Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1864-08-11
From the Atlanta Reveille. 26th nit.
atR DAWSOE,S E.s.ECCEE

A lecture on a subject ike "Nstianal Honor il
not apt to attract the curiosity of the popuace hence
the audience tbat greeted The lecturer at the Abene-
um on last evening, although not very large,
posed OF the more efaed and elegant circles CT Atlanta
society. We will not attempt than a passing
notice of the lecture OF this gentleman which a point
OF merit in classic dction aud elegance be duly p
pecated leeds to be heard The object of these lee.
tures to raise funds Tor the benefit Of the Kentucky
soldiers who although cut of from every home ofdafence
nobly struggling, side by sda with the soldiers of
fortunate States, for the establishment of our lb
erty AID independence These lectures conducted
under the auspices Of aid societies, through whom the
proceeds are transfer ed to tie Kentucky ie Asso-
citation.
The lecturer, Instead of being beneficiary, defrays
his Individual expenses, Though desire to labor
for the common good. Tie motive of his action c2r-
tany deserves all praise and We doubt rot, i will meet
with warm response il every Southern heart. AS
said, 1t is not purpose enter into review of
the lecture. This would be mpos be fn the bet space
and time allotted Suffice it to say th t the lee
tue is eeming with pearls OF knowledge and Tsdom-
glowing with beautiful thoughts and aucies which are
The result of much r,tction deep researcb, and mind
of high intellectual enioTments Like the e1ge that
designs to rest neught beneath the mountain tops,
his genius unto the ethereal heights cf though
nntil its plunge gl0Ws n the sumbeaDs OF heav6n-
Mr.. Dawsos is epl5 vzrsed in the science and theory
Of government. Like philosopher, the past spreads
before him from whose page he de0uces lessons of wis
dom, worthy the consd ration Of ruiz rs and sates
men, ne veil or tne lULQTe Is II unila!eC Win the
light Of the past as experience revals the precept
taught IN tie school of the ages From is source to
It's terminus, he wandeFs along toe to11an OF learning
gathering the pearls of truth cast ashore By The waters
of revolution tidelra KS OF the centuries.
The lecture Of Mr.. Dawson is characterized By gen.
teness aCd courtesy Throughout. His purposes is not
by anathema to still deeper wound the s ced but by
ptrsuaaon to teach each and all alike the duties which
they owe, III this struggle, to couutry aid to God
Whatever evils may exist he does rot believe are to be
eradicaed by vituperaton, but the other hand by
gentle ard loving words. Unlike most Lcurers ard
speaker, be fails to see in the specu'ao that nsata
bic vampire, whose only thirst is The last drop Of his
unfortunate victims blood in them, he behods many
noble exceptions euch as contribute magnanimousy OF
their gain TO the needy end distressed lie trGs tie
possessor OF fortune accumulated before The war, who
still persisently holds on to bis Golfers, far worse
emy to society and the country than 10 him whose pros
pery has bu added TO generous disposition the
OF becoming public b6nefactor. AS orator, Mr..
Dawson has few equals Whilst his style is ornate, he
is orcbe and logical il tie application OF truth to the
just rewards of exhGed patriotism. His gestures give
double force an1 expression to the anguaga Of his
thought. His eIocutio1 the charm Of native grace,
adds the crowning accomplishments of the schooIs-
The cultivated is capiv4Ied by the musical flow o.
his polished sentences and bis VOICE varying in modu
laton with the spirit OF his discourse rises aad tails
like the cadence OF q song.
In The peculiar condition OF The Kentucky soldiers,
Mr. Dawson veWa spectacle of more al grandeur aud
sublime patrotnl-a lover of country unabating In its
zea which s too often, under similar circumstances IS
shaken in aith and weakened ia fidelity Mr. Dawson is
q student and scholar. He has been taught 10 the
school Of thought. HIS theories Of government are
those Of the true philosopher and founded in the eternal
principles of truth. The purpose of Mr Dawson Can
but be highly appreciated wherever he appeals to
generous public The soldiers ~hosa behalf be pleads,
are now scar worn veterans Of the Wal. Shiloh, Don
adson, Baton Rogue, Hurfreesboro', and q hundred
other fields of bloody STRIFE living monuments of
their valor and devotion to for which they have
given ali to the independence Of these Conteder
ate States, AID tie establish Of principle