The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-05-04
BIRMINGHAM BOY
WINS IN CONTEST
Annual Meeting ofSouthern In
stitute 0ratorical ASS cil0on
C. E. RICE GETS PRIZE
Judges Were R. P. Hobson of Greens
horo, c. l. Floyd of Montgomery
and the Rev. John Van
Lear of Tuscaloosa.


eolleges the contentants being Kentucky
crate college. Lexington: South Carolina
,cllege, Columbia; University of the
south, Sewanee, Tenn; Vanderbilt uni
eersity. Nashville; University of Virginia
charlottesville and the University of
Alabama. When the hour for the speak
ing arrived, despite rival attractions in
town, Clark hall was filled to overflow
ing
j. II. Cabaniss of Alabama, president
OF the association for 1905-6 presided
After reading extracts from the by
laws governing the contest, he introduced
the first speaker, Hugh Allen Lock oil
Birmingham, who represented vanderbilt.
The subject of Mr.. Locks speech was
"Denounee Corruption, But Not Capital.
In impassioned style, he described the
condition of the American laboring man
as compared with his brother across the
sea, strong of limb and always able to
secure his daily bread, whereas the for
eign laborer frequently cried for work
in vain. Large fortunes are essential in
modern civilization to the success OF the
commonwealth. The attempts to stir up
envy among iaborers, he characterized
as the work of a demon of discord. The
south, for instance, will never come into
its own until corporate wealth can be
attracted here in full measure. We should
therefore demand that the name of the
honest capitalist be left unsullled.
The next speaker was Robert Richard
Carman, representing the University OF
Virginia, the subject of whose Grafton
was, THE Triune Legacy" Greece, he
said attained to degree of learning and
culture probably unsurpassed by any
modern nation, yet she fell. This result
was brought about by her paganism.
Rome developed under Justinian a sys-
tenn of Jurisprudence that was well-night
perfect, the marvel of all time. Yet she
lost her place of prominence among ma
tions. Judea's gift to mankind was re-
ligion the freedom from idolatry AL
though she furnished the beacon light to
the Armada of Nations, her people are
scattered over the face A of the earth.
What nation, then, is destined to live?
The one that combines these three lega-
ces. the national elixir-our own United
States, in fact. ~
The third speaker, j. F. F'inlay, of the
University of the South, pictured the
evils growing out of the divorce question.
The burning issue, he said was whether
marriage was temporary contract or a
marriage was "A Temporary con-
tract or divine union. The
first theory is traceable to the teach
ings of Rousseau and his school of philos-
ophy. If we assume that the pleasure
of the individual should be paramount,
then this view is the correct one. On the
other hand. if we believe that condition
is most ideal where the individual and
his desires are subordinated to the COM
mon good, then divorce should not be
tolerated The marriage tie is really an
alogous to the relationship between pa
rent and child, inseparable and eternal
The cure prescribed for the divorce evil
is patience and loving kindness. Mr..
Finlay was followed by Edward c. Mann
OF South Carolina on THE instability of
Republics" He compared the English
form of government with our own, and
pointed sout as the defects of our system
too frequent elections, an ignorant vot-
ing element, indiscriminate immigration,
corruption in politics, etc. He attempted
to show that the English Legislative sys-
tenn was superior to ours, that init all
classes were more equally represented.
and that it was more enduring. The
concentration of wealth in the hands of
the few he declared to be an omen of
our early downfall.
Benefactor of the Nations.
Charles Edgar Rice of Alabama, the
fifth speaker, was given a great ovation
when he arose. He took an altogether
different and much more optimistic view
OF the United States and her part In the
affairs of the world He termed our coun-
try the "Benefactor of the Nations"
With liberty, Justice and equality as our
watchwords, we have advanced in very
brief time to a stage of influence that
| Is second to none. The part America had
| played in securing peace in the past few
years was pointed out. The inspiration
| that she has given to other nations
| struggling to throw off the bonds of SER
| vitude and oppression was dwelt upon.
/ We have taken no steps backward, and
/ the principles that underlie the consti-
I tuition and the Declaration of Independ-
/ cree are still the living forces that sus-
tain our government. We have met our
problems and overcome them. The great
ness of our country however, consists
not in the number of her inhabitants and
the richness of her soil, so much as the
love of right and the practice of virtue.
The last speaker was Robert Macy
Talbert, representing Kentucky State
college. Ministry Not Mastery" he pro-
nounced to be the motto which. II
adopted will lead us not only to indi-
vidual happiness. but also national re-
-
fellow man. will lead us on to higher at
tainments and more far-reaching great
ness than an attempt to rule.
The judges were Capt. Richmond p
Hobson of Greensboro. Superintendent c.
l.. Floyd of Montgomery and the Rev
John VanLear of Tuscaloosa. After a
short retirement they returned and an
nounced that they had voted unanimously
to award the prize to Charles e. Rice
of Alabama. Mr.. Rice is a member of the
Junior law class, having entered the uni
versity last fall from Birmingham. The
music on the programme last night was
furnished by the University Glee club,
and 1t was frequently eneored. After the
speaking. the contestants. judges and a
number of invited guests repaired to the
McLester hotel. where an elegant ban
ouet was served. A yacht trip was
planned up the Warrior river for yester-
day afternoon, but on account of the late
arrival of several Of the speakers had
to be deferred.