St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-04-18
COLLEGE ORATORY.

were also received by him.
COLLEGE ORATORY.
Street Methodist Episcopal
Church.
The fifth anntlal contest of the Inter-
Collegiate Oratorical association was held
last evening in the Jackson street NJ. E..
church.
The audience fairly filed the auditorium,
and during the intermissiOns between ora
tons vocal music was rendered by the State
University Glee club.
THE FIRST GRAFTON
upon the program was delivered by G. E.
Trussell of the state university,
and was entitled The Glass La
borer. The speaker said that
the labOrer as he is known to-day came
into existence with the advent Of machinery.
But now he had assumed an importance i'll
our political and social affairs which called
for immediate attention. The tendency of
our present industrial system was to sepa-
rate wider and wider the two classes of
capitalist and laborer, and by the characters
of these classes rendered the gulf between
the two impossible. This was the de-
structve feature of our present arrange
ments. feature which would never correct
itself If this problem were to be settled
peacefully it would depend upon the capt.
talistS to make such concessions to the
laborer as would allow him to rise to his
proper level.
CONCERNING PROGRESS.
Progress is the Universal Law of the
Race, was the subject chosen by G. S.
Perry Of Hamline. And yet, many re-
viewing the achievements of the past, de-
clared that there had been no progress.
AS proof Of this assertion, they pointed to
the advancement of ancient Greece, Rome
and Carthage, entirely ignoring the achieve
mentS Of modern ages. Progress was by
slow growth. 1t was not the few hours of
struggle upon the great battlefelds which
determined the fate of nations. The real
controller was public sentiment produced
after long consideration. The speaker adj
vOcated the fostering of science, justice and
religion and the pushing to the front of
able men.
AN EMBRYONIC THEoLoGUE.
The subject of the grafton of Mr.. e. r.
McKenney, of the State university, was en-
lllltA, Odul dutl L dul. Will ~
sketch of the salient characteristics of the
Jealous young prosecutor of Christians, the
orator dwelt briefly upon his education at
the feet of Gamaliel, and told in graphic
language the story of his conversion and
the consequent diversion of his energy into
divine channels. An appreciative analysis
of his character and genius was elaborated,
evidencing careful study on the part of the
speaker. In conclusion, it was said that if
goodness was any test of greatness, Paul
was one of the nOblest men of any age.
THE JURY SYSTEM"
was the subject of an extremely-fnished
and smOothly-delivered address by l.. j.
Van FOSSen of Hamline university. Accord
ing to the speaker, the test of any system
was in its utility. Common sense was of
more value in determining ordinary ques-
tons than technical skill. Both theory and
practice showed that court was inferior to
jury in determining practical questions.
The humanity of jury often offset the
sternness of the judge. The records of the
appellate courts showed that the
majority of errors were to be at
tributed to judges rather than iuries;
judges were too complaisant in permitting
good citizens to escape jury service. The
jury system was Statutory check upon soul
less monOpOlies. 1t was the true school of
political wisdom. Through it the sovereign
people itself sat upon the throne of justice.
10 abolish trial by jury would be to invert
the tenor of the age. The orator dilated
upon its Importance to democratic institrl-
tons and closed with an eloquent peroration
which received considerable applause.
TARIFF PROTECTED AMERICA
was the title of an Grafton by F. n. Stacy
of the state university. America - he
said, was afraid of an inundatiOn of for
eign goods, unmindful of the fact that the
Yankee forefathers built up the nation by
brain and Drawn instead of bounty. The
day of infant industries had passed.
age tradition and custom had no kin with
this industrial age of STEEL The conditions
upon which was made the plea of protec-
ton were in reality the conditions OF SUI
premacy. In conclusion the speaker pre-
Sented very striking comparison between
the four great manufacturing countries Of
the globe, giving figures concerning pro-
duction and wages, and making strong
appeal for commercial liberty.
THE CONCLUDING ADDRESS
of the evening was delivered by Z. p. Rob
ertson. 1t was entitled. ''0W Protective
System The commerce of America
owed its DEATH he said, Ito strangulation
by the protective SYSTEM" This was the
key note of the Grafton, which was concise
and cogent as an argument for free trade,
was well delivered, and although coming
last was equally well received by the audi
ence.
The judges then retired to an ante-room.
and after n few moments deliberatiOn
awarded the first prize to L. j. Van F0Ssen
of Hamline and the second to F. \. Stacy
of State university. These gentlemen will
accordingly go rs contestants to the inter-
state collegiate contest TO be held at Column
bus, O., on the first Thursday of May. The
judges were Hon. James b. Gilfillan, Prof.
B. +. Wright, Hon. j. b. Brisbin. Rev. NJ.
MEG. Dana, d. ID. and Hon. c. d.
0'Brien.