Evening journal., 1907-10-28

PENN'SLANDING
AT NEW CASTLE
CONTINUED from First Pase,)

in part
Permit me to express to the Della |
ware Society OF Colonial Danes OF |
America, my appreciation of their kind /
invitation to participate in these ex-
ercises today. To meet at this time
on this historic spot to mark by a beau
ltiful and fitting tablet the first landing
I'm the new world of William Penn, the |
great proprietor, is at once honorable !
alike to the patriotism and intelligence
/ of this society. 1t will be my part TO
speak briefly on Penns character and
ideals
william Penn was born October IA, |
1914 when England was trying to re-
lease herself from the tyrannylof her
king. In 1649 Charles paid the penalty
OF his misrule. The commonwealth was
established through the leadership OF
lOliver Cromwell. In Europe there were
wars which had ben raging for many
years.
Influenced by Fox.
I'm the month In which William
Penn was born, George Fox was just
beginning his work in Midland County,
England. A youth of twenty. a strange,
impassioned preacher. who threw him
lself across the path OF the world and
pied with it to turn from war to peace
from destruction TO redemption; from
deeds of cruelty to works OF benehcence.
Penn first heard the doctrine Of
Quakerism when he was a student in
oxford, from the lips OF Thomas Loe.
When Penn was twenty three years old
he again heard Loe at Cork, Ireland.
It is said that II was at this time when
Penn left the period of his youth be-
hind him and became a man OF set
and determined purposes. The doctrines
of George Fox made a definite and pre-
else change in him.
while Admiral Penn was OF fight
Ing stock, 1t must be remembered that
he was a man OF character. He thought
1t his duty to do everything possible
to prevent his son from remaining a
Quaker. He naturally wanted him 10
be his successor as a man Of prOmi-
nence and a power in England. Great
wealth. great social distinction, and
probably a peerage, were open to the
young man. The father temporarily
ldisowned his son. He sent him to Paris
where he mingled in gay society. He
ibid many things to try to make the
lyoung man a man of force; a man
lamong men, but the sterling qualities
of the old admiral showed themselves
when he became convinced that his son
was doing what he believed to be right
Frequently Imprisoned.
Penn gave up all personal opportun-
lity for political preferment that he
might help humanity. He was fire.
lquently imprisoned for conscience sake.
He visited the Friends in Ireland.
England, and on the continent When
he was unable to preach on account OF
imprisonment, he wrote No Cross no
Crown which has been recognized by
competent critics as a book Of great
intellectual and religious insight.
Among the principles for which
J Penn stood l would name first his prin-
ciple Of religious liberty. In this he
was far in advance of his times. His
ideals were the direct outgrowth of the
doctrines OF the Inner Light Of the
Friends. The voice of God speaking to
each individual soul was the last court
lof appeal Hence every person must
have the right 70 Interpret what was
the law of God for him Penn had suf-
fered with other Friends in England
for this principle. He was determined
to found a Christian State where
Friends and others should have relig-
lious freedom. He announced in 1870
THAT he was "a friend Of universal toll
lerance in faith and worship and wrote
The Great Case of Liberty of Con-
lscience Briefly Debated and Defended
Penn believed in more than tolerance.
1t was religious freedom which he
WANTED without state interference.
There was one limitation which was
lprobably due to conditions In England.
His new state was a Christian State
land nom Christians were not permit
ted TO hold Office. But even so, Penn
was far in advance Of his time.
"As a second principle I would men
tion democracy and civil liberty Dem
ocracy, the equal right to all; the ele-
} lvation Of none at the expense of others;
the depression Of none for the advance
ment Of others. These were principles
in government which flowed as natu-
rally from the teachings Of George Fox
! las the commoner precepts to pay honest
debts, live soberly and to be plain of
+ lspeech, behavior, and apparel.
Rights of Indians.
"As a third principle I would mem
tion his recognition of the rights Of the
Indians. He treated them as his broth
ers. Though he had bought the terri
tory from the Crown he repurchased
it from the Indians. Justice and fair
e ness with the red man was as much
the policy Of Penn as it was with his
8 more fortunate white fellow citizens
y There was peace with the Indians for
e lseventy years in PENIS colony. All
IS the other settlements had war
" "Penn's policy with the Indians sug-
d lgests a fourth principle. He provided
4 for no military nor naval power. They
would never need any force for attack
- because they would never be the ag-
= lgressors and in a matter of defence
/, there were differences Of opinion.
a IN these days when arbitration, as
shown by the second Hague Conference
and other distinguished bodies, is maxi
ing such substantial progress, it is in
teresting to note that one Of the great
laws of PENIS Colony was to the ef-
feet that arbitration ought to settle all
disputes even among nations. An emil
nent jurist has declared that the plan
= of Penn for international arbitration
was one OF the best that has ever been
proposed When we remember the
conditions of the latter half of the
seventeenth century this is high praise.
Among the other modern notions
I that were embodied in PENIS State was
one that prisons should be for the re-
b formation of the inmates and not for
\ the punishment of crime Penn was
e opposed to oaths. He said that per-
son who would lie would not be truth
= iful by taking the oath
e MY time will not permit me to dis
T cuss other principles and ideals OF VIII
, liam Penn, but as the climax of his
lf5,aIc lof mo ouofo This nara era nh.