The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1909-07-16
From MONDAYS Daily.

,
ture." The speaker began by showing
that literature and liberty 90 hand in
hand, that learning is essential to true
democracy and that literature has ever
been the most powerful interpreter and
exponent of democratic ideals. Dem
ocracy is not original with America
or the Anglo Saxon race, although
here it has received its highest reali-
zation. The ideals of democracy began
probably with the dawn of progress.
The Greeks were the first recorded
race to express democracy in literature.
Their great orators and poets gave
definite and tangible expression to the
theories of equality and Justice Their
civilization did not practically realize
their ideals but their literature first
/ expressed them and gave them to the
oncoming civilizations. The lecturer
read from Pericles and Homer to
prove his statements. These statements
from the ancients seemed surprisingly
moder nand advanced in tone and
thought.
also the vehicle of democratic thought
the greatest Latin poets, Virgil as
well as the greatest orator. Cicero,
showing a true conception of democ-
racy.
VirgiPs most polished poem, "The
Georges is nothing but treatise
telling how to raise cattle and trees
and >crops, etc.
Continuing his lecture Professor Laird
showed that modern as well as ancient
literature mas been largely democratic.
The beginnings of English literature
can be traced to the translation of the
Bible from the Latin into the vernacu-
lar of the common people. The in
vention of printing UNNECESSARILY has
tened the spread of literature among
the masses and gave great impetus to
| the growth of free government. The
early English prose writers, Bede,
and King Arthur himself have been of
the people.
Ignorance is the foundation of des-
potism, intelligence of democracy; hence
true literature has ever been the pio-
| neer of progress.
The greatest works of English lit
erature in modern times nave been
written by democratic men.
Bunyon's Pilgrims Progress is the
greatest exponent of Christian democ-
racy. Thackeray, in his satires on
English social problems showed him
self true democrat, while Dickens, as
well as George Elliot, were thoroughly
in sympathy with social democracy.
Bazac, the greatest French novelist,
and Tolstoi, the greatest Russian novel
list, are in thorough sympathy with
modern ideals of brotherhood.
Among American writers Mark Twain,
as well as William Dean Howells and
a host of lesser lights, were emphati-
cally democratic.
Today fine public schools as well as
fine libraries and a free press are
bringing learning within the reach of
all and all classes are being uplifted
and enlightened. '.
The perils to democracy today come
from the very cheapness of learning.
Over 800 new novels were published
last year, and but few of them are
fit reading. "YelIow" journalism is
also imperilling the literary standards
of our time by dehasing the public
mind with false and often immoral
publications. 1t is the duty of edu-
Gated men to see that while the lit
erature and education are democratized,
they are not also vulgarized.
George Regis Laird, who gives the
morning lecture on literature each day
at the Cha,.tauqua, represents the
Mother Chautauqua in New York. and
was formerly professor of English in
the University of Wisconsin.
Mr.. Laird has charge of the Chau-
tauqua Reading Circle work and has
with him the literature that is to be
read for the coming year. Those who
wish information regarding the years
work can consult with Mr.. Laird
Mr.. Laird is giving his whole time
to the lecture platform and is one of
the regular board of Chautauqua lee
turers.
The Seton Indian Work.
Mankato Chautauqua was most in
viting spot today, the whole aspect
being very enjoyable one in that it
was cool, clean and comfortable, and
the attractions interesting. The happy
faces of the little folks in Miss Pay
toms Indian class showed clearly that
they were thoroughly enjoying every
moment of her instruction, and the
same was true of the grownups.
The Seton Indian Camp work, as it
is called, is under the charge of Miss
Mabel Payton of Cherokee, Iowa, a
graduate of the Iowa state normal
school, and. her management of the In
dian plays, games and songs was de-
light to witness. Miss Payton first
gave talk to her class of nearly
forty boys and girls, the object of
the work being a careful blending of
a method that is both entertaining and
instructive, with the special aim to
teach fairness i'll play, together with
all the nature study that can be
brought into the work. Miss Payton
talks of birds, trees and flowers in q
most entertaining way that takes at
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