The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-01-29

d. DEwEY's LEcruRK ON "HUMAN PRooREss
AND RHroRM."-We last Tuesday published brief
abstract of DR.. Dewey's lecture on Human Pro-
eress and Reform" His views are those which
emanate from particular class Of transcendental-
lists in society," literature, and philosophy, and the
gramma tical ex ponent of which he must BIO regard
ed. The lecture must, however, lose any obnox-
ous influence which it might otherwise have, by its
being misunderstood, in consequence Of its down.
night Inconsistency and absolute absurdity. It is
mass Of words, economically arranged, con-
veyipg no fixed ideas, meaning, or iniormation--a
tissue OF claptrap, got up for the purpose Of catch
ing "bubble reputation Of profound learning,
from she semi educated classes Of the community,
and to start novelties and the newest fashions"
in order 10 draw in the old ladies and the young
girls. The fact s, that the lecturer understood
neither him gef nor the doctrines which he preached
{mucb less their efect,) and, therefore, as conse
querce, he left his au Hence in the Same position
A proposition advanced one moment was contra
deted by the advanced tho next, aud the
assumption Of fine piece Of theory
knocked down BY gross practical argument Or
illustration He upheld the powers OF intellect and
O. education; but recommended the wisdom and edu-
cation impaired by incessant dradgery, which, he
commended, were better for tho masses than the
schoolmaster; and yet, among the whole community,
there ought 10 be unity of interests political and
social.
To expose such pslpable absurdities is a waste Of
tine The lecturer had, in fact, so far obfuscated
him self by theories and doctrines which were beyond
his comprehension, that his mind went beyond the
conception Of the RATIONAL and qualified its possessor
for receptacle in luD attic asylum, among the pro-
feesors Of the various theories which are often to be
found there. The class Of nen to which the Doctor
belongs coRceves theories and observes practice;
but such men have no idea Of their connection or
working, and much less of their joint adaptation to
the human race. They talk great deal Of the
value Of experience, but they reject every atom Of
it. They try to take advantage Of the credulity
and ignorance Of their hearers but even in this
We believe them 80 be disappointed, for We cannot
believe they can be SO base as to swallow such an
amount Of hrmbug, administered in a most pal
pahle and clumsy manner.
There can be 10 fear that the visionary doctrines
ofsccialism, or characterization, will gain ground
by the advocacy of such men. Our social and poll.
tical relations are too strong and too combine1 to
De disturbed by such hi,nsy notions, which can
never resolve themselves into effective substance.
So much, forsooth, for The doctrines Of experience
which the lecturer entertains. The audience who
attended the lecture were numerous and respect
able. and We caLnot help expressing regret at the
very unsatisfactory state of mind in which they
Must-one and all-have been left, if they really
listened to and regarded the discourse. Upon the
subject Of slavery (Which had nothing to do with
really grotesque- an anti slavery man in principle,
but preserver Of the Union, and the advocate Of
slavery to that extent; and that after telling ue
that it was all matter Of conscience.