Birmingham age-herald., 1894-08-10
Delivered by Eminent Scholars at
 the Chautauqua.
JUNGLE TOMS LOST CABIN" "
By John Temple Graves, One of the Browning Efforts
 of the Session.

ipg's session was opened by learned and thoughtful lecture, ''The Normal Man," delivered by Dr. J. T. Searcy, superin- tendent of the Alabama Hospital for the Insane. This grand eleem mosynary institu- tion is the pride of Alabama and the admi- ration of the civilized world, and the as- sembly is honored by the presence of it's distinguished head. The vast majority of things around living beings tends to their elimination; hence the law Is not so much that Of selection as of elimination. Com petition is the most expressing, the most serious element that surrounds life. Hu- mar beings, by their efforts to more and more adapt themselves to their environ ments, perfect themselves. Two factors make man-his self-adjusting efforts and the assistance of those persons aud things around him. The variability of humanity must always be taken into consideration, beth es to lines of descent and as to indi- viduals, as to intellect and as to morals. High intellectual ability is not always ac- companied by high ethical ebility, the re- verse being also true. The only way to im- prove cerebral ability is by cerebral exer- else. Brain disability comes largely by brain idleness. A certain amount of mus clc work is necessary, or brain power will deteriorate. This deterioration IS trans: mitted. and the reason why the children of great men are often such disappointing commentaries upon human hopes is that their parents lead sedentary lives, exer- cising brain but net muscle. When man exhibits traits that show he Is able to com pete with society and take care of himself, he is, intellectually, normal man.
 At Il Hon. Leslie E.-Brooks, formerly state senator and the newly elected repre- sentative from Mobile, ettured upon tue "Plebeian Count, the Demosthenes of France, the Great French Tribune.' ln the annals of humanity there is but one Mirabeau; better and greater men may be found, but never one who so nearly bah1 .d criticism and defied analysis. The legiti- mate, though extraordinary product of the age in which he lived, he was iucompara- ply the greatest actor of the revolution. His conceit was inordinate in degree and inveterate in manifestation. He was ugly beyond all conception-with feline counte- nance, pitted face, saliow complexion, bushy hair, stubby nose, twi.tsd mouth, he could truthfully boast, .'You do not know the power of my ugiiness; when l sbake my terrible locks DO one dares inter rupt me.'' Yet the dark shadows of his unapproachable ugliness vanished before his matchless eloquence.
 Satan was too intimate with him and was continually getting him into trouble; to the end he was "of the earth earthly" demagogue, he hated tyranny, net from patriotic motives, but for self. aggrandize- ment; still he bad large and liberal views m lessiy sfgain indepe i ens. s Giant I in I intellect though he waf, the outlines of his charac- ter fall upon our vision distorted by bis own roisome Immortality.
 During the afternoon concert there were two recitations, each charming in it's own way-''How Uncle Nose Counted His Eggs,' by MISS Willodeen Frazer, and ''Two. Thanksgiving Dances," by Miss Emmie Frazer.
 Dr. Palmer then, in a speech brsiling with feicitous puns, introduced Prof. Charles Lane of the Georgia Teckn ologicai school in Atlanta. His theme was "Talk and Takers, y and for more than an hour he played with q skilliul hand upon the emotions of the audience. Many man has gone through life hermit because he didn't know how to begin conversation. Some of the most difficult occasions upon which to say something bright and new are in asking blessing, in offering and &C., knowledging congratulations. The first time ever had a mother-in-la Jaw, just after the minister had said it was all over and l teltas If 1t were, she came to me with out stretched arms and osculations upon her lips and said: My dear boy, i'll always be with you in spirit and in the flesh as often ss can.'' Said l: .Not at all.'' My mother-in-ia law lives with me now and h.9 for the past two years.
 $ me of the finest impromptu speeches e prepared before hand. Daniel Webster said his ''Engand's Morning Drum Beato speech, in it's very words, was con ceived in Quebec months before it was de- Iivered.
 Burns was the finest at repartee the world has known. After speech he had made lady who had heard him with dis pleasure angrily stepped forward and scorn- three skips of louse for you.'' Without a moments hesitation he smilingly re- piled: "I excuse the lady for " hat she has said, for women will talk of what runs in their head.'
 Care should be used in the choice of our subjects of conversation. Don't talk about ropes 10 one whose father has just been hanged, of health to an invalid, of chill dren to parents who have lost theirs. He talks best who listens best. OoIy small minds are more anxious to tell what they l have learned than to learn something more.
 There are three degrees of intelligence, l the rustic, with waom every ythng is mar vel; the blaseman, who has been every | where, seen everything, read everything l end never manifests more than languid l interest In what you say, and the man who | won't let you finish your sentence.
 Language is vastly superior to every other | form of expression. This statement Pro- | lessor Lane Illustrated by exquisite quota | tions from Spenser, Byron and Tennyson. |
 At the evening concert the orchestra l pls yed piece composed upon the assembly grounds and dedicated to the orchestra, | and Miss Brown recited "The Rescue.''
 The crowning glory in the Alabama Chautanqua programme was reached when ! John Temple Graves consented to lecture | upon it's platform. In "Uncie Ton's Lost | Cabin's he eloquentIy stated the negro problem and proposed it's solution. The solution of the problem, he thinks, will bs | to found 8 separate state for the negro-a | state where every office from chief justice | to coroner will be held by the negro, and | where he can work out bis owu destiny | Thus alone can the core be cut forever from | the race problem.
 Some of the late arrivals are Mrs. w. J. |