Fayette County herald. [volume] (Washington [Washington Court House], Fayette County, O. [Ohio]) 1860-1???, 1867-05-09
THE SITUATION,
Lecture by Wendell Phillips at the
Brooklyn Academy of Music.

Brooklyn Academy of Music.
The last of the ''Fraternity" course
of lectures in Brooklyn was deliver
ed at the Academy of Music in that
city on Tuesday evening by Wen
dell Phillips. The Academy was
about half full. Mr.. Phillips com
menced his speech, which occupied
nearly two hours, by a eulogy upon
the system of public lectures that
had come into vogue in the North
ern States during the past few years
as a means of educating the public
mind. At first they were regarded
as a mere literary entertainment;
but during the last ten years the
Lyceum had vindicated its claim to
deal with the sreat problems of po-
litical life, and had done more than
aught else to prepare the North for
the great struggle it had just passed
through. In this country thought
was greater than law; statistics
were nothing when not supported
by public opinion. Who should di-
rect this public opinion which rules
and is to rule this country? There
were only four sources Of national
education-the press, the pulpit,
politics, and agitation, Editors
could not afford to offend their pat
rons; politicians could not afford
to imperil parties; the pulpit dared
not enter a crusade against popu-
lar sin or iniquity-there was always
a tacit partnership between pews and
pulpit. 1t was only the Lyceum
that could afford to be independent,
and express its honest views. Here
was taught the courage that dared
to listen to an opponent If we, as
a nation, were to be what we pre-
terded to be-if republicanism were
no sham-it was indispensable that
there should be a platform where
thought could represented untram-
meled. Such a platform was the
Lyceum. 1t was a sufficient COM
pliment to the Lyceum that it had
educated the public mind up to a
point where it could go through the
great national struggle of the last
five years. Less than eight years
ago John Browns blood was shed
in the cause Of freedom in Old Vir-
ginia. Since that time the soil of
Virginia has been trodden out in
blood to the music Of that old mans
name Applause. Standing un-
der the inspiration of such a plat
form he felt it his duty to press up
on his audience vigilance, patience,
and self-devotion in
meeting the duty of tho, hour God
summons us to prove the reality of
institutions. Europe is
looking toward us, confidently be-
lieving that our masses will be like
hers, that, what she believes to lie
the gentry Of the South will yet
baulk the North out Of its purpose,
and it is our duty to see that what |
20,000,000 of loyal freemen have
determined on shall be done despite
all chicanery and trick. 1t is our
dutylto plant the seeds of ciYiliza-
ton in ten States-to plant a gov
not to build One-and to
wait for the growth. Our difficulty
has been that we had two contra
ideas in one Government.
Seward told us what the difficulty
was in 1858, before he lost his
brains. Laughter and applause.
It was hoped that we could sur
mount this difficulty without a war
out we could not, and war came.
rhe cannon burst, and now men
ike your eloquent pastor of Ply 4
mouth Church ask us to load up the
run with the same powder, put the
jame plug in, and hope thatit won't t
,urst again. | Laughter. The South '
the war to carry out its {
dea. We fought to maintain ours.
The two ideas met in conflict to de- '
ermine which should control the (
Government. 1t was like two men |
lrin rincr q suit for q house. TO de. | {