Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1849-1856, 1851-12-04
A WISCONSIN DEBATING CLUB,


/ A WISCONSIN DEBATING CLUB.
Gentlemen said The chairman, 'the
question for This evening is, Which con-
ferred the greatest benefit on man, Mri
Chrisiophtr Columbus or Gen Georgto
| Washington 2-On The affirmative, Mes
srs. Van Dreezer, Dusenbury, an.
Phenix; on the negative, Mrssrs. Fos
ter. Milligan, and Sampson. MIR. Vani
Drrezer has the floor. |;
\ Mr.. V. The village lawyer, a smart,
/ dipper looking man. arose, and taking
\ sip oi water from The tin cup ~hich was
before him, did despose aud say -
\ Mr.. President AMI Gentlemen and
\ Ladies' arise 10 advocate the anrma-
/ tive OF this question; that is 10 say,
\ that | affirm that Mr. Columbus did
/ greater benefit 10 n,ankind then General
! Washington. In ordr, more fully 10
digest the cinterrogatory jus, propounded,
! 10 enter !ul y into tie merits Of the case,
! | will give Il brief, succint, and con-
! densed account of Mr.. Columbus's life
! and exploits. Sir, who was Christopher
! Columbus Sir, echo answers, the
greatest man OF his times. Sir, Colum-
bus was the offspring of man of the
same name, who was an indignant bas-
ket maker in small town called Rome,
situated on the river Tigers, Il stream
which takes lis rise in the pyranine
mountains, and flow. in n sourheas,erly
course into the Gut OF Mexico. Al an
early age Columbus cvnced decided
talent tor the sea, aud occupied the
leisure hours Of his infancy in perusing
books OF travel and works on navigation.
II WAS willie engaged in these pursuits
that he inadvertently met with the works
of Robson and Cruso. and Captain
Cook, aud the definition he made from
them was that far away over the track
less main, hitherto Lntroden by the foot
OF man, was an undiscovered conurry.
AS lie approached 10 manhood, he
was filled with desire 10 discover that
country which lie so often saw in his
youthful dreams actuaied by this de-
sire, he peti,oned the great Political
Pope OF Rome to give him three yawls
and II Jolly boat TO carry out his sign.
That distinguished man at first refused,
but his wife Cleopatra being pleased
with the promising looks Of Mr. Co'um-
bus, actuatcd with q magnanimity which
is II caIricatnre of her sex. prevailed
upon han to grant Columbus request
whereupon, providing his vessels with
stores aud men out OF his own pocket,
Columbus got ready. and on certain
day of "A certain mouth. and in Il certain
year, he set sail from the Holy Sd OF
Rome. and after a long and tempes,uous
trip. he set foot al last, upon the Ply
mouth Rock, in the Island of John Fer
nandeZ; il was on that occasion that he
exclaimed Breaihes there any man
with soul so perfectly dead as never 10
himself has said, this is my own, my
native land
Sir Mr.. Columbus did not long sur
vive the hardships OF that voyage, and !
was taken prisoner by the king OF tic
Cannon ball islands, and with all his !
crew cast into chains and slavery, where |
he died an ign ,minous natural death, |
with his whole crew, leaving not one
to tell the tale. Peace to his ashes and !
their'n.
Sir. the discovery of this continent
WAS the greatest invention OF the year |
l492. Fernandez Island was the step
ping stone to the settlement Of this coun-
try, Sir. United States, North and !
South America, Oregon and Asia, Hin
,stan and Belochislen, England and !
Turkey, France and China, and many
others too numerous TO mention behold !
these countries traversed by steamboats,, /,
railroads and telegraphs and ask your
self would these things have been If it |
hadn't been for Columbus and your
reply would certainly be, Certainly not,
Sir II it hadn't been Tor Columbus
General Washington wouldn't have been
man-but suppose he had, what then |
What did Washington ever do that was |
grea, benefit to this country 7-There
is much said about his talents for war;
To lie SUR he per.o med several mastery !
retreats, but what is that an evidence
of2 Sir. il is that he was a cowardn
General Washington coward 2 !
screamed Foster, the village doctor, in |
voice OF thunder. General Washing
ton coward Who SO base as dare .
sly IL Lunk at him at " aierIoo, the |
C0wpens. on the Plains af Marathon, at !
The Pyramids, at Sulmans defeat, at |
Bad axe and. sir. look al him at the !
battle of New Orr, ansr
General Washington al the battle of |
New Orleansm exclaimed huge hack
woodsman, gesticulatng violently. MIR. I
Speaker is there such an lgnoramus in ,
the house2 Sir any school boy knows
that the bate Of n, W Orleans was tit /
bel1rc GeI era Washington was horn
Let the gentleman read Putarch's lives,
the lives Of the Signers OF The Declara-
iion Of independence. or let him read
A,kwright's history of the Black Hawk
War aud he'll ii al that General Henry .
Dodge fit The battle Of Nep Orleans