The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1843-11-01
LECTURE ON POLAN ID /.
BY MAJOR ToCHMAN.

BY MAJOR ToCHMhN'
At the preaent day, when the public mind is
crowded with the illusions of mushroom historians
who write rather for profit than enlightenment, and
who better satisfied with prosperous harvest 10
the pocket, than substantial reputallon the result
of research and philosophical inquiry, and when the
press is emphaticay given to book'maing, regardless
of its material value, most benefit is 10 be acquired
by the community at large in attending public lee
lures subjects of historical, scientific literary or
philosophical character, when the lecturer is estab-
lished to be competent to his task-there is some
thing too in this sort Of social communion and free
intercourse between the audience and the lecturer,
that relieves entirely the tednm of prosy detail, and
intricate Statistics tending TO enlighten all but the
absolute student scholar the prominent points of
the matter in discussion Another advantage pro-
ceeds from the fact that impressions and arguments
thus more easily, and perhaps with equal good,
communicated to the ordinary undertaking OF man.
Ii may be contended that such system is not adapt
ed to prosper the condition Of the public mind mas
much the public judgment is thus to be Influenced
by prejudical statements or parie opinions The
answer is that in energetic and enerprising COM
munity like the Amereap all GDNsses 9arnfbofftance
by dilgent research patient Flooding; and hence,
If 1t can be diverted from other channels calculated
rather to impair than strengthen its faculties, by
adopting any mode of Instruction. the mental and
PHYSICAL man is each benefited and rendered more
efficient in sustaining reforming his own insttu-
tons by important comparison with those of other
nations The time has not yet arrived when our
country is prepared to assume pre-eminent position
among other nations for advancement in the arts
sciences and literature Such work is the growth
al time, to be insured only by gradual and slow
process, notching its progress in centuries as they
roll on. Hence, whatever is acquired by the people
in knowledge or experience, be it by whatever me-
thod is much contributed TO the National charac-
ter of enlightenment which it should be our pride and
ambition TO aspire TO-
These very hasty and imperfect reflections are the
result of Major Tochmans discourse delivered last
evening" at the Apollo Hail. on behalf of his native
land, gallant, but injured and oppressed, Poland
1t has been Our pleasure but seldom to have en-
joyed intellectual and solid repast than that
afforded by the lecturer on the occasion refer 10.
Entering into his subject with all the patriotic euhu-
siasm and zeal which it inspired, he depicted, in
glowing colors the early history Of the Polish people
How, for fourteen centuries, Poland alone among
European nations stood forth the great protector of
liberal, republican and tolerant opinion. How her
statesmen had given enlightened legislation to the
world. How she afforded asylum TO the op.
pressed, whom bigotry intolerance had driven
from their native lands. How her men Of science
had advanced the cause Of humanity by spreading
their abors Of learning and study How she had in
culcated the first lessons Of self-goyernment by an
eleciiue monarchy and, last Of ALL how-by the com
bination Of surrounding Powers, whose policy il was
to crush the germ Of liberty which she had planted
Poland fell. Through all these varied scenes Of
glory, and conquest, and downfall he onchained the
attention Of the audience, gliding along the pages of
her brilliant history with the steps of the profound
scholar, and leading the Imagination captive with
the great events they successfully belel his coun
try The lecture was profound, brilliant, and de-
lightful in every part The sentiments were such as
to awaken sympathy and feeling in every American
heart for a land, which, in our hour Of adyersity
furnished her TO do battle for the cause of liberty
and the rights Of man. The cordial applause spon
taneously rendered by the audience at the close of
the lecture, manifested proper appreciation of the
lecturer and the subject
Major Tochman will lecture on another ini,r,,fips
part Of Polish history ttis cr,ning, when it is to be
hoped he will be received with such evidence Of lin
era counenanco his talents and department merit.
The Washington Globe calls the Nashville Uniop
" Governor Folks press.n The appella IA pe,,h.