Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1885-06-06
THE KIDS BREAK LOOSE.
w. M. Academy Juveniles have an
Open Session.
Full House-GoOd SPeeches-Every.
body well Pleased.

open session.
Full House-Good Speeches-Every.
body well Pleased.
Wentworth Male Academy has long
r ago won for itself an enviable reputa
ton throughout this section of the
" state, and its fame as an educational in
. stitution for boys and young men il
rapidly reaching out into other states.
Here we feel peculiar interest in the
Academy, as it is the only place we
) have for our young men. The city is
we'll supplied with female colleges, but
this institution stands solitary and
alone, not only in the city and county,
but in large tier of surrounding coun-
ties. The public exercises of this in
stitution have always been of a high
order, and have always been greatly
appreciated by our citizens. But in an
academy like this there are always a
number of young boys who are able to
do themselves credit, who cannot be
placed upon any programme, because
1t would make the exercises too lengthy.
To counteract this evil, and in order
to encourage the boys to do their ut
most, there has been "Juvenile So
ciety" organized, and last Monday af-
ternoon this society held its first open
session iii the school room. The fol-
lowing is list of officers, and the pro-
gramme of exercises:
President, II. f. Blackwell; Secreta-
ry, j. G. Russell; Treasurer, 3. NJ.
Taubman; Critic, S. w. Field; Mar
shal, E.. s. Moorman. Programme
Prayer-Rev. G. L. Leyburn; Address
of welcome, Ii. F. Blackwell; recita-
ton, "The Day is Done," j. 1. McClel-
land; essay. "Fear," A. N. johnson;
recitation, "Absaiom," B. G. Hyde;
essay, "Vacation," L. G. Ryland; re-
citation, "The Counts Standard" II.
B. Cordell; essay, "The Trials of a
School Boy" E. S. Norman; recita-
tion, "Woolsey," C. &. Buford. De-
bate-Resolved, "That Women are
more given to Gossiplng than Men,"
Affirmative-G. B. Silverman, B. NJ.
Taubman. Negative-J. G. Russell,
G. L. Standish. Criticisms. W. Field,
Mr.. Silverman closed the debate for
the affirmative, and Mr.. Russell for the
negative. The president had named
Messrs. X. Ryland, Jno. S. Blackwell
and Rev. G. L. Leyburn as a COM
mittee to decide the debate. The de-
cision was in favor of the affirmative.
The critic, Mr.. Wentworth Field,
read his notes, which were so natural,
and go we'll received by the audience,
that we give them in full. We hope
our readers will bear in mind that the
critic and all those criticised are mere
children, ranging from nine to about
thirteen years of age:
CRITICISM.
The first upon the programme was
Mr.. Horace Blackwell. His address
was very we'll rendered, though his
style Of delivery unsurpassable, and he
seemed so completely wrapped up in
what he was saying that he cared moth
ing for the appearance, Judging from
the position Of his body while speak /
ing.
Mr.. McClelland's recitation was, as
usual, very good.
Mr.. johnson next favored us with an
essay. This gentleman is destined to
be one of Americas great writers. He
threw himself into his essay with his |
whole soul, and his body was vislbly |
affected by the astonishing utterances, |
as it swayed to and fro in time with |
them.
Mr.. Hyde's attempt was rendered in
his usual happy style. We always have
something fine from him.
Mr.. Ryland is noted for the weight |
of his ideas. But he seemed to be
afraid OF trusting us with such exam
Piles OF elOquence as we know he is
capable of displaying. He seemed to
think what he had to say was of en-
tirely too much Importance to have it's
full meaning thrust upon us all at once,
as he spoke so indistinctly that his essay
could not be fully understood.
Mr.. Norman did excellently, but
his knowledge of grammar seemed to
have went from him; he should have
said hare gone.
Mr.. BufOrd's part in our exercises is
always well carried out, but he seemed
to have found far superior audience
10 that before me, as his looks were
turned OH high during most of his
speech.
Mr.. Sllverman, who opened our de-
bate, favored us with one of the most
eloquent arguments delivered at this
meeting. But it did not tit the GESTURES.
tie had evidently borrowed them from
q Henry Clay speech, and spIashed
them to his own.
Mr.. Russell is clearheaded gentle
man, who is one of the shining lights
Of our organization, and his produc-
tions are well rendered and clearly put
forth. But though his ideas were, OH
this occasion, distinctly put forth call
straight as it were, his position was
very crooked, and in great measure
spoiled the effect of his magnetic dis
noticed nothing in the discourse of
Mr.. Taubman, ,on the affiI native which {
would justify criticism. '
The production of Mr.. Standish was !
'ne of the most entertaining of the at
ernoon. did not mark anything i'm .
lis debate which needed mention in
ny report.
We doubt whether older boys could
lave carried out the exercises OF all at
ernoon without few mistakes. The
'rltic is aware that great mems faults
Ire often overlooked and they should
llso be in this case. For | have no