The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1894-08-29
For The Herald and News.
THURSDAY AT FAIRvIEW ACADEMY.
All Act Their Parts Well. A Profitable and
Pleasant Occasion.

Bright and early on last Thursday
morning found the writer preparing to
attend the joint debate at Fairview
Academy between the Casper Debating
Society and the Irby Literary Debating
Society. This day had been looked for
ward to by the people of the Fairview
community for weeks. We arrived
about O'Clock, and were the first on the
grounds. The debate was held in the
beautiful grove of Mr.. J. A. Bakers
near the Academy. The people began
t. come early and kept on coming until
II o'clock when the estimate of the
crowd placed the number present be-
tween three and four hundred per-
sons.
The exercises of the day were begun
about 10 O'Clock. Mr.. 6. B. Domirick,
acted as chairman of the meeting. The
first speaker was Judge ". G. Peter
son, candidate for Probate Judge. Mr..
Peterson, entertained the crowd for
about fifteen minutes, after which our
friend MIR. F. W. Higgins made a capi-
tai speech on school work. By this time
the hour for the debate to begin had
arrived.
The following young men represented
each society, viz; Caspers society,
Messrs. w. H. Dreber, and J. NJ. Ept-
ing; Irby society, Messrs. E: S. Domi-
nick and q, w. Dennis. The subject
for discussion was, "Rssolued, In which
does, the United States owe the greatest
debt of gratitude, to England or to
France" Messrs. Dominick and Dennis,
represented the affirmative side of the
question and Messrs. Dreher and Ept-
ing defended the negative. Each de-
batter defended bis side ofthe question
S. we'll that they need no comment.
Prof. E. o. Counts, and Messrs l..
Hamp HUT, and J. Forest Stillwell
acted as judges. The debate lasted about
two hours. At the close Of the debate
dinner was announced and all were in
vited to put their dinner on the table
near the stage. While ladies were
spreading the bounteous feast Of eat
abIes, the judges retired to the woods to
render their decision. The good ladies
ofthis section are noted for their good
cooking, and they proved it especially
on that day. The eatables were OF the
finest quality and plenty in quantity:
After all had eaten to hearts contept.
there was enough left to feed at least
one-tbird as many more people.
After a recess Of an hour and ten
minutes the crowd re-assem bled at the
stand to hear. the decision and other
speakers who had been engaged to
speak in the afternoon. Prof. Counts
rendered the decision of the judges in
very appropriate manner. He COM
plilnented the young men highly. After
keeping the decision away from the
crowd ss long as possible he declared
the affirmative side OF the Irby boys
had gained the debate. This is the
third joint debate that the Casper and
the Irby societies have had, and the
Irby boys have been victorious each
time. The Committee complimented
Mr.. Dreber, on bis good speech.
Mr.. I. II. Hunt, of New berry, spoke
next. He was introduced as no politi-
cal candidate, but a candidate for
mstrimony. His subject was education,
and he handled it we'll, and made !
fine impression on the crowd. DR.. G..
T. Wyche, made one. of the best
speeches OF his life which was well
received. Mr.. 81. N. Dominick, made
a few broken remarks, after the meet
ing adjourned.
Messrs. l.. D. Morris, Sim Cotney and
Fed Frazier furnished the music on the
violins, and Miss Hattie Connolly on
the organ. The music was excellent.
So erdt6 a pltsssnt and proftab