The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-04-09
PYROTECHNICS OF ORATORY.
The Pent-Up Eloquence Of the State Col
lege Orators Let Off Last Night
Disgraceful Demonstrations Over Faction
n Wrangle-The Successful Contestants
Proceedings of the Fraternities.
THE oRAToRICAL CONTEST.
characterized by an Even Fiercer Spirit
Rivalry than in the Past.

THE 0RATORICAL CONTEST.
characterized by an Even Fiercer Spirit of
Rivalry than in the Past.
The twelfth annual contest of the Indiana
Cratoricai Association land it may be deemed
advisable that IL be the LAST took place at
Englishs Opera-house last night Every seat
In the lower part of the house had occupant,
and there was O large number Of persons In the
first gallery. It was remarked that the audi
ence was almost wholly masculine, chiefly col
lege boys there being fewer ladies present than
at any previous contest There was also ap-
parent even fercer spirit of rivalry than has
hitherto characterized these meetings. This
was attributable, doubtless, to feuds and fac
tons growing out of the partisanship of compel
ing secret societies.
The curtain rose late not before a quarter af-
Ger O'clock and only then to silence imperious
Aeels in front, time having been vainly taken up
in trying to adjust matters so that Only one rep
4esentative should appear from Indiana Univer-
sity. Two, however, were on the stage, and the
college boys were expectant of difficulty when
that college, third on the programme, should be
called. Invocation was pronounced by DR..
futile, president of Wabash University, after
which Mayor Denny delivered the address of
welcome, during which he said he would offer q
friendly criticism and suggestion. Heretofore,
and on this occasion, ladies have never been
represented as judges This evening young
lady was among the contestants, and he thought
1t would be in better keeping with the spirit of
the age If hereafter, as ladies have capability
Of becoming orators, it is considered that they
are also worthy to sit in Judgment upon oratory.
BE then, in the name Of the people of Indianap-
els babe the competitors, officers and members
Of the oratorieal association. and the students
Of the colleges welcome, with the hope that their
future meetings will continue to be held here,
where they will always DO welcome
The first orator, representing Franklin Col
iege, Miss Emma Turner, was then introduced
20 the audience by the vice president of the as
sociation, E. E. Shaw. She came forward and
bowed with graceful ease to the audience, and
began speaking in a key somewhat too high, but
which she soon remedied. Her enunciation was
distinct, and her gestures natural, suiting the
action to the word. Her subject was "Fanati-
eism In which she showed that conservatism
had done little to further the good of humanity,
avariably been scorned as fanatics.
at the stigma that rests upon
hem in one age is removed in the
,ext and succeeding generations recognize their
humanity. prOCe6QGO
that cold philosophers have never been the
worlds msssiahs, and that if reforms were left
10 those the world considers wise and prudent,
they would never be undertaken. This point she
illustrated by the estimates of contemporaries OF
Jesus of Nazareth, Mohammed and Joan of Arc.
Her apostrcphe to the Maid of Orleans was
highly applauded. Among fanatics she men
toned Martin Luther, the Crusaders, the Pill
grim fathers and William Lloyd Garrison 1t
took fanatics Garrison Sumner and Phillips to
arouse this Nation the sin of slavery,
and then it took plain. practical Grant
30 lead the troops to victory 1t Is
the prosecuted. ridiculed Parnell who 10 lifting
the clouds and leading the people of Ireland into
be cannot be predicted but whatever it is will be
due to Parnell's fanaticism She spoke of Presi-
dent Cleveland as possessed OK the fanatlcism OF
backbone, and hoped that such fanaticism would
guide the ship of state, and that she would sail
on until the ruler of fanatics as we'll conserva
tive will say "wel donen At the conclusion she
was warmly appauded, the Franklin College
BOYS being on hand in great force.
j. M. Adams, of DePauw University, was the
next orator. his subject being ''The Problem of
Great Cities" His voice was full, round and
clear, his gestures few, his manners easy. He
proceeded to show that great cities have always
been the point of attack for national calamities
that they are the hotbeds of social diseases
that they have laid low in the dust the most
robust of civilizations, citing Athens and Rome,
and coming down to our own time. He
called attention to the fact that in our
own country city populations were rapidly in
creasing and to the danger that lay in such in
srease with the Socialistic element constantly
growing, and the feverish unrestof the laboring
Blasses. The same social tendencies thatswept
away Athens and Rome, that shook Paris and
y London, that stirred Brussels and made Berlin
tFemble are at work in our own society.
That social sympathy which only
unite people in harmonious whole is being
destroyed between the perverted use Of riches
- - al 30 x1xux
are multiplying among the working classes. The
orator held that intelligence was the only means
amber the burning stars thar can bring security
and peace, and avert the overthrow of our in
nust be extended. Our schools are nurseries of
freedom. They set the star above the
cradle of the poor mans babe. This education
must be imperative. compulsory. Christian
truth must also be disseminated Let tenn
pies rise in city slums. and vice and crime will
slnk away. In this dual union of intellect and
conscience there is opening hope. These in
sreasing lower elements may be made to merge
into the higher, and our cities come to De the
abiding places of the purest practical virtue.
Mr. Shaw, of Hanover College, as master of
ceremonies, then stepped to the footlights and
said; al wish to give word of explanation.
The orator from the State University has been
contested and part of their committee is in favor
Of Mr. Fesler and part Of Mr.. Sims. Mr.. Fesler's
name Is on the programme; his subject The In
dependent Voter.n
AS Mr. Shaw took his seat, Mr. Fesler and Mr.
Sims. with seven or eight feet of space between
tham, both came forward. most disgraceful
scene ensued Yells for Fesler were sue
Ceeded by yells for Sims. and then the
cries Of the factions ran together, mingled with
bowls, groans, and cat-calls such as never before
were heard from the mos. disorderly gallery Of
hoodlums that Englishs Opera house ever held.
The rivals both continued facing the audience
and now and then looking at each other out of
bhe corners of their eyes, and both determined
10 hold the floor More Kisses, cheers, catcalls
md kroans.
gentleman rose in the audience and said
l'There no reason for precipitating such a
ltate of affairs as exists on this OCCASION"
Whatever else he might have said was drowned
n q storm of bowls and cries that would have
done credit to pandemonium itself
At this Will E. English appeared upon the
stage, and saidi II am not the manager of this
pratorical contest. but / am the manager of