The Democrat. (Scotland Neck, Halifax Co., N.C.) 1884-1896, 1885-11-26
Cor the DemocraU
DEBATING SOCIETIES.


Wherever we find man in contact
with his fellow man, wherever we
find the least trace of literary cul-
ture or lhilosophic spirit, there We
find meetings under some name for
free discussion. Oral discussions
were among the earliest and most
effective means of cliciting truth and
dtfusing knowledge. Among ali
the schools Of the various pllllosophi-
cal sects of antiquity, free and open
,lisputation was the favorite method
Of testing the soundness Of theory
and finding out the d;sguises Of error.
We learn not only from ancient
history, but also from modern that
these apparently transient conflicts
Of opinion have wrought great and
mighty changes, social, civil and
religious. 1t is here for the first
time, that many q master mind has
felt a real consciousness Of that
strength which afterward rendered
them distinguished Many who have
aspired to distinction in public life,
whose hopes were directed toward
the great scenes Of controversial ems
counter, and whose ambition was to
reach the zenith of political power,
took their origin in the debating So
ciety. The purpose of debate is to
establish truth. l. is often indeed
urled aslie from its proper aim but
never from its proper profession.
What mountains of prejudice, wins.
barriers Of interest, what sila les Of
ignorance have often been swept out
Of the pathway Of truth by prompt
displays of controversial power.
The world Is flooded with prvten-
tious doctrines, theories and sys>
TENS not only pretent,ons but per
nicious.
They are the prolific sources Of
schemes affecting every interest Of
humanity. They infest chambers
Of commerce and halls oT 'egislation
They start up in educational bodies
and seek to sway the decisions
Of all dehberatlve assemblies. Now
debate to be effective must bring all
it assumes to the test oe logic.
1t asks nothing but fair field.
Its motto is hear both si,les-a motto
Dreaded only by error, for error hates
TO be seen except in her own light
and in her own chosen position.
To debate successfully requires
practice. 1t is capable of inde6-
uite Improvement. 1t is serviceable
in every station. In the debating
society young man of any promise
soon comes to discern the value of
profound and patient thought, close
investigation, rigid analysis and
careful deduction.
These come to be indissoiubly
connected with the idea of good
debate. While mere words, tones,
! gesture, however fuently uttered,
however gracefully managed, fail ut
terly to carry convictions to the
minds of his audience he must dis
dain all aids OF sophistry, all idle
rhetoric and rely for success only
on manly logic which alone can
carry conviction to the judgment Of
his hearers. Reason soundly-see
that every link in the chain Of your
argument is strong and sure, fol
they are present who are eager to
find the least flaw.
Should you put your trust in wit
irony or sarcasm, be cautious in the
use Of these dangerous weapons
remembering that often iu such case
the recoil is far more dreadful thar
the discharge,
There are many advantages de
rived from the exercises of deba
ting society. Temeity takes lesson:
from caution-tiui,tity learns eelf-
reliance, presumption abats sundel
the check Of prudence, add many 9th
er features Of character exercise &
friendly influence one upon another
This wholesale discipline has of
ten been acknowledged by men Of The
most illustrious rank.-It is espec-
tally the experience and therefore
the testimony Of those who in early
life while yet
Chill penury represscd their nobl
rage
found in thesehumble organiza-
tions a fostering mother to thai
lueniua which in after wears va.