Mexico weekly ledger. (Mexico, Mo.) 1855-1956, 1893-04-06
ORATOR WILLIAMSON AWARDED
THE FIRST HONORS In THE
ORATORICAL CONTEST.
X. p. Wiley, OF Central, Carries
or the Second Prixe-A Dif.
fleult Matter to Decide
Between These Two
Contestants. ~

atives OF as many different colleges
forming the Intercollegiate Oratorical
Association of Missouri was held at
the Grand operaHouse Friday night
in the presence of the densest throng
of people ever in the build
ing, nearly or quite all being Wis
itors. Probably not over dozen
citizens of Mexico were in the au-
dienee, all seats having been reserv-
ed for the visiting delegations.
There were many ladies present
from abroad and also about fifty jun.
iors and seniors from Hardin College.
From the minute the doors were
opened until 12 o'clock the house was
in a continual deafening uproar-
the like of which was never heard
in Mexico-save when the orations
were being delivered and then su-
preme quiet reigned. The students
from each college seemed vigorously
bent ON shouting the loudest and
longestfor their orator and especially
was this the case with the Missouri
University boys, who were de-
termined to keep "Groves! Grovesi j
H. J. Groves I" to the front. AS
the evening waned this became tire
some. However, Groves friends
were legion and stayed by him as
only students can who worship their
hero. All-in-all, the boys behaved
nicely for students loaded to the
guards with enthusiasm for ia
vorites.
THE ORATORICAL EXERCISES.
The exercises of the evening be-
gan with a beautiful rendition by
Treloar's orchestra. Rev. A. A.
Wallace invoked divine blessing
upon tho vast assembly in short
and beautiful prayer. The orches-
ira again delighted the audience
with a selection, after which the
presiding officer, Mr.. Fred l..
Bronaugh, of Central College, an
nounced MIR. X. P. Whitley, of Gen.
trail, whose subject was democracy
and Social Progress. :" The delivery
of Mr.. Wilfey's Grafton did not con-
sumo more than half an hours time,
and from his introduction to the
close of his speech the audience was
as one attentive listener. The
speakers theme was modern
and developed thought; his enun-
citation and delivery were per-
feet and he was as calm and col.
lected as though talking to friend.
He was matter-of-fact in his speech,
with little or no flowery oratory,
Wilfey's every word carried weight,
He was at once prime favorite and
was listed as a winner. Wnen be
finished there was continued ap'
plause from all parts of the house
and then the mascot of Central
deminutive darkey, fantastically
decorated-walked across the stage
which was the signal for fresh out
burst of yells.
| William Jewell College, Liberty
was the second on the programme
and Mr.. w. J. Williamson, its
every-way worthy representative
was announced. He is gentle
man of fine bearing with extraordi
nary fine vocal power. His sub
Iject was "NationaI Perils," and hi
hearers were almost spell-bount
throughout its delivery, carryinl
carefully every word uttered ant
every thought expressed as the
speaker progressed, and unit
he made his final bow. Hi
grace, ease and dignity were re
marked everywhere; voice perfect
gestures graceful, eloquent delivery
stern solemnity, fowery fight
and distinguished presence at ono
made him an equal favorite with
Whitley. Williamson had ingratia
ted himself into the good graces o
the audience and was sin it" to re
main to the finish. So said th
great crowd by its laundering ap
plause. Mr.. Williamson, it will b
remembered, won second prize il
the oratorlcal contest held here tw'
years ago and represented William
Jewell College at st. Louis las
year. His subject matter was
ltrifie time worn but the delivery Q
the Grafton was u source OF mucl
pleasure to the auditors.
The State University, represente'
by H. ]. Groves, whose subject wa
ION Trial; "WashingtonU University
|St. Louie, W. D. Hudson, speaker
subject "The Wealth Problem;
Drury College, Springfield, w. N
Whitelaw, "The Symbolism Of th
American Flag" Westminster, Ful
ton, J. D. Catlin, "True Citizen
ship" Missouri Valley, Marshall
"Curtis, the Political Reformer,
and Park College, Parkyille, J
L. Caughey, subject, "American
Anglo Ties," came on the pro
gramme in the order named. Thre
Iof these orators deserve especis
commendatory MENTION. L. Caue
hey, Of Park College, whose voic