The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1892-04-08
A CRIIIQUE.
To the Editor of the Eagle.

To the Editor OF the Eagle
The oratorical prize contest on Wednes-
day evening Was very interesting oc-
casioD, and, with the editors permission,
l would like to speak of one phase of it,
namely. the choice of subjects by the
orators. Here were four addresses of al
most equal merit. Why did Miss Randall
receive the prize? In my opinion, it WAS
mainly because her subject, ''Shackles, -
was well chosen. THE Progress of Lib
erty," or "The Onward March of Free
DOM" it might have been called. Here
was a popular subject. and one that
carried the sympathies of the audience
throughout. OF course, do not say that
determined the choice of the judges, but
do know that her address most pleased the
audience and it was mainly on account of
Der theme.
Mrs. Skaters subject, Revelation
Human and Divine" was bad, from an
oratorical point of view. Why? Because
it was theological. People have natural
distaste to dry theological dis
cussions. The age when they were
interested in the question as TO
how many angels could dance on the point
of Il cambria needle, is past; even Trini-
rarianism and Unitarianism are dead
issues. That she interested her audience
in spite of her subject, is only proof of
her ability. For my part, l have horror
of theological novel l believe that the
whole race of them, T. p Roe's Ben Hur,
Robert Elsmere, and all the rest, will sink
into Oblivion. Theology and art are in
compatible.
Mr.. Leases subject. 1.-THE Jewish Race
was interesting? Yes, the Jews are in
teresIing TO US in a languid sort of way.
nut not SO interesting as Americans. He
like Mrs. Shaffer, had an obstacle 10 over
come; hers was a real distaste TO her sub
ltct; his, lack of interest in it, We do not
sympathlZe with the misery of all the
jews IN Russia half so much as we do
with the misfortune of the little town of
T0wanGa. That's the difference between
a near and remote environment. Even
the genius OF George Eliot could
not make Daniel Deronda as interest
ing as her English types of
Character ] once heard a lecturer say
that Daniel Deronda was study of Her
bert Spencer, with whom she was in love.
yelled as jew TO conceal his Identity. II
is astonishing how much more interesting
lie WAS to me rs an Englishman, Herbert
Spencer, than he Was as jew. | am not
saying what ought 10 be; lam only saying
what Is
But Mr.. Sisson, in his subject, "A Plea
or Justice" made the great mistake of
the evening he has a perfect right TO his
opinion that Thomas Paine was a much
iujured lnd yiduai. but 1t was bad policy
10 air his views upon that occasion, be-
.'.u>e he antogonlz-d the hearers whom he
wished 10 please. | believe in woman's
>utfraGe. but | would not think of choos-
h.S / tor my subject on an occasion ike
ti.e Gaze IL Question. Il ii man want, 10 be
l :s.cru.er, and 20 through tie Knitting
ms reu col, against Steiic watts he has
a pesirc- Iight 10 10 So put
le cannot expect u he
prize vInlr. az the same time Iar eX-
stal.-. Wailtirg' : auti- S.every Boenis we've
grand aua oeaUtltUi. At The time. atl did
good service IA TIE War against slavery uut
they Wi, perish with the occasion watch
prompted them; while hls -BsrcfooI Bog,