Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-12-15

Spirited Discussion at Richmond
College Last Nigh.

Contrary TO the expectation Of the stu
dents. who look for bad weather on such an
occasion, the evening appointed for the Phi
loloeian debate WAS clear and in every re-
spcct nfopitious. The young men were
greeted by a crowd which filed the spacious
chanel 10 Overlooking. Long before the
hour for The exercises to begin every avail
able ecat was occupied aud manv we're LETT
standing. The stage was tastefuly deco
rated with potted pants. and The Mozart
Orchestra furnished delightful music.
The exercises were opened with prayer by
Rev. W. W. Landrum, -. d., Of The second
Baptist church. Mr.. Charles 4. kiucaunon. OF
Tennessee, after making brief address OF
welcome, introduced toe feclalmer OF tne
eycning-Nr. {. G.. Trumbo, OF Virginia.
Emmett Defence" the subject chosen,
was rendered In crcditable manner by the
decla'mcr. The reader Of The occasion was
MIR. +. L. Garrett, of virginia, who amused
The audience with rendition OF "SprinC
Home leaning" The debate proper was
next IN order. The question selected was
"HcSOlrcd. That our national prosperity
demands the Acknowledgement Of the ne
gro"
Mr. IT. W. Jones opened the discussion.
He viewed The question first from an intel
lectual STANDPOINT. The negroes a. arace are
incapable ~ voting ntelligcntly. They vote
from prejudice alone. This is proved 10y the
unanmiiv which cLaractcrIZes his suffrage
in every elecuou lie then dwelt upon the
moral diequa.iGcltious Of the cOlored people.
Mr.. Jones was highly rhetorical, and closed
amid a storm Of applause.
Mr.. {. l.. Low. OF Virginia, came first on
the negative. lie urged that a discriinina-
tIon e made between social privileges and
civil rights. 10 give the negro tIe latter
bv no means signifies that be Is 10 have the
latter. Negro suffrage is itself the best argu-
ment for it, continuance lie Is better quail
fed 10 vote now than ever before. The black
man cannot he deprived OF the franchise
either on the ground OF a property or an
educational disqualification, Between dis
franchiscment aud slavery there Is no sale
middle ground.
Tue ,tyle Of Mr. Lows speech was ad.
mirable both in arrangement and delivery.
lie was listened to with close attention
throughout, aud made fine impression.
The second speaker on the Affirmative was
Mr.. 4. J. Ramsey. OF Virginia. lie argued
that Acknowledgement did not mean slavery.
The negro is totally unfit mentally and
morally TO exercise the privileges Of the bal
lot. He cannot read the history Of the past,
and consequently Is unable to forecast the
future. Thus he can never become a ruler
He i,vcs IN The present and has no care for
the future.
Mr.. Ramsey has had much experience in
public spe e4king. and his effort last evening
was In Keeping with his well-deserved repu-
tatiou.
The last debater was Mr.. II. n. Quesen-
berry, OF Virginia. The speaker sdmitted
that The negro was inferior TO the Csu-
caNan, but claimed that this was no
reason for his being deprived et his
ballot. The franchise does not depend
upon social equality. The question does
not depend upon mental equality, because
not all white men are on the same sOcisl
plane. no more than they are Of the same
mental caIibre. IL does not depend on
moral equality. II II did the neglo could
vote, for while the negro sells his ballot for
TWENTY-FIVE cents the white man sells his for
half a dollar. IL is not eXpedient 10 deprive
him OF the franchise. because Of the moral
eviis which would inevitably follow. II IS
impractiCable and undesirable.
Mr.. Qusenberry made use OF bis position
az last speaker, aud freely criticised the gen.
tlemen who had preceded him. He made a
good speech ard received much applause.
The debate beng over, many adjourned TO
the Library Hall and spent some time IN
promcnadng. The exercises were heartily
eujoyed by the large audience, and ali felt
tha, they had proftably spent pleasant eve-
ming.
The Young men made a good appearance
in their dress suits, aud all the speakers
seemed ut their best.
The public debate Of the Mu Sigma Rho
Society will take place on the second Friday
night IN March next