The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1902-05-23
THE NORMAL DEBATE.
Negative Side Wins After an Interest
ina Contest.

A very appreciative and enthusiast
tic audience assembled in the normal
school hall Friday evening to hear the
expounders of the negro's virtues
and vices. The members of the de-
batting club were present in body
and freely gave their cheers, school
yells, and hearty applause during the
struggle of education vs.. deportation.
With a few we'll chosen remarks
Harvey Woodward, president of the
debating club, introduced President
Cooper. The latter briefly stated the
object of debating club, the advan-
tages derived from belonging to one,
and the interest taken in debating
lclubs throughout the state. The de-
bators felt animated.by his encourag-
ing words, until he closed with this
lsentence: ''We are here to witness
the results of a debating club and to
see how we'll the speakers can express
themselves. - Then a wave of ner-
vous prostration reigned supreme I'M
til the Cecilian club with their melo-
dious voices and cheerful faces restor-
ed confidence and determination in
debating circle.
A. A. Olson, as leader on the affirm
alive side, showed the injustice of the
deportation method, and the influence
of education on the negro as man
He tried to look on the bright side
of negro life. Probably he was aware
that the negative side. when looking
= into negro's countenance, could SCI
darkness there and nothing more. -
E. White, as leader on the negative
=, side, spoke in eloquent terms of thu
negro's influence on southern politics
His main arguments were that tn
Isoutherners, because of the negro
presence, could not divide on politica
. issues, that the educational metho'
Il is too slow, and that therefore tn
white man was not in duty bound t
endure negro criminality, while wait
- ing for slow reform.
Marcus Chatfeld stood up for tn
negro's rights and advancement as
citizen. His arguments and earnes
presentation were much appreciate
by the listeners. He showed ho'
education makes the negro a sell
supporting, economical. and intell
gent citizen.
a James Watts carried himself on tt
platform as true disciple of Demo-
themes, and when he left it, he carrie
with him the audience and the homo.
,of the evening. He fired vice an
IN criminality against the education
lg structure until it presented hes
L of ruins.
o. Howard Bateman bravely set
work amidst the smouldering ruiz
VI and again built up place of reful
al for the struggling negro. He prove
in a pleasing manner how educatit
nd is making the negro moral and indu
trious.
ce AGolph Kerns, in glowing word
le- made the black blacker, and the viii
whittier. Then he constructed an ide
lr- home in the far off Orient for {
or colored man, wheress he might wo
is out his own destiny in peace a.
BIS happiness.
Judge Cray. in announcing the
le- cision of the judges, said that after
ID. five minutes discussion he had be
to selected as the most suitable victim
he assassination, and that with
er- affirmative a very close second
tee Judges had decided in favor of
So negative.
'ge The judges were Miss Achsa Park
sht Judge Lorin Cray and Rev. @.
raj Davis. ...
IN The "Fifth Nocturne' by M
est Harriet Kelley was we'll rendered a
hiohlv anDrasiafed