Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-07-12
Mr.. ,I,teh.ll.s Ad5re,s.

Nr. Miteheli's Address. e
The distinguished Irish patriot, John Mitchell,
delivered before the Literary Societies Of the U
University on the 2Sth June. an address which has
been published by request The address is In
many respects remarkable production. 1t has
evidently been prepared with great care; is or
nate and highly finished, Astounding in classical
illusions and quotations, and rejoicing in highly
figurative style But we do not design crti-
cism upon its literary merits, acknowledging our
selves incompetent to the task.
The chief aim and object Of the address, as lar
as we have been able TO ascertain 1t amid the
profession of rhetorical figures, classical illusions
aad high sounding phrases, seems to be to decry
and dePreciate the present century, as compared
with the past ages of the world--ages, which Mr.
NJ. says. we have 'impudently called dark"
The most striking characteristic of Mr.. MS
address is the cayiling and iaultfnding spirit that
pervades the entire production. He sees nothing
in the present condition of the world to commend
neither in lis moral nor physical aspect is there
any feature that pleases his taste or merits the
approval of his judgment. Now there is no more
easy task than TO fnd fault and point out defects.
Il requires no great astronomical skill to detect
spots on the sun. Neither does it require avery
acute intellect, deep research, profound thought,
to discern thai the world is not perfect; that hide
ous crimes are perpetrated in the most enlightened
communities and that the benevolent sometimes
bestow their charity upon distant and andeserving
objects, whilst those nearer home, and more meri-
torious, are overlooked. That London belle
should work waistcoats for African Picaninnies on
the banks Of the Jobela. whilst straighter haired
and fairer skinned urchins on the banks of the
Thames are unclsd, is surely no good and sulii-
cent reason for denouncing allfthe charitable and
benevolent institutions of the age
After finding great fault with the word itself
as barbsrous in form and savage in meaning. Mr.
NJ proceeds 10 denounce the Civilization" of the
present century as characterized BY puny and
sckly sentimentality. With all due Difference to
Mr.. Ms more extensive observation, we must be
allowed to dissent entirely from this sentiment
We think the civilization of the 9th century in
an eminent degree practical. and that more talent.
and skill, and ingenuity are now employed in per
fecng those arts and sciences which increase the
comforts and add TO the wealth of the people,
than at any other period Of the worlds history -
In proof of this we need only point to the endless
lines of Railroad, the thousands of miles of Tele-
graph wires, the wonderful application of steam
TO the performance of all kinds of labor, &c. &c.
There is one other sentiment of this address
from which we must dissent. 1t is this: mot
| peace but war has called forth the grandest
finest, tenderest, most generous qualities of man.
hood and womanhood" We think the tendency
of war is to harden, bru,alize and demoralize man
that its effect instead of encouraging and cher
fishing the noble and generous qualities Of our ma
,ure is to eradicate and destroy them. There is
nothing in war that is elevating, refining and pu
rifying, and that this is the general sentiment OF
the world is proved by the fact that the ''horrors
of war" have become proyerbial.
But we have not time to pursue this subject
w u CAlFdCt HUH lU6 LUUUOH COT-
respondent of the National Intelligeucer, taken
from letter describing the re,opening of the
Crystal Palace, at which Mr., NJ. levelled lis
keenest wit and most caustic satre-
| In former days the people were graciously per-
mitted to witness the ceremonies attending the
! Inauguration Of royal palaces. The commence
ment of new era will be dated from this naugu-
of loco bt,ilt E,ro ,d h,, ho f.,
former days the monopoly of taste, learning. ill
| telloct, riches, and power being in the hands OF
the few, palaces and collections of art were only
needed and appreciated by those few. In the pre-
sent day the minds of many are developed and
cultivated, and, what is very important, their
poSsessors have the material means of admin
js,ering 10 their intellectual wants. There is,
| therefore. a vast demand for qualifications of a
kind which were formerly within tho reach Of
! only the noble and the very rich. Architecture,
and music, and statuary, and painting, and beau
ty in all It's shapes, which formerly awoke chords
Of sympathy in the hearts of kings and mobiles only
are found to possess in these days just the same
power in the breasts Of the masses Whatever
may be the short cnmings Of education, there can
be no doubt that in England the national mind is
growing that large streams of feeling, tasto, and
thought are perneating through regions of society
which until now they never reached. The an
nually increasing number ofoperatives and work
people who visit the British Museum. the Ma
tional Gallery, and other repositories Of art and
science show an increase oftastc, refinement, and
knowledge. and now the opening Of the penple's
palace at Sydenham will complete tho good work.
Upwards Of thirty thousand season tickets have
already been sold the attendance has been quite
as good rs could reasonably be eypected the price
Of admission being yet S. When the price is re-
duced to Is. the measure Of Ito success of the
undertaking may 90 estimated.