New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-07-17
A COPYRIGHT CELEBRATION.
INNER OF THE SOCIETY OF AUTHORS IN
LONDON
.,,v ADOPTION OF THE ACT THE OCCASION FOR
MUTUAL CONGRATULATIONS BETWEEN
ENGLISH AND AMERICAN WRITERS.

v,-ruAL CONGRATULATIONS BETWEEN
ENGLISH AND AMERICAN WRITERS.
London, July l6.-The Society of Authors cee-
.,a,ed the adoption Of the American Copyright
A., this evening with dinner at the HOtel
Mctropole Lord Monlyswell was in the char,
and among those present were Robert l. Lincoln
the United States Minister; Professor Huxley
lanes Bryce, NJ. p; William Black, Bret Harte'
Waiter pater, Lewis Morris, Charles dudley
Warner, Mrs. Louise Chandler Moulton, Brander
Matthews, >5omas 7;5TT,l,- Walter Besant, Sir f.
Pollock, Edmund GOsse, II. Rider Haggard, Max
o'Reu Canon Doyle, +. w. Westall, Theodore
Watts Mrs Oscar Beringer, Oscar Wilde, justin
Mccarthy, Justin Huntly Mccarthy, Mrs Mona
Card, w. G. Wills, Oscar Browning and Augustine
Brrell.
Lord Monkswell, in toasting President Harrison
and the success of the Copyright Act, commented
upon the friendly feeling showed by President
Harrison in extending at once without demur
the act 70 England. He thought that clauses
existed in the act to which exception might
be taken. Yet substantially, the United States
had gone as far as could reasonably be expected
under the circumstances in meeting the wishes
of England. He hoped no veStlge OF Irritation
or annoyance would remain either on the part
of England or on the part OF America 10 cloud
the perfect understanding that ought 10 suDslst
between the two peoples closely allied by blood
and so worthy of one anothcrs 1rlehosmp'
lCheers) Mr. Lincoln replied:
1t great have an opportunity OF meet
ing at many who deVons theif energies ana
talents 20 the instruction and literary entertainment OF the
great Fngh.,pcaking race. 1t is especial pleasure
n do so under circumstances which make thS dinner
n the Society Authors peculiarly notaOe To you Id
Signalling end Of the Impotence which mas eN'tc
50 many yc,rs on sides Of the water over the delay
IN eahhiDp proper relations between the copyright laws
OF England and Of the United States 1t Is not
strange that this mpaticnce existed. For, while our
Governments differ FORM the duties rights and privi-
leqes OF the people OF both Nations nearly Identical
with their common language and for the most part COM
mon orcn equally advanced civilization, their as
pation and modes thought they almost one race
In the history OF the world
Under these conditions 10 long seemed to manyaFnong
them myse-amot arbitrary unreasonable to keep in
force rule which denied in each country 20 the
authors Of the other, alone Of all the people
carrying numbeess active professions and trades
present civilization the property rights whch each
accorded to citizens to resident authors In
saying this England well Of the United states
speak view Of the fact that 1t has only Just now BE-
certain that nonresident alien hiend may nave inc
benefit Of the English copyright law. and that the hrSt
Official and conclusive declaration to that effect has been
by American act Between our countries
to far greater degree than between those using dereH
languages. has the question of reciprocal copyright been
practical Consequently opposing interests nave D
more numerous powerful in the nature OF things The
adhesion reached very long by various countries
under the provisions Bee convention was far more
easily attained than the great arrangement just Drought
about between England and the TED States.
Of those who long thought it ought to be made
/ neither author publisher, but as
practising lawyer it has never been olmcuI'
self written argument, at least for
one. irrespective OF question Of the ma
tionaty OF the client What thought Just for myself
could hardly think man of any nation or
any geographical renoteness whose mental labor
derived profit pleasure. Then, too in focing this
followed of almost living author OF high
iepute my country in wishing them, and especially
younger brethren struggling for their proper places
involuntary competition of uncon
pensated foreign authors away the huge obsta-
in the path of literary progress This Is not the
time threshng is only old straw, but
exchange Of fecitatOns the harvest which wo
believe both of countries win share. (CAsers)
It is beside the real question speculate IN what
proportions division may be made. 1t is enough that
you and your American brothers will longer see the
your labor rcapd by others If there IS no other
benefit the pull at large than easier conscience
much will be gained But L heartily believe that this
10 not all that provided TO-. For by these
tempoaneous Of justice authorshe declaration Of
your and the legislation Of mine-there is
not only removed Of international irritation but
new stimulus study and literary given and
viii b. long felt on both sides Of the Atlantic
you win all join hoping for this phase o. our
community of interest and in the anticipation that we Will
renewed assurance OF in other directions
o; that good understanding which important
10 both countries and which especially fitting should
exist between them. (Cheers)
letter from Lord IennysOn was read, in which
he said 4" In the name of the United Kingdom
our society cOngratuateS the United States on
their great act of justice.
Mr. Bryce toasted the American Copyright
League. Brander Matthews responded. Professor
Mimic proposed American Literature, 10 which
Mr.. Warner replied.