The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1893-05-11
OHAUTAUQUA.
PAST AND PRESENT.
REPORT for Class C.. by j. 81


What we consider as the civilization of to-day
and what some claim as requisite to entitle the
Greeks to a civilization equal to own if not
greater, may come under the several forms by
which we define civilization OF the present day.
and yet not produce the same results. If civili-
cation can be reached through the attainment of
certain arts. such as Literature. Architecture
and Sculpture productive of the genius in
man. then civilization may be claimed for the
races of men whom we call uncivilized But if
we take the plan of a civilization derived from a
perfect observance of the laws of morality
which, to my mind, is the keystone in the arch of
perfect civilization-then we must follow an
other course to obtain the end sought for. 1t
cannot be obtained through perfection in sculp-
ture, or on an unsurpassed height in literature
Socrates in his time realized great truths. but
by the advanced civilization of the Greeks was
condemned to death. To-day, his philosophy is
recognized as the most conspicuous of his time;
and yet, Athens the seat of Greek learning, art
and splendOr. could not grasp the great truths
that came before them like the writing on the
wall at BelShaZZer'S Feast. DemOStheneS the
standard of Greek orators. with all his elOquence
could not awake the ministers or rulers of Ath-
ems to defend their rights and territory against
the cOnqueStS of rival nation. Yet, men of learn
ing and elOquence of this century. change the pol
icy and even the religion of people by their elO-
quence and spirit of persuasion. Percles under
whom the Greeks rose to the height of their per
lection in civilization, can hardly be credited
with as great an achievement in the elevation of
the human race, as can be credited to Abraham
Lincoln. That step in progress stands as one of
the true aims toward perfect civilization. 1t is
one of the important courses we must take in fol
lowing out the idea of what civilization in a NOR
al sense will do for the human race
Was it a humane course to take to advance the
art of painting that one of the leading painters
of Greece should take his slave and subject him
to an Internal torture that he might depict in his
painting the fearful cOntOrtiOns of pain and
agony of death. as shown on the face of his vic
tim? The American Indian is more merciful, for
he will often end the suffering of a brave victim
at the stake. with a knife thrust. Not so with
the Greek painter, he would prOlong the pain
that his picture might be completed To-day
such an artist would be hung or sent to prison;
and yet. some will say, not their equals in
civilization. 1t can hardly be claimed that pro-
fciency in sculpture, literature, and architecture
has made this grand republic what it is to-day
1t was rather an awakening to the fact that all
men had an equal right to obtain health, wealth.
in another Such were the hopes of the Pilgrim
Fathers. who landed at Plymouth Rock 1t was
not their accomplishments in any special branch
of art that endowed them with the perseverance
and courage that in time Subdued all things and
formed an infant colony that has grown. in pop
ulatiOn, wealth and prosperity beyond any nation
either ancient or modern. In fact we are peO-
pie that can produce all that tends to make man
a masterpiece of the Creators work. We do not
need the labor of slaves to erect palaces or tenn
pies such as the Greeks erected and dedicated to
idol worship, nor do we take century of time,
with its necessary destruction of life and limb.
to construct our splendid buildings. AS fit ex-
ample of W hat the civilization of to-day can pro-
duce, with its attendant modes of construction.
witness the Worlds Fair buildings 1 need
not tell you how long this grand product of art
has been in construction, which in architectural
beauty and grandeur surpasses anything in an
Gent or modern times. And yet all this may be
surpassed in the rapid strides progress is MAX
ing in this progressive country. If time would
permit could place before you evidences of an
advancement and progress that even Socrates,
Plato, or Homer, never dreamt of being realized
by mortal man. This nation has performed in
few hundred years, things that even the Greek
gods were not credited with performing; and
that is saying great deal. In conclusion, fellow
Chautauquans, will say: The Greeks were in
deed an advanced and great people for their
time; but to compare them with the races of the
10th century in civilization, l will assert that
we are as far in advance of them as Edison is adj
vanced beyond the tallOw candle makers of form
er years.