The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1899-11-26

portahce 10 young men OF a thorough
training in the art Of disputation. This
Is quite natural in a man whose excep-
tional abilities as public speaker and
debater have been such powerful aids
10 advancement as they have in Colonel
Henderson,s case. 1t is true that as
speaker of the house of representa-
tiveS. one of the most difficult bodies
in the world to. control. he will need tc
bring comparatively untried faculties
into play. but beyond a doubt his
speeches and debates on the floor oil
the house, in conventions and ON the
platform have been a special training
which will be of immense advantage to
him in his new place. His predecessor
Thomas Bracket Reed. was all the
stronger as presiding officer because OF
his skill in debate.
There was no progressive American
neighborhood without its debating So
ciety when was young" said Colonel
Henderson the other day. Some COM
munities boasted of two or more and
the yjung man who took no interest IN
their meetings was decidedly at a dis
advantage in more ways than one
among his associates. Every sort OF
topic was discussed by the youthful
debaters, and with quite as much
earnestneSs as if the decision of the
judges at the close of each dispute were
binding upon the whole world. Al
first blush you may not perceive how
general and thorough is the training
received; how wide the range of infor-
nation acquired by the young man who
throws himself heart and soul into gen.
eral debating. but little reflection will
convince you that the ability to express
his views is only one of the advantages
he derives.
"One of the most desirable things
about regular debating is that the
speakers are forced to read extensively
and study deeply. In no other way can
they hope to stand chance of making
a good showing. Such reading and
study is far more beneficial than ordi-
nary preparation for class room work
In the one case he must take the initia-
tive, must bring out every pos
sible point in favor of his conten-
ton, in order to sustain his side of the
dispute. Besides, he must understand
all the points likely to be advanced on
the other side, that he may the more
readily answer them. In the other case
he has only to acquaint himself suf-
ficiently with the subject to make a
fairly satisfactory recitation possible.
1t is not expected that he will take
the initiative at all; the instructor does
that.
1.-THE higher institutions of learning
in this country could do the young men
of America no greater service than to
make a speciality of instruction in dis
putation and public speaking 1t would
increase the hold of the students vastly
upon the things they know, and so
would be of great advantage, even 10
those who do not enter public life; TO
those who do it would be simply in
valuable. The, simple power of think
ing on his feet is something which
49, - 1o. ~or
his school days have passed; but it is
something that must of necessity be
acquired by every youngster who at
tends debating, school of the sort
that was common in Iowa in the fiftieS-
Nowadays few such organizations are
to be found anywhere, l am afraid
Speaking of Both Sides.
When Colonel Henderson was boy.
living at home with his fathers family
on ''Henderson's Prairie" the debating
school was his greatest passion, and
he owes much to the ex
perience he acquired then. There was
a debating society in the home neigh
borhood, which held its meeting in the
Henderson school house; there was
another in the neighborhood to the wes.
and yet another to the south AS the
school houses in which the societies in
within easy riding distance he Joined
all three and gave up three nights each
week to disputatidn. Naturally, he had
TO devote virtually all his spare time
TO preparing himself for the debates.
This gave him little opportunity for the
ordinary amusements of youngsters of
his own age, for often the questions
at issue before the three debating So
cieties were of the most diverse nature,
- hi oil 70 IL,
form himself as,shoroughly on the OPP
posite side as on his own.
On one occasion the question to be
debated was very intricate. and, more
over, one regarding which a good deal
could be said on both sides. Young
noticed this in his reading.
and soon after he arrived at the school
house was mighty glad he had 1t was
customary to have three speakers or
more on each side, the question gener-
ally being worded so that one side took
the affirmative and the other the mega
tive. Henderson's reputation had come
to be, such that he was generally cho-
sen. as on this occasion, to open the
debate in support of the. affirmative.
Naturally, the next best debater in the
society was invariably selected to lead
Tor the negative. Henderson had al
ready enjoyed some close disputes with
me young MAN WHO WdS 10 OppUSe MIN
hat night. and was wondering how he
could best him, for the negative side
was at least as strong as the affirma
i've But when the meeting was called
20 order it was announced that the
eader of the negative was not present
and would not be there. In the regular
course of events the duty of answering
Henderson on behalf of the negative
.ontension would have devolved upon
he second speaker on that side, but
hat individual declined to accept the
and so did the next
speaker. In the circumstances it was
1t first proposed to give up the debate.
Before deciding upon that course, how
,ver. the presiding officer suggested /
hat perhaps Henderson would consent
% lead both sides.
He demurred for moment, but on
second thought concluded to accept the
and then ensued a debate
he like of which had never before been
leard in the little school house. For
he affirmative side Henderson made
10 many strong points that decision
n its favor appeared to be foregone
conclusion. and when he had finished, |
he speakers who were to support him |
n opposition to himself felt that he had !
hardly treated them fairly. After a |
,rief interval for rest he arose again !
md proceeded to answer his own argu- |
nents. He seemed fairly to Guido him !
elf. and when he sat down the second /
ime not one person in the room could |
ecide which side had Jared best at his !!
lands. The feeling of uncertainty was |
rot dispelled by the subsequent speak |
RS on either side. and the result, in !
act. was a draw. the judges being en- !
rely unable to decide as to the weight |
( evidence adduced.
A Paternal Admonition.
A few hours after his enlistment in |
SCI David B. Henderson went home to