New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-03-24
, YODD TO LIEUTENANT TOTEM

W. ohoorvo with some alarm that Licutcnant
,ro,.o, Of yoIc has taken 20 the lecture plat
form Certainly we do not need to introduce
tho Iicutenont 10 readers of The Tribune. since
for the mast wear or two he has frequently INTRO
duccd himself TO the general public under cover
of advance reading notices Of the Day Of Judg-
mont Indeed. If allowed to borrow theatrical
and showman's term we may say that Lleu'ehahV
Tottcn has been ahead Of the Day OF Judg-
mcnt, billing" the various towns along the rou'e
and supplying the press with complimentary
tickets During this time the Lieutenant has
directed the proceedings from Ncw-liaven, ana, as
he has had the forethought usually to send out
lis figures and predictions Monday morning wheh
news was scarce, he has met with quite an en-
thusiastic welcome But there has been IN the
experienced mind from the first vague, I'M
defined feeling that Lieutenant Totten stood
dangerously the lecture platform Or course
there has been no way either to restrain the
Lieutenant or to remove tie platform to safer
place. SO at last the worst has happened. and he
has tumbled fairly over upon it. and gave his
first lecture in Boston, Sunday afternoon. on The
New Star of the East Lieutenant Totten told
his hearers that that day, March &c, might DC
looked upon as the beginning of Judgment.
As we have intmatcd, we are sorry that
Lieutenant Totten has decided to take the lecture
platform lie does not need thus publicly ~
disseminate his wonderful discoveries and eX-
trnordinary conclusions; the press Will attend 10
that. Ills time is too valuable; he hhould
devote himself to pure investigation, ana let
men with less ability but more leisure
give the result of his researches to the puDlic.
II, since the beginning of Judgment has arrived,
he feels that he has completed his study of the
subject which has interested him during the past
few years, it will give The Tribune great pleasure
10 suggest another to him-one worthy his most
serious and crudite attention We refer to the
old, but still unanswered question. Who struck
Billy Patterson?
Thirty years ago a man snea<ed up from behind
and basely struck Billy Patterson on the back Of
the neck, and TO this day, be it said TO the shame
Of our historians. scieiss and general savants. 1t
il not known who this cowardly individual
Investigators, spurrcd by the hope OF undying
fame or by the liberal reward of so promptly
offered by Mr. Patterson, have taken up The ques-
ton at different times, worked on it iitfully and
dropped it. These persons have lacked the right
motive; no hope of reward either in money or
in applause should actuae the true searcher after
truth: he investigates for Investigations sake,
and Lieutenant Tottcn conceive TO be true
searchcr Let him take up this inquiry into
the identity Of Mr.. Pattcrson's assailant, and re-
main quietly in the scholastic shades Of Yale
University. True, the undergraduates in that
region are fierce and warlike, and often attack
unprotected people, but we believe that the Lieu
tenant will be safc-safer, in fact, than on the
lecture platform. Here, surrounded by learn
ing and by freshmen and sophomore with clubs
in their hands and large navy revolvers at full
cock sticking ont Of their hip pockets, Jet Lieu
tenant Tottcn take hold Of this great National
question. Let him bring his analytic mind, his
ripe scholarship, his untrlng energy 10 bear upon
it, Let him take up the investigation at the
start and follow it with enthusiasm born of
true love for the Unknown, camping on the
trail at night, and eating his meals while run
ming lightly and easily by it's side If the Lieu
tenant will do this, giving mp the lecture plat
form, We can confidently promise him in his great
work the support of the press of this country.