The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1871-01-23

country In its struggles 1or freedom Iounu
its utterance in song, and when all save
forever, the dirge of the nation went up to
Heaven from sorrowing hearts. And not
long ago
When the battles dawn was high
And screaming trump and laundering drum
Were summonlDg men 10 die
the glorious tones of OUR national airs,
Dixie" and "Bonnie Blue Flag,
thrilled through the ranks of the sons IN
the South who marched to meet the foe,
and their hearts beat high as the inspiring
notes told of country and of home, and ex-
cited them to heroic endurance and deeds
OF valor such as the world never before
saw. And though might prevailed, 4" they
Wreathed their banner around with glory, -
and its memory will go down the annals OF
time enshrined in deathless fame and the
immortality Of its peoples love.
MIR. Stubbs has good delivery, and his
address was in fine taste throughout, and
was very well received.
The question announced for debate was.
Would the success of Prussia in the pre-
sent contest promote the cause of civiliZa-
ton Z" The first disputant on the affirma-
tive was Mr. T. S. Connella, of Alabama.
With brief and appropriate introduction
Mr.. Connella proceeded to argue /. That
the national character and institutions of
Prussia were such that her success must
promote the cause Of civilization. He Illus
trated this point by citations Of her past
history and reference to her present status,
made some good points, quoted the opinion
of Mr.. Carlyle recently expressed, and con
cluded that "the success of Prussia would
be welcomed as the greatest. boon that Eu-
rope has received for dreary centuries
past"
2. He argued from the wel-nigh uniyer.
nations, that hers was the cause of pro.
gress. -.-
3. He argued that the success Of Prussia
implied the defeat of France, and that this
was necessary to progress. He cited the
character Of the French, and their past
history, to prove that they are incapable oil
self-goTernment, fond of war, the foe OF
Europe, and barrier to peace and pro.
gress. He delivered his speech well,
had some points admirably taken and well
sustained.
The first speaker on the negative was Mr.
j. w. Lee, Of Kentucky. He begun by de.
claring that there was m inherent differ.
ence between the nations eg the rozer
North and the genial South, and that the
French are far superior in character to the
Germans. as evinced by the language they
speak and all of their habits. He argued
that there is less progressive liberality in
Prussia than in any other nation; that
while others are making important conces
sions to their subjects. King William
throttles France with his right hand
| Noltke and gathers nations as tributaries
OF desrotism by his left hand-Bismarck:' >
He continued to appeal TO history and the
character Of the two peoples to sustain hi:
position. He made some good points which
we regret that our want of space will com
pei us to omit ever stating. Mr.. Lee has 6
good voice and fine delivery, and hi:
speech was well received by the audience
And we regret exceedingly that the late
ness of the hour compelS us to omit even &
proper notice Of the speeches of Mr.. j. w
Taylor, of Texas, on the affirmative, anc
Mr.. II. =. Grasty, of Kentucky, on the neg
ative. They both made very sensible
speeches. Mr.. Taylor made strong point
on the anti-progresSive spirit of Romanism
and the fact that France has been its chic
upholder. :.
Mr.. Grasty retorted that large proper
tion of the Germans were Romanists, and {
still larger proportion intidels. He made
some good hits, and got up some hearty
laughs.
Tho qucation ras decided iii the allIna
tive by a vote Of 47 to Al.
All of the speakers, the president, ant
secretary received "foral favors," or card!
from their fair friends. The Virginia Mill
tary Institute Band made very sweet music
on their stringed instruments.
On the whole, we cordially congratulate
the Graham-Lee Society on their anniver
sary celebration. The speeches were all ir
fine tastc-in what they did not contain a,
| we'll as what they did-the audience quiett,
| listened to the speeches, and showed thai
they appreciated them, and the whole affair
| ton. LEXINGTON.