Evening star., 1926-06-05
American Youth and Oratory.

Survivors of nearly 100000 con-
testants, seven young people last
night competed in the finals of the
National Oratorical Contest in this
city, splendid examples of young
American manhood and womanhood.
gifted with exceptional powers of eX-
preston, yet typical of the great null
titude of their schoolmates in their
comprehension of the fundamental
law of this Nation. These seven de-
lvered themselves of orations which
would have been creditable to adult
thinkers and speakers on this subject
They indicated deep research and
thoughtful consideration. They ex-
pressed themselves clearly and elo-
quently. They contributed richly to
the literature of the history of the
making of Government in the United
States.
1t was no easy task for those chosen
as judges in this. the third of the Ma
tional Oratorical Contests, to deter
mine the order of rank necessary for
the award of positions. There was merit
in all of these orations. Naturally,
there were differences of judgment on
the part of their hearers, both those
who were present, nearly 5000 in
number, and the countless larger au
dience who heard their offerings by
radio. The five justices of the Su-
preme Court, including the Chief JUS
ever, from which there is no appeal,
as there is no appeal from the judg
ments of that court in law. and to
Herbert Wenig of Los Angeles to
Myrtle Posey of Washington and to
Helen Bylllnd of New York go the
first honors. To the others have al
ready gone valuable prizes in their
cities. their States and their grand di-
visions, and to all seven is awarded
the prize of tour Of Europe.
This year the oratorical contest
broadens in it's scope, and in October
next will meet in an international con-
test in this city representatives of the
United States, England, France, Ger
many, Mexico and Canada, each
speaker interpreting his own govern
mental institutions in his own Ian
guage. The American representative
was chosen by last nights award,
Herbert Wenig of Los Angeles. The
purpose of this contest which eli
makes in October is to promote a bet
ter understanding between nations by
means of a frank and friendly eX-
change of national viewpoints.
The Star is proud to have been in
strumental in the development Of this
great competition among the school
children of the United States Wash
ington is proud to be the scene of
both the national and the interna-
tional finals. 1t is appropriate that
the American capital should be thus
the forum of this debate, a debate
which has no sides" in opposition,
but in which the entries are in friend |
ly rivalry for honors in their best in
depreciation and best expression of
the spirit and the significance and |
the value of the fundamental law.
The educators of this country recog
nize the National Oratorical Contest |
as an institution of the highest value |
in stimulating the study of the Ameri |
can Constitution and it's history. Fur
thermore, the value to American citi- |
zenship Of this nationwide research
by the younger generation is unmis-
taxable. In the course of three years
many millions of people have come
into contact directly with these ora
tions, in their preparation at home |
and in their delivery IN local State, |
divisional and final contests. AS a re-
suit of these three years of friendly
competition among the school pupils |
of the higher grades the American
people are today better acquainted
with and more respectful of the Con-
stitution than ever before in the ma
lional history.