The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1868-03-14
SERENA, RUTLAND. &c.
DEBATING.

DEBATING. -
The season tor deba tes is nearly OVER and the
FESTIVE spirits who engaged in the "proftable'
enterprise are beginning TO settle down in quie-
tude and gracetulness notwithstanding their
natural warlike proclivtiss. The Serena Lyceum
adjourned at its last meeting, to meet at the call
Of the Secretary next winter; and understand
the Rutland Club 'undsr the hill" is also on the
shelf OF do-nothipg for summer quarters.
\ on remember that shortly after the defeat Of
the Rutlanders on the money question, they
published a challenge to US to discuss with them
the question, "Resoiced The national debt should
be paid in greenbacks' and in the next issue of
your paper came notice that said challenge was
accepted, and the discussion to take place at the
Buck Creek School House, in Dayton township,
on Saturday evening, March Z, 1868, and Serena
to take the affirmative. Now the matter needs a
little explanation, for it seems, according to
facts, that the Ru,lalders have backed down
from their position, and now propose to postpone
the debate till next winter. The Serena Lyceum,
knowledge reached them Of the eager.
ness Of the Rutlanders for the fray, met, and .
resolution passed instructing one of its members
70 write Ben. NJ. Armstrong, Of Ottawa-the
person supposed most fit for the task, -thusly
That he the said B. NJ. Armstrong might choose
question, not to be made public till time Of
discussisnD announce TO each society the time
and place, and, If | mistake not, TO allow the
Rutlanders their choice Of side; when the Sere.
Mates would try another battle with them,
l.bo ~ 1a;, A.
Such resolution passed the Society and the letter
was written Mr.. Armstrong previous TO the pub
fishing OF the challenge from Rutland. No
sooner had the challenge been published, than,
two days sfterward, the Serena boys passed the
following resolution, the records will show:
'RssolCed, That We accept the challenge Of the
Rutland Club, TO discuss the question Resolved
&c.; and We take the negative Of said question
our choice" Se. Bat before that got publish.
ed member of the Serena Club, John Strait
heard several members of the Rutland wing say
that "if the Serenaites took the negative of the
question they would not discuss it with them :"
and, therefore, the resolution that passed tho
Serena Club was changed in Ottawa so that it
would read two take the Affirmative &c. And
now it seems the Rutlanders propose to leave
Serena IL undisturbed possession of the feld
Bully for tho Rutlandors. Their heads are
level
The Worthwhile Society meets yet, as usual
Question Saturday evening, March z: "Resoiced,
That if man is naturally depravsd, he is not
accountable to God for his actions" The Club
at this paint suspended operations for the past
three weeks, on account Of protracted meeting
held there, am informed by the Rev. Mr.. Ham.
mond, from Somonauk. I learn much good re.
suited from the effort; about seventy converts
were the fruits thereof, being mostly the young
people of Worthwhile and vicinity who have an
accomplished young gentleman as leader of
prayer Meetings theld now twice a week.,
named Walter Seaman. May they continue in
the good way they have started; and Success
Del grdtia
At his residence, near Fox river, in Serena,
on Thursday, Feb. "a, 1868, Mr.. DURKEE, q Ger.
man, aged about 3S years. " ..
SERIOUS. ..,
The hand Of Mr.. Edwin v. Beardsley, that
received 30 sad cash from knife, by James
Thompson, some time ago. is in q very poor con-
dition. The fingers have become useless, and
the hand seems to be whitening
EXHIBITIONS.
Since ny last the exhibition at tho Parr School
House came off, at the appointed time Every.
thing went off in good style and order. The
room was decorated with pine and cedar ever.
green's while the stage was ornamented with the
same materials, and bouquets adorned tho wall
inside the curtains. The declarations and dia.
logues were splendid, while the singing by the
children was beautiful, especially "Our School,"
in which Ray Parr, only five years old, appeared
as leader, on chair and sang with perfect sang
fiVid. The tableaux were we'll acted, and "Con.