The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1884-06-18
Our Boys at Home.
iommercial-Herald.l I

Commercial Herald.
Elsewhere we have brief article upon
the subject Of "Our girls abroad" and
oddly enough we are now called upon
TO refer to ''our boys at home.n The
Phi Sigma Society of the State Univer-
sity at Oxford has recently changed the
manner Of selecting its Anniyersarian
by election as heretofore, and deter
mined to have a competitive debate,
choosing as judges TO decide upon the
merits Of the contestants gentlemen not
CONNECTED with the University in any
manner. Having determined upon the
mode of selection the following question
for debate was chosen and announced:
Resolved, That civilization is blessing
to the poor"
Jno. l.. Hebron, Jr., and J. w. Childs,
undertook to maintain the Affirmative,
and p. q. Sears and and Ben. q.
Humphreys the negative OF the PROPOSE
tion. The following account OF this
forensic joust, this trial of the pinions OF
Young ambition is furnished by the Ok
ford Falcon:
One of the most interesting aud prob
ably by far the ablest debates that has
ever occurred in the University was that
of the Phi Signals contest last Saturday
for the honor of the Anniversarian for
next MAY. The speakers took their
places and at the call of the chairman,
Mr.. ]. l.. Hebron proceeded TO open the
discussion in one of the best arranged
and most mastery efforts for a young
man that was ever listened TO IN the
halls of University building HIS
speech was logically arranged, toreibly
and eloquently delivered and mastery
applied TO the subject. 1t was unique,
rhetorical, logical and finished, in art
and expression, fOrcible and conclusive.
The subject could not have been better
presented by even far older and more
experienced speaker. p. G.. Sears, son
of Gen. Sears, Professor of Mathematics,
followed in splendid manner on the neg
ative. His language showed exquisite
culture and his voice was musical even
70 rythmic cadence. His arguments
we're we'll arranged and forcible, and
carried conviction with their earnestness
of delivery. Mr.. J. w. Childs was
unique, lively, original and funny.
b. G. Humphreys maintained his side
in a brilliant and splendid way. lie Is
graceful and manly inperson, attractive
and fascinating in oratory, and shows
in his every action the sturdy manhood
of his father, the brave old General
Humphreys, the chief and hero, whose
name can never be forgotten as long as
Mississippi has history. The debate
lasted for over four hours, and as am
evidence of its interest no one oil the
vast audience tired or became impa-
tient.
The decision of the judges, after ma
ture deliberation, decided that j.. Il.
Hebron, Jr., had won the first place
of distinction, notwithstanding high
honor was richly deserved by the others.
DR.. Mcfarland was selected by ms
confreres to deliver the decision which
was gracefully and cheerfully received
by the debaters and by all the audience
The successful competitor in this de
bate, John L. Hebron, jr., is native OF
Warren county. and his chief competi-
tor, Ben Humphreys, while a native 81
Claiborne, was for years a resident oil
this city. We heartily congratulate the
boys.
The Delphian Prize defamation, also
brought forth some competitors from
Vicksburg and vicinity, and to George
Yerger Hicks, of this city, was awarded
the second medal.
The Falcon furnishes the following
notice of "our boys"
Mr.. A. G.. Kyle, of Faisonia, was the
second speaker and his subject was
"I4aFayette's visit to America"
Mr.. w. II. Maybin, Biloxi, next took
the stand and delivered "Appeal in be-
half Of Ireland"
Mr.. w. ID. Berry, Steens Creek, Ran
kin county, followed and delivered the
"Appeal in behalf of conviction for
murder"
Mr.. G. Y. Hicks, Of Vicksburg, came
forward next with the dignity OF q
United States Senator, and spoke with
ease "The Curse of Regulus."
The next and last speaker was Mr.
r. p. Clayton, of Heidleburg, Miss
whose subject was "The Lone star oil
| Texas"
The judges then retired and being out
about twenty minutes, filed slowly IN,
while the audience listened with atten-
tive ears and the contestants with
anxious and fast beating hearts, and
awarded the first medal TO Mr.. w. II.
Maybn, and the second medal to Mr..
G. Y. Hicks.