Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1883-11-10
MATHEW ARNoLD's FIRST LECTURE
CUR DANGER AND OUR SAFETY.

MATHEW ARNoLD'S FIRST LEG rURE-
CUR DANGER AND OUR SAFETY.
Matthew Arnold delivered his first lecture
in this country at New York on the 30tf
of October. He was welcomed by one Of
the most representative audiences of which
New York is capable. His subject was
Numbers. 1t was intended, in gentle
way, to convey to the American people
some hints in the form of philosophical
criticism of our possibilities and our dan.
gers. For instance, Mr.. Arnold believes,
despite its eynicism, that there is deal OF
robust truth IN the expression of Dr. John.
son, that patriotism is the last refuge Of
American politics for decade he could
scarcely have hit a certain class harder
than by that quotation. We need to be
delivered from patriots of the sort Mr..
! Arnold refers to-those who make patriot.
ism trade, and refuge from the results
of their traffic. He warns us that there is
a great deal of self-fattery and self.delu.
| sion under the name of patriotism that is
very mischievous, and none should feel
better prepared to agree with Mr.. Arnold
in that than Americans. Still it is posi-
bic that {" the apostle of culture" under-
estimates the national heart and the sin.
cerity of its beating. Holland was wont to
declare that it is the folly of the wise to
undervalue the wisdom of the common
people. Among the common people there
may be found by Mr.. Arnold more and
sincerer patriotism than he is willing to
give US credit for. At the bottom, the
American people have devoted love of
country that, when the trial comes, stands
the test. AS we discuss policies, the locker
on may conceive that we are really en-.
gagged in quarrel, the outcome of which
threatens our institutions. But we survive
all our differences of opinion, because, at
the heart, the true patriotic sentiment
CLOVIS with fervor that is outwardly man
ifest only when great occasions demand.
In our numbers " Mr.. Arnold thinks
we have cause for qualification. Because
our acres are vast, our products counted by
the millions, our estimates by the bill
ions, and our people by vast divisions of
millions, we are safe, where a meager pop
ulation would be in danger. He explains
rfaf IN l., L.
the majority is bad. 1t is hard saying,
and no effort has been successful in reduc-
ing it's bounds, or initiating its severity.
The world being what it is, we must
take it as it is. We must expect the aims
and doings of the majority of men to be
faulty. Thus much, he thinks, we must
concede to the pessimists. And we will
scarcely find it profitable to pause to
take issue with Mr.. Arnold in this con.
elusion. But, he adds, for every unsound
majority, there is a virtuous remnant. 1t
was to such a remnant that Plato referred.
But because the remnant is SO dis.
proportional to the majority, it is at
a disadvantage always. To save a
State, there is needed a considerable
body of workers with leaders these
workers are best placed when distributed
to many points. The remnant was too
small in Athens and Judah to save the
state. Judah did not have over |, 250, 900
people, and Athens but $50, 600 inhab-
itants. But how different are things here,
exclaimes Mr.. Arnold, with enthusiasm.
The modern states are vast in numbers.
We cannot overestimate the Importance of
the new element introduced into the cal.
culation by increasing the size Of the rem
nant. For it does seem in the modern
state, where everything is conducted on
such grand scale, that it is possible to in
crease the remnant so as to become seri.
Gus power, even though the majority be
unsound. Here, then, he finds, we have
ground for hope. Bat we must be sure
we have the right to entertain it-that we
have earned it. This will be, he thinks,
when we are at one with the philosophers
and prophets in their conviction as to the
world which now is--the world of the un.
sound majority; when we feel what they
mean, and when we go thoroughly with
them. He gives us to plainly understand
that most Of US are not with them now.
Now, he asks, what is saving-saving
the state Our institutions, says an
American the British Constitution, SAYS
an Eoglishman; the civilized mission Of
France, says Frenchman. The sages de-
clare it was to love righteousness, and to
be convinced of the appropriateness of in.
iquity." And Isaiah and the Prophets, when
they are asked the same question, answer
TO Just the same effect that which is saving
is to " cease to do evil and learn to do well:n
to delight in the law of the Eternal.
aud to make one's study in it all the day
long" But these sound vague to us not
that they really are vague, but because of
the quantity of matters they cover. What
we need is a comprehensive text, = brief
and adequate enumeration OF these mat
tiers. From among the score or more that
present he selects this Whatsoever
things are true, whatsoever things are
nobly serious, whatsoever things are just,
whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever
things are amiable, whatsoever things are