The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-08-29
Open Daily From 8 A. Nj to $50
PM, With War Bulletins for Texts
and Franklin Presiding

A T s o'clock every morning there
n begin to collect about the
statue of Benjamin Franklin
at the confluence Of Park row
md Nassau street the members Of the
ARK Row Debating Society, formed
the interests Of international AS
rIce. democracy and the age old desire
al man to have himself heard. At
$3.50 o'clock in the afternoon a single
policeman disperses the society. 1t
grumbles a little about restriction OF
freedom Of speech; but 1t dlsperses.
The Park Row Debating Society Is
peculiar among the dellberative as
semblies and forums of the world. 1t
has no rules; II eve reaches a con-
clusion: IL never takes a vote. Its
leader OF discussion Is the newspaper
bulletin beard: It's limitation on dis
cussion's scope, the human UNDER
standing. 1t talks for the sake Of
talking and listens to talk for the sake
OF the conflict OF arguments, races and
personalities.
II assume as an axiom hat the
United States is the greatest and hap
piest country In the world, is domi-
mated by the consideration OF the war,
cheers subducdly at shows of anger,
and IL founded on the freedom OF
speech, combining its most Violent diff
ferences to words. except when an in
suit Is offered to the United States
lilly II speaks with the ac-
cent and exhibits the pec~ullarities OF
all the northern races Of Europe. The
Latin seems not TO care for it.
"You are a German! BAH" says
the Englishman.
"Neffer mint where I a born;
am an American citizen and as an
American citizen 1t iss. my privilege
TO speak out vat | think shouts the
German In reply.
Where were you born" You're n
foreigner" demands a flashily dressed
clerk OF a black haired Slav' preach
ing socialism. .
1T makes no difference where I was
born" replies the Slav aggressiyely
This is n free country and have a
right OF speech. As a matter of fact
! was born here"
That's right" the crowd nine times
out OF ten comments In approval.
The Englishman and the German
may stand for an hour with their
faces so close that there is barely
room TO shake their fists at each
other. casting insults generically
Iacially and individually. until breath.
~lcssness, but no trouble results. Bu,
when some one sm!rches the Ameri.
can flag the society is inclined to moi
him. .
Why the members argue is an In.
teresting question. The reason. Is yer,
evident In the case OF the red faced
lawyer in the. Palm Beach suit 'ant
cheap Panama hat, who uses a cigar
stub in emphasizing his remarks. Ht
has been drinking.
Now see" observes a bulky. placit
German, as the lawyer. having con
cluded with triumphant inanity tina,
his opponent. another German. shoulC
be shot at sunrise for treason. move.
out of the circle, Dot man iss had &
lcedle bit too much and ISIS foolish
Whereupon he himself is challenged
MS being an anti-prohibitionist. anc
the loyalty Of the German American
Il subject to which discussion has nat.
urally ~gravltated for a time. Is for.
gotten. II is an excellent hold. The
German has pointed out with hi.
wi lips AN example Of the evil o.
alcohol. He spars confusedly for time
There are jeers. \ debating societ,
acquaintance INDUCES In some innu
cndoes about its being impossible I,
stand for what you believed was RICH
when all your money was left to 20,
by your father, who was IA distiller.
Whose vader wass a distll.er?" de,
mands the German. angry at his bait
ing.
Personalities follow. and the Ger
man retires in the end, finf lg a las