The Kalida venture. [volume] (Kalida, Ohio) 1841-1865, 1846-08-13
DEBATING sOCIETIEs.

The Archbishop of Dublin, DR. Whately,
has written paper entitled, "The Danger
Of Debating Societies 10 Young Men" In
the United States, where people often learn
10 debate before they learn 10 think, it may
be well 10 consider whether any such oSjec-
ton can be made to this practice The
Archbishop enters freely into the subject,
and allows Aat the practice Of debating may
confer upon those engaged in il a readiness
aad fuency which they could not otherwise
acquire. He thus meets that portion Of the
argument: m
But q premature readiness is more likelp
than the opposite extreme 10 lead TO incur
able faults And all the dangers that at
tend this kind ofexercise the learner who is
engaged in il should frequently cali to his
mind and reflect on, that he may the better
guard against them, never allowing himself,
in one of these mock debates, TO maintain
any thing which he himself believes to be
untrue, or to use argument which he per-
ceives 10 be faliacious. 4 s
The temptation TO trangress this rule
will often be very strong; because, TO such
persons as usually form The majority in one
Of those societies, youth ofimmature judg-
ment, superficial, and half educated,) spe-
cious falsehood and sophistry will often ap-!
pear superior to truth and sound reasoning,
and will call forth louder plaudits; and the
wrong side of question will often afford
room for such captivating show ofingenui-
ty as TO be to them more easily maintained
than the right; and scruples Of conscience,
relative TO yeracity and fairness, are likely
to be silenced by the consideration that
after all tits no real battle, but a tourna-
ment; there being no real and important
measures 10 be actually decided on, but
only debate carried on for practice sake. sos
s. !" But, unreal as is the occasion, and in
significant as may be the particular point, a.
habit may be formed which will not easily be
unlearned afterwards, Of disregarding right
reason, and truth and fair argument. And
sucha habit is not merely debasing to the
moral character, but alsoina a rhetorical point
of yiew,- if i may SO speak, often proves
hurtful. 1t has often weakened the effect
10. a far greater degreesthan most persons
suppose, of what has .beenwritteh and said
by men of great ability, BY depriving it Of
that air Of simple trutbfulness which has SO
winning a force and which tits 50 impossible,
completely 10 feign."s ~, t.oIi RS a3t sss 81
4 The views Of the Archbishop are insevery
respect new, but they seem founded int truth,
and at all events his letter (which is sad-
dressed TO Dr.. Cooke Taylor) ia well worthy !
the attentive consideration of all heads of
colleges and other academical institutions.
WASHINGTON, July "a. SENATE. =
The House bill requiring of powers of at
torney to be exhibited BY agents for claims
on Congress was taken up and passed. B Il
The House. bill relating to the duty on
Java coffee, and the refunding Of certain
Spanish tonnage dulles Illegally exacted,
was also passed, with some slight amend
mcnts.
The river and harbour bill was next taken
up, and great number Of proposed amend
ments rejected. The bill was then passed
& A message was received from the Presi-.
dent 10 The effect that lie had signed the
joint tresoluion reducing the prices Of public
printing. tha1
a5 Married,
In Pleasant Township, on the Cd inst by the
Rov. Mr.. ANprRsoN, DR.. j. "A. NEWELL, to
Misc -ADAL1NE FEATHINGILL, both Of this