The Yazoo Democrat. (Yazoo City, Miss.) 1844-18??, 1846-04-01
Library and Debating Societis,

AiUEaIy ana DeDatlng oOcletieS
Among the acts passed by the Leei,,
ture we have noticed one, "TO incOrDO,
ate the Lexington Library and DebatD.
Society" We understand this Society h,'
been organized for some time, and that i,
members have taken much Interest nDn
noting the objects for which il was formed
Societies Of this kind when properlycoD,
Quoted, are sources Of much benefit, aI
should receive encouragement. Everyya
lage, and every Academy should have h,
literary society, so that students, and tbO,.
engaged in other pursuits may assemble
and discuss topics which are useful and in.
teresting. They create a spirit Of emul,.
tion-a desire to excel in the knowledge Of
the subjects which are chosen for discus.
sion. Thus are the mental faculties az.
banded, and genius hitherto slumbering in
inactivity because Of that mOdestv
which so frequently attends it, or FOR want
of some incentive to arouse it to action
becomes developed. How many whoa
names have added honor TO their country
and whose eloquence has attracted the won.
der, the praise, and admiration Of the aOe
in which they lived, received the first en-.
couragement to study, and improve their
native talents, in such societies! But foy
the impulse thus given, their genius how.
ever brilliant naturally, would have remain.
ed uncultivated, and withered like the beau
tifnl plant whose growth is not promoted
by the genial showers Of heaven.
The examples which history affords us Of
the action Of ancient orators, show how use.
tul and important particularly to students)
they regarded exercises in speaking. Ca.
to the Censor who from an humble life,
reached the apex Of honor in his. country
whose over-Powering eloquence served as
an armor of defence against every blow
that his enemies leyeled against him, and
whose powers of oratory gained for bin
the title of "the Roman Demosthones."
we are informed by his biographer
when in early life paid particular attention
to exercises in oratory-for, "he consider.
ed eloquence as kind of second body, an
instrument Of great things not only useful
bat necessary for eUery man, hence he con.
SANITY exercised and improved that tai.
snt."
Those societies however, it should be
borne in mind, are frequently sources Of
injury when not properly conducted-when
his is the case the object designed in their
ormation fails to be accomplished. Blair
N his Lectures on Rhetoric, after abiding
o their utility "when properly regulated"
hus alludes to their disadvantages, to stu.
tents, under the following circumstances:
If their subjects Of discourse be imprO.
'erly chosen; if they support ertravagant
'r indecent topics; il they indulge them
selves in loose and flimsy defamation; or
lccustOm themselves without preparation
o speak pertIy, on all subjects, they will
lnavoidably acquire very faulty and vici.
Jus taste in speaking"
lie furthermore says:
1t should therefore be recommendedto all
hose who are members Of such societies,
o attend to the choice Of their subjects to
AXE care that they be useful and manly.
ither connected with the course of their
tudies, or related to morals and taste. 10
ction and life. They should also be tenn.
crate in the practice Of speaking; not
peak too often, nor on subjects Of which
hey are ignorant; but only when they
ave proper materials for discourse and
ave previously considered and digested
he subject"
Man To OREGoN.-It is stated that the