Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1839-01-17

on frday, December asih, 1898, it was unani-
mously
Re'eired, That the President do appoint a CON-
mi"ee oi Two To communicate with the editor OF
ihe w winchester Niryin,an. and To request the Ia
vor oi him To publish. IN his paper. an Adde'S
delivered by Jous Hay, Esd, before the Berry,
willie Lvccum.
Whercupon, the President appointed w. r.
Bcason and X. III. Whiting as committee for
the aforesaid purpose. I, was further
Rssoirsi, Tia, the editors OF the Charlcs,own
Free Press bc requested to publish the same.
| JOHN u. NORRIS, Presideai.
Gro. w. BLsSEs'osE, Secretary.
Address
Differed b.frr the Brrryrinc Lyceum. Dec,p.ser
ss!h' on hs .hrsnilsrs resulting from DEBATING
Societies.
By JOELr HI, E.q.
| Gstiiesasi q hs Bers1riHe T.scs Hm-No Spccta-
Gle eau be more imposing, afford more crate
iui pleasure 90 4 ccnienplatiyc mind, than an
assembly Of young gentlemen aS>ocating them
selves together FOR the avowei purpose of mcn-
tai culture and Improvement, under the deep set
tied convection that knowledge j. not only yalu-
able lor as own sake, but that II Is, ia fact, moral
PoTp--a proposition, the truth of which, IL
would be waste of time tn demonstrate. put
I there be any here incrcdulouS of its truth I
point them TO Natures widespread rc.umc-the
work OF that DeiBy an whom are concentrated
wisdom, goodness, and power and whilst they
may fedd IN every page demonstration of the
proposition that - knowledge is Power" am
confident they will become more deeply ena-
INQUIRED of ITS excellence and worth, and be more
Jealous IA their efforts To acquire 1t.
Isolated man Is creature helpless and plia-
bic; but Is an integral part OF society. such Is
:hc one ] am now addressing, and under iiS ios-
icring care. the powers with winch he is cndow-
cd ty his Creator, may, 10y proper culture, bc d.
rec;eJ Ia great aud noble ends. Ia hs bosom
lglowS principe of emulation, which prompts
han To Imitation and improvement, aad acquaints
him with Ia own energies but If ..IIS principle
be neglected anil unculiivated, Ike the speeding
diamond, uadug from the mine, though II is capa-
bic of corru>caiioD, no one can behold and be
deli Thied with its Scintlla,ionS.
Hence then, gentlemen, results the great bcnc-
hi Of debating societies, when their efforts are
primarily directed us they always shonld lie, To
the cultivation OF THIS prncipe--to cherish lis
growth, prune ITS cxcrcscenccs, and tn lead and
AID its efforts, by choice of proper subjects for
discussion. m the acquisition of those impOrian,
truths, which man, rs an accountable moral agent
and member OF society, should intensely study TO
acquire.
Among the subjects for discussion, those
should be fr>t selected which will deeply impress
upon the mind the duty winch man owes TO his
Creator, and the great and solemn truth OF bis
ubiquiiy and omniscicnce-a truth which II the
foundation OF all pieiy, and inspires that purity
lof thought, and conduct, which Gods Sanctify-
ing spirit. Whenever IL sees fat, mouids into those
perfect characters upon EARTH which arc every
where greeted with the love and yeneration of
all who come within their sphere.
A second class OF subjects those which
point out mans duty To- his fellow man-inStruet
HIM m the knowledge Of his own unalicnable
natural rghts-apprizc him what portion thereof
lac surrenderS IN exchange for the protection of
lSociciy-what social relative rights he acquires
by such surrender, and inspire him with an un-
swctying love of Jusiice-imprcSsing indelibly
on his heart an undertaking observance of the
injunction, ''io do unto others as he would they
should do unto him'-a command, embracing,
rs II does IN fact, condensed epitomc OF the
prnciplcS Of divine, natural, and social or civil
law-and riveiing the belief, that lie who strictly
regards this Law of love towards his fcllow-man,
will not wantony violate any other precept of
the decaloguc.
a third class OF subjects for discussion should
he comparison of social institutions, neccSSa-
rily Includin. historical research, aud leading To
n comparison of our own institutions with those
of other countries. Hence, the superiority Of
our own will NJ once DC pcrceivcd,-Patrioiic at
tachmeBt will become invigorated, and the be-
! som OF each citizen Will glow with that noble
consccTaied sentiment, which Is indcibly cngTa-
ven on every PATRIOTS heart, 'Ihat At IS and
honorable to die for ones country under the In-
fuence OF winch sentiment, our republic must
bc invincible, 80 long as the moral worth and in
tciIigcncc Of its citizrns shall BE- regarded the
coun,crvailing antidotcS against eliminating
luxury aud wealth.
knowledge and wealth, gentlemen, are the
two controlling powers in Socieiy--each present
ing their characteristic allurements 10 talent aud
enterprise but you cannot hesitate ia choosing
between them, when you bear IN mind that the
nineteenth century. the period in which your
lives have been cast, has been distinguished by
perfect demonstration Of the tTanscendant SUI
Of
latter in the astonishing and splendid conquest,
achieved over space and the ocean, by the Scicn-
uiIc application of SEAMAN agent, second ou.
Us m velocity and energy To- the lightning Of hca
iven,-and II would now be SccpiciSm OF The
highest grade, longer TO doubt that In The classi6
: cation OF moral and physical power, a ranl
must b. assigned to wealth IN society. sceondaf,
10 that cmanation of the divine intelligence
Vhich governs and controls the uniVcTse--whcl
proclaimed al Tie beginning, and IN ~ own Ian
iguacc that God created man ~ his own ima;sc-
ipTcfgufing thus, and ordanng that intimate
{ union with himself. which has IT'S commence
g mcnt upon earth, hut ITS contamination Only l.
the good and yiTtuous ia heaven.
Thus have !, gentlemen, suggested to you, -
a yeTy concise, and | fear imperfect manner
some Il ihc benefits which may DC gathered b
2 each member e this society. from a seduloU
D cultivation of knowledge The harvest - IA
. deed abundant in all that rich variety 81 fruit'
core ponding To the varied tastes II each Ia
hofcr. and be- assured that IN proportion To u.
= diligence and carcfuncss IN iie work. viii hc a.
magnitude and value Of the crop harvested.
r. dhigcnt, then, my yuJng friends. and rcmcmhc
. that YOU are lahorcrs not for time only, hut "a
an endless eternity. ~ which ice will ENJOY mo
Happiness wha docs not here hidc his talent ~
y napkin. and ~ greeted With that hcavcn-in-spi
i ri situation. Well done, thou good aud laiil
v fn servant enter thou INTO the 10y II tiy Iofd.
IL That YOU may, gentlemen, individually an
collectively, realize ihr pieasiBr anticipation
. andcr Which this socrety has been Organized. an
y that its discussions may rednund 70 your adval
v taee and o. own celebrity - the cordial aud f.
,. vent wish of he rumble individual who has ih
ID evening bad the honor Of Addressing you.