Smyrna times., 1861-04-11
CORRESPO NDENCE.
Written for the Smyrna Times
Progress and Close Of the Debating
Society.

HEAD OF SAssAFRAs, MD.,)
April l, 1851.
Ma. Editor A thoughG has flashed upon
my bump of ideallly, that short account of
the progress and close of our Debating Society
might mol be uniu,eres,iDg TO some of your
readers, especially as a writer from this place, |
under the cOgnOmen of" Verter." gave an &C. |
count Of its beginning aud first debate.
am aware | am treadng on dangerous
ground IN attempting 10 write for the "neus-
papers" as the fate of poor " Terter" fore
warns me, he having been ruthlessIy and most
deliberately sent to coventry by a regular
Solomon hereabouts. But having screwed my
courage up to the " sticking point" it remains
to be seen whether my ability to interest yonr
readers will equal my temerIty in writing.
The description SO humorousy given in
your paper in December last by "Verter,"
gave rise TO much talk and excitement among
the members and their friends. Whilst some
laughed, others condemned his rudeness and
want Of taste in thus showing up his eighbors
it was admitted it was photographed from
nature.
Tue Society has certainly advanced in t al
en's AID ability in debate, and has proven itself
to have been of gErssefuIness to the neigh
o"rhOod. BY restfsssfng our young men from
lIstless idieness. if not from something worse
Some h'e or SIX public discussions were given,
winch were attended by very large audiences,
~hO eVIneed tAeir appreciation by frequent ap.
plause.
The questions selected were mainly those
referring to the present condition of our coun-
Try, An interesting debate was had on the
question, d" Has State the right TO secede -
which, after close argument, and good dis
play OF rhetoric. was decIded 10 the negative.
Another question. " Should Gov. Hicks be sus.
'a'ned! !" which was also decided in the mega
uFs ln the debate on this occasion, the 60.
eleay was agreeably enlivened by the presence
OF several members OF the Cecilton Lyceum,
aad volunteer discussion took place among
them, which ELECTED a beautiful speech from
Ieo. Biddle, whose eloquent alIusions 10 the
gorIOas Battle Fields of oQr Revolution, and
memories OF departed patriots, brought forth
hunders OF applause. lie was followed by
very talented young man, Mr.. G. w. Crook
saaaks, 10 short and Pi,hy speech, in whict
u'e duties Of The South were wildly portrayed
comparing the seven seeded States to tht
seven wise virgins, and the border States L
'ne seven foolish ones. These gentlemen werr
succeeded BY lively passagG-at-arms betweei
Jos. Bggs, ESQ.,, and Geo. Pennington, p. M
" CeeillOn, whose comparisons of each sthe
10 oan'y tOosters and certain nameless ami
mai provoked great deal Of merrmeut.
bul not to be tedious, hasten 10 give
snort account Of our last debate for the season
Tue question was, "ShaIl the Union be dis
sOissdl' Our beat speakers were selected 70
the occasion, aud the affirmative was repre-
seated BY r. s. Grieilh, T. A. Jacobs and
Z. budd the negative by w. J. Griffith, A
Johns and DR.. w. c. Perkins. K. s. Grifit
OPsned the debate by an account Of the fir,
formation ofour Constitution aud early kistor,
aad The rapid strides Of fanalical abolitionisn
and closed with the remarkable assertion IN,
our present Union shoHld never have bee
l'T@ed- This gentleman is possessed of
n'gs order of ability, and handled his subje
nasteEly manner. A. JOHNS succeeded
critical examination of bis speech, and e,
ps'ed tie fsllacies maintained by the other :
ns vas listened to with pleasure and attention
:. a Jacobs followed, by declaring himself
As0r OF immediate dissolution, and gave rel
'Oas IN support Of his why's. He in turn W.
hs'sy w. ]. Griffith, who. in an able and sa
eaa'ie argument, luraed The tables upon u
o'AsrA Then came Mr.. J. 7. Budd, who
'esafasd az The star Of the society. He deli
s'sd 90 elegant asd beautiful speech. and W,
listened 10 By ihs vas. throng with a mark,
ssd pleased attention. DR.. w. C. Pe,ki
s''see 'he debate, by an array Of facts, law al
ss''ss 10 sppiicable To- the question. II
a4A4ffa HAs - sazaFfls K .4a0s