New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-08-16
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
, W EMERSON ON THE REPUBLIC.

FORTUNE or THE REPUBLIC LECTURE DEl1sEkbbD
st rue OLD soUTH CHURCH March 80 155o nei nS
RAIIH WALpO EMERSON. 12mo. PIP. "A. hOughVoh'
OseOOd, a Co.
MI EmersOn's subtle idealsm is never seen IN
more attractive light than when applied TO the elu-
cidation of practical subjects His keenness Oh
thought preserves him from the illusions OF the
senses while his perceptions of reality afford saie
guard against the aUdaciOus flights OF sPecnlauon.
Few living writer's possess wider or more Nauleu
range of observation. and none surpass MN III tuo
aptness of his conclusions from the facts OF ex-
perienee. In the present discourse, Mr.. Emerson
discusses in his serene and quiet way the existing
condition of public affairs; without the slightest
tendency TO the spirit of bOastinR he takes cheer
f1l suryey of the accomplishments OF the past, ana
a hopeful view of the prospects Of the future oreI-
ing series of healthy suggestions which are none
the less available because bearing the stamp Oh
profound wisdom. He commences with the llus'ra-
ton of the cardinal doctrine that every form OF eA
celence has its root in the recognition OF universal
principle -
rule that holds in economy as we'll in hydrau-
lies that Won must have higher than your tap.
coiege and The church have all found out this secret
The sailors SIN by cronometers that do not ose two or
three seconds IN year, ever since Newton eAhd
eI good watches, and 60 oer public premi for bet
ter tmekeeper than any then IN nse; Inc ,h ear
petm on mordans and dyes which exhaust lne sS VI
the chemist the calico print ON desgnSss VI Sdey"od
draw the wages Of artists not OF artisans @
the eminent potter, brayely TOOK inc sculptor n
to COUNSEL who said Send TO Italy. search the muse
nms for the forms Of old Etrusean vases urns water
pots domestic and sacrihcial vessels OF al hIhus.
Village Etruria Flaxman, with ms Greek taste, selected
ana combined the lOveles forms, which were execueu
IN Enpsh CLAY sent boxes OF these gifts 70 every
cOnrt OF Europe, and formed the taste OF the word ~
was Renaissance OF the breakfast tape ana me-
The brave manufacturers made their fortune. Iue
gold 1SGi'''' '''''''
Our modern wealth, Mr.. Emerson goes on to say,
depends on a few staples The Importance OF cotton
had a large share in the Civil War; But cotton
is only one plant out of some 100000
known to the botanists of which by far the larger
part are reckoned as weeds. A weed is plant
whose virtues have not yet been discovered Every
one of the 100000 may yet be OF utility III
the arts. Time will bring an inventor to every
plant. Arkwright and Whitney were the demigods
of cotton as Ceres of wheat, and Bacchus OF the
vine. There is not a property in Nature but mnu
is born to seek and find it. If it is true in all the
useful and in the fine arts that there Will no good
work unless the direction is drawn from superior
source the principle holds equally in our social and
civil life-
In orr popular politics you may note that each asp
rant who rises above the crowd however at irst
making his Obedent apprenticeship IN party tacues
he have sagaciy learns that It Is by no means 10y
obeyng vulgar weathercOck Of his party the resent
a1ed but that lie must often face resist the party
and abide by his resistance, and put them 10 lear at
the only title to their permanent respect ana TO larger
following IS for himself what is the real puOs
interest and to stand for that that Is principe and
all the cheering and Kissing Of the crowd must by anu
by accommodate itself to IL. Our times easily anold
you very good examples
At every moment some one country more than
any other represents the sentiment and the future of
mankind. America now occupies this place in the
opinion of nations. as is shown by the vast immi-
grafton into this country from every part of Central
and Western EurOpe -
Meantime they find this country Just passing through
great crisis in its history necessary as lacaton OF
in these days settling for ourselves aud our descendants
questions which, as they shall be determined IA one way
calamity of the ages. The questions OF eGueauon'
OF society OF labor direction OF talent Of character
the nature apd habits OF the American, may well occupy
us, and more the question OF religion.
The conditions OF mankind in America are realy
favorable 10 progress the removal Of absurd resnc
tons and antique inequalities The mind IS always pet-
the 1t s used and here IT Is kept IN practice
The humbes is daily challenged TO give his opinion on
practical questions and while civil and social freedom
exists, nonsense even has favorable enect Sant is
good TO provoke common sense. The CathOhe Cburch'
the de feGeI S sTSd 1be moro
sure is Punch 10 put ii IN the pilOry.
forms has the effect Of holding things closer
sense; for court arstocracy which must always
. republic which has too many Observers each with
kind OF hunger thirst cold the cries Of
children, and debt always holdnG the masses nara
one hundred years ago the American people attempted
20 carry out the bill OF political rights to an almost ideal
perfection. they have made strides in that direc
Gon since They are now proceeding, instructed by
their and By their many failures 10 carry out
not the bill Of rights, but the bill Of human duties.
Hitherto Mr.. Emerson remarks, government has
been that of the single person of the aristocracy
The attempt to resist these elements i'll this eOun-
try it has been asserted, will throw the govern
ment into the hands of an inferior class of profess
sonal politicians. BY means of newspapers and
eaucuses, these INSCRIPTIONS schemers will thrust
their unworthy minority into the place Of the old
aristocracy on the side and Of the good and in
dustriOus population ON the other winning the
posts Of honor and giving their direction to affairs.
Hence liberal congresses Ordain vicious measures.
The men themselves are charged with lobbying and
being lobbied. We do not choose our own candi-
date nor the first choice Of any other man, but the
available candidate whom one loves. We dOnot
speak what we think. Instead Of character there
is an exclusion of character The people are feared
aud fiattered. The country is governed i'll bar
rooms The low can best win the low, and each
aspirant for power vies with his rival which can
stOop lowest and depart the widest from himself
Our politics are full of adventurers who, having by
their antecedents good repute in the State, break
away from the law Of honesty and join the party of
the devil. The gTasshOpper on the turret of Faneu
Hall gives proper hint Of the men below. In spite
of these pOrtentOus evils, of which Mr.. Emerson
shows so clear perception, he does not bate jot
of heart OF hope" for the fortune of the Republic
Faults IN the working appear in system IN ALL
but they suggest their remedies After every prac
teal mistake out OF which any disaster grows the peo
Die wake and correct with energy. And any disturb
anees politics. in civil foreign wars, sober them
and Instantly show more virtue ana oOnVieton ~ me
popular In each new threat of faction the ballot
has been, beyond expectation, right and decisive.
IT'S ever an inspiration. God only knows whence a
sudden, undated perception Of eternal right coming INTO
that masses through Thousands as readily through
The gracious lesson taught by ocenoe to is country