New-York tribune., 1901-03-20
DRUNK WITH LUST FOR CONQUEST.
THE PRESENT STATE OF PEOPLES-COM-
MENT BY ST. CLAIR MKELwAY.

More than two hundred men and women, mem
bers and guests Of the Nineteenth Century Club
comprising some Of the best known people in
ciety and literature In this city, met at Sherry's
Forty-fourth-st and Fifth-ave. last night and
listened to a lecture by Frederic Harrison OF Lon
don. 'aIen and Movements Of the Nineteenth
Century" Z. r. L. Gould. president of the club,
In a brief introduction, spoke Of Mr. Harrison as
a man VII. known wherever the English Ian
guage was spoken. Incidentally, he said that the
Nineteenth Century Club was interested in him be
cause he happened 10 he factor in the organiza-
tion OF the club
The lecturer said that he witnessed the corona
ton OF Queen Victoria. He said: Il opt-
mist neither am / a pessimist. l rather prefer 70
call myself ameliorist." He mentioned the
great men who came forward during the early
years Of Yictoria's reign and gave some incidents
connected with the lives and acts Of Richard Cob
den John Bright William E. Gladstone and others.
OF the wars in Africa he said that Great Britain
had been conspicuous in many Of them. and more
conspicuous in this last. least meritorious and un-
just of them all.
Il see,' he said. in one country after another
people have become drunk with the lust for
guest. Empire spells slavery and political and
economical subserviency. Now athrst
with wars for conquest. When they enter these
they know the results and go into win. and
win they must. and they throw their very children
10 the wolves OF victory" Speaking OF the nine
teenth century whole. he said: The nineteenth
century its close has not fulfilled the promise of
its youth and prime, and has been q disappont-
ment
A recess OF fifteen minutes was taken, in which
as many as sought introduction 10 Mr Harrison
were presented 10 him. The club was then raped
70 order and the president called St. Clair
hchelway 10 review Mr.. Harrtson's points say
Ing 1t the OF O the
club 10 hear the other side"
Though caught without notice or preparation
Mr.. McKelway in speech Of twenty-five minutes
among other things said Mr.. Harrison was a
pessimst and didn't know IL. His Intellectual
liver needed a dose OF moral calomel. The last
thirty years OF The nineteenth century we'll worked
out to completion the movements only launched
between 1870 The French republic was estab-
lshed between 1870 and 1900 having only been
period. The German Empire perfected In the
same years. United Italy passed from Experiment
and union Were completed. The last thirty years
OF the last century harvested the crop planted In
its middle period. The speaker contrasted the
upconing of the peoples with the oniy apparent
decay of leadership among them. He spoke OF the
increase OF knowledge and light through specali-
zatson OF learning and Of labor and of the or
was no greater prevalence Of crime corruption
now than heretofore. There only more pIl-
lorng and pounding of IL. Regarding wars. they
were be deplored, but In every Instance Mr.
Harrison cited the aggressors the sufferers
as IN the case of the South. of the French and OF
the Boers Is slavery was ss ended here by war. SC
,le union wak saved freedom and as the French
spubllc fnd German and liza issii9n +r unity % came
Boers the aggressors, only be punished with
ightf OF free speech, of free press equal
sAd of equal laws The speaker concluded
very earnest expression OF confidence ir
spheres and In the certainty OF the
century exceeding the nineteenth by
the latter had In moral and material
" n}anfestly had the audience with
tauhed vigorously as he made his
q ,tumultuouslr acclaimed af ~