Charles PriceAmbassador, My Lord Mayor, Dr. Stellar, My Lords, Ladies and Gentlemen. I am very grateful indeed for this scroll, for the citation which accompanies it, and for your kind words, Dr. Stellar.
Here in this small house we are surrounded by history. In this very room Benjamin Franklin sat and talked with the two Pitts, with Dr. Johnson, with Boswell, with Hume. Just through that doorway is the room where he invented bifocals, drew the first map of the Gulfstream and carried out his work on electricity. We have every reason to feel a sense of humility in the presence of such greatness.
I am also particularly moved because this is the same parlour where the American Philosophical Society awarded the Franklin Medal to Winston Churchill.
He led the British people with tireless energy through what he described as “not the dark days but the great days, the greatest days our country has ever lived” . Days when dictators divided Europe in a vain attempt to snuff out our freedom.
We triumphed over them. But we could not have done it alone. We all needed the help and strength of the United States, and they gave it. During the war and after. This year we have already celebrated here in London the 40th Anniversary of the visionary Marshall Plan.
Sir Winston Churchill and President Roosevelt acted with staunchness and determination. The legacy of their combined strength then is our political freedom today.
Political freedom in its widest sense: freedom to choose: freedom to use one's own initiative: respect for the dignity of man and willingness to assume the obligations that freedom requires. If this government has helped expand these freedoms in Britain it is because the British people have put their faith in us—and restored their faith in themselves. [end p1]
But the price of freedom is eternal vigilance. And we in Western Europe rightly continue to join with our American friends to defend this freedom together.
There could scarcely be a greater honour than to follow in Sir Winston Churchill 's footsteps. I feel privileged to enjoy it.
Another reason why this is such a special day is the anniversary it celebrates: the Bicentennial of the United States Constitution. One of the greatest documents ever written.
We in Britain have no written constitution. Instead we have built up over centuries a body of traditions which guides us. But we share the same concerns for justice, for the democratic rights of every individual, freedom to speak, to think, to act as one wishes within the limits of that life together in society must impose.
We are proud to have helped evolve the principles which the American Constitution has sustained and carried forward for two hundred years.
Finally this scroll is a special honour to me because it comes from one of the world's greatest learned Societies.
The procession of eminent men and women who have been members of the philosophical Society speaks for itself. Right from the start the Society has set the highest standards in extending human knowledge. It has emphasised the practical application of scientific discovery so that we may increase prosperity, enlarge our ideas and improve our lives.
This link between science, philosophy and everyday life was recognised by the Founding Fathers of the American Constitution. The Philosophical Hall and Independence Hall in Philadelphia are only step or two apart. [end p2]
The Society carries on a great tradition. And I would like to express the gratitude of us all for that very generous gesture in donating $15,000 to the Benjamin Franklin House to restore this House of history.
Benjamin Franklin himself left us plenty of worldly wisdom and sound advice. He wrote: “in this world nothing is certain but death and taxes. “ Well, I have at least been doing my best to prove him wrong on the second of these.
But he also said “a word to the wise is enough, and many words won't fill a bushel” .
Those assembled here can all certainly be counted as wise, so few more words from me are needed.
Thank you very much for allowing me to do honour to Benjamin Franklin, philosopher, scientist, diplomat, statesman, and to the great United States which he helped to found.