The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1897-05-20
THE DEBATE


large number OF Sheboygan people to the
city ana all were present to hear the ar
} guments. The Sheboygan students oc-
cupied one side of the hall, those of Man.
) Ito voc the other. The yell OF each school
was given b intervals, but better be-
haved class of young people never met in
intellectual co.. test before. The affair
reflected credit on tie schools interested
Sheboygan won; that was expected
from the start as they have had expe-
-lence aud 1t is evident they have profted
by it. Their victory was due more to
their excellence in delivery than to the
| though their arguments were more con-
nected and on lines more convergent to
the pith of the subject. For first de-
bate, the Manitowoc students did remark
ably well. The clear enunciation a2d
measured utterance of Alice Nash gave
force to her lines OF thought, while Ralph
| Plumb's extempore effort in the presence
OF such an audience surprised every one.
coming from one SO young. He felt
contemporaneous interest in his subject
and lG seems did not follow his lines In
| the prepared part of his address. This
shows he has strength, but it was unwise,
If Judgment was what the school contend
ed for, as one so young cannot think with
accuracy and reason logically under con
"A ,ah cd fry n, q
trained speaker. The boy acquitted him
self remarkably we'll, bGt 1t was e person
al victory at the expense of the school,
Francis Murphy had the trying posi-
ton of opening the debate, and though
1t was observable he was prentice
hand" did very we'll and made forci-
BILE argument on a p ,irt either unhappl-
ly chosen, or unfortunately assigned.
While it was evident to the writer that
Sheboygan had the better OF 1t even to
an extent beyond the measure accorded
by the judges, Manitowoc has reason to
feel proud of the sturdy effort OF her rep
resentatives. Without experience, there
was less of mechanism in their style and
diction than ID that of their opponents,
and if their language did not equal that
of their opponents in excellence, their
thought was more vigorous. LII they
fell below the visitors in elocutiOnary
powers, their delivery showed that the
thought was always attendant upon the
word, giving to their addresses the pleas
Ing flavor of sincerity. This is of far more
value than the effect of fine delivery,
though the latter Is not 70 be considered
lightly.
The subject was whether the ennexa-
ton of Canada by the United States is |
desirable, Manitowoc taking the affirma
tive. Francis Murphy opened by argu-
ing that nature has fixed the boundaries |
of most nations and that contiguity with |
out these barriers is dangerous to peace |
full relations. Canada, by this rule, be |
longs to us. We lost its territory by |
trickery. We are one people and Canada |
is of no benefit to England. Our mutual
interests would be furthered by annexa
ton.
Henry Detling followed for Sheboygan.
He said the acquisition of territory by |
the United States which had extended it's
boundaries and which is now cordially |
approved, was in no sense Identical to the |
proposition to annex Canada. Louisiana
was mn copied, and by It's annexation we
assumed no obligation to settle religious
or social questions now troubling the
Dominion. The process of assimilation
dealing with millions, would be difficult
and should not be encouraged.
Alice Nashs argument was symmetri-
cal. connected and had the element of
continuity, the characteristic of a mind
with mathmetlcal InclinatIons. She ar
gued that unrestricted reciprocal re,a-
tions between nations, In its fullest de
velopment, could not equal the relations
existing between people of a common
country. TIE dangers OF retaliation for
unfriendly legislation would be avoided |
bv annexation as also the expense of col |
ment IN future will require extension OF
territory. The resources of Canada will |
be better developed under the energetic |
system of this country than under pres
ent conditions. Moral ard intellectual
growth will also be developed.
Matte Buchanan spoke on the mega
tive Har 1aliCory uoo |
particularly pleasing, having degree OF
naievete which dlspelled the idea of prep |
aratIon. She worked ID some flashes Of !
beautiful sentiment which gave polish to |
her effort. She showed the difference be-
tween an empire and republican form
of government and that popular govern
ment requires homogeniety, England is
the stable center of a vast empire, but
this centralized power is lacking IN the
United States. Our constitution is the
creation of our own ideas and designed to
meet our own needs and would not suit
those who have grown up under different
system. The Canadians could not be ex-
pected TO make such complete transfer
OF allegiance as TO make them desirable
citizens.
Ralph PLUMB took the honors as de-
batter using that word With the proper
limitations. He was argumentative, even
disputatious, and earnest. He was more
intent upon force than upon elegance Of
expressi and was moved wholly by his
| feelings. 1t was a fine exhibition of a
boys argument; but debates now run
more in the line of orations and Ralpb's
argument, coolly judged by marking,
would receive more credit if it was less en-
ergetic and more amenable to studied die
ton. He wanted the subject viewed from
1 i i