The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-05-31

Western Washington now claims the
proud distinction of possessing the cham.
pion collegiate orator OF the states OF
washington, Idaho and Oregon. In
contest which occurred in the auditorium
of the First Methodist Episcopal church
last evening Aubrey Levy. who has mere
tofore held the championship honors 'or
Western Washington. distinguished HIM
self by obtaining the unanimous vote OF
the three Judges, which entities MIN TO
the honor as we'll as the cash prize OF
fered by the King county bar.
The auditorium of the First Methodist
church was taxed TO it's utmost seating
capacity last night when at $50 O'Clock
Presiding Officer Jacob Furth announced
that the three participants in the contest.
who are the champion collegiate orators
of their respective localities. would al
dress the assembage. w. Lair Thomp-
son, of McMinnville university. oregon
spoke for that institution; William Worth
fngton, of Whatman college. Wal1a Waila,
represented Eastern washington and
idaho. and Aubrey Levy spoke as the ex-
ponent of the Washington university.
Each participant had previously submit
Ted his manuscript to committee OF
three Judges, who scored 1t on compo-
sition and Fred Rice Rowell. T. j. Humes
and John b. Hart were selected by the
King county bar to makc the final awards.
Each contestant chose for his subject
a topic which, aside from its delivery. en-
bodied some event either fresh in the ma
tion's history or made so by its historical
significance,
w. Lair Thompson was the first speaker.
He chose for his subject THE World Is
Rife With War" The generally expressed
opinion was that he possesses good
elooutionaIy powers. has good commanf
of his gestures. which are remarkably ex-
pressive but he, unfortunately. is addict
ed to the habit OF affecting his words at
the termination of a sentence with a rfs-
ing infection. which leaves the hearer In
doubt as to the certainty of his periods.
An effort at dramatic pronunciation OF
words and letters also detractS from his
general delivery.
Thompson's speech dwelt In an analy-
teal way with the problems which are
now engros ing the American people con-
corning the proper attitude toward and
eventual disposition of the dependencies
whtnA have come to the United States
throu.h tn = fortunes OF war. He deprecat-
ed tn. use of the word accident" as ap-
Piled to the acquisition Of territory, and
broadly minated that such colonies as
have been acquired by the United States
came through a predestined arrangement
which charged the greatest republic on
earth with corresponding responsibilities.
He vehementy championed the doctrine
government since Its organization as an
evidence that, In acquiring ownership of
its new possessions. the United States had
not violated but simply upheld the policy
which resulted In the purchase of both
Louisiana and the territory of Alaska.
William Worthington followed with a
subject particularly appropriate to the
conclusion of Decoration day exercises.
choosing for his theme THE Great
Emancipation" The speaker contended
that William Lloyd Garrison was the
one handspring which. by his rugged
manhood and inspiring sincerity of pur-
pose. had crystallized a sentiment that
in its frution has liberated the slaves
of the South. He traced Garrison =
career from the time when he started in
life. a penniless boy. TO the epoch when
he established the Liberator, the first
paper over published In America in the
interests OF the slaves of the Southern
states.
Worthingtons grafton abounded In
metaphor aptly applied. He possesses
n very natural delivery. his voice is un.
der good control and the decision of the
Judges awarding him second prize seemed
10 meet with the general approval of the
cadence,
Aubrey Levy spoke for twenty-five min.
Utes on the subject ''The American Vol
nnteer." He won the distinction Of
slcitlng the only appliance which was &C
corded contestant during the evening
The orator drew vivid smile of tn,
conditions surrounding the inspiration,
which moved the patriot OF America II
the maintenance OF his country's flag. IL
contrast with the impulses which drovt
to war the millions of drafted men VIII,