The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-04-11
nAsDolPn.mAcos eoLLnos.
Literary Societies Hold Their Annual Po0
lie Debates.

| l,c DebatcA
| ASHLAND. VA. April Especial
Public debate nights Of tho literary So
cicties Of Randolph Macon College. which
| only come once year, marx quite al
| epoch in the student-lfc Of the college.
| Brilliant bellies aud gallant beaux turn
| out I'm large numbers 10 lend the charm
OF their presence. and 10 inspire the IN
tellcctual combatants 10 lofty speech
and cunning ''curls.
Tonight was an exception to the rule.
as there was large attendance upon ths
annual celebration OK Washington LIT
crary Society.
Mr.. w =. Anderson. o. Virginia, was
president. Mr.. n. q. b. Cooper. OF VIZ
rinia. vlcc-prcsident. Mr.. G. W. Watts,
OF Virginia. secretary. and Messrs. Euts-
lcr Walker. and llih marshals.
Tire president. after a graceful Nttic
speech Of welcome. introduced Dir. IL.
V. Switgcr. of Virginia. az the orator
OF the evening.
Ills subject was: shall the Dema.
gOgue Achieve ,-;'aemacy?'
lie said that the field OF the dema-
gogue was among the unculturod, and
that by his skillnl sophistry he aroused
the sensations. and conf0undod this In the
public mind with truth. that the ia
lhllldi interpretation or the MONROE NoC-
trinc pointed to the fact that This clos
ing decade OF the nineteenth century IL
Characterized by a partial reign OF the
demagUruc. IL ~ not the charm OF MS
art which gives him his potentallty.
but the relation which the citizen yolun-
tarily assumes. RE quoted the express
sion that experience Is the criterion and
guiding star which has ruled our actions
whenever we rose TO higher things. Tho
peboan. he said. had completely ignored
this rule IN the political world. This
failure had eneryated our sensations TO
violated rights. We have paid atten-
tion TO the vindication OF our rights across
the seas. while we have let home affairs
go to the dogs. The assumption or such
30 to the dogs. The assumption OF such
a relation ia the domagogue's oppor-
tunity. He stuifs them full or sensation
alism. and moves them to fansticism,
and but for "A few noble men. VINO arose
with al their resisting powers, the Gov
eminent would be crushed ana gone.
Every year these true and noble men are
getting fewer in the political field. They
are unwilling 10 light and scufle and con-
tend with libertines for the protection Of
those who prefer profigacy TO virtue.
4 few years moro of such action VIII be
sufficient TO oyerpower and drive out
an the true and noble mon
For the consequence OF that day. when
the statesman is supplantcd by the dema-
gOgue. we have but tO review what tho
world has already achieved IN It's greatest
struggles in the cause OF liberty. Greece
murdered Socrates and exiled Aristotle.
her uOblest men-and became so weakened
that she fell victor to her own people.
Shall We receive the teachings OF the pasti
Then rally around the few who still stand
for right. Be faithful to duty, loyal To
truth and active In its defence. Then will
follow the overthrow OF the demagogue
and a pure ana noble nation OF truth and
right will shine forth from her rulers.
The question for uebate was.
Resolved. that the prevalence Of fiction
I'm modern literature has been productive
Of good rather than evil"
MT W. II. Best. OF Maryland. was
the first on the affirmative. lie stated
that an literature al first wore the garj
OF poetry Growth IN practical hfe
awakens desire for prose. The question
agitatng the minds of thinking people
Is. What Is truth? II novels are true -
life, then, as Christian and scientific men
We need not fear them. They crafty
and cultivate the imagination. The styla
that is the most natural and perfect Eng.
fish furnishes harmless recreation, and
gives an insight into real character. ha
concluded by saying that We should not
yield up all the advantages. because OF
the abuses TO which IL Is subjected.
Mr.. g. r. Tyler. being first on thu
negative, declared that the novel was
the most inferior grade OF all literature,
having bad effect on the imagination
and emotions The reading OF novels
does not improve the style. he SAID, as
IT was the story sought after more than
the style. \ dislike for solid literature
is engendered. and. therefore. the com.
mon relations OF rfe are disabled. Some
times teaching inhdenty. and painting
falsely. under the guise Of being true 10
life. the novel IS an educator for evil
rather than good.
Mr.. J. T.. Mccartney, Of Pennsylvania,
resumed the argument for the affirmative,
He took as his phase OF the subject
Purpose novels and romance novels
He dwelt with most effect upon the 70.
nance novel, as we are more directly
Interested in IT.. He emphasized the fact
that though designed more TO please than
to teach. yet II lays hold OF the powers
of the human soul so that Il does teach
i'm a most powerful way, placing before
men and women a high idea OF manhood
and womanhood. Ladies'. because or
their temperament and leisure, read
novels more than do their brothers. ana
are more influenced by the nobility OF
purpose and loftiness OF character that
so many Of our modern novels.
This is well. as on our women devolves
the formation of the lives and characters
Of our future men,
Mr.. L. Burruss. Of Ohio. concluded ina
debate. lie took the ground that All
9ctlon Is not an evil in itself though mos.
: and reading fiction Of all kinds IS usual
w carried 10 excess. Woodworking IN
general has a tendency 10 make people
to truth; much reading Of nc.
lion takes up time that should be spent
In reading other things. Bad literature
has most Of the evil effects OF bad So
,ietv. n also has strong influence u
causing young people TO form the wrong
deal for life.