Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1902-01-25
DEBATING ON
THE BOER WAR
Snow Hell Boys Get the HOnOrs
Becaute of Superior
OratOry.

! pdCheu 10 OVeTilOWlHp TTUidN uipnt ny
persons who were eager to hear the de.
bate between the Salisbury and Snow
Hill High School pupils. The question
debated was Resolved That the United
States Should Interfere to Stop Fur
ther Destruction of Property and Life
in South Africa"
The affirmative was taken by Snow
Hill. and the debators were Archibald
Barnes. Oscar Colbourn, Heston Duffy
and Glenwo-th Sturgis. Salisbury took
the negative side, and was represented
by William A. Sheppard, Cecil z. Cos
lee, Howard H. Ruark and Mervin A.
Holloway James f. Ellegood and L.
Atwood Bennett, of Salisbury: John w
Station and Dr. w ID. Straughn, of
Snow Hill, and Calvin b. Tavlor. of
Berlin. were the judges.
The rules for the debate were formu-
lated by Professor Colbourn. of Snow
Hill, and Professor Holloway. of Sails
bury, aud provided that the decision of
the Judges should be based on the merits
of the arguments without reference to
the manner of delivery. but in case of a
tie, oratory would count. Some very in
genious arguments were used. Snow
Hill claimed that the English would
welcome our friendly offers of media,
ton. and that war was not at all neces-
sary, nor would it follow Salisbury
claimed il was contrary to the customs
of this country and the Monroe doctrine.
aud any interference would cause war
between this country and Great Britain.
The Judges decided that in the mat
ter of argument the debate was a tie
but that Snow Hill had carried off the
honors because of her excellent oratory.
Oscar Colbourn wrote to William .Jen-
nings Bryan and Senator elect A. p.
German for their views on the subject.
Heston Duffy likewise wrote to Isidor
Rayner Letters received from these
gentlemen follow:
Lincoln. Neb Jan. |. 1902.
L. Oscar Coulbourn, Snow Hill, Md:
My Dear Sir-Your favor at hand,
do not believe that actual interference
on the part of the United States is nee
e'Sary to stop the war in South Africa.
II this nation would do as it has done III
the past. namely, let il be known that
its sympathies are on the side of those
struggling for liberty and self govern
ment, it would help to create public
opinion that would finally force England
to give independence TO the South Afri-
can Republics The moral influence of
the United States ought to be IA great
force throughout the world, and would
be if this nation was not itself engaged
in an imperialistic policy. Very truly
yours, W. j BRIAN
Baltimore, Md, Dec 20, 1901.
u. Oscar Coulbourn, Snow Hill Md:
My Dear Sir-I have the pleasure of
acknowledging the receipt of your favor
of the 18th INST and note all YOU say i'll
regard TO the coming debate.
In :he discussion of the question re-
~ NNbh tut z
sideb the general principle involved is
that every intelligent community should
have the right of self government. The
Beers are an intelligent. thrifty and in.
dustrious people. They emigrated from
Holland to South Africa and took pos.
session of the country. They Subdued
the wild tribes. established govern
ment of their own and improved and
developed the country. They founded
a republic. and. as such. had the right
of independence and the right TO con-
trol their own affairs without interfer.
ence. Any attempt by Il stronger ma
ton Ia subdue or subordinate Them is
unjust and is opposed tu the genius of
our institutions. Such conduct the
United States has always protested
against. We have. however. contented
ourselves heretofore by expressing our
disapproval of such action. We have
never done more. except III occurrences
on this hemisphere. where we have al
WAYS had "A special interest in sustaining
TIL. governments. Il have not the time
TO 90 into the matter more in detail,
but hope the suggestions may be- of SER
vice. Yours truly, A. p GORMAN.
Heston Duffy received the following
letter from Isidor Rayner:
Baltimore, Dec. 30. 1901.
John Heston Duffy. Snow Hill. Md:
Dear Sir:-In answer tn your letter
Mr.. Rayner states that the question you
submit to him is of SO broad range
that he could not advance any propcsi
tion in few lines He says that if you
will look at Wharton's International
Law Digest or any other book on inter.
national law, you will find the question
discussed how far one nation can inter.
fere in case of rhis sort. It is limited
to friendly action, according To the pre-
cedents and the practice of the state de
partment, and resolution of this sort
could be passed by Congress. Yours
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