The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-12-07
Deafening Cheers Greeted
the ViCtors.
IT WAS A MAGNIFICENT AUDIENCE

The Verdict Of the Judges Was Unani-
nous, VINO Praised 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.
All Raleigh was represented in the vast
throng that gathered in the Academy Of
Music last night.
1t was a gala occasion, and while the
lower floor had touch of soberness be-
cause of the garb of the gentlemen, the
gallery was garden of color and lowell
ness, filled with handsomely dressed
young ladies representing the educational
institutions OF Raleigh, some schools at
tending in a body.
The occasion which caused the cul-
tured gathering of Raleighs best citizens
last night was the Annual Debate be-
tween Wake Forest and Trinity Colleges,
each being represented by three of its
students.
II was the fifth of these debates, and
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 winner year
ago, and right valiantly it defended the
cup this year.
This cup, the prize of the debate, is
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 iolors of the
two colleges flew side by side in friendly
rivalry in the audience, and during the
time preceding the debate there were
cheers and countr cheers by the college
men present
When the curtain rose at few minutes
Fast eight O'Clock it was an inspiring
sight that greeted the eye OF the young
orators on the stage. Every seat occu-
pied, all aisles crowded and a volume
of applause sending the hot blood of an
ticipation to the cheek, for as it 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 "cup defenders, the debaters from
Wake Forest-Messr.s William Albion
Dunn, of Scotland Neck, senior; j. C.
Little of Union county, a junior, these
advocating the affirmative, and o. P.
Dickinson. of Nash county, junior On
the opposite side of the stage sat the
representatives Of Trinity, Messrs C. L.
Hornaday. of Beaufort, senior; l.. r.
Howard, of Mobile, Ala, Junior, and
W. H. Brown, of Warrenton, a senior.
who represented the negative.
r. T. Ward, the President of the Raleigh
Chamber of Commerce. Seated with him
was Mr.. Alex J. 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 keepcr being for Trinity,
Mr.. f. W. Fink, of Concord; for Wake
Forest, Mr.. A. j. Bethea, of Marion, S. G.
After the raising of the curtain there
was little time spent in prelimiuaries.
President Ward in 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 Oratory and delivery
only as they were a part of the argyll
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 the first debate to Mr.. w. A.
Dunn, of Wake Forest.
Immediately in front of the stage SIT
the Judges who We're to make the award,
Rev DR.. j. E. Stage. of Charlotte; I'rof.
Geo. a. Grimsley of Greensboro, and
Mr.. F. S. Spruill, of Louisburg, and these
looked up expectantly as the first deoater
began.
Mr.. William A. Dunn, of Halifax coun-
~, opened the debate i ma 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 eio-
quence He was followed by Mr.. w. II.
Brown for the negative in a strong
speech Then for the affirmative Mr.. O.
e. Dickinson spoke, followed by Mr.. q. L.
Hcrnaday. Mr.. J. c. Little closing for
LIZ IIo.x..,..d f1ar