M'arthur Democrat. (McArthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1853-1865, 1855-11-22

OhONrN ihJ lJiCullSCo tW WIS pdltiCuldl
be cerect, | think we may safely max,
the deduction, and calculate ON III,
success OF our undertaking.
The very object and purpose of thi
society should be (and / have ne
doubt is so understood by ally the im
proVement of the mind and useful fac
ulties Of each individual member, anC
to effect this grand design, the first OBJ,
ject should be to stimulate the mind
and cause it to search for gene raj in,
formation, and TO inquire Tor truth.
This attained, the next grand objecI
should be to train the mind not only Il
think profoundly, but to reason with
precision-to separate argument from
fallacy by the clearest and most simple
rules OF logic--and to pursue truth ever
through the most intricate deductions
am aware that prejudice exists in
the minds Of some persons against ly.
ceums or debating societies, aud the
opinion is honestly entertained by many
that little or no good results 10 the menI-
bers or society generally thereIrom.-
| think, however, that all will agree
with me in the opinion, that good cr
evil results, flowing from an associa>
tiOn OF individuals, depend entirely up
on the character OF its members, the
object or purpose OF the association,
and the manner 10 which it is conduc.
ted.
can easily conceive how the very
object and purpose OF not only this,
but all other societies Of a similar char
acter, could be perverted and rendered
worse than useless to its members; and
one of the most fruitful causes calcula'
ted to produce that result, is the wide
range which is too frequently given in
the selection of subjects Tor discussion.
Whenever the energies Of the mind are
let loose to wander through the wide
range Of general literature, taste, poll.
tics, and the thousand and one wild
theories which are entertained by some,
there is great danger that those subjects
will claim too much OF our attention,
and be listened 10 with too much of an
approving ear, or at least, that the
mind will become in some degree dis
iracted and its best powers weakened
by the multiplicity of demands upon
Iii.
At is certainly true, that the practiced
debator may acquire facility ofspeech
and rhetorical diclion by putting forth
his strength upon all occasions and up.
on every theme; but it should be rec
lollected that this object can be as easi.
ly accomplished by putting forth our
energies in the discussion of subjects
which have no debasing or immoral
tendencies, and which are of the great
est Importance to our interests; evel
bearing in mind that precision force
of reasoning - which distinguish.
Ees the sound debator, as well as the
best modes Of expression calculated Ia
convey the thoughts and opinions OIL
the speaker to the audience, can better
be secured by combining these exercises
to subjects calculated 70 elevate, rather
than degrade, the mural standard -
recommend, therefore, thar special care
and attention be given 10 this subject
by those TO whom is entrusted, from
time 10 time, the duty of selecting sub
jects for discussion; believing, as do,
that hundreds and thousands oil persons
who are now classed with the Deist,
Atheist, Sceptic, and those who advo.
cate the various wild and visionary
theories, equally ridiculous and absurd
as that of Atheism, are themselves the
authors of their own conviction. |
cannot but believe it TO be proper and
right for any member of this society
to refuse 10 invent arguments 10 prove
a position or principle 10 be true which
his judgment and honest convictions
teaches him is false, or disprove that
which he believes to be true. The in.
dividuai, however, claiming to be ex-
cused from the position assigned him,
should first be satisfied that the question
at issue involved the discussion of a
moral principle, and that his own argu>
ment might have an injurious effect up
on his own judgment, or that Of others,
desire to call the special attention
of the young men who now are, and
who may become members of this so.
ciety, to the fact, that it is their prvi-
lege and duty 10 derive a double adj
vantage from the lessons of instructions
which may be here impaired, over those
who have passed the meridian OF life.
In fact, the leading desire of all the
good and wise men Of the age is, 10
educate the youth of our land, and TO
prepare the young and rising genera.
tian for usefulness in society, and To-
discharge with ability the important
trusts which will soon be confded to
their keeping. And whether they are
called upon to fill station in the coun.
ellis of our nation, in our legislative
halls, at the bar, in the pulpit, or to
move in the circles Of private life, Il
appreheud that it they improve the op-
potnnities here offered for obtaining
information, they will in after life be
able, with great satisfaction, to advert
to the Hall Of the Macarthur Literary