The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1911-02-08
A LECTURE OF
REAL MERIT
Gen. z. Z. Sweeney, Of indianapolis,
Gives Most Entertaining Lee.
ture Last Friday Night.
susJEcT-"THE GOLDEN AGE"

Our Nation Destined to Move Forward
and Remain Leading Factor in
Affairs Of Mankind.
The fourth number of the lecture
course on Friday night was lecture
by Gen. z. T. Sweeney, of Indian.
apOlis, Ind, and was rare treat to
the large audience which faced him
when he began his lecture. 1t was
one of the most entertaining lectures
which it has been our pleasure to lis
ten to for many years. His subject,
"The Golden Age" furnished him an
opportunity to display his extraor-
binary ability as an orator and en-
tertainer. We are persuaded that his
ability is such that with almost any
subject he could fascinate and hold
the attention of an audience. For
an hour and half, in an easy and
graceful manner, he held the rapt at
tention Of those present by his wit,
pathos and eloQuence.
The speaker is not what can be
properly termed a great thinker, nor
is he logical in handling his subject.
After hearing him one is at loss to
know where to place his Golden Age"
whether in the past, the present or
the future. Judging from what he
said some other subject would be quite
as applicable to his remarks as the one
announced.
In beginning his lecture he called
attention to the navies of the coun-
tries of Europe and spoke of the mum.
Der Of men who could be called into
service in thirty days in case Of war
and the large reserve forces subject
to command, and spoke of the material
resources Of other countries. which. in
comparison with those In the United
States, made this country, for the mo-
ment, seem insignificant with its
standing army of 10000 men and our
limited number of battleships. He
spoke of the development of art in
Europe and the great paintings which
are to be found in the galleries of the
old world, which, in comparison with
what we are able to produce, was not
favorable to the United States, but he
sought to Offset the showing of other
countries by calling attention to the
individual citizen of the United States,
his opportunities for accomplishment
and his independence in comparison
with those of other countries. He al,
SO spoke of the rapid growth and de-
velopment of our young republic, what
it has already accomplished and its
possibilities in the future, OF the
wealth of the United States exceeding
that of any other country in the world
and the rapid strides which are being
made in all those things which tend
to the upbuilding and development OF
the country. He paid great eulogy
to the American home and what 1t
means in the way of happiness and
contentment for its inmates and the
security of the republic. He spoke
of the great characters whose achieve
ments illumine the pages OF history
and challenged the world to duplicate
our leaders such as Washington and
r nd oth rn06ilV
suggest themselves to the student ia
miliar with the history of this coun-
try, and contended that no emergency
could arise but what scores and hun
dreds of leaders would spring up ready
to cope with any difficulties which
may confront us. His description Of
the little red schoolhouse and the work
of the public schools was a splendid
exhibition of word painting.
The speaker was not so optimistic
as to flatter himself that there are no
dangers threatening our national life
to be avoided, and he urged that
eternal vigilance is the price of lib
erty," and that our country, if it is to
maintain it's influence and prestige in
the world, must avoid the breakers
that have wrecked other countries in
the past. He pointed out specifically
some of the dangers which threaten
us. He saw in the desire on the part
of people to accumulate great fortunes
and in the concentration of wealth
great danger. He saw in the contest
between capital and labor menace
to the country. He saw in the de-
pravity of public officials, corruption
in Office and the practice of graft, an
other danger, and pointed out many
instances where improvements could
be made both in public and private
life, some of his Illustrations being ex-
travagant and out of proportion, but