Lexington union. (Lexington, Miss.) 1838-18??, 1838-12-15
For the Lexington Union
The ERosoPalAN Soc1rry

deeply regret the dissolution Of the Is
Erosoph'an Society of this place. lho~.
ever, hope lis vitality is merely suspendsa
not ex,lnguished, and adduce a few ara"
ments to slow the utility Of deba,',
J societies, and thereby, il possible, avail
II from it, lelhargy.
The design Of most societies is to cor
tribute to the amusement, promote ths
interest and happiness, or enlarge and
improve The knowledge and minds Of ,bt;,
members Immediately, and that Of IN.
, public ,nediately. Ii wisely formed. and
well conducted they will seldom fail IA
effect their object.
Man is, by nature social being. In.
, 'ercoulse with his fellows is grateful and
delightful 10 him; and profitable, for il
aives play to his generous and benevoIeu,
: feelings, and polishes the native rudeues,
Of his manners. Debating societies bring
their members into close intercourse and
Intimate connection with each other. If
hen the rule that have just laid down
be correct, they are beneficial.
But they produce their greatest good
by the improvement Of the mind. A wise
and kind Deity has endowed most Of The
human family with ihnking and reasoning
powers Of u high and an enobling cha:.
acler. Yes, he has bestowed upon Them
faculties which, if properly cultivated,
viii give them influence and niche in
Fame's Temple, SO long as that shining
edlticc shall exist. But in many they re.
mln dormant, because nothing occurs 10
draw them forth, whilst inactive they
; diminish instead Of increase, by the facul.
, ties Of the mind like the members Of tho
body. must be exercised to be strengthened,
enlarged, or improved. In debating soci.
elites the sui jecIs of discussion necessarily
exercise the speakers mind. To under.
: stand them he must read, investigate, re.
fleet, think not lightly or shallowly, but
: hnroughnly and profoundly; and the re.
: suit Of this-hs arguments and reasons
must be arranged in perspicuous and
: logical manner, 10 give them their creates.
force, protect them a. ainst the attacks Of
, his adveisaries and establish his positions.
The discussions being public, as they
usually are, all who have any pride or
, ambition will make wonderful exelhons to
win tie applause Of their auditory !; for no
reward is 50 great, no siiMulous so power.
ul to the pubic speaker, as the praise and
; commentator Dian intelligent and tnlight.
ened audience; nothing more dreaded
than their censure. Debating societies
, are therefore means Of distributing and
invig oiating tue mind.
All persons Of close and nice observe.
ii-n harv, doubt, rot;oed in ;arse,.s.,-
lng subjects for which 1t has an immediate
use, as in the question of debates, the
mind is more excited, its perceptions more
>harpencJ, aud It's energies more com.
) pIelcly reused, than If doing 30 from culi.
: osi,y alone. Ii consequently gfasps what
ever appertaIns to the subject quicker, and
J The impression made, is much more lasting
in The former than IN the latter case. The
T Information gained will be larger and the
e mental inn rovemeni far more rapid in tho
one than the other instance.
With every subject there are Others
more or less intimately connected; 81 in
) examining one we obtain some knowledge
J OF others. This may be very imperfect
we may have but faint view OF The dis
!, tan, coun'ry-its large streams may look
: like slvery .serpenline threads, It's lofty
> mountains like SAINT hills" its magnificent
;, rslies like poor, ragged Indian villages.
= But the mind heing inqns'ive the view
viii be sufficient 10 stimulate il 10 look
more deeply into these collateral matters.
The finest thoughts locked up in their
: owners breasts, are like the msers'" cof
= Tered golj," useless to himself-us less to
" The community. Debating societies open
The casket and exhibit its precious gems
10 The public. They make the rich intel.
~ leciuai productions Of the gifted and cult
# waited the common property Of all. Each
may drink deep Of the pure stream OF his
o. mud aud be exhilerated and refreshed
:. thereby. rhey not only make the strong
70 beneficial to the weak, but the reverse IS
!. often true. The latter may express an
"a excellent idea, perhaps badly--iIs import
=, ne may not clearly Understandable Other
" instantly senses II, strikes from HE rough
IS material, like the sculptor does from tho
Of marble lis surplus mn,ier-polishes and
II gives 1t beauty and FORM
N As schools ofnraiery, debating societies
are Of the highest utility; upon this
'e ground alone might safely rest their De.
&c fence. A flexible and sAnarous voice and
appropriate action, are great assistants Of
p The orator. They are the feathers that
wing his words TO their mark, give atd'
e tonal force 10 bis arguments, keenne-s 70
bus WI. and bitterness TO his sarcnsms-
+, tut few inherit them frnm nature, they arc
!e usually The offspring Of art. DemoslllI-