West Virginia freeman. (Parkersburg, W. Va.) 1881-1886, 1885-08-26
WEST VIRGINIA FREEMAN
a NOn-Partisan WaterI0O.-Dr.
BOOIe, of New York, meets
DR.. Hatfield, of Chicago,
at Decatur, LII. and
they Discuss.

W2tneS8.
The prohibition camp-meeting at
Decatur, Illinois, opened on Aug.
1st, with St. John as speaker
of the day. The attendance was
large and has increased steadily.
Rev. W. H. Boole, Of New York,
and his wife occupy the platform
some part of each day. Mrs. Boole
also conducts each morning chill
dren's meeting.
= Yesterday was a day never to be
forgotten by the immense throng
of thousands who eagerly pressed
into the enclosure of the Taberna-
Gle. Rev. Dr.. R. M. Hatfield, of
Chicago, appeared, according to
programme, to advocate high
license and non-partisan action.
Rev. DR.. Boole, of New York, was
to reply in defence of the third
party prohibitionists.
In a well-considered and syste-
atically-arranged speech, DR.. Hat
field, at his best, argued his propo-
sition for an hour and a half No
man could have accomplished the
work better. The vast and intelli-
gent audience, com posed of the
best social material of many coun-
ties, received him respectfully, and
listened in intelligent silence, ex-
cept when the speakers Repu bill
can friends, Of whom there were
many,gave him rounds of applause.
His speech was strong, heroic ef-
fort, DR.. Hatfield had no sooner
taken his seat than DR.. Boole ap-
peared from under the platform,
where he had been intently listen
ing, and quietly taking notes of
his opponents argument, unobser-
we'd by the audience. Without pref
ace, save pleasant remark or two,
which created merry laugh, and
Immediately drew the audience to
him, he began to dissect the propo-
sitions of his opponent, beginning
at the first. His knife was keen
edged and quick, and paused not
for bone or flesh. He cut away,
without mercy, the propositions of
Hatfield, and filled their places
with contrary ones, which he pro-
ceeded to argue and enforce with
remorselsss logic. Every illustra-
ton and figure used by his oppon-
ent was captured, and their guns
turned upon the enemy. This part
of his speech was intensely inter
esting, and enlisted the undivided
atten ton of his audience. His
keen perception Of the vulnerable
points in his opponents illustra-
tions was put in terse and vigorous
language, and as he scored point
after point, the excited audience
poured forth peal upon peal Of ap-
plause. Not single propC sition
laid down by DR.. Hatfield was pass
ed by, but every one received at
tentlon and was fully answered.
The discussion lasted more than
three hours, and closed with the
unanimous verdict of the multi
tude that the great Western cham
plon OF hlgh-license and pon-parti-
san temperance, heretofore consid-
cred an invincible chieftain, had
been fairly and honorably met, and
tterly routed with the loss of every
gun. Immediately at the close of
the debate the Committee made
prompt offer of the platform to DR..
ii atfield for the evening, if he des-
lred to reply. The offer was. how
ever, declined, though the DR.. was
to remain in town until the eleven
O'Clock train to Chicago, The Re
publlcans were greatly chagrined
over the result, yet none of them
disputed that DR.. Boole conducted
his part in the debate in gentle
manly and friendly spirit, his re-
markable GOODNESS contrasting
most favorably with the vehemence
of his opponent.
1t was historic day for Illinois
a nd prohibition. AS one minister
said, This is Waterloo"
7. J. CLowDER.
DECATUR, Ill, Aug. 6.