The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-11-26
COL. HESDERSoS,S HOBBY.
He Believe. Heartily in the old-timo Do
batting Societies for Young Mon.

Setting aside questions Of public pc cy there
is no subject upon which David Bremen Hender-
son. the probable Speaker Of the next House Of
Representatives has more pronounced views
than upon tho importance TO young men OF
thorough training in the ar, Of disputaton.
There was no progressive American neigh
borhoOd without its debating society when was
young" said Col Henderson the other day Some
communities boosted Of two or more and the young
man who took no interest in their meetings was
decidedly at disadvantage in more Ways than
one among his associates Every sort Of topic
was discussed by the youthful debatcrs and with
quite as much earncstness as II the decision Of
the Judges at the close Of each dispute binding
not perceive how general and thorough is the
training received; how wide the range Of infur-
himself heart and soul into general debating,
but little reflection will convince you that tho
ability to express hi views only one Of the adj
One Of the mos, desirable things about rcgu.
lar debating is that the speakers are forced 10
read extensively and study deeply, In no other
way can they hope TO stand a chance Of making
far more beneficial Than ordinary preparation
take the initiative must bring out every possible
point IN iavI OF bis con'en t in order to sustain
his th the be hS nc
other side that he may the more readily answer
them ] the other case he has only 10 acuuaint
himself su iiccnty with he subject TO make n
fairly satisfactory rccita ion possible 1t is not
expected that he will take tho initiative at all;
| the instruct T does that
"'rhe higher institutions Of learning in this
country could do the young men Of America no
greater service than TO make specially of instTuc-
ton in dispu,ation and public speaking II would
increase the hold al the students vastly upon the
things they know and SO would he Of great ad IAN
Ia those who do II would he simply invaluable
| The SimriC power Of thinking on his feet is some
! thing which many man has had 10 learn long
after his school days have passed; hut II is some
! thing that must ~ necessity he acquired by every
yourgstCr who attends debating school Of the
sort that WAS nmmon n Iowa in the 'hfties, Now
adavs few such organizations are 10 he found any
where am afraid"
| When Col Henderson, was a boy. living at
home with his fathers family on Henderson =
Prairie the debating school was his greatest rhs-
/ sion. and undoubtedly he owes much 10 IN" eN-
prr"nCr he acquired then. There was a debating
| society in the home ncighhOrhoOd which held its
another in the uciglborhood 10 the west and ye.
another To the south, He Joined all three. and
gave IN three nights each week 20 disputation.
Naturally. he had 10 devote virtually all his
tim" 10 preparing himself for the debates This
gave him little opportunity for the ordinary am,ise
questions n, isuc before the three debating soci-
etrs were Of Divers nature, and II WAS his practice
! ALWAYS Ia inform himself as thoroughly on the
oppOaltr sidr a. oh his own. II Is related on one
/ occasion. when he was TO open the Affirmative
! side of the debate his chief opponent was not on
hand. Young Henderson was thcreuron re-
ouested 10 present the negative side OF the ques.
ton, and he did II to such effect that the result
/ was draw, the Judges being unable TO decide as
! 10 the weight Of evidence adduced