Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1880-01-27
Interesting Literary Celebration at Atbor Hill.

Last Friday night was one of very great inter-
est to the citizens Of Arbor Hill, Mint spring,
and surrounding country. The Jackson Lite
rary Society of Arbor Hill. in joint session
with the Mint Spring Debating Club, held their
fifth annual celebration on that evening-Ja /.
uary 23rd. E 3al
The exercises of the evening were opened at
O. clock, in the spacious school-room, nearly
all the seats in which were occupied by lady
auditors. The house was crammed to its ut
most crpacity, and many were compelled to
remain outside.
In the absence of Capt. f.. A. Fulcher, who
was to have presided. but was unable 20 be
present. Mr.. A. G. Christian presided and in
troduced the speakers.
The first orator was Mr.. ]. W. Churchman, Of
the Mint Spring Club. who delivered very
beautiful Grafton, In an easy and gracefulsty
on the Influence of a Nations dead"
The subject of debate
"Resolred, THAI men OF thought are more
beneficial to the world than men OF manual
action
then came up and was discussed by the follow
ing gentlemen:
At1armatire-W. G. Abney, r. J. Dyche. and
d. henKle, of the Mint spring Club.
Neg0tfre.-R. A. Palmer, G. G. Hanger and
J. +. Hanger, OF the Arbor Hill Society.
While the speakers all acquitted themselves
with great credit, and showed that they had
| studied their subject, we think that the speech
of Mr.. ]. F. Hanger, who closed the discussion
was particularly terse, logical, and well spoken
At the conclusion of Mr.. F. Hangers speech
the question was submitted to the judges fol
their decision.
| B. F. Haiiman, Esq, selected by the Arbor
Hill Society. and John Tow herman, Esq, by
| the Mint Spring Club, and Mr.. A. G. Gordon, OF
this city, chosen by these two gentlemen as the
umpire, constituted the judicial board.
Mr.. C. H. Nader, of the Arbor Hill Society
the final orator, then delivered beautiful and
| flowery Grafton on the ideals of the human
| mind"
MIR. Gordon, the umpire, then announced the
decision OF the judges in favor Of the negative
side of the question.
After the announcement of the decision, Mr.
Towberman. on behalf of the Mint Spring Club,
made short and very appropriate speech, re-
turning thanks to the Arbor Hill Society for
their courtesy and hospitality, and threw down
the gauntlet for another tilt with their most
worthy competitors, at some time in the future
on the Mint Spring battle-ground
acknowledging defeat. but expressing will
ingness to renew the contest.
Mr.. ]. F. Hanger replied in short compli-
mentary speech, intimating that at a regular
| meeting of their Society arrangements would
be made to meet their gallant and houghtf,4l
competitors, at a time that might be mutually
agreed upon on their own ground
The exercises were interspersed with good
music by the Stonewall Brigade Band, and ev-
erything passed Off most pleasantly and salts.
| factorily.
The large and crowded audience listened with
marked interest and attention, and kept re-
markedly good order, considering the fact that
| a great many of them were very uncomforta-
bly'situated. During the speech Of Mr.. Hen.
kle, who spoke much longer than any of the
other speakers, there was some little restless
ness and uncalled-for applause
| The ushers-Messrs. J. H. Bowman, F. B.
Yates L. 8. Palmer. and c. P. Rosen-and the
Observation-Disclosures. A. II. Towberman, J. M.
Yates w. H. swartzel, and J. s. Palmer, all
performed their respective duties remarkably
well, to which fact is due, to a great extent the
remarkably good order and deoorum which
prevailed.
| Taken altogether, it was an occasion of very
great interest and pleasure, and everything
passed off in manner which reflects credit on
the entire management.
| Last but not least-to some of the parties
present-was most elegant and bountiful
supper fErnlshed the Stonewal Band on their
| arrival, just before the opening Of the exer-
| cises.
| The Fifth Anniversary of the Jackson Litera-
| ry Society of Arbor Hill will long be remen-
bered by The members of the Society, and by
all who had the pleasure of being present