The Camden weekly journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1853-1861, 1860-02-21
A Debating CIub,

/ e pleased to chronicle the fact that another cC
fort is being made here for the institution Of this natu-
raj concomant Of proper and advanced literary taste.
II is indeed n matter Of shame to the young Of
Camdcn vicinity, that like societies have of late
years received such mcagre care and attention at their
hands. It's however, hincntable fact that those
who naturally cxpected'to become the patrons Of
such udable enterprises have been ennincntly slack
fostering these associations as they have from time to
ine eebIy against the seemingly established
opinion, that nothing good can :cone out of Nazayeth
to look for cpuntcnahce and encouragement las
ever operated serious obstacle to The perpeuation
of these societies ,on anything likca permanent ba-
It.is rne5tat several of our citizens have been
nominay connected with the various Efforts that have
been put forth for the Organization of Debating Club
but there has ever been lack of that most essential
element Of suceess-ac acton. continued and energetic
There is little work for ,ceciserY in enterprises Of
this Sort we need ,ooyers, wllo arc willing to put
their shoulders to the wheel aud assist in clogging
the sasles.5 eia ii 3sIor.sT
Now, tat another effort is to be made in this dircc
ton wc sincerely hopstlat citizens will respond
the matter ihan and who have repeatedly excrtcd
themselves in the organization and attempted main
tenance Of such associations in our midst We cou-
ceye that it is hardly necessary that we sond extend
our remarks into treatise upon tue benefits which
accrue from this and kindred societies nasuch as the
experience Of almost every one who reads this will
afford some conception thereof Suffice to say that
ana develope an elevated sense of proprcty in their
general department in society and among themselves
The claims of this society address themselves with
peculiar force to the favorable consideration of the
young men in general of the town and vicinity The
benefits to be secured are by means contracted and
partial but general and difusiye-enbracng in their
distribution every individual who is actuated by tho
thirst for information and Improvement There exists
no necessity thar an individual to reap any advantage
from such associations should have been skilled
if the dcxterous use of the weapons Of learning and
logic; is there are drilled to fight the battle of
life and learn the rudiments Of the nobe art of self
defence as practiced in the clash Of intellect and prn
Gple in tile higher courts Of the literary and scientific
world. There is likewise ample provision for those
whose minus are ol more pracucl ana les tneoreu-
cal caste. Questions Of debate must frequently arise
which will elicit a vast deal of information in regard to
matters strictly within the keeping of the utitarian
and against which tho most plausible sophstry cannot
prevail Hence. there need be no Charge of excu-
svcncss since all who are disposed may make it
matter of equal interest and profit.
Let the experiment be made in the pisper manner,
and, aided by those to whom have the right to con-
fdently appeal for assistance Camden will soon throw
off the slacllcs Of her hitherto ingorious ease and
rise into rank with her sister towns arl cities many
lof which rcsolutcly pledged to the ftcrance and
dissemination Of an elevated literature through month
ly lectures the establishment Of public libraries &C.