Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1875-10-27

n the way of solid instruction and dif-
fusion Of intelligence. What galaxy
of splendid names and flames it has
presented in its 10 e lists of lecturers
and speakers! Emerson stands at the
head Of that line; aud, even from his
present retirement, sheds lustre upon
the whole history of the lyoeum in
this country. So great was his fame
as essayist and lecturer, that England
came and borrowed him of us, and took
him adm iringly to her own shores,
through all her large towns and cities
he went up and down, scattering his
pearls Of wisdom. Parker, too, was
another great name among lyceun
lecturers, the light OF whose magni6-
cent learning poured itself out all over
New England, and even over the mid
die and Western States. And, like
him, every other preacher of any con-
siderable reputation the lyceum en-
tlced away from the pulpit, giving him
in its ample halls audiences larger,
and Of keener and more interested
minds, than his own church afforded
him. 1t has gone into the colleges,
the newspaper sauctums, the private
studies of literary aud professional
men, and taken the professor, the ed
tor, the author, the eminent lawyer
and doctor, and sent them all out in
in urn to tell the most and best they
knew to all who would come and hear.
To the popular lecturer and orator, as
well as to the earnest preacher and the
devoted minister, the future historian
of American civilization will accord
great honor and credit for the efficient
/ service they have rendered 10 arousing
enlis htening, and broadening the
minds of our people. Of literature
which is truly profound, catholic, and
permanent, this country as yet can
boast of having but little; but Amer
leans possess keen and wide-awake in
tellects, aud as a rule are remarkably
intelligent and serious-minded For
this they are indebted to their church.
es. their yceums their schools, their
newspapers, and all those public and
popular instrumentalties in the in.
vention aud support of which they ex-
Gel all other peoples, and are the ex.
ample and Indictment of all others.
But another efficient instrumentality
at present less popular but more pro.
found in its character, is coming into
place in this country, which promises
to do an inctlculable work in promot.
ing our highest civilization | refer
to parlor meetings, and private con.
versarlonal clubs or circles.
IN proportion as the life of people
grows vital, earnest, and deep, it grows
from private and interior sources, and
seeks expression in comparatively pri
waite and quiet ways. A shallow
stream is noisy one; but deep cur.
rent flows still and calm. Children
are vnciferous. clamorous, and eccentric
in their demonstration; but as they
grow mature they become sober, cen.
trail, and self poised. just SO is i,
with nation. When it has passed
out Of its period of weakness and de.
| pendence, and become tremendously
conscious of its lusty vigor. it mani
| tests itself in all sorts of adventurous
and spirited ways; and its civilization
is functional and superficial rather than
organic or vital. But as the nation grows
| older and ripper. its civilization strikes
IN as it were; it works more iDteriorly
amongst the members, knitting all the
joints Of the social body together,
coursing in nutritious fluids through
all the arteries of society manifest
| ing itself in certain general cuitus, in
freer aud richer though, in fner and
gentler manner, 10 higher and nobler
lives among the people. Such civil
ization dispenses with war and all its
turbulent concom!tants. 1t cultivates
peace and every peaceful means of pro-
gress. It learns to disbelieye in all
methods that are hasty, forceful, and
| defiant. and comes to adopt those that
are gradual, persuasive, and educating.
1t aspires after ideas. and has faith 10
the winning might of truth. No long
er it makes the continent to tremble
under the tread of an army with ban
ners, nor rends the air with sectarian
cries or party defamation; but it sows
the land with noble thoughts and beau
tiful sentiments, and creates genial
climate with freedom, love and good
| will among men.
The platform is too popular an insti-
tuition with the American people. and
has been too useful to them in the past,
to be readily given up. With the free
| press, it is an institution peculiarly
fitted, under republican or constltu
tional government, for the promotion
of such causes as seek to create pub
lie in its character and all its functions,
and SO liable to be prostituted to the
mere service Of sect and party, and
! y,,o6o III ocnpn of ~,,;cx, IL