The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-10-14

Diy now from the unlimited repetition of sucl
contest as that in which he has beeI
Worsted. Such a multiplication of such ,
spectacle is prognosticated as inevitable. II
is assumed that this sort of thing will infuse
iIeSu Vlgor INTO the decrepit "lecture sys.
TEN, by adding to the lyceum the combative
charm OF the cockpit without despoiling il of
,' lts own; and that the provincial lecture course
VIII henceforth combine the intellectual in
tSreSC OF the dlscourses of Socrates under the
pane trees of Athens with the livelier titilla.
Ilons OF the bull-fghts of Madrid.
vi course, we accept Millions pious maxim.
Shat truth is invincible so long as error is left
Iree to combat it. But it does not therefore
follow that we are bound to set ND n contro.
verSial prize ring in every town, where eco.
homlc champions shall be invited TO nominal
eacn other for hire. Are the modern sect of
Perlpatetlo philosophers from whose merce-
nary mouths literary and patriotic platitndee
now drool drearily upon the inhabitants of
our inland towns, at the rate of fifty cents per
auditor, to become Sir Pandaruses of Trov
ana by their sides wear steel? Are lectureTs
~ oe Put upon the footing of prize-ighters
to perambulate in pairs, and set.to oroto.;'
Saily Tor the behoof of bucolic listeners
When two gladiators of the lyceurn cor,o e.
advertising themselves for Joint exbihitior,
what guarantee can their auditors bova tInt
tne hlts and counters may not have boo,1 80
Vlously prepared, and the issue of the com
pat oouuslve? Any antagonist who miobt
oe PiIteu against Mr. Greeley, for instance
M Mmo'iu, vi course, be too strong for him; and
the only way to impart interest 70 u,,oh ialu
struggle, or to get bets on the SAGE of Che
Paiua at any odds, would be to induce the
Uther " man to sell the fight. The susnicion
tnaI an orator was not ridden 70 win r,o,,I5
not only be fatal to his future usefnInosS
but would be highly unfair to his hackers
ana tend to the Generalization of rnraI
audiences. vi rurai
In every point of view, we are panied at the
prospect OF assimilating the rostrum to tbo
ring. Of course exhibitions given confoSsoJi',
ior amusement would ensue, as in the case ~ |
tne cue llteral arena, upon exhibitions perpetrated
oStenslbly for instruction. Who can con
tomplate with equanimity the prosnect of |
Ptacards announcing the farewell beneft1 |
OF Hiram Walbridge, the Vet" oivino |
n0tlce II that the well-known sport. Henr44
", ward ,lS Beecher the ex-champion, Wendell |
1, IInllilps; George Francis Train, the Omaha
Boy and other talent, had kindly volunteered
to assist, and holding out. as an additional
lure, that the entertainment would conclude
with set-to between the beneficiary ond
Frosper M. Wetmore? No lover of his com
Try who reflects upon such possibilities os
these will lend his countenance 70 q nrono
'l9on that opens the way to them.
Deslaes let the tax upon temper be con-
'idered. Our own ethereal mildness has some
lines almost given way under the necessity
d constant kicking, even in print. aoainst
he perversities of H. G. What, then. wonli
De the effect upon mere fallible mortals Of
'ncountering him personally upon platform
ND continuing him, not as through news,
PAPER darkly, but face to face? And if we
consider the condition of the audience Nc we'll
Is OF the orator, how vast an addition To tba
um OF human suffering would ensue, Trntb
s almost Invaluable; but, if she can be
'ttalned IN no other way, is she worth oettino
It such dreadful sacrifice as this?
The crowning horror of the horrid fntura
nus foreshown will be the meeting of men
nd women for mutual conviction or confuta-
Ion. Obviously, the Equal Rights Associa- ,
Ion and Sorosis would ldsnatch at such cbance I
II vlndicating the equality of their sex Z
5reathes there the man with soul so dead :
hat he could survive seeing Dr. Bushnell ,
ustaln the onset of Anna Dickinson? What :
1t us ask, would life be worth if il were y
lade social duty, as in the rural regions il
ould surely be, to listen to such an out
curing of viraginian vituperation as that
ust Heavens How would Lindley Murray
g rent IN twain, and the reason of the audi- .
,rs OF Anna totter on its throne! What snn J.
sense could pierce the war clouds rollino =
own, where Susan B. Anthony and TimotbT .
ltcomb shouted in their sulphurous canopv? .
crlsh the thought! Let the lecturer plod on !,
Is lonely round, nor dare to afflict us doubly. q