The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1868-02-15
SERENA, RUTLAND. 40.
Serena vs.. Rutland.

Notwithstanding the debating societies which
have sprung up all over the country this winter
there has perhaps been no society with which
the public were SO well posted as the "Sersna
Lyceum," and none that has stood in statu quo for
30 long a time. Whether from self confidence,
or desire to display their intellectual powers,
they met the Rutland phslanx "under the HILL y
one would be puzzled to make out at the combat
that lately came of, if he were to accept the
opinions Of the members Of the latter society
then present
Commodore Perry's terse report OF the result
OF the battle of Lake Eric-"We have met thu
enemy and they are ours"-and 80 It NAV be said
OF the Serenaites in their contest with the Rut.
landers
AS was reported in your last issue, the Serena
Lycenm challenged the Rutland club to Joint
discussion, which was accepted, and the fight
took place at the Grove school house, in Rutland
on the evening of the 9TH inst. The question
agreed on for discussion was the old one-"Ise.
soeced, That money has more power and inAu-
once than talent" Rutland had the choice of
question and side, and took the affirmative
The meeting was called to order and Ben. NJ
Armstrong chosen chairman, and J. l. Mont
gomery secretary. After a few preliminary
sparrings, the battle was commenced BY J. r.
Shaver on the part of the affirmative, who
brought to his aid 'King Cotton" in all his vari-
Gus drabs OF business He was followed by A. T.
Armstrong ON behalf of the negative, who over.
hauled Christ and the Devil pretty thoroughly.
Next came Cyrus Shaver on the affirmative. who,
after sending out his ''pickets," brought 10 his
aid some of the late improved "Neapolitan" guns
OF large calibre but short range. This speaker
was followed by John d. Hoxey, in behalf of the
negative. This speaker, a fit person to follow
Mr.. c. Shaver, fred his cannon and grape shot
with such force and precision as told perceptibly
The third speaker ON the affirmative was Samuel
T. Parr. San-as he is more commonly called
paced the floor like man in deep thought, sr-
gued like preacher, and several times brought
down the applause Of the house, and "bully
for Rutland" Hank will follow SAM" was the
saying of several; and sure enough, the next
negative speaker but one, was Henry X Parr.
The third negative speaker was Jas. X. Miller,
WINE uiopb dHU tuuuutT. jim nre1 Win or.
der and at reglar intervals, 3G-pounler solid shot
with telling effect. Fourth upon the affirma-
tive we find j. X. Spencer, with his 1G-inch
Columbiads, who, after few exchanges, was
followed by Hank Parr on the negative. who
"blazed away and checked the Rutlanders in
their onward course only TO be followed in a
charge, double quick by Vim. Miller, on the
affirmative. William opened with grape and
canister and fell back before superior tactics in
perfect order, fortified, and closed by firing a
l0O-poundcr, yet he pointed it too low, and the
shot, after crashing among "dry timber" fell
ploughing the earth at fearful rate Ba. the
uneven surface could not even for an instant
stop the impetus OF the affirmative, who sent for
ward their right wing under command Of Mark
Hoag, an otiicerof distinguished reputation, who
commenced and finished in earnest. The last
but not teas. On the sIirma tive number was L.
q. Douglas, who fought with the confidence of u
Napoleon. but in vain he was followed by J. l.
Montgomery, on tine negative, and driven from
the field. Mr. Douglas made another feint. but
was rcpnlset with severe loss The leader. then
closed the contest Quiet and good order was
preserved during the meeting. The chairman
reviewed, conciscly, the arguments produced,
and decided the question in favor of the Mega
tive. A vote OF thanks was unanimously ten
dered the chairman for his impartial decision and
performance of duties, by the house.
The Serena Club passed resolution of thanks
II the Rutland Club and people of the vicinity
for the kindness shown them, and this was re-
ciprocsted by liks resolution from the Rutland
Club thanking the SeIenates for their manliness.
Nc, and expressing desire to meet them again
some time. The meeting then adjourned sine
de.