The Canton advocate. [volume] (Canton, D.T. [S.D.]) 1877-1897, 1879-02-20

The contest between the Canton Athene.
um and Beloit Monday Night Club, at the
Canton School House, was indeed very
enjoyable affair, and the audience could
not help noticing the malked improve
ment of the speakers Of both schools in
the short space of time they have been up
on the rosuum as public speakers. Both
teachers and parents have good reason to
fell proud of these youths who give rare
promise Of being able to fill positions of
trust and honor in the future of this young
land.
Tie question for discussion was should
women be allowed the right of Suffrage ?'
The affirmative speakers were Mila Tup.
per, Mary Rowlcy, Florence Rowley, Emf.
ly Leaviti, Dcllic Dixon and Clara Rowley
The negative speakers were Elmer Sutton,
Henry Loomis, Martin Lybarger, George
Harlan, Hattie Lccmis and Miss Steele
The way in which the Beloit girls came
out to battle without the aid Of the lords
Of creation. showed they meant business
The Canton ladies had the school house
tsstefully decorated with flags, pictures
Of welcome. The exercises began with an
appropriate and welcome song. This was
followed by comic negro sermon in
npplauded for his fine delivery.
Miss Mils Tupper then opeued the de-
bate in q very able manner. Her remarks
as usual, showed ample research and deep
thought, and her points were clear, concise
and full of power.
Mr.. Sutton, the other leading disputant,
in his usual graceful manner then began
the argument on the negative side lie
speaks we'll and with no loss for words, AT
next to the argument itself We admire the
curcibe manner with which he clincho S
M argument. AS ono drives Il wrought
nall into timber turns over the point,
and remarks "There you are"
Mr.. Harlan, in his usual enthusiastic
! manner delighted the audience, until he
got the skirts of the ladies all tHngled up
in the intricacies ard horrors of the battle
field, and had them fainting away by
scores amid the blood stained bayonets
and shreking shell Then pro oably
from the very tenor Of their situation, or
from some queer, anomalous kind of sym.
pathy, lie confessed to being faint himself
and sat down amidst great applause. His
opponents should have produced their
fans and smelling bottles
But why particularize, when all did as
charmingly and really seemed to excel
their usual selves in this last engagement,
The songs of the Beloit Club were I'D
mirably selected and adapted t" excite en-
thusiasm on the side Of the affirmative.
We could not help admiring the extreme
cordiAlty between the schools. Instead
of being jealous they seemed to be proud
o f one anolhers attainments. Long may
this happy feeling continue Nor could
! we get rid of vague feeling OF uneasiness
lest our polls, when Ue begin 10 vote be
used for filtration as we'll as politics, caus-
ed by Mr.. Keeler's inviting Miss. Dollie
Dixon to accompany him to the polls and
vote, Just as soon as he acknowledged him.
self in favor of woman's suffrage. Fore.
warn ed il torearnled" and Mrs. kee!er
will probably Sc to 1t.
Three closing cheers for each side were
given with a will and all depart ed home
ward feeling their very best.
As aconeun we heartily concur with
the decision of the judges, and are glad
the question is exciting interest i'll our
land. Like AL great reforms the very fact
of its agitation shows that the leaven Is at
work, which in Gods own time will ele-
vate woman to her true standard and
make her mans counselor and helpmate
in putting down evil and bringing nearer
the millennium. A silent power peryades
her very gentleness which will work out
good in the near future The deeds of a
Florence Nightingale, the "Angels OF
Beuna Vista" and the hundreds Of Sisters
of Mercy and others in our war, that hoy.
cred like guardian angels over the de.d
and dying in posts of danger, give denl'
al to her being eowardiy and testify to the
fact that she is ready TO take her stand and
do her part unshrinkingly and untirlngly
By Request. lsA NJ. PIa"1r'