The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-07-20
Anniversary Celebration at st. Johns
Oliege.

Tuesday, the 2ith ult. ushered in the titular
feast aid the tenth anniversary of this institu-
ton--both Of which were celebrated as usual, by O
q literary debate and concert The audience
rumer GU and highly espectable. The Rev. Arch
b shop of New OK, just r, turned from his Euro
leap tour, was present.
. The chairman, Mr.. p. Molony, of Barnwell,
> g., comiDeLc ed the exercises by defining the
question OF debae, which was: " Has eloquence,
politically considered, proved, IN general, bene-
hc.al!' In this discussion, Us the gentleman OBJ
sery, d. vas considered not only public speaking,
but what may be termed public writlng-not only
the tongue, but the pen--in word, the eioqaence
OF the rostrum and OF the press. ibis remarks were
clear and pertinent; his delivery dignihed and
graceful; and with greater strength and compass OF
Voice. he " Guild prove u finished speaker. Let us
hope that like celebrated orator to whom he fire.
quentiy alluded, he will overcome this deficiency,
satisfy the car, as wei! the understanding, Of
his bearers.
MI Dennis O'Donoghue, of New York. now
opened the debate on the affirmative. Counting
hiasef to the ancient era, be ably pointed out the
belei Of that eloquence which, III the expressive
language Of Milton,
"Wielded at will the fierce democracie"
of Athens ava OF kome, opposed tyranny, and con-
soil jat.d empire. The speaker evioeutiy felt his
subject. and perhaps TO this exuberance Vt feeling
may be attributed his too hdrried enunciation,
winch occasionally caused what the great ! uin-
than happily terms, - u stumbling of words on the
threshold vi the ear" Let him, then, henceior-
ward study to introduce them by one,
many guests into hall prepared for their re-
ceptiob.
MIR. McNahon, of Hor lellsville, in this State,
coIlbated, in an admirable discourse, the argu-
ments OF The preceding speaker. His illustrations
We considered particularly happy, his sarcasm keen
ard attic. with f.rvor of delivery aud an earnest
sincerity, which destroyed the impress on lett by his
opponent. There W. M occasional sinking OF the
yosce aid inatteuton To general manner which
hat maired IL. effect OF the whoie-b!emsnes
Itt.txx IN .l.,thf ~ flefie
peTienee
Mr. John McQuade, Of Utica, Y. z, was pithy,
soid sbd AT guneutative. la d oriei review OF Mr.
bcMahon's reasoning he s,rengi hened that of his
colleague. the first speaker We agree with him
that the drama, particularly ut Athens, exercised
ia RESPECTS, the innucsce of the modern press
hOe,er has read AristophaDes will subscribe TO
this opinion Having heard the gentleman on the
ashu gton anniversary, We were struck with his
manifest Improvement. especially III overcoming
Il at uiJ,ice Which but too of,en para talent
Of cou sc, in eNpatiaiing ON modern eioquencc, he
happily awaited hun seli OF the resources o history
4 no concluding III ;cOursc, by Mr., Martin, OF
New ok, was briei, pointed and, indeed, an clo-
qu,bt Ie,iew Of the whole ground already gone
over, with many snceess ul gleanlngs from tue same
field The audience testified by repeated applause,
how much h, impressive aud appropriate delivery
acftd on their feelings.
Tie Cbairman, being called upon to decide, pro-
nOuLeed, after Il brief cumming up, that tue eio-
qJt Ice If the :Ostrum had been cloIuenily shOHh
t. have proved, VA general beneficial; as to that of
1Ec zen, lie would establsh a dIstinction. COnsi-
uerIg its influence in France, Germany, Spanish
a uieII u. sLa elsewhere, IL would appear to have
b,,n buriLl, rather taah otherwise; whereas among
tie gItat tHu!uy vi which r.ugsh is the Ofgaa It's
I oiiiicsl b,b,nls have predOninated
Let us hope that bOtl the IN ,irman and the
o.bat,is, whether on the political stage OF in the
cu, rial chair Will realize the b. light anticpations
whch their hraIcf and we'll sl-hers entertained On
wtIcssng this ,hcItous display Ut tai, mt and sue
ctsslui advocacy VI SCUM principles.
N,must not forget to ineusiOu the music, bot.
vocal HLd Instrumental very happily intfo iuccd iic
INK he hieIafy cxetcIses Some ut the most dill
tLIt cLofus,s OF Meboelss Ohm and other great a ~
tefs were executed with remarkable precision ani
ti,ct. indie, a. tue students, forming choir Of
voices Of every ccnlass, itUD the basso u the
s,,. alto. would not suner by coml,Iri With may
Kiisii, efi,us The last piece. cAo u b, the
c,i,biated Jesuit composer, Father lslhoillotte,
was eAqnsiteiy perior ned.
Al IN, cluse Of he exercises. the assembly vas
favored with a variety of Interesting remarks by
the reverend pclste. lie alluded To hisfecent wy
age 20 Euro, e. rapidly ske ,chei the social aud po-
htlcal condition Of The states ~hich ne hao visitd
arc after a well n,rited castigsiI OF tue Russell
Iuy col fatulaied himself and all present ON the
unIivsiled PROSPERITY, tranquility, and liberty OF
our cwp iuSOitd land. Tue heartfelt emotion, even
TO tear. OF bedistinguis ned speaker, communicated
itseli to all present
thus happily terminated n happy celebration,
which the Did have seldom seen equalled, ana TO
vii ch ID. young, in after life, will always look back
with fond recollection.