Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1858-03-12
lCoNN UNICATED.
VISIT TO \ COUNTRY LITERARY sOCII


Mr., A and myself were present at an
early hour on the evening of the Goth ult.--
The met society at school house in well i'm
proved portion of Delaware county. On the
evening referred to, the attendance was large
and varied, the old and young, ladies and
gentlemen, boys and girls, were here for
their amusement.
The House was called to order by presi-
dent.
Much noise and bustle was made in find
ing seats; as the audience was large and the
room scarcely sufficient, temporary seats
were hastily constructed, by placing fence
rails across the aisles of the room, and ere
long all were seated en- naasse., The work
commenced, the roll was called, the minutes
read, &c. The president announced the
names Of those on duty this evening, which
made our expectations buoyant. The order
of exercises was composition, dialogue, dec
lamation, and discussion. But it appears on
this evening the members were unprepareG
in every branch save discussion. Only i'm
agine our Disappointment. We had expec-
ted fiowery compositions from the ladies'
department, funny dialogues from the boys,
witty and humorous deciamalions from the
young men, logical oration from some
Ciceronean of the society and of course a
sol diSGnt debate from the contentious por-
ton of the society.
The latter expectation was fully realized, for
no sooner had it been announced--''d:scussion
next in order," than we found out by observa-
ton, every dlsputant. Low, hurried, pri-
vate conversations were held between COL
leagues and eplenty of documents displayed''
and everything indicated that they were not
only willing but anxious to engage in the
contest. Here the president read, with much
sang froid, the question for disputation:
"Resoved that Catholicism is greater
evil than Slavery"
On this question there were FIVE speakers
pro and five con.
Rv an action of the society the speakers
were limited to fifteen minutes each. Eve
rything was now ready. Curiosity, that
heart cheering, soul animating freak Of ma
ture, became fully aroused.
The affirmative leader opened the de bate.
He commenced in good practical logic to de-
nounce the one evil and to polish the other.
For while he went gloriou<ly on with en-
thusiasm and vigor, till he got into the mer-
its Of the question, where he became vehe-
ment and volcanic.
He would read his text and then COM
ment thereon. But while he was going on
with great ardor and zeal in the cause, the
president cries out ''your times up" twas
sudden shock. A momentary calm comes
over US. Then the leader of the negative,
the worthy pedagogue of the district, takes
the floor pulls off his coat, and after giving
us an idea 'what it is for opens upon his
antagonist with force and venom.
Many mirth provoking little anecdotes
were related by the way OF illustration, aud
we were often forced to laugh in spite of
ourselves. | could not help noticing Mr.. F.
an aged man, jcvial and humorous, who every
now and then laughed most heartily, our
speaker, in question, goes on to our anluse-
ment, tearing up and annihilating argument
till in his opinion the former arguments are
ali s.knocked into a cooked hat" and finds
the work brought back in statu quo. He
now gives the floor to his worthy opponent
| next in order, who is less obstreperous than
his predecessors. Thus ever changeable and
varied did the contest prove, till the noble
leaders strove again. They were az bolster
Gus, as jovial and as brittle as before, and
exciting our risibillties as often.
No decision was given OF the question:
1t is hardly necessary to add that we were
much pleased with our entertainment.
A. & c.