Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1884-12-13

THE JOURNAL has hitherto over
looked editorial reference to the work
contemplated in the recent .organiza-
ton of the Frostburg Lecture Asso-
citation.
The projectors, remembering the
zest with which the lectures of Col.
Copeland last winter We're. enjoyed,
estimated that popular interest had
been aroused sufficient to guarantee
an organized effort to provide similar
entertainments at moderate intervals
during this winter.
The problem which met them at
the outset, however, waS-how to get
high-priced, eminent lecturers, so as
to dispose of their efforts to the pub
lie at rates of admission ranging
within the ability of the largest pos
sible number. :
We do not say that this problem
has been solved, for the Association
only last evening gave 1t the initial
demonstration. To meet all con-
tingencies, however, it was necessary
for seventeen gentlemen to unite so
As to "divide by long division" what
ever liabilities may be incurred at
any time. AS to profits, they ask no
division and will have none. What
ever surplus may accumulate from
time to time they will apply to the
sscurement of the best lecturers OBJ
tainable. In this way the patrons of
our platform will obtain more for
their money during the course than
the Association feels authorized in
the beginning to promise.
The experience of professional gen.
tlemen is that no means of intellectual
development is SO forcible and eff
fective as the lecture Here we have
the concrete thought of the best
minds presented with all the graces
and embellishments of finished
oratory-the accomplishments Of
men who themselves were once lis
teners. Orators, like poets, are fire.
quently born, but the finished orator
is the product Of brave, patient, scru-
pulous culture. In himself he
should be encouraged, for he is the
grandest patron of tho intellect
abroad. Without desiring to "fetch
our thought from far" we want to
say that the man who besides the en-
dowmentof a giant intellect, possesses
those faculties which melt the hearts
and stir the blood of multitudes, is a
combination of powers outranking
any other beneath the skies. He is
king of men, and all the subtleties
OF thought, arts OF eloquence, ele-
gancies of diction and fluency of
utterance, powerful as they are sepa-
arately, are collectively his pazets.
No community can place itself
under such influences without de-
irving large benefit in several direc-
tons. There is the leading to pro
founder studies, to higher aims, to
a broader appreciation of litcra-
turs and an acuter perception of its
value as a factor in the real enjoy
ments Of life.
Having for its aim nothing more
or less than provision of healthy
intellectual pabulum, the Association
has made the venture with the ear
nest hope that it will be fully sustain
ed by the people. Its members are
selfish in so far that they desire to
enjoy the entertainments proposed,
but which are not attainabls without
the practical cooperation Of the pub
lie. In tho common interest we hope
they will succeed.
The recent incsndiary fire in Mcy-
ersdale Il later one at Berlin, and an
anonymous warning TO Salisbury,
have given rise to the fear IN these
Pennsylvania towns that IL gang OF
tire-bugs are in the neighborhood.
10 say the least of the matter, there
is reasonable ground for the fear, and