The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-12-08
Deafening Cheers Greeted
the Victors.
WAS A MAGNIFICENT AUDIENCE

The Verdict Of the Judges Was Unani.
nous, Who Praisd Trinit- in
High Terms For the SPLENDID Pre-.
sentation Of Their Cause. The Silver
Trophy Presented to Wake Forest
by Mr.. A. ]. Fields The Speeches
Remarkably Fine and Eloquently
Delivered.
great debate!
Wake Forest won, but Trinity made a
gallant fight despite the indisposition of
one of its speakers.
All Raleigh was represented in the vast
throng that gathered in the Academy Of
Music last night.
1t was gala occasion, and while the
lower floor had a touch of soberness bo-
cause of the garb of the gentlemen, the
gallery was a garden of color and lowell
young ladies representing the educational
Institutions of Raleigh, some schools at
tending in body.
The occasion which caused the crl-
tured gathering of Raleigh's best citizens
last night was the Annual Debate be-
tween Wake Forest and Trinity Colleges,
each being represented by three of it's
students.
1t was the fifth of these debates, anG
twice had the prize gone to Trinity, while
Wake Forest had likewise won twice.
Last night was the odd number and by
virtue of three out of FIVE Wake forest
is now ahead. 1t was the loser a year
ago, and right valiantly it fought for the
cup" this year.
This cup, the prize of the debate, is
a handsome silver loving cup, placed in
competition by the Raleigh Chamber of
Commerce, the promoter of these an
nual debates. These are set for Thanks
giving day each year, but this year, be-
cause of sickness on the part of Trinity
debaters the event was postponed till
last night.
The Academy filled rapidly after the
doors opened, there being present large
delegations from Trinity, Wake Forest,
the schools and colleges of Raleigh and
the general public. The colors sof the
two colleges flew side by side in friendly
rivalry in the audience, and during the
time preceding the debate there were
cheers and counter cheers by the college
men present
When the curtain rose at few minutes
past eight o'clock it was an inspiring
sight that greeted the eye of the young
orators on the stage. Every seat was oc-
cupied, all aisles crowded and a volume
of applause sent the hot blood of an
ticipation to the cheek for as il would
we'll again it would mean victory for one
and defeat for the other. Would the
Blue of Trinity or the Gold and Black"
of Wake Forest wave in victorious
breeze of applause?
Seated on the right of the stage were
The debaters from Wake Forest-Messrs.
William Albion Dunn, of Scotland Neck,
q senior; j. G. Little of Union County a
junior, and o. p. Dickinson, of Nash coun-
ty. junior, these advocating the affirm
ative. On the opposite side of the stage
sat the representatives of Trinity. Messrs.
c. L. Hornaday, of Beaufort, senior; l..
p. Howard, of Mobile, Ala, a junior, and
w Fl. Brown, of WarrentOn, a senior,
who represented the negative, and who
were defenders of the cup won last
year.
The meeting was presided over by Mr.
f. T. Ward, the President of the Raleigh
Chamber of Commerce. Seated with him
was Mr.. Alex ]. Field, who was present
to deliver the cup to the winning Trio
in the debate. The secretary of the Ge-
bate was Mr.. O. M. Null, of Wake Fer
est, the time keeper being for Trinity,
Mr.. r. w. Fink, of Concord; for Wake
Forest, Mr. A. ]. Bethea, Of Marion, S. G.
After the raising of the curtain there
was little time spent in prelimiuares
President Ward in a few we'll chosen
words welcomed the vast audience, sta
ted the purpose of the gathering and
read the agreement entered into between
the debaters, this being that the award
in the debate should be governed by the
argument, counting ora tory and delivery
only as they were part of the argu-
ment. After reminder that noise and
confusion in the hall were not expected
he gave way to the secretary.
Mr.. Null then read the subject Of the
debate, this being the query RESOLVED,
That the State of North Carolina Should
Adopt the Principle of Compulsory At
tendance upon Her Public Schools and
presented as the first debater Mr.. w. A.
Dunn, of Wake Forest.
Immediately in front of the stage sat
the judges who were to make the award,
Rev. DR.. J.. E. Stage, Of Charlotte; Irof.
Geo. A. Grimsley, of Greensboro, AID
Mr.. f. S. Spruill, of Louisburg, and these
looked up expectantly as the first deoater
began
Mr. William A. Dunn, of Halifax coun-
ty. opened the debate in a magnificent
plea for compulsory attendance He adj
dressed himself to his subject with ease
and familiarity and was awarded close
attention for his able argument and elo-
quence His voice rang clear cut through
the hall as he presented his cogent rea-
sons for his position.
synopsis of his argument is as fol-
lows.
MR.. W. A. DUNN, JR., OPENS.
The principle of compulsory attendance