BLENHEIM LITERARY & DEBATING SOCIETY.

Marlborough Daily Times, Volume X, Issue 314, 26 May 1888, Page 2

BLENHEIM LITERARY & DEBATING SOCIETY.

Tbe opening debate of tbe session took place last evening, in tbe Institute hall. There was a good attendance, amongst tbe audience being a number of lad-.es. Mr G. Henderson, tbe President, delivered an. inaugural address of a very interesting character, as follows:

“In resuming practical operations in the Blenheim Debating Society, it may nof be amiss, as a matter of some interest, fo give a slight sketch of the past history of the effort in Rlenheim to promote in'? tellectuul culture amoqgst us. The So? ciefcy, of which this present one may be said to be the continuation, was founded by the exertions of the Rev Mr Rout, some six or seven years ago. It held its meetings in the old church now used as a Sunday-school by the Church of the Nativity, Blenheim, and was under the presidency of that rev gentleman. His

ect was the intellectual culture more particularly of young men, and this was aimed at by inducing them to read and rente in iho presence of others, to debate questions, and to write and deliver essays or lectures. Mr Rout was a man of a bright mind and an energetic temperament, and the Society had good success under his directory. However, he was called away to another field of labor, but the Society which he had founded still held on its way, and in 1883 tho late Mr Turnbull was elected President by the members, and myself vice-president. Tho meetings continued to bo held in the same place, and were much of the same character as regards the work done. With a view to mutual improvement, under Mr Rout, the members had been encouraged not only to criticiso what might be given utterance to, but also the manner of delivery. No doubt the latter was well calculated to promote improvement of defects, but the treatment was of such a character that some patients could not endure with comfort, for while a person may not mind an argument running against him, he may not bo able to stand j being told that ho drivells in his utterance or that he has no conception of elocution. The effect of this kind of criticism was felt by some to be painfnl, being of too personal a character, and it has been discontinued. In 1884 I was elected President, and tho meetings began to he held in this room. The work went on as before, hut with a larger and better attendance. But it was during this session that it was determined to form a sort of Parliamentary Union of the Society. However, the forms so required were never strictly carried out, being beyond the scope and original intentions of the Society, and I am very glad that at our reorganisation this year we have cancelled the rule on which it rested. By having done so we get rid of what I consider an absurd form for this Society, and it leaves us free to follow our other rules . without being hampered. In 1885 wo again had a long and successful session ; hut about the middle of the session of 1886 the attendance began to fall off. Wo need not go into the causes. It is well known that societies of the kind do like all other mundaue things—fluctuate—and I am glad that a time has como round when it is found desirable to again enter into active operations. By this sketch you will perceive that the Society has existed for six years, and is now entering upon its seventh. Each year it has had a session of four or five months, excepting 1886, which was a short session, and in 1887 it remained dormant. It really has only remained suspended for one year. In its previous run a great many subjects of importance were discussed. The temperance, question embracing local option, Ought minorities to ho represented ? Is a lawyer justified in defending a crimuial, knowing him to be guilty ? Ought Ireland to have Home Rule ? Nihilism was debated for and against; And a great many other subjects were dealt with, including tho never failing topic of Freotrade v. Protection. Sometimes we would have an evening of readings and recitations, while at other times we had an essay or lecture, and sometimes impromptu debates and speeches for exercise in disdisplay of stored knowledge. And last, but not least, our members having obtained sufficient assurance in public utterance by their practice here, ventured out to Ewart’s Hall, and there before 300 or 400 people recited and argued as though to the manner born. These social gatherings were a great success. And now, gentlemen, we have made another start, but some are no longer with us, having gone to reside elsewhoi’o, while others have crossed that “ bourn from whence no traveller returns.” We are hero, and let me ask you to make it tho best session we have ever had. There are plenty of grand topics. You have a tough one for this evening. Let premeditation prepare you for what you should say, by furnishing you with ideas. Having got them, arrange them with method; lay your fonudation in facts and build logicclly on them, and thon your structure annot bo knocked about your ears. If your work is well go 1 ; up it will give you self trust. With self trust you will not be afraid to speak out—a man mumbles when ho has no confidence. In speaking cultivate distinctness. Let the open sounds flow freely, and the consonants, or stopped sounds, he sharply defined. Then ho that hath ears to hear will hear. Speak with energy, but not hurriedly; and if your mutter is good you will have a chance of rising to eloquence. Deal with the argument, and not with the arguer. It isdesirablo not to use names in debate. Say, tho mover of the motion, the leader of the opposition, the last speaker, or some circumvention rather than the name of the person you refer to. It is more refined and less offensive, especially if you aro attacking. Lawyers refer to each other as, my leurnod friend. This mode of referring to others lessens the chance of/exciting temper, and will help you to preserve your own, which is important, fbr good temper is always most in demand ‘when there is least of it in tho market.

Gontfomen, with these maxims in exercise, you will improve yourselves and others, and enjoy yourselves with intel leotual athletics, and advance the interest of our Society. The next business was a debate, “ Is it desirable that Chinamen he admitted into the Colony?” Mr Dobson led off in the affirmative, supported by Messrs D. Sinclair, Buick and Penny; and Mr Douglas opened in the negative, Mr Shaw and otners follow.' lg on the same side, After a moat animated debate, a vote was tal :en, showing five for the affirmative and eight for the negative view of the question. The subject for debate at next meeting is, “Is it clesirab'.o that the State should pay for scientific and technical educaion ?”