Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1853-12-03
LOCAL AFFAIRS.

| LUNnL hFF AIM.
LECTURE AT rHr AruSSsuN ny ruk Rsv. T.v. MooRs
ID. D.-The Rev Mr. Moore delivered the second Of the
season Of Lectures at the Athenum Thursday
night before large and intelligent audience. Tho subec,
was. "ihc Conservative nemeuts of American Civirs
ton" az the merits Of the Lecture will say nothing
for doabt, all who give attention fail
recognise la Il proof oi the powers of the
! eloquent divine by whom Il was delivered.
Mr. Moores address well calculated impart force aud
interest to subject he sys hold or Il Is
marked by dignity and g'ace boliness aud
which certain evidences OF self consciousness of un
falling power in dealing ~hh his subject.
! lie commenced with complimentary alus;on to the
lecture delivered by Nc Baldwin Tuesday night aud
say, that the who would do well his part
in the great work OF life understand somewhat OF
the necessities of his generation As the traveller
know somewhat OF the country he would travel and the
workman OF the material hc would use. hc who would
do the work aud walk the pilgrimage of life Alright must
have accurate conception OF the civil aud social
state ia which his lot Is There il undoubtedly
genuine ssmeness in the manifestation in common
nature in all periods OF its history that makes experience
available and indeed possible, but there specific traits
in each period giving individual character that de-
termine the uses of this treasured experience.
Hence, il We would wisely direct Efforts We must
understand where those efforts needed by understand
'ns AT ucptn constituent ele
mens of that of history in which must miuglc
The current in which the lives of must mince is
one of the most supenjuous that rolled itself under
the Never the dow human history has such
Mississippi torrent poured its mighty tributary into it,
chaunel The progress OF il indeed
At the present rate OF increase within single century
numbers will bs ual to hall the population OF the globe
And when To this numerical strength add the
prise energy and courage oi people, which will make
them well nigh equal to the other hail. that
time but little than that which has elapsed since
Independence declared may WELD the sceptre
of the world There is something fearful well gcsnd
IN such an anticipation this. We seem like voysgers on
some unknown stream, which to he swelling aud
widening it PUSHES madly on its hesjlong cour,e
whittier 1t tends aud what il is bearing u.s. whether
II wider aud deeper channel where nayirs ride
bosom aud cities may mirror themselves il tide
come irghtnl verge, where Iuv"rng for instant ON
the dizzy curve shall plunge into dire ruin
lie only knows who sits upon the circle OF the EARTH aud
who knows the end from the beginning of n Iai He has
created.
A. lar solve this question, it must he by
explaining the component parts OF hi. wondrous ciza
ton aud hu. determining what it, ele
IL it is to this task that invite you that may
be enabled present this jiscussou--tIe Coaser
ruiirc Elements Of our iD'e'iedH Civilization.
That may ascertain these elements let Va look for
moment the characteristics ofthi- wonierous
and determine its nature.
That it is thing of growth ani might the most ANA
ling already know, Lut is the growth heahul aud THE
might enduring All expansion and velocity are not
cessarly safe. stream may widen and quicken in It's
dow only because i swollen BY the expansion and hur-
ei onward by the velocity OF frcshet and il this tear
ul rush continues to increase it will at length burst its
containing banks, and after carrying and ruin
Al. l.. IL
come wide and sgusnt marsh OF masna death Unless
the entertainments risewth the rising and gthen
with the Strengthening current, the very rapjity Of
his increase will be but token of speed vain. We
hen again s the grosih oil h American civilization
healthful aud pIcporonste
Are its tendencies wholly safe and inclusive every
Necessary ends We believe not believe that its ten
iencv j. to overlook Of the essential things in
either national individual lie and that the supply
Of these things elements the Efforts
ery earnest should be directed. To express this fact
single phrase, its tendencies too exclusively
teral aiming much materia end ard governed
much bv material motives and much with
| tersl results.
Ut u"e'Iy imposs'ni for publish full report o
this lecture space being Tni,ed az presen,
will ssoo rom iew leading views,
sng the balance Tor iudTe time, when the pressure on
space illnot be great as presently
The lecturer remarked that 1t difficult how
such tendency could be avoided The task which the
American people summoned, well the great his
toca forces that mingled in it, composition, alike
tend TO ibis result. Their first work material
lie went to show how the Intern Unable forests had
be subdued by the of the hardy pioneer how
gc OF mountains had trayersed by turnpikes and
tunnccd by railways how innumcrablc rivers be
covered with vessels linked together with canals lined
with villages cities farms aai dotted By factories and
workshops. Ia word there opened out to them OF
the magnificent provinces of material that lay on
the round GARTH province which for generations lief
in untaimcd uxuriance and which must be rescued
from this wldncss and subducd the and
comforts OF civilized Ii OF surprise
that people called to such material task should
100 exclusive attention material interests and become
fevered with thirst for mere material welfare Ii
wonderful were it otherwise.
We must here drop oil ofneces,iy aud the 9th
portions oi this eloquent address for a future time.