Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-06-13
Y. NJ. G. A. WINS
Joint Debate Between IT'S Literary
Society ana the Jefferson Society.

An elegant assemblage OF ladies' aud their
escorts filed every seat In the large hall OF
the Young Mems Christian Association
last night to witness the joint debate by
members Of the Young Mems Christian As
soclation Literary Society aud the Jefferson
Literary Society. Shortly after hslf-past 3
O'Clock the officers OF the two societies took
their seats on the platiorm, and President
r. NJ. Smith, OF the Young Mems Christian
Association Society, opened the entertain
ment by short sddress OF welcome on be-
hall OF bis organization.
After a duet, "The Lost Proser's Bed"
by Messrs. Watkins and Leftwich, MIR, II. f.
Moore, president OF the Jefferson Society,
introduced Mr.. Jefferson Wallace as the
first speaker on the subject OF the joint de-
bate: +" Resolved, That Ignorance and SUI
persttion have caused more evil than pride
and ambition" MIR. Wallace paid glowing
tribute 10 the ladies. to whom he was greatly
devoted. In entering into the discussion oil
the question, the affirmative side OF which he
was TO defend, he declared that he expected
to win as well as 10 see victory on November
4th. With these remarks be drew from his
coat.pocket "red bandana," and created
tremendous applause.
Mr.. Wallace argued his side eloquently
and well, and concluded by stating that he
doubted that there was a man In the audi
cnce who would condemn the ambition that
fred the hearts Of Robert Lee and Stonewlll |
Jackson.
Mr.. r. u. Smith then introduced Mr.. w,
VI. Justis as the first speaker on the mega
tive side OF the question. The latter gen.
teman began by stating that God gave in
stinct TO the brute. while he gave mind to
man, aud he endeayored to prove from his
tory the correctness OF his view OF the
question under debate.
Mr.. Douglas L. Leftwich followed with
solo, "Will-o'-the-W -WisD," by Choyey, and
had 10 entertain the audience with two ad-
dlional songs among them working the
Same Old Game" Mr.. James A. Gentry then
read one OF his poems, which was very al
tentively listened to.
Mr. w. II. Booker, OF the Young Mems
Christian Association Society, was intro
duced by Mr.. Moore as the second repre-
sentative OF the affirmative. Mr.. Booker de-
liyeTed highly interesting address, In which
he said that be expected that not only the
audience and the judges but even the gentle
men Of .he negative side would be convinced
at the close OF the debate that they bad de.
Tended a sorry cause. Ignorance bad IN all
times caused more shedding OF blood than
pride and ambition. 1t had been the fOunda-
tiOn OF every great war, and ignorance was
the curse OF God while knowledge was the
wings on which we lly 10 heaven.
Mr.. Booker pointed to the ignorant people
In China. India, etc, and the shameful man
ner In which they treated their wives. En-
thusiastic applause greeted Mr. Booker when
he ended his address.
Mr. c. G.. Christian was the last speaker
on the negative side. He conteuded that
pride and ambition had always taken the
foremost part in national evils. Ambition
had at times driven people to insanity. IL
pride takes possession Of a mans heart and
ambition seizes its subject II rushes headlOng
into action regardless Of the consequences.
In the closing OF the debate which followed
after Mr. Haddon s. Watkins bad sung a
solo, "Tell Ter / Love Her So" Mr.. Wal
lace took the ground that pride and ambition
had created more good than ignorance and
superstition. In addressing the gentlemen
OF the negative side he asked them why they
had come to the entertainment-wh whether m
laudable ambition to take part In the debate
or to show their ignoranceI Mr.. Justis
thought that the history Of France was suf-
cien. TO prove that pride and ambition had
! created greater evil. Had It not been for the
ambition OF few political demagogues the
! late civil war IT, this country would have
never been fought. Mr.. Christian called at
| tenton to the fact that the cruciiying OF the
Son OF God was preceded by the betrayal OF
| Christ By one Of his disciples who was guided
by the desire OF gaining money.
After the rendering Of a duet, The Fish
ermen." By Messrs. Watkins and Leftwich,
the Judges Of the debate gave their decision,
to the effect that they had listened with much
pleasure and satisfaction TO the speeches OF
the evening, which had brought credit 10
both societies There had been some diff
Guilty for the judges to reach conclusion,
but they had finally agreed that the gente>
men OF the affirmative had carried of the
prize. The judges were Hon. j. T. Ellyson,
Mr. Jackson Guy, Hon. James Lyons, Jr.,
Hon. Lyon G.. Tyler, and Mr. j. X. Tucker.
After a few closing remarks by Mr.. H. h.
Moore the assemblage was dismissed.