The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-03-20

Svs SOmn's Coucgo.
On Tuesday, the 4th inst, the students Of 8
JohnsCollege, Fordham, gave, to numerous friend
and acquaintances their first literary debate of IN
+, season. There is always something pei ularly en-
ca. 'antisg in such juvenile entertainments The,
ava, en- in the bosoms of all present, recollection
the ave- test for surely If there is one green spo
in the dese,-t Of life, around which the heart car
linger with un slloyed delight, it is that of school
boy days; and never before, we confess, on any
similar occasion, did fond memory more clearly OF
more brightly ''brng the light of other days around
u.s. The day was pi opitiouy fine; everything
around the college wore an appearance of gayety,
not usual at such ason. Ii seemed as If nature
herself, DESTROYS to participate in the fesvity of
their young hearts, had even outstepred her wont
ed course, ard attired herself in lighter robes and
brighter colors than usual. AT twelve o'clock the
company repaired TO the large study hall, which
was artisticaily decorated tor the occasion. Among
other patriotic Devices one prominently appe AIRED
which attracted universal admiration because IL
spoke the language OF every heart-it was the con-
else, eloquent, American motto /" u nion." The
order OF exercises were follows
LITERARY DEBATE.
QnesfionIs the downfall Of former republics mainly
attributable TO moral to political causes. Moral
Walter boro, g. G. PoliticsI-2 John McQusde, Utics
N. Y; 4. q. J. Thsbsud, New York.
The Chairman, upon introducing the speakers,
made some very appropriate remarks on the interest
and importance of the question they were about to
debate He observed, that at first sigln il might
appear presumpious for youths to discuss subject
which had SO often engaged the attention Of per-
intending to take historical rather than a pho-
sophlcal view of the question, he hoped they would
prove to the highly intellectual audience present,
that they were net endeavoring to soar too high.
After his well timed remarks on the nature of the
subject, and the view in which it was to be consi.
dered, the desires OF all were somewhat heightened
to hear the debaters advocate their respective
causes These high anticiratons were indeed
more than realized, when they heard the young
orators (all of whom we should suppose were under
eigh!een maintain their respective positions, with
such force Of defamation, powerful reasoning,
such eloquent and heartslirriDg appeals.
The discoures of Messrs. Martin and Pinckney,
WHO maintained that the downfall of republics is
mainly TO be ascribed to moral causes, were re-
plete with many examples, both ancient and mo-
dern, showing that moral corruption widely diff.
fused throughout all classes, was what slowly but
surely ssppcd the foundations Of Greece, Carthage
and Rome, as also Of the italian republics, Of
France and Of Holland, in later ages.
Their opponents, Messrs. McQuade and The
bund. though it must be confessed they advocated
the weaker cause, so successfully over urned
some, and evaded others of the arguments adj
daced on the side of moral causes, that the pas
sive listener, who perhaps little before imagined
the reasonings for moral agency incontrovertible,
found himself now somewhat in a similar state Of
the respective claims of plaintiff aud defendant,
imparlially, though not very logically, cried out
"both must be right" But fortunately in the
present case, a more penetrating judge presided,
and though equally impartial, more logical. After
weighing the arguments on each side, clearly de-
filming moral and political cause, showing that
the two are insepsrable, though either may pre-
ponderate, and adding that France of '93 must be
regarded as a social phenomenon, or rather
monster, not referable to ordinary rules. he pro-
nounced his decision 10 this effect:-The down.
tall OF ancient republics, must be attributed rather
to moral than TO political--that of modern com.
monweaiths rather 10 political than moral causes.
The continued applause Of the audience emphati.
cally bespoke their appreciation, and evinced their
entire concurre nee In the business OF his decision
The music furnished on the occasion by the stu.
dt nts, under the guidance Of their eminent profes
sor, Mr. Beck ,tfed the soul of every auditor with
delight. In the pre- sent instance Mr.. Beck has in
skiful teacher; seldom, in academic halls have the
ears OF any audience been RECALLED with such har.
mony Of sounds, or such sweet and soul stirring
notes, as those Young warblers SEM forth
AT the conclusion OF the exercises, the Rev. DR..
FORBES represented the audience, in expressing
their thanks for the delightful entertainment afford
ed them by the young gentlemen, who displayed
such powers OF eloquence, and such sound and
practical views on the important subject they 80
ably discussed. He Tejoiced 10 find, that while
some were threatening 10 raise sacrlegious hand
| against that Union which wac conceived by the
mind OF a Washing on and Jefferson, and GENE mt
| ed by the blood Of so many patriots, such minds
and such hearts as the young orators possess
| ed OF, were imbibing within these sacred walls,
| true principles OF patriotsm and that the Union,
the motto incribed upon their rosrrum, writteu
IN their very souls. He hoped that the eloquepce
they had displayed, would, in their future career,
be employed IN the cause OF their country and of
truth.
After the very pertinent remarks of the dis.n-
guished gentleman, the company djourned from
the acade mical to the dining hail. and from music
and sopg 10 iruit, cake and lemonade.