The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1909-08-12
A SPLENDID UNDERTAKING
Was the fountain Lake Park Ora
toriCal Contest.

80 $500 -AgAANsttN Z fNlilAS at ClSl
O'Clock was the College Oratorical Con-
test at Mountain Lake Park. DR.. c.
W. Baldwin presided. The judges were
Hon. A. Hunter Boyd Chief Justice of
the Court of Appeals; Hon. Thos. l.
Elliott, m -mber Of the Supreme Bench.
Baltimore, and Major J. NJ. Pangborn,
assistant to the president of the B. & O.
The gold medal, the generous gift of
Hon. James S. Lakin, was,awarded by
Professor Thomas f. Hodges, Charles
ton, w. Va. The contestants and the
titles of their orations, in the order of
delivery, were as follows:
The Call of Humanity" c. Edward
Bender, Chicago University, Grants
vile, Nd.
The Tragedy of Labor" Minnie
Jane Murrells. (W. Va. Wesleyan Col
lege), Tunnelton, w. Va.
THE Marriage Regulation Problem. -
George N. Stoyer, wv. Va. Wesleyan
College,, Stoyer, Md.
Cromwell as a Statesman, " Richard
Asphalt, (W. Va. Wesleyan College,,
Buckhannon, W. Va.
Crowns Trodden Under Foot" c.
W. Wise, (W. Va. Wesleyan College,,
Amos, W. Va.
Mr.. Bender 5 Grafton was on the old,
vet eyer new, Temperance question. He
treated the subject in an able and con-
vincing manner. He spoke in clear
and forceful tone of voice, was grace
full and easy in appearance, and above
all, was thoroughly convinced of the
truth of his message. 4 Mr.. Bender has
the qualities of an orator, and Garrett
county is likely to hear more of him in
the future The medal was rightly
awarded.
Miss Murrells discussed the tragedy
Of child labor She explained in a
thoughtful and sympathetic manner the
suffering of the children who are COM
PEELED to spend their days in the mines,
mills, and factories; and the danger
which awaits our nation if these condi-
tons are allowed to continue. She felt
with these little sufferers, as only a
woman can, and the gentle and Christ
like way in which she pleaded for them
tou'hed every heart in the audience.
Miss Murrells deserves great praise;
for girl to compete with men in an
oratorical contest before a large and
strange audience is by no means an
easy task. She certainly won close
/ second.
Mr.. Stoyer had in my opinion. the
strongest GRAFTON OF the evening, tut
his delivery was faulty. He was stiff
and formal and he recited his Grafton
instead OF speaking it from the heart.
The question which he discussed is a
deep one, and many of the points which
he presented are worthy of thoughtful
consideration by the Individual and by
the nation.
Mr.. Aspnall had perhaps the best
literary production in the contest, hut
he was not very effective in his,manner
Of delivering it, His subject, however,
was against him. Man is indeed fit
ting subject for study but tbs the men
of today with their problems that es-
pecially interest US. The Still. sad
voice of humanity is still calling for
help, and it is hopeful to see so many
young men and women listening to it
and trying to offer suggestions of relief.
Such subjects need discussion, and will
always be heard attentively.
MIR Wise's production had the tone
of a high school or college graduating
grafton. 1t had in it a little too much
Of the glorious success which awaits
the Young man and not enough of real
thought. Acres of diamonds may lie
just ahead of some men, but to most of
us they seem nearer on graduation day
than ever afterward.
The contest was a success. 1t is the
first entertainment of the kind that has
ever been held at Mt. Lake Park, and
with such promising beginning it bids
fair to become a permanent feature.
Two colleges were represented, but the
majority of the contestants came from
West Virginia Wesleyan College. This
speaks well for Wesleyan and the work
she is doing.
To two men we are mainly indebted
for this excellent entertainment, Hon,
James S. Lakin and DIR. w. W. Davis.
Mr., Lakin's generous contribution of
twenty-five dollar medal supplied the
touchstone for the contest. AS Prof.
Hodges said when presenting the prize,
it was not for the honor that Mr.. Lakin
gave the medal but for the encourage
ment it would give to the young people
to study ever and to present the great
problems of today. A similar prize is
to be offered by Mr.. Lakin next year,
and doubtless there will be a second
medal from some other who is interest
ed in this work. DR.. Davis originated
the idea of the contest and spent con-
siderable time and thought in bringing
a Cal