The central record. (Lancaster, Ky.) 18??-current, 1921-07-21

There are some things about this
interesting event in Campbcll's life
which ] do no, know; and my facil.
tiles are such that ! eanno, learn all
I should like TO know abou, the incl.
dent
Tammany Hall, or the Tammany
Society. is thought 81 today as sx-
clusively political. !, seems how
ever. that in the beginning some
philan,hropies were prac,iced. hut
with the reorganization Of the Soci-
ETY. under the leadership 81 Thomas
Mooney il became largely political.
When this reorganization was ~.
fected. in the early days 81 IN, Nine
tcenth Century. another society call
ed the Society Of Cincinnati was
hourishng. This society was aristo-
cratic. Alexander Hamilton was ac-
tive in Il. The Tammany Society
was democratic, gathering into its
fold the adhercnts OF Thomas JcfYcr-
son. And ! can see. IN view 81 the
above, how skeptics nigh, have been
attracted to Tammany.
Many 81 the ideas current in the
French Revolution were widely ac.
copted in the United States in the
early days. Doubtless. therefore. in
addition 20 their strictly political
work. some II not all ~ the skcptical
adherents of Tammany would gather
in some Of the rooms Of the Hall for
mutual edifca,ion and for the propa.
cation Of some Of these ideas which
had come from the French Rcvolu-
tionary days. And suspect j, was
in some such room to these skep,ical
auditors that Campbell spoke on the
occasion described by Richardson.
How or why the meeting was ar.
ranged Campbell's biographer does
not tell. !, would be interesting 20
know these details. Bu, the main
point is that Campbell did 80 speak TO
such a group IN Tanmany Hall
That he approached his auditors ~
homes, men: that he did not assume
superiority in any way that he came
gu, in the open and gave and TOOK
all this IL sclf-evident. and IL was
notable. especially for the day and
age.
That this was not an attitude a.
sumed for the occasion. that this was
not an isolated event IN Campbell.
life, is brought 20 mind by his de-
bate with Robert Owen. the kindly
and benevolent disbeleiver who
founded New Harmony. Indiana. IN
denomination ~ his communistic
ideas Owen had been lec,uring IN
different parts Of the United States
and was outspoken IN his opposition
20 Christianity He became bold in
his an,agonism and from New Or
leans issued a challenge TO the whole
Christian world for a discussion on
the fundamental tencts u Christian
ity. No David was found 20 NEE,
the defiant Goliath. II seemed that
the challenge would not be accepted
until Mr.. Campbell offered himself
as defender Of ",he faith once for
all delivered 20 the saints"
Preparatory to the debate which
followed. Mr.. Owen visited Campbell
at Bethany. W. Va. the laiter's home.
for the arrangement Of details
Abundant, evidence is 20 be had that
these two gentlemen wandered about
the country estate % Campbell for
two or three days. absolutely frank
with each other and enjoying each
Others company immensely.
Following the debate which was
held IN Cincinnati about 1880 and
which proved vcri,able rout .or
Owen. warm and abiding friendship
between the two men existed. FL
teen years later. when Campbell was
preparing for a trip abroad, he went
10 New York. While there Owen
called on him to the joy Of both.
And when Mr. Owen departed. Mr..
Campbell, remarked. as he had done
frequently before. that "of all my
opponents in debate the infidel Rob
ert Owen was the mos, candid. fair
and gentlemanly disputant ! have
ever met" Some later churchmen
might profit By the generous spirit
here revealed.
Somewhere I've heard the story Of
Lincoln and Stanton. his somewhat
irascible Secretary Of War; that Lin.
coin had made a suggestion concern
ing the conduct Of the War or maybe
given an order. upon hearing which
Stanton vouchsafed the information
that Lincoln was a fool. When Stan
tons delicate pronouneemen, reached
Lincoln. instead Of anger and offend.
ed dignity he replied: "And Stan
ton said was a fool? Well. Stan
tons sensible man. I'll have 10
investigate his abatement M.vh.