The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1875-06-10
THE PHlLO1ATIC FRATERNITY OF
BURR AsD BURTON SEMINARY.

THE FOLLOWING Is Az EXTRACT OF Az
ADDRESS DELIVERED Br S. NJ BowLEs, A
sHoRL TINE SINCE, BEFORE THE PumoMArIc
SOCIETY OF BURR AND BURTON SEMINARY.
The Fhilomatic Association, or de-
batting society, is fraternity that was
organized in the earlier days of Burr
and Burton Seminary. Ever since that
time the weapons Of debate have been
welded with undiminished vigor and
manllness, Many persons who are now
as shining liz lbs in the world, engaged
in the busy scenes and activities of life,
formerly belonged to this beloved
association. Do they rue the day they
SO intently gazed upon their opponent
debate knowing that the moment he
was through they were to take the
floor p No They look back upon
those dgs as the pleasantest aud most
profitable time in their whole lives.
Days that will long be remembered,
days that brought them pleasures and
duties which subsequently proved the
very stepping stone to their after hap
piness and success. 1t seemed a pleas.
ant duty to them to devote one evening
Of their weeks study in discussing
some question Of national or local i'm.
poftauco They became convinced, aud
especially have the people Of this day,
that the debating society is an Amer
can institution aud that it lourishes
here as naturally az corn, and like corn
only needs to be cultivated to yield
well. aud gratefully.
/ Itisa conceded fact that the best
systems Of education now in vogue il
Europe either have originated in thi,
/ country, or have here received the tcsi
/ which confirmed their merits. We are
a wade-awake people 10 all that con
Germs mental Improvement, and out
best educators, our best writers auC
our best thinkers have not failed to pay
their tribute Of admiration to the de
batting society. We believe that sucl
an institution is more a necessity, ever
now, than ever before Tor the eondic
Of opinion is shaking society to it's yer,
base, and new ideas are terminating il
the mind Of every citizen who has al
interest in bis day or generation. TIL
/. ordeal is upon US, not only the ordea
} Of government, which is agitating th
/. nation 10 such an extent At the presen
time. but society itself We are to dc
urmjne, not alone. what il right i
law but IN humanity, not only what
but what shall be aud every lad i
the country is but preparing himseI
, for the duties Of citizenship by becom
J log familiar with the forms and sElllc
] 10 the weapons OF debate. Discussion
t Is the alembic which tries the theory
q disseets the hypothesis, qualities th
! fact, settles the result 1t il ore q
, our inalieBabIe rights te discuss ever
+ question affecting our welfare. fror
e the powers Of the Constitution dow
TO questions Of least importance, al
F. one d oar assumed rights to argue a
= questions o. morals, religion, ecou0m
O and jarispra1eacs,
a We are. henee, a protestant people
i VIC take nothing fsf granted, bnt prJ
1 tcst gnlI wc reach What il or appear
e ,g he the truth When sc cease 70 b
4 seea a people. II wil offer the tru
;. lover q liberty cause 90 apprehension
g far when Americans are indifferent {
; ,hei, laws their morals, their rellgig
and their republican progress il marx