National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1881-05-06
TALKING FOR A PRIZE.
The Philodemic Debate for the Merriek
Medal.

Tariff is not the liveliest subject in the
world 1t has on several occasions during recent
years been galvanized into show of life on the
| floors of Congress, but always with paralyzing
effect upon the members. This subject, however,
in the hands of the four active young men that
represented the Philodemic Society of George
town College in the contest for the Merrick
medal at Lincoln Hall last evening became
one of real interest. The belligerents were seated
on each side of the stage, which was empty, save a
| piece of carpet in the centre, upon which stood
| slight desk and table containing a pitcher OF
water and glass. The two young men of the
affirmative side of the question sat on the right of
the stage while their two hated rivals sat on the
opposite side. The professor of elocution, Father
Doonan, read
THE QUESTION OF DEBATE,
and introduced the speakers collectively to the
audience, and then left the stage clear for the
principals in the fight. The question as read was
as follows: /" Is it cxpedient, in the commerce of
the United States with other nations that the Fed
eral Government should imposes tariff for rev.
enue only" The judges, Hon. q. b. Vance, North
Carolina; Hon. W. A. Richardson, District of Co.
lumbia, and Hon. II. E. Jackson, Tennessee, occu-
pied seats together in the fourth row from the
stage. There was a very good-sized audience
present, who complimented the speakers with
their strict attention and awarded them with lib
eral rounds of applause. The diSpuants wore
dress suits and white ties, and by the finish and
elegance of their gestures reminded one of the
plates in the front of books on elocutiOn. istrat
ing the
SCIENCE OF GESTURES.
The battle was opened by Mr.. D. \. Shanahan,
of Virginia, who announced himself in favor of a
tariff for revenue only. He is young man of
medium height, with slight blonde moustache
and came forward with bundle of manuscript
and book, which he placed upon the desk. He
then began his argument in an earnest, forcible
manner, and spoke for an hour, bringing forward
many telling points. When he had taken his seat
Mr.. W. A. Lackey, of the District of Column
bia, proceeded to show that a tariff for
revenue only was a mistake, and that
protective tariff was the proper caper. He is
tall well-bui young man, with smooth face
and black hair, and his delivery Is impressive
as his manner was graceful. The setback which
tariff for revenue had received in the hands of the
last speaker brought forward another advocate i'll
the person of Mr. A. c. Wright, Of Georgia. He is
a tall, handsome fellow and good speaker. and
made several telling points for his side. Tariff for
protection had
THE LAST WORD,
and Mr.. J. NJ. Wilcox of Pennsylvania uttered it.
He is of medium height, of agreeable presence,
and spoke luently and well. Taking advantage
of his position as the last speaker, he nsinuated
that the other side had reSorted to defamation to
conceal the poverty of their argument The in
situation was not resented and the debate came
to a close without bloOdShed. Whatever may be
said of the argument offered by the speakers and
they all betrayed considerable study and
research, the delivery was admirable, and
the young men showed themselves 10 be
finished speakers. The donor of the prize which
the object of the contest, Mr.. r. T. Merrick,
together with President Yelling Senator Ben Hill,
and ex-Speaker Randall and others, occupied
front seats. The award will not be announced
until the commencement day of Georgetown Col
lege. The following rendered efficient service as
reception committee: Charles F. McGahan. South
Carolina, chairman; james II. Sloan. Maryland
Prosper F. THAN, District of Columbia; Ed. P.
Farrell, Kentucky; John P. Chew, Missouri; J. D,
Morgan, District of Columbia; James /. Morris;
Pennsylvania; James f. O'Ncill. Georgia, and
William 7. W. McCay, Maryland.