Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1860-01-20
Gitp anu Coulrtp NnteIIlaente.
Lecture by 3. y. Mhlpple.

| Tue Lyceum ana Library ASSOCIATION, treatiilS
of moral and physical fearlessness of charac-
ter. Courage, he said is always admired,
though the purposes to which it is put are
sometimes such as intellect disowns and socie-
ty condemns The English character is per-
haps most imbued with that unabashed assur-
ance which enables them to enter confident.
| ly into the gIadiatorial arena of debate and ac-
ton with bulldog courage. Douglas, in our
own country, owes his success more to the
ferceness of his action rather than to the full
ness of his character. Success comes not so
much that we fight, but we must fight with
fists doubled up. There are those who will
consent to be trampled upon, but force cannot
always convince, although it may over
power. Thus judged by a test, there
can be no greater contrast, than be-
tween fear, of superior power, and a
tender reverence. The lecturer then spoke of
the intrepidity which includes physical cour-
age, though not included in it. You will find
universally that intrepid common sense is bet
ter than genius. In this connection Mr.. Whip.
plo alluded to the cool intrepidity of Lord
Clyde, in contrast with the skill of his adver.
sary; Of Luxumburg, who was always greatest
when the peril was most imminent; of MASH
ma, of Marlborough, who never lost battle
and of the indexible Duke of Wellington
Such courage excludes all fear. Soldiers will,
always fight bravest when they know their
courage is directed by such commanders, and
is not ignorantly thrown away. Many inte-
resting incidents of well directed courage and
ability to endure were related of Luxemburg,
of Wellington, of Napoleon, and of our own
Gen. Taylor.
The courage that dares to assume response
bility was the next point of consideration
This includes physical intrepidity, and is &C.
companied by an original and originating
force; its possessor is not like others, appalled,
by fear of consequences. His originality con-
sists in departing from ordinary methods and
depending on an inspiration of his own breast
1t requires but little experience to see how
men dodge responsibility. Enough are ready
to follow if leader be found, but if failure
comes, how quick they are to heap all its
odinm upon him; they are ready to join him
in success, but are the first to howl at his fail
ure. Of the prudent rashness'' exercised by
great men under various circumstances, among
other illustrations was that of the Puritan
leaders who assumed the responsibility of high
treason in inviting the Scottish army to invade
England, and so help to establish liberty. One
of the greatest examples of the achievement
of single reliant will was found in the history
of the consul Nero, in his contest with the ar
mics of Carthage, stalking all with assurance Of
complete ruin in case of failure in any one de-
tail ofhis complicated scheme to break up the
Carthagenan army. Further illustrations of
this self-reliant will were shown in the lives of
Jackson, OF John Adams, and especially in Mi.
rabeau, who in himself individualized the
French revolution against the despotism of
Louis XIV.
Intellectual and moral fearlessness was spo.
ken Of Dr. Kane, refusing to succumb to
the elemental forces let loose upon him, was
an illustrious example. George Washington,
and William of Orange, were among the
noblest illustrations of these qualities of char
acter. The intellectual fearessness of Fred
eric the Great was contrasted with the charac-
ter of Washington, to the the great advantage
of the latter.
The lecturer concluded with appropriate al
luded to the heroism to be found in unrecord-
ed lives all about us, in all stages of life But
there is a general lack of courage, and DULLES
in society are allowed to have too much their
own way, because they are so bold in their as
sertions, We should endeayor TO give express
sion to our words in deeds.
| RELIEF FOR LAwRENCE.-The finance com
mittee, to whom was referred the matter of
raising fund for the relief of the Lawrence
sufferers, have appointed the following gentle
men as relief committee, TO carry into effect
the object of the meeting held on Saturday
last Edwin Bynner Charles A. Wheeler,
Stephen Taft, Z. B. Pratt, j. C. Newton, S.
r. Haywood, and James B. Blake.
This committee will be aided in making col
lections by Messrs. w. G. Maynard, Constant
Shepard, John c. Newton and e. A. Rice
Contributions may be handed to either of
these gentlemen, or to any member of the
committee. 1t will afford great assistance in
this work if the benevolent, who intend to sub.
scribe to this fund, will do so with as little de-
lay as possible. The gentlemen above named
will call upon many of our citizens during the
day.