The Worthington advance., 1879-01-09
GENFUE
The Minneapolis Tribune Of the Sd
inst. contained n leading editorial ON
GENFCE

IVGN1US
The Minneapolis Tribune Of the 81
inst. contained leading editorial on
the subject Of genius, giving the differ
ent opinions Of eminent writers upon
the subject. One class thinks it is
gift, another thinks it is hard work.
Both are right, if the work and the
power are taken into the definition.
Genius is first, gift, and next, great
diligence and labor in exercising the
power to produce great works.
The best scholars and thinkers, we
believe, accept Consin's definition, viz:
that Genius is the creative faculty.
Anything below that is mere talent.
He who creates becomes God-like to
that extent and is genius.
|, Connected with this is Inspiration.
Universally Genius is said to he inspir-
ed. This: we do not doubt, is after all
the true secret of the great success of
genius. First, there. must be genius,
that is, fine brain and fine organiza-
tion, flexible, fine-toned, superior. Then
there must be behind this spirit pow
er. whether it be the spirit of God or of
his angels, playing upon the fine instru-
ment. Thus the works Of genius come.
into the world.
1t is said OF Shakespeare that he wrote
one of his plays while unconscious.
That is, he sat down at night to write
on the play, became unconscious. and
woke up in the morning with the play
finished. Some power took control of
him and finished the play. Coleridge
dreamed out his Kubla Kahn, every
word Of it, and when he arose simply
wrote it down as given to him in his
dream. James G.. Clark hunted for
weeks for the chorus to his beautiful
Isles" and one night lie dreamed that
his daughter, who is in the other world,
came and stood by him at the piano
and sang the chorus for him. On a.
waking he wrote it down, music and
all, just as she gave it to him, and as
he now sings it to delighted audiences.
Jefferson has played Rip Van Winkle
without knowing that he was playing
or remembering anything that occur
red. Scores Of similar examples could
be cited to show that Genius is high
order of instrument for the interior,
higher world to express itself through.
RULING THEM OUT
Boston is in ferment. The Young
Mems Christian Association and the
churches are ruling out editors who
prepare matter for Mondays paper by
working on Sunday, says the Boston
Advertiser. Of course all those who
publish Sunday papers will be ruled
out.
Go in, Boston. Editors have no busi-
n ss to be in churches anyhow. No
man can conduct All independent news
paper and be church member. He
Will be hectored, overhauled, worried,
and finally voted out if he dal es to pub
lish what the bigoted church commit
tees and ministers disapprove of.
When our Congregational leg was sus-
pended from the little Congregational
Church Of Wortllington, one member
gave as u reason for voting against us
that we had encouraged Sabbath break
ing by indulging in Il joke at the expense
Of the st. Paul Sunday Pioneer-P Press.
We hope this Boston practice of rul-
ing editors out will extend to every
town in the country until editors are
everywhere free. The hope Of the Peo-
pie is in free press and free speech
and just in proportion as the priests
and churches, undertake to hamper
these, ought they to be assailed by the
press and ridiculed INTO mintling their
own business.
ALL SHOULD ADOPT IT.
The Cedar Lake (Iowa) Advertiser
says Of our Free Department.
The Worthington (Minn.l ADVANCE
has opened Il Free Department. in
which Science, Theology, Politics and
Religion are subjects OF a lively discus
| sion by the readers OF that journal. 1t
! is Il good way to get an expression from
the people on these important subjects.
If all the newspapers in the country
would adopt the same course, we would
soon become nation of scientists, the
ologians and political and religious
economists. Educate the masses and
you at once combine the heart and the
brains of u power that is capable of any
/ great and noble work which nation
may undertake. The people are the
power behind the throne,' especially
where liberty of the press and freedom
of speech are SO thoroughly recognized
as in this country.
This is all true as gospel, and yet
there are many good people who are
afraid of free discussion and who think
the ADVANCE is making great mis-
take by giving the people a full hearing
! through its columns. Is it not strange
that with Il hundred years of American
liberty of speech and conscience, so
! many American-born people should
still be dominated and enslaved by the
! Old-Wofld idea that men cannot be
! trusted to think for themselves and ia
investigate fully whatever arises fol
consideration Our ideas, and the very
forms Of our thought and expression
are copied from countries where fo,
! centuries the people have been ruled
| suppressed, easlaved, and slaughtered
at will by kings and priests.
! THE BRASS KETTLES
II. Simmons, of Westside, in this
county, writes AS follows to the Jack
son Republic about the little testers:
! The farmers are crying out hare
times, light crop of wheat, say from II
to Is bushels to the acre, quality pool
and / oor price, from 80 to 43 cents pei
bushel. There is but little wheat tina,
graded higher than. No. 3, and to reject
the brass kettle is what beats the farm