Clarksville evening chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn) 1886-1890, 1888-12-20
THE YOUNG ORATORS.
Speaking Last Night at the University
and What Was Said.

The exercises last night were
opened by G. M. Shaw, of Louisiana.
Subject: "The Fallacy OF History"
Mr.. Shaw is a clear logical speaker
and his words were we'll chosen and
fitly spoken. We should seek truth
always in science, in history and
religion, above all things. Mr.. Shaw
took the declaimer's medal last year.
j. M. Mecklin, of Mississippi, came
next with beautiful speech on
"Home influence" He treated the
subject we'll and his delivery was
good.
Then came r. A. Miller, of Missis-
sippi, with the all important question
"Is life worth living" He showed
that it might be made miserable or
made beautiful and noble. His
speech was beautiful and gracefully
delivered.
"Aim of Life was the subject
chosen by w. b. McCampbell, of
Texas. He said that some make
their aim wealth, power, etc. The
answer to the question is SO simple
that it is often overlooked. Nature
reveals it. The true aim isto prepare
to die, not live. This is the ante
chamber to heaven. He closed his
speech with the beautiful quotation
from "Thanatopsis'' $50 live, that
when thy summons comes, ETC."
A good effort.
T. U. Sisson, of Mississippi, was
next introduced. Subject: " Fifth
Kingdom" He began with the
birth of Christ, and recalled the prin-
cipal kingdoms. He said that
nothing great had been lost-there
are no lost arts-they are but buried
to be resurrected by modern civiliza-
tion-Anglo-Saxon civilization. The
people of this generation hold it in
their hands to hasten or retard the
"Fifth Kingdom" His speech was
a splendid one, and finely delivered.
Next came r. j. Steel, of Tennes-
see. Through the Rubbish of Some
Hundred Years" was his theme.
Every one longs to leave behind
some imperishable monument. He
reviewed the struggle for religious
liberty, "The Lost Cause etc, He
then summed up his review, in the
fact that history teaches the imInor-
tality of valor. A well written
speech, and but for a slight impedi-
ment in his voice, he would be most
eloquent speaker.
r. e. 1elford, of Georgia, then
came forward with glowing tribute
to that noble man, Martin Luther.
He said that the liberty of Germany,
France, England, and of our own
country, would have never been the
portion of the world but for this
noble man. He impressed the audi
ence that the noblest thing to do is to
stand up for the right, regardless OF
the worlds opinion.
J. J. Woll, of Tennessee, was then
introduced with "The Great Ques-
ton" as his subject. Mr.. Woll made
a good speech on the issues of the
day, reviewing the evils which affect
our national prosperity. An able
speech and we'll delivered.
The next and last speaker was A.
Kistler, of Tennessee. MIR. Kistler is
native German and labors under
great difficulties in speaking our
language. But for this defect he did
splendidly. His speech seemed to
have been well written. His subject
was "True Success"
AS whole the speeches were good
and the young men did themselves
credit. Notso good order prevailed
as did on Monday night as the boys
had been provoked at the Chancellor
refusing to allow fruits and flowers
to be sent on the stage between
speeches. At the end of the exercises,
however the fruits, flowers and some
amusing things were sent up.
From the speakers who spoke
Monday night and those who spoke
last night, eight were chosen to de-
liver orations in June. They were
Messrs. Blackburn, Crowford, Kill
dow, Kistler, Lyman, Shaw, Sisson
and Woll.
Now boys-to work for the medal.