The Grand Haven news. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1858-18??, 1860-03-28
The Closing of the Grand Haven Ly-

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to appointment, the Lyceum adjourned to
Nov. %, 1860. The closing exercises
were of an interesting nature. The usu-
al discussion of a subject was omitted and
in lieu thereof y lecture was delivered by
Hon. M. l.. HOPKINS, one Of the MEM
bers. We shall have the pleasure Of sub
hitting it to the readers of the Me,Os
next week---we ask for it careful and
candid perusal. We give below the toasts
presented, but must omit the remarks Of
the gentlemen who responded.
Reference was had during the evening
to the organization of the Lyceuln and
to members then present who took part
in that organization. One of the MEM
bers stated that it was organized some
eighteen years ago, and there was now
present five of the members Of that de-
batting club. For reasons deemed neces-
sary by those who proposed the organiza-
ton, secluded place of assemblage was
advisable. They met regularly for sever
al months in "BARNs' old carpenter
shop" on what is now Columbus street,
and with closed doors fought their bat
ties. john B. WARREN, now Capt. Of
the propeller OHawa, was the first Pres
ident, and he heard and decided the ar
guments and the question seated upon an
old saw horse (such as is usually used by
Carpenters) while the members, " not oc-
cupying the floor" were seated around as
best they could upon the shavings and
blocks. The first question upon which
they tried their voices Of grit was,
{" Resolved, That the Indian has more
cause for complaint against the American
government than the negro"
Since that first session each succeeding
one has had the subject before the Lyce-
un, and those Of the Indian and African
persuasion have had able defenders to adj
vocate their claims, and the records show
conflicting decisions. Il las.. 81, sgaa
AT the last meeting of the Lyceum,
n week ago, according to the record read
by the Secretary, the Niger" was dis
cussed. Upon the motion to approve of
the record, objection was made by one of
the members to the use of the word mig
ger, rs an odious term and not respectful
toward the colored man, particularly up
! on the ground that the society had over
ruled and amended the old constitution,
which excluded negroes from participating
in the debates-the amendment having
only taken place at the last session.. e.,
admitting negroes to take part in the de-
bates; and, although he approved and de-
Tended the old constitution, for Tho sake
of consistency and decency, he wished to
have the records at least respectful to the
"colored individual" But the objection
waS oUerruled, and we have again TO Ia
mont The want of consistency among the
aboiiionists. The warmth of sympathy
that had called for the amendment had
, now cooled down, and the colored man is
"Mgger" in the records of his friends
"0h would some power the giftie gle US
To see ourselves rs ithers see us.
We would from many a folly free us
And foolish notion"
After the grafton the toasts were given,
as follows:
/. Our Orator-Patriotic, pungent
and prolific; may the patriotism of the
man, the pungency of the theme, the Wig
or of the grafton, be only equal TO the
GROWING argument-wisdom in Hop
KIN's choice"
Responded to by M. L. HOPKINS.
2. The Occasion--Talent, culture
and literature; the possession of tho first
must develop by the second to ripen sue
cessfully in the third. Convincing de-
bate assures possession, the Budget
proves culture, while gems of literature
crown these closing exercises rs legitimate
fruits of the Grand Haven Lyceum.
Responded to by w. p. DUNCAN.
3. Our Countrywide birth place Of
Washington, Franklin, Jefferson, and Ad-
ans; may she ever be prolific of ilustri-
GUS sons. ~ .-t.
Responded to by I. W. FERRY.
A. Tile LadieS-Wit, humor, thought
elegance and treasure, blended and per,
sonifed around us.
Responded to by j. ATWOOD.
5. EducotiOn-Tbe bright star that
J "wise men," not only "from the East,
but from the West, North and South, have
ever worshippcd; may its beams ever
twinkle with undimiuished lustre in this
our happy land. orr
Mr.. VIM. M. FERRY, Jr, responded.
8. General Post O6ice-One Of the
many monuments of great people at
their Capital in Washington; may we
never want for Mclean, Kendall or a
Colamer TO direct its vast operations,
n. ~ The mona ,,o;nnta Jato;Ie nav wa