Page 21 - Hampdens Monument Unveiled

(cheers). And by his blood, and that of others who at that time
took up arms, the liberty of the constitution is fixed. But
still there are other contests to be engaged in (cheers);
liberty has not only been fought for and won, but must be
watched and protected (cheers). Under our gracious Queen danger
to public liberty is not to be apprehended from the Crown; but
there is danger from another vast power, one which not only
overshadows the Crown itself, but threatens to destroy the
liberties of the people. It has been said that, happily, we are
not in these days called upon to imitate Hampden in his
military career, but to my mind a crises is at hand, and we
know not how near the day, in which we may be called upon to
imitate his zeal and patriotic love for his country, and like
him to take arms,-perhaps to fall in defence and support of a
free monarchy and our undoubted rights (cheers), and with this
feeling I have come here this day. I believe there is a good
body of men who in parliament are ready and able to defend the
public rights; and I shall retire from this place more
emboldened and animated to support, under every new phase, and
under every possible variety of phase, the public liberty -the
best interests of my country (great cheering.

Speech by Mr. Lowndes-Stone

..Lord Nugent then said,-Gentlemen -Meeting here rejoicing as
we do in the belief that these principles we avow are
constitutional and safe; and that those are not only embraced
and avowed by those whose lives being devoted to reading and
reflection have adopted them in the abstract, but that they are
also practically exemplified by those who stand well with their
country-I say we are glad to hail the presence of country
gentlemen, squires, and all others whose interests are
identified with this land of England in distinction from the
abstract principles of English liberty alone (cheers). I beg to
propose the health of a gentleman who has spent a long and
useful life among you, and who has supported those principles
of public freedom which we love in every action of his long
life -Mr Lowndes Stone.
. Mr. Lowndes Stone returned thanks, declaring his unflinching
adherence to the great cause of civil and religious liberty
(cheers). Here a man in the company proposed to give a song,
which the noble chairman permitted, observing that "one
volunteer is better than twenty pressed men." The gentleman
then proceeded to sing "To the wars," &c. The next toast was,
as Lord Nugent said, that of a gentleman, a friend of his, a
staunch friend of liberty, and through whose veins circulates
Hampden blood, ''Dr. Lee." Drank three times three, and one
more.

Reply to Lowndes-Stone by Dr. Lee

..Dr. Lee, in returning thanks, said it was highly gratifying
to him that his name should be mentioned in a meeting like the