Lecture on "America"

Feilding Star, Volume VI, Issue 112, 7 March 1885, Page 3

Lecture on "America"

In pursuance to announcement Mr Bruce, M.HJB., lectured on Thursday evening in the Public Hall. The attendance was small, not quite one Vundred persons being present, owiDg no .doubt to the threatening aspect of the weather, and to the shortness of the notice given. There was also some confusion as to the date on which the lecture would be given, sis it was first advertised for Friday and then altered to Thursday evening. However, if the audence was small it was select, and numbered within its circle, most of our most intelligent and influential citizens, the Mayor, Mr Sherwillpresided. The lecturer opened his subject by giving a brief summary of the discovery of the great continent of Amercia, and the people who inhabited it at the time of its. discovery. He gave a rapid glance at the niagnificient outlines presented by the hills, mountains, rivers, hikes and valleys, and the valiant men who in search of that liberty which was denied them in Europe landed on its shores to found that great nation — the United States of America. The conquest of Mexico aud that remarkable people the Atees by the Spaniards wa-s briefly mention i* The. Mormons. Shaki-rs, Fred >vur. und several other so-called re] ; »i:ms sects or communities, with th^ir histories and a few of the p •'•lilijnitk'which chiefly distinguish ih..;i : u »•••• delicately discussed and the skill with which a not too savoury subject was handled was admirable. The corruption, of the United States Government officials was shown by quotations from the speeches of great American statesmen containing charges which have never been refuted or even denied. The lecture was occasiouly illustrated by amusing annecdotes, especially where the Latitudinarianism which obtains in the States was being considered. The subject of Fenianism and the Irish in America was one on which the lecturer appears to have foiuied liberal opinions. He does not consider the sons born in America of Irish parents were Fenians, not were they : nclined to join a body whoso claim to American citizenship was more than questionable. Fenianism had its origin on the battle fi lls of 1861-5, where the well-discipline 1 legions of Irish soldiers learned to hope ' that the strength they had gained in fighHng' as mercenaries might be exerted in striking a blow for their ow|i country. The lecturer knew O'Donnovan Eossa as the keeper of a small grog shop in New York, and considered that the importance of the noise he and his colleagues in ruffianism made was over-estimated and only flattering to their over- weening selfesteem. We must conclude our brief notice of a very interesting subject by hoping that Mr Bruce will repeat his lecture at an early date, when those who Were assembled to hear him on Thursday night will have an opportunity/of again experiencing the pleasure they then had, and that the many .who- from the causes we have already mentioned were prevented from attending will be able to meet one of the best speakers and interesting lecturers it has been the good fortune of the Feilding people to hear.