New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1851-07-01


every nation. the powers OF the Orator have beea
conspicuous. Anupa.er deemed the sublugaton 90
Athens not complete until she had delivered up 10
him her orators. Eloquence and d,slectics were
ancenily deemed essential 10 finished education.
No branch Of Education. in he opinion OF tae
speaker, had been 50 neglected ia this country As
Oratory Rarely named even a. par, OF an Acs-
demc course /; HIS been fastened. few cases. to
another Professorshp or has been degraded 10 an
unmeaning mechanical task. II more resembles
the dry, hard skeleton from an anatomical cah-
net than a proud. ardent. star-browed genius
From the pulpit slone-which the Orator was
NAMED 10 saw presented many wretchej speci-
mems of ora;ory-is there any general public speak
ING. This was greatly TO be deplored. OF all the
means OF education the speaker considered none
well calculated 20 Il, the student, for public duty
the exercises OF Literary Societies, such rs he hal
the honor OF addressing.
DR. Bethune here announced his theme. VI " The
Orator OF the Present Time the Secret OF ms row
or. and the Motives to It's exercise" We may easily
understand the effects produced by rhetoncss eo-
cuence in period when there were fe" books anu
those produced only by the pen when with lew eN-
ceptions the voice was the sole channel of commun-
cation between mind and mind. The Orator 'neh
enjoyed almost monopoly OF public influence.
We live and act IN circumstances widely different
The steam prlntlng-press, Ike an meAhaus''oS
volcano. yearly pours forth la'a-hke efuP''o"
of books upon every imaginable theme "ni'e
pamphlets fly around us thick as the h'Aes
of ashes which overwhelmed Pompeli ana news
papers are as essential a. the morning ana
evening loaf daughter and applause 1t is well
tina, we have the privilege OF reading what we choose,
for If We were compelled 70 read the works of writ
,o kark holy Af kS.l-
lers' shops, II would be as great nuisance as the
grinding organs along streets II Solomon sighed
at the multitude OF books IN his day. and declared
that much study was WEAKNESS OF the FISH" how
very tired he would be, had he hyed I'LL now
So rapid are our means OF multiplying and duius-
ing thought that mems minds are stirred by the
events of the times almost before they have trans
pred The Press is the grand instrument OF The
worlds elevation Yet. like every other blessing IN
trusted to human hands. It may be abused Tor mis-
chef But be II remembered that II II DC potent iot
evil II IS much more potent for good as truth Is
more potent than Error.
Yet the power OF the Press great rs II IS IL IN
ferior to that Of the Orator. The speaker "oud
boldly assume that the power of the ofa'or mas NOT
diminished since ancient times. We regret that
snace fails us to follow ont his arguments IN behalf
of,he cultivation of Oratory. The orator should be
familiar with the secret springs that mold human
actions he must Will his auditors and learn 20 guide
them while they remain unconscious OF the speh
thrown around them
The Grafton closed with few earnest woruso
counsel 10 young men. 1t was an able producuoh'
and the speaker frequently interrupted by ihe
applause of his audience He was heard with marked
attention.
The Poet of the evening" Mr.. JoHS G.. SAKE, was
no in
the general expectation, from the known ability of
the author for harmonious verse and humorous de-
hneation-was filled with choice bits OF humor and
produced great effect.
II treated of the Poets escape from
1.-THE stern barrier of an ofice-docr.
whence the poet proceeds to
..sing New Engl aud land of hill and dale.
OF lofty mountains and OF sturdy men--'
Where human work enlarges human WORTH
variety of historical "reminiscences follow
their course, and the poet speaks feelIngy of "he
proud mausoleum"
Where Freedom rose and Warren fell -
The scene changes
"'Tis early Summer"
The great men of the nation are adyerted to among
them Franklin
"Aman of genus, ruled by common sense"
Yankee of the genuine stamp Is introduced
The poet owns 'he likes the composite man, Beu-
uine Yankee"-who
l. fond Of ciphering but when his logc's DONE
His magic number still is Number One T"
He guesses better than Dephic Seer
He sees squelucts in bubbling springs
Buildings stones, and cash IA everything
But,
~ view HIM nearer, ~ his hearth you ind
All that il noble n ms mind"
"- reyeres tho good
But worshps only Cod
The Poem happy effort, and was greatly APP
plauded
At 10 O'Clock the ceremonies concluded, and the
audience dispersed
This evening the Alumni of the University will
celebrate their Anniversary at the chapel OF the Un
yersity buildings, when the Annual Grafton Will be
delivered by HOWARD CROSBY, Esq.