The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-01-03
Session MUTUAL ADMIRATION.
The usage Of Concora' Received and
Compltmented BY tho Intellectual
Aristeeracy OF "tho Hub"

CemPlimented by the Intellectual
Aristeeracy OF "thc Hub"
BOSTON, Jan. T. 1874
An extremely interesting reunion occurred on
Wednesday afternoon in the parlors Of Mr.. and
Mrs. Sargent Of Beacon Hill, Boston, which viii
long be remembered by It's distinguished partci-
pants.
The "Sage OF Concord,n Ralph Waldo Emerson,
was the object OF especial attention, while others
equally famous exchanged their brightest thoughts
before highly appreciatve circle OF the best in
tellect and culture OF the Bay State.
Mr.. Emerson read with excellent effect his
manuscript poem on the old Boston tea party, in
which he manifested q genius for poetry OF
realistic kind more attractive to the masses than
his usual transcendentai speculations
Mr.. Charles Bradaugh, the English radical
agitator, IN a strong but quiet way and with deep
feeling responded to reference to ''the patriot
ism OF former and Of modern times" and the even
ing was chiefly devoted by the other speakers TO
that theme. Incidentally he paid warm tribute
to Mr.. Emerson, whose teachings in reference to
selEreHance had been inspiring to him.
Mr.. Wendell Phillips and Vice President Wilson,
who folio we'd Mr.. Bradlaugh, discussed at some
length the merits OF the Bostonians OF Revolution
airy days IN comparison with those Of modern
times and of the anti-slavery era. The late war
Mr.. Philips regarded as the towering and con-
summation of the movement which began with
the Boston tea parry-a movement OF the common
people, the arist0cracy OF those days being generally
on the side Of the Crown. The strong men OF
to-day, ne thought, were not in Congress or gov
eminent, but in good financial and railway enter
prises and in the sphere of profound thought. He
alluded to q coming war IS years hence between
the people or their champions, and the formidable
monopoly powers now building up. He compli-
mented the intellect OF General Butler, and the high
StafeSmaDShiD OF Charles sumner: but SAID that
when the latter returned to Boston, after the as
sault OF the South Carolina Congressman BROOKS
Only two men whom he named) received Mr..
Sumner then. MIR. Phillips thought that resistance
against an organized government was the highest
point of roism and therefore preferred the hero
ism OF the party to that OF the Boston men who
allowed Anthony Burns to be re turned to slavery.
Mr.. Wilson finely INDICATED the honor OF Massa.
chusetts and spoke OF his list OF 20 men OF Massa.
chusetts including her politicians. who were not
to be matched In all the rest OF our country. He
thought the railway king Tom Scott, very COM
monpace man. He dwelt upon the power OF q few
earnest men to carry any movement, and said that
our Revolution was made by q minority, and it
was doubtful II at any time 1t had real majority
Rev ss Dr. sstto u followed with an eectionate
tribute to Mr.. Emerson, whose voice was the same
to-day as 80 years ago, and who had enjoyed dill
ferent reception from ths-a quiet reception in
the hearts OF many thinkers besides those present
during quarter Of a century.
Professor J. Il. Buchanan, OF the Boston Uni
versity, was then called out and remarked that he
supposed he was called because 1t was known that
Tor over q third or q century ne nad been Gaining
dependent thinkers to higher sphere OF science
than the physical-nOt 80 high as to be discOn-
nected from physical science, but so high as to
reach the upper world OF thought while standing
firmly on the basis OF physical science-an upper
region of pure philosophy and OF infinite interest.
The efforts Of restless and aspiring speculation. in
the name of philosophy, TO comprehend the divine
and its relations to the cosmos had ever failed as
they must, because the subject was beyond the
grasp OF human thought; but the analogous reia-
ton or influx between the soul and body was per-
fectly cOmprehe nsiDe, and in this correlation or
connection OF the material and spiritual worlds
the triune interaction OF soul. brain and body, and
their cosmic relations were the grandest region OF
philosophy accessible to man, and not at all more
been mastered. This higher region was easily
reached by the solid road OF anatomy and physl-
Ology, and eminent BostOnians OF thirty years ago
had been deeply interested in the subject, as
others are to-day.
Mrs Julia Ward Howe continued the discussion
Of the questions on the carpet with her usual apti
tude and cIearness of thought MI. Phillips spoke
again in vindicatlon OF his views. Rev. Mr.. Alger
joined In the discussion with his accustomed
felicity, defending the herOism OF the present gen.
Grafton and referring to the efforts OF Colonel Aig-
ginson in the cause OF freedom At the time Of the
Burns surrender. MI. Alcott gave more interest
ing personal "reminiscences OF his connection with
become a martyr to his principles when the pistols
OF the guard were pointed at him from the Court
House steps,
The monotonous yet very interesting, unity OF
the occasion, which had only been slightly ruffed
by Professor Buchanan's remarks, was finally
whose sprghtly and impassioned recitation OF
poem on the courtship OF Anne Hathaway and
Shakespeare concluded most pleasantly the snow
OF soul" on this genial occasion.