Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1856-01-18
For the Standard.
Lyceuns.
A SUPERINTENDENT.

Mr.. EDIToR,-As your paper ap-
pears to be designed to favor all move
ments which tend to improve and benefit
the people Of this county, I would like
to say few words in favor of lyceums,
or debating societies, and advance a few
arguments to prove that they should be
more universally supported.
There is perhaps no other way that
so much good could be done to educate
and improve the mass of young men, as
to establish and sustain lyceum in ev-
cry school district for I believe that in
every neighborhood where there are
scholars enough to make it necessary to
have a school, there are men enough to
make one evening in the week pass with
interest and profit in talking upon the
various questions which fancy may die
Une VI the results OF Il Iyceuru Is: IT.
increases the oratorical powers of those
engaged in its debaets; it increases their
power of expressing ideas on common
subjects; and as the art of talking is one
OF our first gifts, and upon the manner
we exercise it much Of our happiness de-
ponds, 1t is but reasonable that we should
cultivate and perfect it by practice.
Perhaps there are persons who are
orators by nature, who can stand before
an audience and speak clearly and flu
emily without previous practice. Such a
person is as rarely found as one who can
play upon violin Or piano without prac-
tee; and if all depend upon natural tai
ent for success in public speaking, they
will fail.
oratory exercises great influence in
all legislative assemblies, and in MANY
cases the south have depended for sue
cess more upon their orators than upon
the justice of their measures. IF we
would exert an influence against anv ,
evil whether it be intemperance, the use
'f tobacco, or slavery, it must be by the
.rt of talking.
Another beneficial result of 1yceums
S, they give the members weekly rev
uRJect for thought and reflection. The
anne subjects may have passed through
he mind of every individual, and vet ,
make no definite impression. Therefore.
ne mind has not been disciplined or :
trengthened. But when men begin to 7
hink with an object, or with the expec- >.
alton of some result, then some definite
IMPRESSION is received, ideas are accump-
lted, the mind is strengthened and mora
eadlly obeys each succeeding call made
pom its powers.
1t will also, if well conducted, keen S
1--we a social feeling amongst those who C,
anticipate in their pleasures and to make
reading community. Persons will at
rst perhaps read only what relates to P
lie question under discussion but bab-
5 OF reading, when once formed. are sa
't easily broken up, but will grow. much
the benefit of newspaper publishers
Id to the readers. II will tend to turn if
e attention of young men from balls vo
I'd parties, to seek amusement in a moro no
honal way, way that will instruct the lai
md as well as contribute to their nle. br
re.
hi:
notwithstanding the many reasons eel
ought forward in favor of lyceums
ere are still few persons who oppose to
I'm on the ground that one side of A.. 20.
eStion must be wrong and therefore no
''e VINO support that side must say va
ngs they do not believe. This reason ,,n
true' may have some weight, but be-
We 'here Is no necessity of having such "a
'S'ions' and that such cases are of rare ION