William Booth Receives The Freedom Of The City Of London back to 'William Booth'
On 26 October, when, in his seventy-seventh year, bareheaded and accompanied by his son Bramwell and 1,000 of his officers, William Booth marched through the crowded streets from International Headquarters to the Guildhall to receive the Freedom of the City of London from the hands of the City Chamberlain, Sir Joseph Dimsdale, Bart., in the presence of the Lord Mayor, Sir John Pound, the Corporation, and a very distinguished representation of national life.
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The illuminated parchment was enclosed in an oaken casket, the wood of which had been taken from the roof of the old Guildhall, which had been constructed under the supervision of Sir Christopher Wren after the Great Fire. The Corporation had suggested a golden casket valued at 100 guineas, but William Booth considered this a waste. But the 100 guineas were found to be in the wooden casket ! It was a personal gift to the General, but he immediately handed the money to the Social Fund.
In the course of a speech of singular eloquence the City Chamberlain spoke of the "imperishable monuments" that the General had erected. These, he said: Speak a divine ambition and a zeal - The boldest patriot might be proud to feel,
and continued:
We are glad to pay the highest tribute which can be rendered by us and accepted by him, namely the regard of the City of London, and through the City our country, expressed in our offer of the Freedom of "no mean city" ; a city which has ever striven for religious liberty; and a city which has benefited incalculably by General Booth's exertions.
To the City Chamberlain's striking oration the General made a memorable reply. Prior to the ceremony the International Staff Band played in the gallery between the images of the mythical Gog and Magog.
The city of his birth, not to be outdone by London, also honoured her most famous son - " the greatest man that Nottingham has ever bred or seen " ; - with the Freedom of the City on 6 November, the Mayor, Alderman Joseph Bright, presenting the casket and the emblazoned roll in the Council Chamber at the Exchange Hall. The casket had been made from oak taken from one of the last piles of the old Trent Bridge, dating back to the eleventh century.
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