New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1852-11-13
Social Reform.


The opening Lecture of the Fourth Course
of the Catholic Institute was delivered Thursday
evening at the stuyvesant Institute by Rev Dr.. CUM
miNGs, upon the subject of Social Reform The hall
was well filed with an audience whose interest
frequently manifested by applause. Upon being intro
duced the lecturer proceeded TO address the assem-
blageas follows;
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN: The mariners who, from
,ome gcodly city, go down to the sea in ships may
serve az an apt emblem of people journey ing in various
nationalities over the of life. There be many
travellers who look back with regetto the fast recodins
shore of home while others anticipate that delight or
freedom, renown gold which awaits them in some
land far away toward the setting sun Thus, some ma
tione seem 10 live only upon the passome only upon
the future The Hebrew Of old thanked the past ony
for it, promises His eye strained TO pierce the
OF morning time, and discern the first twinkiing
OF Jacobs rising star. Europe, rising from her meii-
avail sumber built the Temple OF Wisdom from frag
mentary mass of recollcctions. Night was sought IN
the ancient fields of manuscripts and kings held fest
walls at the discovery of classic painting. Sages wep
for very Joy over Spartan coin, remnant Of an
Athenian statue The tone and spirit Of civilization ia
now in great measure determined by this nation. Tae
people may lit down in the apathy Of unconcern OF the
present and like the Ottoman Empire allow its nation
atty to become stagnant and dead. But then its inau-
ences will be trivial and for evil
Our own country in reference to which especially am
atlhs time to speak in connection with Social Reform
is yet in is vigorous youth and has It's future before H.
But at the same time il has borrowed much from the
pa in It's intercourse with other nations But with all
such influences from abroad and at home, there %
much that needs reform in our social system.
The sunny regions Of South America were settled
long before the Pilgrims stepped upon Plymouth Rock
Councils were held in Mexico and Religions voice was
heard In Peru and Paraguay long before Washington
girded on his sword the struggle OF Revolution be-
gan upon Bunker's Hill But are now using those
very means whereby these older countries have gone
to decay Jealousy and ambition ire man against man
and city against City, and trampe down the laws and
Institutions of our fathers The lower haunts of our
great City tester with intemperance, debauchery AMI
ruff anism. which emulate the degradation Of London
and Paris juvenile dcpraviiy is irghtfuly on the III
crease as exhibited by the Police reports The country
is flooded with ceAseless reports Of dishonesty OF
moneyed men and institutions. Official returns OF asy
uus and hospitals show the ravagcs Of disease oonse
ouent upon crime and de5auchcry Suicides are great
" on the increase
What wonder is IT, then, that the cry should be Re
fomi Refomi" Reform sure enough But from
where is it to comet In our country we have never
had anything but Republic.
We have In all conscience, Liberty enough. In Eu
rope the cry is, Educate Educsre'" Give the pso
pie schools" they say, and they viii live IN sweet
pesee and die in fat plenty" lLaEghierl In TINS
county schools ard schoolrnas;crs abound. One "no
cannot read or write is seldom found and one who
canno, caculate-nevcr lLsughterl In Europe the
next cry is Federation "Tosraton prays the
clergyman federation T. sighs the poor track peaar
You will have observed. ladies and gentlemen Iha'
have eRdeavored by gradual process 70 reach INC
Christian civilizations, and social Improvements Us
practically exhibited by the One known Church- "nN
the sht of revelation shows be an error, the sn'
Of reason can never show TO be true PFo;esiansIn'
rs religion. must become popularized before y can
work a. perfect system When the changngin'erests
ard guides of The multitude turn away from PohieA
scheme once popular, Professionalism TOO mus 'a.H
away from it 20 an opposite direction or mus pesa-
Under James l., 1t must assert the divlne rlsn'
of kings and entire despotism. Under CFom"e.l'
nu.i assert the divine right OF rebellion ana no.of'u'
treason When the pulpits resoGnded Win Te'slAH''
to the Government in the time OF The American Ne''
luton, the people liked the text Praised ne Sc
and caressed the preacher When dnfins 'le 'Ne AM
slavery Excitement, the prlpt rcsounded WIN .laNu
exI.c.sicus ssa,ns. the Government Of the VH1'e'