The Daily empire. (Dayton, Ohio) 1865-1867, 1866-02-09
Tbe lecture Last Evening.

NOJWlJnstanulnH inc very unpltdsdIlL
state of the weather, the lecture of I. o.
Lowe, Esq, at Clegg's Hall, last evening,
was attended by quite a large and very in
telligent audience of ladies and gentlemen.
The theme of the lecture was "The History
and CHARACTERISTICS of intolerance" Tosay
that the subject was treated in a mastery
style-in manner which elected the
closest attention and deepest interest of the
audience-is only to utter the unanimous
sentiment of all who heard 1t. But we can
not be expected to give even an epitome of
the various topics discussed, or the finished
and eloquent manner in which they were
treated, in the brief space of a newspaper
paragraph.
The subject had too wide range for this,
traversing, as it did, the lapse of centuries,
and furnishing illustrations of the baneful
influence of Intolerance among the people
and sects of all nations, from some of the
earlier periods of civilization down to the
present time.
The lecturer started out with the annun-
citation of the truth-a truth verified by all
history-that there has always been dis
position in human nature to punish freedom
of thought and opinion as crime--a dis
position, not only to find fault with the
opinions of others, but TO suppress them.
This position was supported by an array of
facts and arguments, evincing thorough
knowledge of ancient and modern history,
deep thought and study in regard to the
past, and a vivid perception of the import
ant and significant events which are now
transpiring in our own and other countries.
Religious intolerance in its baneful ten
denotes and cOnsequences-was portrayed
with n master hand, and shown to be the
most whitening and blighting curse that
had ever afflicted civilized humanity. In
his scathing criticisms upon this branch of
his subject, the lecturer was entirely can
did and impartial. Catholics and Protes-
tants, Christians and Pagans, came in for a
full share of the odum and disgrace which
attached to their bigotry and intolerance.
We thought, however, that he dealt rather
gently with the much be-praised "Puritans,'
who, in our Judgment were the most big
oted and mtolerent sect of so-callcd rclig-
ionists that ever disgraccd the world. We
have had numerous significant Illustrations
of the principles they inculcated and en-
forced, during the last three or four years.
We feel authorized to say this much from
the fact that as we have been eredibly in
formed some of our ancestry were among
the Plymouth Rock pilgrims. We fully
concur in the opinion of a distinguished
political orator, who made a speech in Day
ton in 1864, that the two greatest calamities
that ever befel the human race, were the
fall of Adam and the safe arrival of the
May Flower at Plymouth Rock.
In regard to the intolerance Of Protest.
ants toward Catholics, at the present day
the lecturer cited the position taken by DIR.
Berg, in series of articles in the New
York Observer in which the indiscriminate
prescription of Catholics and the Catholic
Church is openly advocated. He might,
4 with justice, have alluded to the action of
the General Assembly of the Presbyterian
Church 20. 81 held mt PittSburg only Il few
months ago, in which resolutions were
passed recommending the formation OF
4 Protestant Leagues to check the progress
and perniciOus tendencies of the Catholic
} Church in the United States"
u Political intolerance was discussed ably
and at considerable length--its history and
| OuI wv II anu
tries We have had ample Illustrations OF
this sort of intolerance in the United States
during the last four or five years, and ALI
the name of a republican government. This
spirit of intolerance is still abroad, and as
men are prone TO err, all should be ON theiT
| GUARD against it. But it is not necessary to
enlarge upon the lecturers views on this
branch of his subject. The facts in the case
! so far as this country is concerned, are pat
ent to every body.
The speaker appealed to all, to observe
' as the best safeguard against the evils OF
INTERCHANGEABLE sublime maxim of divine
origin; "As ye would that others should dc
unto you, do ye even so unto them"
The lecture, az literary performance
|, was of the highest merit and excellence
, and stamps its author as student ant
scholar of the most refined mental culture
| 1t is seldom the privilege of our people Il
I, enjoy so rare an intellectual repast
, ACCIDENT YEsTERDAY.-Mr. Warrer
D..sl. 4. l.; Al