The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1894-01-06

i 49,. -,
I knew how to express them forcibly and
effectively. In those days as We trust
largely in this, young men were ambl-
tious of intellectual life and the debating
society furnished the fortunate oppor-
tunity.
The present furore for physical train
| ing, manual schools, athletic exercises
and public games, were unknown, and
the superfluous energies of manhood
were more likelysto be expended along
other lines. We are not criticisipg this,
only emphasizing the changed situation.
Very likely, as usual, we shall find wis.,
dom in the happy mean" between the
two extremes, the sound mind in the
healthy body.
Among those associated with Mr.,
Biggs, in those contests were, Ephriam
Beasten, George McIntire, John R. Price,
John McCracken and Sawell Biggs, a
brother of the Governor, who though
less demonstrative as public speaker
was not inferior in general intelligence
and sound judgment.
At Chesapeake City there was SINH
lar debating organization, and occasion.
ally the Summit Bridge Society would
challenge it for joint discussion, and
both parties would meet together, dis
cuss some popular topic, and SO give
interest to the long winter evenings. In
due time the challenge would be return
ed, and the meeting place be reversed.
On these occasions Mr.. Biggs would
always be prom disputant, while
on the Chesapeake side, as 1 remember,
Littleton s. Crooper, and if mistake
not Richard H. Bryan would shine con.
spiciously. Others might be named, but
it would greatly prolong tnis communi
cation. Those days were not wanting in
social amusemants, but there was this
J mipgling of intellectual life which
served to keep up the balance. 1t is hsr
to tell how many public careers, have
been started aud shaped by the village
debating society.
recall TOO, how the example of These
debates was contagious, leading to ar
orgauiz alton of e somewhat similar among
a SGT of lads, who formed for mutual I'm
provsment debating society of theil
own under the Crescent Literary Asso
: ciation," adopting a somewhat terrific
and startling inauguration ceremony, il
in which the rolling of mock tqunder
the canking of chains mingled with the
oder of sulphur, and the CLEANS o.
phosphorus.
The newly inaugurated member was
E endowed with symbolic pin composed
r of a crescent suspended from the beam:
of cross, and was obliged to make &
e solemn obligation with his hand upon
k human skull, which further light. dis
9 closed to be harmless pumpkin, abou
g the size of an ordinary Uranium. | la.
myself liable to 10 penalties for this pub
licity as the pretentious organization ha
- long since gone into the limbo of thing
that were.
= But this youthful debating club, com
a posed of members, perhaps ten or twelv
IS years younger than was Governor Biggs
It at that time, had something more sui
!. stantial in view than PHOSPHORUS, az
d mock thunder. Like the older organ
t, cation of which we have spoken. it bel
20 regular meetings for the discussion
le subjects quite as important as thos
l. fought over by their elders. 1t held il
nc meetings at the Bethel school hous
u and was composed of boys from fourtee
70 to twenty years of age. Besides the di