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Magistrate, in, I think, May or June last, to three weeks' imprisonment for putting a man ta irous. The Captain was, however, released by order of the Home Secretary. This C. O. Whitmore case also by creating an unfavourable impression, opens the door for unfounded charges against ships' captains and officers as in the Almatia at Foochow last month. The investigation of the C. O. Whitmore case having been conducted at Hongkong, there is a propriety in the report being accompanied by an expression of Hongkong feeling on the matter. Here is a widespread warmth of sentiment, and the object of this meeting is to concentrate this radiation into a focus, which may burn and brand, following these men with its light, and making every place to which they may escape too hot for them.-(Applause).
A merchant said to me on Thursday last, "Captain Peabody doesn't care for Hongkong or any body in it; he has got plenty of money, and be can go where he likes." My purse tangbt me "Don't cure comes to the gallows." Mr. Chairman, it has been thought that the Turkish Army have been encouraged in their excesses in Balgaria by the presence of the British ironclad fleet in Besica Bay. It would seem that Captain Peabody and his officers have fallen into a similar mistake in attributing to indifference to, or complicity with wrong, the long-considered and deeply debated policy of two great nations, which yet lingers upon the threshold of decided action restrained only by the deep attachment and holy reverence of these two mighty peoples for those very principles of justice and of mercy which tbcae men have ruthlessly trampled under foot. Judgment may linger and Nemesis be lame, but those in this room who have lived longest will put their seal to the assurance "whatsoever a man soweth that shall he also reap."
Some people say that cruel treatment is general upon United States ships, and they question the degree in which the American Consul here represents the feeling of his countrymen, adding a grave doubt whether, even if apprehended in Sun Francisco or New York, these men will receive any punishment. If such is the case, then this meeting is the more necessary. I think, bowever, we may well doubt the accuracy of the statement at the present time. Indeed the extreme promptitude with which the proposal of the Consul that they should surrender themselves was declined by these men seemed to imply a different apprehension on their part. It would have involved their passing through what their solicitor designated an ordeal, one moreover which they appeared to dread. There probably is a somewhat less sensitive feeling upon this matter in the United States than in Britain, which on account of ber seniority and more settled state ought to be in advance of the younger country in many more ways than she is.
And, Mr. Chairman, from whence have we got our sentiments? Why, some of the most touching books which have been written during the last quarter of a century have been by American men and women, from Harriet Beecher Stowe and R. H. Dana downwards. Some here present may yet remember Mr. Dana's visit to Hongkong some 14 years ago, at the house of Mr. Delano, the then head of Russell & Co., now occupied by Mr. Pomeroy. These books have had an influence upon millions, "Uncle Tom's Cabin" will never be out of print any more than "the Pilgrim's Progress;" who does not love the American sailor who has read Two years before the mast?" What intelligent, fae-hearted men are there described, and there you learn how entirely the sailor's happiness or misery is in the captain's hands.
I think no one can have read the evidence given by the C. O. Whitmore crew without entertaining the opinion of the Consul when be says, "In all my experience with seamen, and it has extended throngbaix years, I have never seen a more orderly, well-behaved, and apparently decent lot of men.' "The day after Ellwood was buried the mate Snow asked Rief if he thought Ellwood had any friend on board the ship who would say anything in Hongkong about him?" Whether or not a sailor has friends on board ship, it is well for him to know that every competent, sober, diligent, and well-conducted sailor has friends in Hongkong; here he will find Consuls, Law, and Justice. A Marine Magistrate to befriend him; a chaplain to visit him when sick and to welcome him to Church; a Sailors' Home, a Bailors' Club, a Temperance Hall, whichever be prefers that in Hongkong ladies and gentlemen, accomplished and kind, give up their ersa-inga that he may be cheered and rendered happy.
The captain of a vessel is lord paramount on board, monarch of all he surveys, bis right there Is none to dispute. But if be abuses bis powers, if his ship has been an inquisition, and he chief
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