New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1852-12-07
fIeroisni.
By a. o. wHIPPLE

Mr. T.. q. WHPPLE, OF Boston, delivered che
first Of course Of lectures before the Mechanics 40
Getty in the Lecture room. No Az Broadway last
evening There was large attendance The subject
WINS Heroism on which Mr. Whpple discoursed at
length and In Lis usually able aid lucid style. The
noblest and most exhlaratng objects the human mind
could contemplate were he said, those which exhibited
the mind in an exalted aspect Heroes inspired our
weakness with the energy oftheir strength and taught
us to feel hat we, not they unnatural that ma
ture obstructed in common men, appeared unchecked
in them They were filed with the wine OF life
they were 10 fletchers phrase $50 much OF man
thrust them"-thst they appeared IN colossal pro
portions Heroism genius in action. Mr. Whipple
then spoke in terms of bitter irony Of class OF men
whom no termed the sneak genus, who lived upon
caumniating worth and greatness. Having disposed OF
them he proceeded TO consider and anayze Heroism
itself This principle sparkling epigram OF nc
ton but gradually developed itself in the mind
until it rose 10 action There unity between the
will and the intelligence OF the Hero. He not
perched upon dddy hight OF thought, but stood upon
the table Of human character and action, Opposition
tended but call out the qualities Of his courage, and
urged him on through all impedmens. His eye ever
had the impression Of looking into the distance No
fear Of death disturbed him it was lost in the intensity
of his life The lecturer considered Heroism a. moral
ouslty in four aspects the Hero Soldier aPariot
Reformer and Saint In the Heroism OF the Soldier
glory was the absorbing idea It was thi. which dis
tnguished the from the brute in the bloody field
Glory made the grim battlefield vision OF
youth to the warriors eye. In such men Bayard
this principle Of glory was sublime; in men like Ma
poeon the idea degenerated into thirst after universal
fame In the conduct of Louis Napoleon there no
FL but, ina raacalily
which deserved nothing contempt and il grieved
him 10 think that the Of that could be men
toned in American society save with the scorn ID
tied But 10 return Tor rather aseend from hum 10 hs
subject lie spoke OF the superhunan vaOr shown by
the essian soldier when occasions called IL forth
He seemed all soul His courage seemed TO stimulate
his int igenee Never his sagecity apparent
than in the frenzy Of action Napoleon combined great
shrewdness with extraordinary daring and ofren de-
ceived his enemies by his fearless bearing. The lee
turer next proceeded consider the second class OF
heroism-the Patriot Hero. The Patriot Hero took
place above the soldier. lie self sacrificing ee-
waited and inspired with love Of country tbs, made
death sweet In her service The idea and sentiment Of
country was felt in his heart and dilated his ndiylu
alty 10 the size OF the national individuality. He
regarded every wrong 70 his country as a wrong 10
hlmself Mr. w cited Chatham, Burke and Fox as
types Of the patriot ("sshngton was more than pa
trio showing that patriotism did not consist In
tnued adherence 10 Government, but often was best
shown in opposing Government, when wrong-as In
their opposition 20 the pursued by the English
Government against this country The next class OF
Heroi,n was ReforIners The ReSnner felt the full
force OF the responsibility that rested upon him. when
the seed Of reformation dropped into his heart To
be nurtured in,o action Many were the obstacles
against which he has % contend; and not least the &C
cusarions Of those whom he sacrificing himself 70
beneht Heroism continued the lecturer, was distin
gushed by principle positive Of oye-not OF negative
hate Then might be soldiers patriots and reiormers
Out no. Heroic, except by principle OF love.
was love of his country not hatred OF any other
which made the heroic patriot, nor was IL fear or hat
Of he'll, but love Of God which made the heroic Saint
This latter the highezt degree of heroism but ye
il was kind of heroism not eagerly coveted nor yea
ously approved The patriot Of the Heavenly Kingdor
was the true pilgrim. The STILL deep ecstacy whic
Unparalleled his spirit could but Ill describe Itself
words Its full power could only be seen in the virtue
which il created in the triumphant faith which defe
the pains of the rack and lifted the spirit above u
world He regretted his deficiencies in trying TO pail
the character of Heroism for them. Froma consider
ton Of its records they would rise not as from mem
res Of the past but living forces Of thepresent wht
would graft upon the mind its deathless energies,
Filling the soul with sentiments august
The beautiful tue brave the holy and tho Just.