Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1865-1872, 1868-12-11

Z Meeting of Literary society. n.

Mr.. EpIroRs-Last Friday evening |
had the pleasure Of attending the Literary
soeietyof This place. The weather wa.
unusually ,iuclement but, notvithstand-
Ing the Hall was filed with s'fair women
aud brave men," who came to listen to
the ''fsast Of reason and flow of soul. y
The exercises we're very appropriately
opened with prayer by Rev. Mro Lynch.
The exercises we're conducted with order
and regularity. Each officer seems to be
the right person in the right place. The
President intends the byslaws shall rbe
strictly enforced, and i aperceiys he is
meeting with the hearty co. operation Of
the members. Admirable order was main
taiped throughout the evening, and strict
attention paid to the exercises. s8.sk s ~.
First 10 order was defamation BY Mr..
Jared. This was delivered exceedingly
we'll. - The geutieman's enunciation vas
clear and distinct, and gestures uppropri.
ate and graceful. He evidently takes
pride in doing his duty well. 49,. -. =. q
Next on defamation was Nv. Jos. BAY,
This genteman's effort was not equal 10
the first gentleman's, but nevertheless he
acquitted himself with credit.
Next ia order was an essay by b. NJ.
McCarty. His subject was, .sThe ingrat-
itude Of the American poopld toward her
Poets." This was written. with. great
plain ness, simplicity aud perspicuity Of
style, and read in a manner to command
the strict attention Of the audience.
Next, Debate. The question for dis
cussion was ais the extension of terri
tory detrimental to the interests Of tho
United SlatesT & Lam sorry to say, this
question seems to have been neg elected by
the persons appointed for debate. The
question admits OF great many argu-
ments pro and con, but no arguments Of
any weight were produced on either side.
The majority Of the members seem TO
have an antipathy to debating, which may
arise from the fact tina. they are young
and mex perieuced. This should not deter
them FROM making the attempt. There
are four rules by which young debaters
should be governed. First, Avoid blend
ing arguments confusedly together that
are OF u separate nature" Second, "With
regard to the different degrees ofEstrength
IN arguments, the general rule is,to ad.
vance in. the way of climax" Third,
when our arguments are strong aud sat.
isiactory, the more they are distinguished
and treated apart from each other the bet.
ter" Fourth, "Be cautious not to extend
arguments too far, aud not TO multiply
them too muchi or, 10 palmer words, when
you have said What you have 10 say, sit
shown In the debates for the future.
The next was the reading If the Budg-
ct, seris comic paper, by Mr.. SutcliiT,
This paper was ''rich rare aud racy, and
hit several with more force than pleasant.
ness. Ii abounded with many 6De things.
One extract excited my admiration. 1t
was entitled "The miserles ola bacholor's
lite, )" written by B. H. Ilaines. Several
other promising writers. cootribnted also.
| do not think it would injure the So
ciety to add vocal aud instrumental music
TO the regular exercises. saw several
mem bers who are excellent vucalisls aud
piauists, aud am confident they would be
willing TO display their accomplishment
for the benefit of the Society. Aud !
think il would induce the members to ut.
tend more regularly. This is what we
need--a regular attendance Of every mem
Der, and also a regular attendance Of the
ministers, lawyers aud editors. IL would
cause those on duty to pay more attention
TO their declarations, essays aud questions
for debate, and il might do more than
this: 1t might cause young men who are
in the habit Of irequenting the billiard
aud drinking saloons, to leave such places
aud become regular and active members Of
the Society and good and useful citizens.