During August a most interesting course of lectures was given by Mr. John Graham Brooks on "America Viewed by Outside People"—showing how the estimates of our country, especially by English writers, had arisen from almost contemptuous criticism (much of it deserved, it must be admitted) to high appreciation. Mr. Griggs gave a new course of literary lectures. Bishop Vincent gave a lecture on Martin Luther. Prof. Cecil F. Lavell spoke on historical subjects. Sir Chentung Lieng Chang, the Ambassador from China, graduate of an American college, Amherst, I think—was a visitor and spoke in excellent English. Prof. Edward A. Steiner, the great authority on immigration, lectured on "Our Foreign Population," and told a remarkable story of a journey that he had made through underground Russia, visiting nearly a hundred revolutionary centers. Mr. Ernest Thompson Seton talked on wild animals, to the enjoyment of both young and old.
On Recognition Day of the C. L. S. C., August 15, 1906, the new Hall of Philosophy was dedicated.
In 1907 Professor George E. Vincent was made President of the Chautauqua Institution. His father retained the title of Chancellor, but the active duties of the management were now entirely in the hands of the President. In the following year, Mr. Arthur E. Bestor was advanced to the place formerly held by Mr. Scott Brown, that of Senior Director in charge of all business administrations and assisting President Vincent on the educational side.
A man who made his mark deeply on Chautauqua came this year for the first time, Mr. Henry Turner Bailey of the Arts and Crafts School. He could not only teach, but could lecture on art or history in a most fascinating manner, all the time drawing pictures on the blackboard with both hands at once. Under his care the Arts and Crafts shops were assembled, grew into a village, and later found their home in a series of fine buildings on College Hill. He continued with us year after year until a new position in Cleveland, Ohio, compelled him to sever relations with Chautauqua.
Two great conferences were held this summer. The first was on "The Juvenile Problem," July 8th-13th. Speakers on the subject were Rev. W. Byron Forbush on "The Knights of King Arthur," an order of which he was the founder; Mr. W. R. George, on "The George Junior Republic"; Judge Ben B. Lindsey of Denver on "The Juvenile Court." Mr. Melvil Dewey, Rev. Crawford Jackson, Judge Willis Brown and Mr. E. B. DeGrott spoke on "Public Playgrounds," "The Public Library," "The Child and the State," and kindred subjects.
The other conference was held July 29th to August 3d, on "The Social Unrest." A few of the speakers and their topics were: Mr. John Graham Brooks on "The Challenge of Socialism"; Mr. James Wadsworth, Jr., afterward U. S. Senator from New York, on "Politics"; Mr. R. R. Bowker on "The Corporation"; Mr. Henry Clews on "Capital"; Mr. J. G. Phelps Stokes and his wife, Rose Pastor Stokes, on "A Defense of Socialism"; Bishop Henry C. Potter, "The Church"; Mr. Charles Stelzle, "The Church and the Classes"; Miss Jane Addams on "The Settlement Movement."
On the regular lecture platform appeared Governor Charles E. Hughes of New York, Mr. William Jennings Bryan who had just returned from a trip around the world and spoke on "The Old World and Its Ways," President G. Stanley Hall a series on "Five Non-Christian Religions," President George E. Vincent on "Utopias," a series describing the ideals of men for the community and the state from Plato's Republic to the Community of Robert Dale Owen. Bishop Vincent also gave a lecture, the father and the son speaking on different days from the same platform. My recollection is that the Bishop spoke this summer on "Sidney Lanier and His Poetry," and placed him high on the roll of American poets.
Another lecturer who pleased us all was the bright essayist, Samuel McChord Crothers. His paper on "The Society for Polite Unlearning" was heard by a crowd in the Hall of Philosophy. Most of the audience caught the undertone of wisdom with the wit, but a few thought that it was only funny, in which they were mistaken. Dr. Shailer Mathews, Dr. C. F. Aked, and Bishop McDowell were among those who conducted the daily Devotional Services.
Grand Army Day was a dramatic occasion in the fact that before an audience of old Union soldiers, in their G. A. R. uniforms, the address was given by Mrs. LaSalle Corbell Pickett, the widow of General George Edward Pickett of the Confederate Army, who led the famous "Pickett's Charge" in the battle of Gettysburg—an attack that stands in history beside the "Charge of the Light Brigade," sung by Tennyson. Her story of that great day, deciding the destiny of a continent, was listened to, not merely with interest, but with outbreaking enthusiasm by an audience of Union soldiers, who honored the memory of a soldier whom they looked upon less as a foe than as a hero.
One little incident told by Mrs. Pickett we must make room for; in substance it was this: On Lee's march through Pennsylvania, Pickett's division passed a young girl who waved a United States flag, and then, fastening it around her waist, cried, "Traitors! come and touch this flag if you dare!" At this fierce challenge, a mingled stir of many voices went through the long gray ranks and many a rifle shifted uneasily. General Pickett rode in front of his men, and with true southern chivalry saluted her flag. Then he turned and faced his men. The soldiers followed his example, and as they passed by, every hat was swung aloft in honor of the girl and her flag. The little maiden was so overcome by this generosity that she cried out, "I wish I had a rebel flag; I'd wave that too!"