The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1869-06-30

Music. Discussion, DO the Present
Indications denote the Establishment
of an Imperialism In the United
States?" Afirmative-Dan nj. FL
der, Valparaiso. Negatively m. III.
Ridpath, Fillmore. Music Special
Grafton. " A Plea for America" by
Frank W. Lantz, Valparaiso. Music.
Benedietion.
When the band had favored us
with some excellent selections, and
quiet had been restored, Ed. ID. StOy,
Of New Albany was introduced, and
read an essay of rare excellence. 1t
| is the general custom to regard the
preparation and reading of an essay
| in public as a second.class honor,
though / do not know why it should
| be so. There is certainly as great
care taken in the $ working up of
production of this character as in
any other, and the student who reads
one Is entitled to as great honor as
him who commits what he has written
and declaims it. The excellent repu-
tation enjoyed By Mr.. Stoy, however,
commanded respect from the first,
and his performance proved highly
interesting to all. He has rather
pleasing style of delivery. and adds
immeasurably to the effect by an
earhestness and self possession unu-
sual for one so young.
Wilbur f. BroWdeT, of Greencastle.
next stepped forward and did himself
credit In carefully prepared essay on
Friendship. The subject is an old
and much moOted one worn out,
to use a parlance more familiar than
elegant. The gentleman, however,
treated it in a novel and by no means
unskillful manner; was composed and
read with deliberation and distinct
ness.
Charles o. Perry, of Putnamville,
was the first orator of the evening,
and the. wisdom of the selection is
plain to all who listened to HIM Mr..
Perry set out to show that success is
not simply privilege, but partakes of
a higher character. lie held it to be
a duty. Alter a brilliant introductory,
which at once established him In the
high esteem Of his audience, he seized
hold of his subject with confidence
He brought legitimate argument
to bear upon the question, and demon
strated the truth of his assertion to
the entire satisfaction Of every one
present. The gentleman Is an i'm
pressive speaker, and his words were
listened to attentiyely. Mr.. Perry Is
a member Of the present Senior Glass.
nj. ID. Emig, of Columbus, in an
Grafton on False Epitaphs, rehearsed
well-written argument Ia support Of
his proposition which he clearly set
forth. He was slightly faulty in de.
livery, aud seemed to suffer somewhat
from a lack of confidence. He, how
ever, did we'll, and acquitted himself
to the satisfaction of his listeners.
The style of the literary bill of
fare " here changed somewhat, and
we were favored with an interesting
debate on thequestiOn, DOthe pres
ent indications denote the speedy
establishment Of Imperialism In the
United States2" Dan. Nj. Elder. of
Valparaiso, supported the affirmative
In truly statesmanlike manner. lie
argued well for his side of the ques-
ton, and made some startling decara-
tons upon which he brought evidence
to bear. He held that Imperialism was
imminent; that the influence brought
to bear upon the American mind,
by the ImperidlGt and kindred sheets,
was such as would eventually over
throw us, and give our institutions
over to the only perfect government.
Not only did he speak like an eX-
perienced orator, but his argument
was sound aud able, and did him
credit.
VIM. Nj. Redpath, of Film ore, dis
eOursed with great ability on the
negative of this startling question,
and proved to the satisfaction of sensi-
bic persons that the establishment of
an Empire in this day is vastly more
impossible than it might have been a
hundred years ago. Mr.. Bodpath is
an earnest speaker, and the energy
and fire he imparts to his gestures
and language, carries great weight
with it upon an audience. We adj
mire little vim; the conclusion is
then apparent.
Frank B. Laulz, of Valparaiso,
then delivered the special grafton,
having for his subject " A Plea for
America. Ali iaexhausfible sub
ject, your true wealth has never yet
been attained Let the youth OF our
country follow the beautiful example
of Mr.. Lautz, aud sing 10 public their
praises Of a country liberal and loyal
to the advancement of civilization
whose Institutions stand the prOudest
monuments of true success the world
possesses Mr.. Lautz took a wide
range for his noble topic, and handled
it like a man wholly and truly In
earnest; one not only of high culture,
) but of natural literary talent He
! appealed successfully to the kinder
passions of his audience, and stirred
up within their hearts an enthusiasm
that was plainly manifest upon every
hand. When be had concluded he
J received numerous tokens of res eet
and appreciation IN the way of floral
offerings, and retired to his seat more
firmly fixed In the high estimation of
! his listeners than ever before.
; After a beautiful execution by the
/ orchestra the benediction was pro-
nounced by the Rev. r. Andrus, and
! the immense audience dismissed.
SUNDAYS EXERCISES.
On Sunday morning, at 8 o'clock,
, the annual class meetings were held,
! and at half past 10 o'clock the BAG
. calaureate sermon was preached by
President Bowman. 1t was a sub
lime creation. 1t was a production
of character peculiar to the great
: mind which originated it. and kept
! the immense audience spell bound
from beginning to close. This sermon
! was delivered in the presence Of a
: larger number of persons than had
} assembled on any previous occasion
t during the week. Not only was the
| large chapel filed TO oYerfowing, but
r larger groups collected about the
: windows on the outside to hear
the sermon of one who was known to
be one of the best and ablest minis