The River Falls journal. (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1857-1861, 1859-01-19
LIS PIERCE COUNTY, WISCONSIN, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 49,

do not anticipate, we would then propose
that Of Prescott or Hudson. We prefer
a written discussion to eral, because we
believe a greater amour Of good can
thus be accomplished, which is the only
motive that incines us to discuss it at all.
But to be little more s.iecific, we will
state,-- nn7aiL gao.
First, That our tine. go occupied in
our separate.indiv;dual gagefnents, that
it would be out of our power to agree on
the same time which we could consistently
devote to an oral public discussion Of this
sort
In the second place, we think an oral
debate would be less calculated TO secure
that calm, sober reflection, which the i'm
portance Of the subject demands. If you
suppose we regard the subject Of trivial
Importance, you are in error. This dis
cussion Will bear directly upon our fixed
religious convictions, and we are not alone
in these convictions 1t will therefore be
your duty to show that we belong to that
part Of community, who have been label
ed "dupes to a perverted conscience"
You are probably aware, too, that the
very existence of our Academy as an In
stituton, which will either receive or de-
serve the patronage of Christian people,
is at stake Oh the question which we pro-
pose to discuss, according to the judgment
ofmany who sympathize with us.
On the contrary, this discussion will
bear directly upon the pleasures Of ano-
Their part Of the community, pleasures to
which some Of them are ,passionately and
determinately attached This being the
case, the excitement, which you have in
formed us, exists in the community on
this subject. would not become less by an
oral or even written discussion. Hence
each one reading by himself, and for him
self, would be more likely to Judge and
decide according to the merits Il the case,
and according to bhe convies93s Of his
understanding, and hot sQIer jh&7ncGna-
tons Of his excited passions to decide for
him.
Then again under the excitement Of an
oral debate, a speaker does not faei 50 sure
that every word uttered Will be ~tained,
and he be held responsible for Il; and
consequently he is more likely to bet slip
words which will only add hesi to the
passions rather than give Light te7she m
Outstanding.
On the other hand, the types Ilefore the
imagination of q writer. exert a very sald-
tary influence upon lhinl in awak9ss:ng a
sense of responsibility. After the types,
come the eyes of a discriminating people,
who will take time to read thouglltfully.
Types can be made to report facts and
arguments as stated. But we wosifd IA
Their not be responsible for the accuracy
of the ea2s and tongues of an excited as
sembly listening to an oral debate, each
one committed for or against us We
prefer to be reported by our pens AMI the
press; and we can see no valid objeesons
to written discussion through the press.
Besides this, you, gentlemen are not
deficient in literary qualifications. Two
of you, at least, have acquired stanlling
in literary circles here;- one as the 1850
ciate editor, and the other as a prominent
contributor to tho columns of the !" jour
NAL.n
And, finally, we feel our weakness and
want of words, and wit, and wisdom in
debate, as in everything ESQ, and tbele-
fore avail ourselyes of tie rights ga IN
teed by tie laws Of honor to the ehal-
lenged party, viz: the right to cheese She
weapons to be employed in the encounter.
We therefore choose pens and types, and
invite you to unite with us in soliciting
the use of the columns of the River Falls
JOURNAL so far as may be necessary for
the discussion.
Respectfully yours,
Sc eaa WIN. r. STEVENS,
A. GIBSON,
BENJAMIN WILCOX.
~ s
REMARKs.-It seems to us that there
ara some tbinos in the Renlv To orr in