National Republican., 1876-02-07
TIE PHILOSOPHICAL CLUB.
The Dangers Which Besat the Rspub


Notwithstanding the IDclemency Of the weather
yesterday at the hour named for the meeting Of
the Philosophical Club a. Lyceum hall, there
was quite a respectable attendance OF those mem.
bers known for their progressive views and theo-
Iies and desire to investigate all the problems OF
this highly problematic age. They were no doubt
attracted in part by the fame Of the gentleman
who was announced to open the discussion OF the
question, The Dangers which Beset the Repub.
lie" They expected some original ideas and
bold If not startling propositions. In this ex-
pectaticn they were not ono whit disappointed.
The opening address Of Judge Case was caustlc
crifiquc Of the Republic Of the United States.
The Declaration Of Independence was denounced
as lie, while its slgrcTs and the fathers OF the
Republic were Characterized as aristocrats OF the
smOOthest, sweetest and most seductive sort. We
were told in effect that they had pulled the " ool
over the eyes OF the hardy sous OF toll at the
start, and that their successors had continued to
Go SO until this day. This Government was de-
seTi5ed az ewinently
ONE or AyO;EDUrOIs,
wLer it should be one Of brains. The fact up.
peartd to lie Ignored that mans brains were OF
little weight in governmental affairs alter they
were separated from their conjunction with the
average one hundred and forty-hYe pounds OF
ayoirdupois which is their usual and natural ac.
compartment. Our career as Republic was de-
nourced as Infamous. chiefly, IL appeared be.
poorer than others. The speaker appeared blind
TO the fact that the rich families of one genera
tior, as rule, are the poor Of the next O1e or
two generations: while by industry, thri!t econo-
my and care the poor Of the past generations
have changed places with them. TIE ap-
preaching Centennial Exposition was declared
10 be m0ckery and a brazen display of cur cen.
tuTy Of inlamy. After denOuncing in general
terms the entire system Of what he termed the
Democratic Republican Government ofthe United
States, and asserting that four hlths of the
| Congressional leg!slatiSn was in the interest o
| the Iich, leaving one NTH for the poor, tbs
speaker closed his address without making any
suggestions for the escape Of the Republic from
the dangers that It was thus alleged were be
setting it. 1twas
An OUT AND OFT AGEAEIAN sPEECH,
OF the leveling sort, such as can be heard in thj
GOrecastle Of every ship from the .sea lawyer,
in the cabin Of every coal and iron miners clut
throughout the country. 1t was the argument o
| idleness and discontent; that of the improViden
and Protigate as against the children Of economy
| ard thrift.
The discussion was continued by several mem
bers Of the club, who replied in hitting terms L
| the indictment and arraignment Of the Republic
defending II IRON the assaults OF the rst speaker
| and insisting that the world and the human racl
were continually progressing and deyelos'ng int
| higher states Of civilization. Our RepusI.c wa
| represented as a success-a grand success il
| many particulars; in freedom OF speech, and IL
freedom from class legislation; In clear field fo
| the progress and elevation OF man by means o
| industry, economy and real merit; in the emancI
patton Of four millions of beings in the shape O
| what had been sneerlngly characterized as to-
much ayOirdupois in the Government, and in tn
pTogress OF labor SAYING, or rather labOr:multi
| ward the annihilation Of time and space. Thes
| were come Of the evidences Of progress whicl
were instanced to show the fallacy of the arraign
ment OF Mr.. Case. The latter, however, will
the
| sHELw DNESS WHICH ENTERS LARGELY
Into his composition had evidently achieved hi
present purPOse. He had forced open a wide ielC
icr thought and discussion, which was In man,
/ respects EOvel II not new. II men will think anC
talk on a subject they may believe. Tie professeC
| himself confident Of his ability to maintain be
1 fnref he = m nm ms TN
the truth OF his allegations: all of which he wa
| invited TO do. Out Of this opening therefore
| will doubtless grow highly interesting aad in
! stTuctiVe discussion.
| Mr. Case IS evidently an adroit and accom-
plished cebater, and he deals in pungent satirt
| and netting Wit, when he ridicues the univer
| sal habit Of the Yankee nation 10 arrogate Il
Itself the most and best Of every good thing. rs
| is nercIless in assliling this egotism.
1t is expected that the subject will be resumed
| next Sunday. The quiet respect and attention
l with which each speaker is listened TO, and ths
4 calm, though az times earnest, manner in which
| these OF opposite opinions differ, make the Philo
1 sophicai Club very pleasant place in which Il
| pass an hour.