Evening journal., 1902-01-31
MIR. BYRNE ON
MIR. BICELOW
Audience Surprised at Some
Of The UttOranCeS
DIATRIBE AGAINST POLITICIANS
Wilmington Mans Observations Upon
American Politician and Amcri-
can IiiterateurS

Poultney Bigelow lectured in the
lNew-Century Club Building last night,
under the auspices of the club. His
subject as announced, was "The Brit
ish Empire and Its Relations to Colon
ization and the American Ideal.
However. he did not confine himself toI
I It. but rather resolved himself into a
sort of gatling gun, with politicians asI
his target. He made the strong point
that the consular service of this coun-
> try needs reforming. or rather, that it
should be put upon a sound footing as
to salary, the terms Of Office, and the
the character of the men employed.
In closing. Mr.. Bigelow expressed
the belief that the coming love feast
arranged for the German prince would
be but the forerunner Of a break be-
tween this country and Germany.
Similar exhibitions OF International
exchanges of courtesies had been fol-
: lowed by war or diplomatic controver-
! sizes.
It is probable that the major portion
of the audience was disappointed in
the lecture. II is likely that William
Michael Byrne expressed the opinion
/ of the majority of Mr.. Bigelow's hear
1 ers-the men at least-to a reporter
o for the Evening Journal today:
Mr. Byrne said.
when ! attended Mr. Bigelow's lee
ture at the New-Century Club last
evening, l was led to expect from his
b advertised title to hear a scholars dis
y cussion on the lessons TO be derived
+ from Great Bitains program OF CO.
, srr4ffln faftffIN hn
d lprontably used by the Americans in the
o enlarged sphere Of civic usefulness to
n which they have been called by recent
e. events. / had expected to hear an
If analysis OF the methods by which Grea'
'dl Britain has called forth a new powei
ell in the recent federation Of the Aus
ltralian colonies, the means by whicl
lshe has so moulded the destinies OF Ou
great Canadian neig.hbors, that Will
enjoying a large extent of local poWe
i they maintain a remarkable devotion
II 10 the British Empire, and how iron
PC the small beginnings under the com
" mercial enterprise of Lord Give sh
!. has upbuilt an empire power IN lndl
~ for ahe betterment OF untold million
- of the human race.
~ Il listened attentively to Mr.. Bige
J. low and was surprised at The chlel lea
lures of his discourse. which cOnsiste
i'm an oll-tempercd attack ON the moral
of tho American Army and q violen
.s- ldiatribe against American politicians
Is l am not a frequent attendant at Ia
rv series of lectures given under the au
.er spices of alhc New-CentuIy CLUB, pu
to- because / am profoundly interested ]
,d- 1.-THE progress OF the American Repubu
bv 1 sought last night to gain inioimauo
ON ION a subject worthy of proioundes
study on the part of every person d'
voted to the interests of his country.
was disappointed, both in the mattG
and the manner of The lecture. Glancln
nd over The audience / was impressed =
40 the evidence of culture and attalnmel
,k / observed. and ] was filled with Woi
der as to how suCh an audience II
ceived Mr.. BigelOws description OF
lslobbering Dutchman, a drinking lrlsi
man and a depraved American. Incl
lis absolutely no justification for a pul
m. Lie lecturer in addressing a culture
audience to use stories fit only Tor u
smoIing-room. and to expressly sta
,ro THAT NE could tell more If ladies' we
The not present.
ta- 'Whatever may be Mr.. BigeloW
grievances against the commandii
,.ul generals of the American Army in q
md. Spanish War. the fact remains Tor u
delight of Americans That IN no Co
nict have American arms talleu
maintain the most glorious uadlllol
VI of warfare: and the participation on
his ldistinguished Delawarean in the POT
ave lRican campaign gives me absolute q
sas. surance against wild accusations
ish military incompetence in that quarter
ea 81 very gravely doubt wneuher I
nix American politician is so depraVeu
'ha, creatures as painted by Mr., blselO
me The best thought of the day Is luIni
w. W.ltoward the necessity OF actlNe pdl u
JOr. lpation of cultured Americans III III
tiers OF politics. Now. for up"aius
century the destinies oil uhe hep'
lie have been more or less mOulueu
ttho American politicians. and after
century or more OF Nnelf power w.
eX- a neople enjoying a liberty wider On
to- ltbat had bv any nation on the glo
last and a commercial greatness That Is
a-onde,. Of the world. These resu
lays are i'm the direct line OF the aims of
g of American politician, and / doubt
ours thev would have been achieved W
our politicians as low bred as Mr.. ~
,a. low would have MS believe. The Am'
soIs can consul may be as Mr.. Bigelow sa
M NJ unat for club life. inadmissible j
80. ~ societv and rarely sober after
lns' li o'clock: vet it is hard 10 believe that
Clr. foreign trade of the United sta
OF which has progressed with such 81
ana strides and which is fostered, wato
and promoted by these same cons
ding would have reached its present coios
g in properties were its guardians men
the low character and worse attainmen
r. 1T is the fashion just now for
noon American litterateur to thrust him
trial i'm the thick of the political strife.
advent ought to be welcomed, proyi