New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-08-13
DOWN ON JEFFERSON.
MAHAFFY CRITICISES THE
DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE.
LECrURINe ON THE SUBJECT OF PRIMITIVE
MAN-DR. ELY on REMEDIES FOR
MINISTERIAL, EVILS
[Br TELEGRAPH TO THE rRIBuaE.l

TBr TELEGRAPH TO THE rRIBUgE1
Chautauqua, Aug. 12.-ProfessOr Mahafy objects 20
being called Tory, but no has some fine Tory no
tons, and shows candor I'm expressing them.
Ho delights I'm surprises. Last week he told his
audience what they knew before about the Civil
War; and this morning he authoritatively informed
them that Thomas Jefferson all wrong. that all
mon are not created free and equal and the Declara
ton of Independence inspired by foolish plat-
tude Of har-brained French revolutionists. The
audience didn't got angry, they merely smiled. and
when the learned professor explained the reasons for
his uncomfortable conclusions they even laughed In
diligently, and broke out into decorous applause. The
subject of the lecture Primitive Man, and It's
object apparently the demolition Of the theory OF
evolution, the deduction from Mr. Mahafys ethnologi
cal discoveries being that wherever a race has at
taned high degrce of civilization, 1t has done so,
not through overcoming an inherited barbarism, but
by force of original and Inherent superiority. Said he
The evidence all show that superior
races have been continually coming 10 the front
and forcing inferior races aside. In England to-day
We believe that our civilization Is destined to have
everlasting progress, but understand that you in
America already look upon us as having passed our
prime and being somewhat effete, and II this mis-
fortune Is happening to Europe, in your estfma-
ton, what guarantee have you tina. the same weak
ness of old age may not come upon the gigantic
strength OF the United states Thomas Henry Buckles
fayorite theory about the origin Of civilization was
that 1t altogether matter OF food and climate,
but this theory Is not supported by history even in
your own country, where the abongines are rapidly
disappearing, of greater original strength
having here TO displace them. Is not that
evidence of the original inequality OF meni In the
preamble your great Declaration of Rights appears,
believe. the statement that all men equal in the
sight of God That statement was borrowed, not from
the Scriptures but from the speculations OF the
French revolutionts. whose opinion on the subject
to my mind Of very small value. You are fond
of talking of the equality of all men. Tie longer
read history and the look around society, the
moro l profound inequalities in
1t Is true that every man Is
equal In the sight either Of God or
of men. What do you mean by Gods having chosen
people, II that people have not enormous advantage
their neighbors? Is each as handsome
as his neighborl Is each
strong1 Is each man as longlivedl Has
each man lived in as good climatei Tbs differ
ences among really enormous, and when you
go into this question of primitive civilization and
compare the natives which have received light from
above dthose who have not, you will agree with
that of all false pla.tudeS that ever were circu-
lated among sane people, mono Is moro false than
the usual adage about the equality of man. 1 sup
pose this Is an awful heresy, but. at least, as long
as 1 In this country, free man you will
allow me to make a clean breast of it,
Dr. H. L. EIy'S MIN lecture on me LABOR MOVE
menp discussed possible remedies for industrial evils
The economic, educational and social value of labor
organizations was considered, we'll that Of
Independents private and public aid associations DR..
Ely insisted the principle that it is better to
teach the wornngman to aid himself than TO assume
the responsibility for Ids welfare and quoted the words
of John STUART Alill, that wOrhingmen viii correct
their faults readily than any other class when
warned of them in sincere and friendly spirit Tho
securing OF the greatest quantity the highest quality and
the most equitable distribution of wealth 10 him
TO constitute the true industrial goal
William II. SherwOod's analytical lecture on the
technique of pianOfOrto play .ng dealt with improved
methods of lingering and touch. and illustrated new
and effective muscular movements Professor r. L.
CummOck gave readings this afternoon In the amphi-
theatre and tonight Dr.. George p. Hayes. of Kansas
City, lectured Lazy Laymen.'
At the tennis tournament which began
to-day the gentlcmen's singles were PLAYED.
Messrs. TGlcott. Dean Robson. Thacher. Post
and Kent the winners.
There arrived to-day W. Worth. Of Cincinnati F. H.
Stamm, Wheeling; J. L. Emerson. Ttusviile: Mrs
A. ]. Halsead, Pltsburg; H. B. Bryson. Kansas City
Mrs. J. Chamberm, Washington; 5. b. Newton,
Buffalo, c. II. Jones, Seattle W. T.; Lieutenant
Leonarl, GAINESVILLE. and Bertha L. Connolly. Of Phlla
delphia.