Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1914-02-11
ORATORICAL CONTEST
AT LUTHER fine
Fred @. Dean of Des MOines College
Wins First Place on "Heroes and
Universal Peace"
LVYHER COLLEGE ORATOR
DELIVERED FINE GRAFTON
Nine Colleges Compete i'm the West
ern Division. This Year is Luth-
er's First i'm the Association.

In spite of the inclement weather
a fair sized audience turned out on
Friday evening to hear the contest
of the western division of the Iowa
State Oratorical association. Thjr
contest was held at Luther college IL
faee of the fact that it is her first
year in the association The various
colleges hold this contest, in rotation.
Since there are nine colleges in the
western division, Luther College will
have turn only once every nine
years. A similar contest was held in
the eastern division which consists
of eight colleges. Every year four
orators are chosen from each division
and these meet at Des Moines for the
regular Iowa State Oratorical Asso-
citation contest.
The feature of such contest is
the ability displayed by each repre-
sentative. These orators represent
the best college speakers in the state
of Iowa, as each school is represent
ed by her best speaker. Some were
trained to the exellency which they
command, others were natural born
orators. They were at ease, made
good gestures and had an impressive
appearance. The subjects spoken on,
varied, but all were on the live ques-
tions of the day, such as, peace, i'm
migration and the liquor problem.
Some orations overlapped a triffle
as those on peace but they never con-
fiicted with each other in any way.
The subjects were treated conserva-
lively with strong points pro and con.
The correctness and defense of each
statement was Just as marked as
their originality and indiyidualism.
The originality and delivery showed
the ability Of each orator because
composition in each was almost per-
feet.
The delivery varied more than the
subjects. Some spoke with violent
outsurst of oratory others were
more moderate, they appeared more
cool, more composed; others again
spoke in lower voice, they used
more infection and less gestures.
The deep base voice from an erect,
composed orator marked still anoth-
er class and lastly there was young
lady with an excellent voice. These
varieties of delivery made it very diff
cult for the judges to render a cor
rect decision. The strong and force
ful orator with a suitable Grafton
made good impression and was well
liked but the speaker with varia-
BILE voice, moderate gesture, and com
posed appearance controlled not only
himself but the audience and the
judges. He carried everyone right
along with him. Such was the speak
er that won first place, Fred e. Dean
OF Des Moines College. He spoke on
Heroes and Universal Peace" Mr..
Dean had excellent delivery, he car.
ried his hearers with him so easily
that his excellent reasoning and per-
feet composure were very noticeable.
The dramatic portions were spoken
eXcellently and his ending made a
hit with everyone. Judging by the
applause of the audience he was the
man that they picked for first place
{. Floyed Wambean, of Ames, was
awarded second place. Mr.. Wambean
defended the Roosevelt theory OF
war which made him take a peculiar
position. He defended war very
ably and in such a manner that that
righteous war seemed, to most of his
hearers, permissible. His pleasing
voice and good oratory made good
impression. Henry l.. Henry OF
Simpson college received third place
in rank. Mr.. Henry in his grafton
The Reward of the Peacemaker, -
showed the position of the U. S. in
the world as peacemaker, but he
said, she did not receive just recog.
milton for her greatness. Ray H.
McVicker of Morning Side College al
Sioux Falls was awarded fourth
place. He delivered very ably an
oration on the Invisible Govern
ment." Mr.. McVicker was a strong
orator, perhaps trifie violent al
times but keen political insight and
excellent reasoning made up fol
whatever he lacked In delivery.
Miss Mary Kamberling, the young
lady orator from Ellsworth college al
Iowa Falls, delivered quite a drama