civilization, the property
rights which each accorded to its own
citizens or to resident authors. In saying
this of England, as well of the United
States speak in view of the fact that it
has just only now become certain that =
nonresident alien friend may have the
benefit of the English copyright law, and
that the first official and conclusive deciaf-
alton to- that effect has been
called forth bv our American act Be-
tween these two countries to far greater
degree than between those using different
languages has the question of reciprocal
copyright been a practical one. Conse-
quently opposing interests have been more
numerous than powerful In the nature CT
things. The adhesion reached not very
long ago by various countries under thD
provisions of the Berne convention was far
more easily attained than the great at
rangement just brought about between
England and the United States. ] am one
of those who long thought ir ought TO bs
made. ain neither an author nor ublisb-
been difficult for me to feel justice of
myself being paid for q VIZ argument.
At least for q successful one ,pectlve OF
any question of nationalit the client.
What 1 thought just for sself / could
hardly feel unjust for any man of any ma
ton from whose mental labor i derived
profit or pleasure. Then. feeling this. but
followed the lead of almost every living
author OF high repute In my own country ia
wishing them, and especially their younger
brethren struggling for their proper places.
to be relieved from the involuntary compe-
tition of uncompensated foreign authors.
$50 take away the huge obstacle In the
path of our literary progress. This 10 noe
the time for thresh:ng over what Is now
only old straw, but for an exchange OF
Fluctuations over the harvest which we be-
lieve both of our countries will share.
lCheers.l The real question is to speculate
in what proportions g. division may bs
made. 1t is enough that you ana your
American brothers will no longer see the
IL there be no other benefit to
the public at large than an easier
conscience much will be gained, but
1 heartily believe that this is not
all that has been provided for. For by
these contemporaneous acts OF jnstice 70
authors-the declaration OF your govern
ment and new legislation OF inine-there 10
not only removed o cause of international
irritation, but a new stimulus To study
and 60 literary effort Is given, and will be
long felt on both sides of the Atlantic.
am sure you will all join me in hoping for
this new phase of our community of inter-
est, and in the anticipation that We will
find renewed assurances of an extension IN
other directions of that good will and IN
Outstanding which is 80 important TO both
countries. and which It is especially
fitting should exist between them"
lCheers.
letter from Lord TenDyson was read, in
which he said: In the name of the United
Kingdom our society congratulates the
United states on their great act of justice.
Mr.. Bryce toasted the American Copyright
League. Brander Matthews responded.
Professor Mimic proposed American
Literature" to which Mr. Warner replied.