CANTERBURY CATHOLIC LITERARY SOCIETY.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XI, Issue 2, 4 May 1883, Page 5

CANTERBURY CATHOLIC LITERARY SOCIETY.

Aster the ordinary routine .business of the above Society had been transacted at its usual weekly meeting on April 23, the programme of the evening, which was a debate, " Whether the statesman, the soldier, or the poet has contributed most to the well-being of man* kind," was next discussed. Mr. Perceval, in the course of a very humorous speech, contended that the greater number of those who took war for a profession were of a cr lei disposition, and chiefly actuated by ambitious motives, caring but little for their fellow-men, so long as they were able to gain their desires. Statesmen were not exactly so bad, but were not to be compared to poets, who were the most unselfish of mortals. He gave several instances of the writings of ancient and modern poets, which specially appealed to man's better feelings. Mr. O'Connor took a similar view. He said not only does the poet urge us to nobler and higher ideals, but he also contributes in no small degree to our amusement and instruction. When statesmen and soldiers would be forgotten, the memories of the poets would be fresh in the minds of their countrymen. Wallace and Brace might be forgotten by Scotchmen, but Burns' name would not die out as long as the English language lasted, neither would that of Moore. He showed that the ideas of poets were not always impracticable, as often alleged, as the poet and statesman were often combined in the one person. For example, the leading poet of New Zealand was a statesman of some repute. Messrs. Oakes, Sullivan, and Baxter were of a like opinion. Mr. Dobbie, in the course of an eloquent speech, argued that although the statesman and the poet had in ancient and modern times served mankind, yet the result was in no degree to be compared with the good done to the human race by the soldier. Were it not for Wellington, England would be only a French dependency to-day. What did Napoleon care for the songs of poets, or the sayings of statesmen ? Russia was hovering like a bird of prey over Asia at the present time, and was only prevented from swooping down on some of her weaker neighbours by the combined armies of Europe. It was the soldier who made the flag of England respected throughout the world, and established that empire on which the sun never sets. Mr. Lavery supported the previous speaker. The President was of opinion that the world would have got on without any inconvenience in the obsence of poets or warriors, but statesmen were always necessary in the government of the human race. If there was any good to be got from reading "poetry, it was read by so small a number that its effect in improving mankind would be scarcely noticeable. The theories of poets were in most cases impracticable. If Bussia was not of an ambitious and warlike disposition, there would be no necessity for the other Powers of Europe to oppose her designs on Asia. Had it not been for the ambition of Napoleon there would be no need of a Wellington, and although the latter was successful as a soldier, he was not so as a statesman. Mr. Barrett, whilst admitting that soldiers and poets had done a vast amount of good for mankind, yet the statesman was the true benefactor of his fellow-men. It was said that the poetry of Moore, by finding its way inlo the drawing-rooms of English society, had done almost as much for Emancipation, by disarming the prejudices and exciting the sympathies of the upper classes of England, as did the statesmanship of O'Connell. But this was a solitary example. Statesmen were necessary for the proper government of a couutry, to make laws for the protection of the well-disposed, and the punishment of evil doers. The world would neither feel the want of poetry or war, bat without statesmanship all would be chaos. Mr. Geegan criticised the arguments of those in favour of poets and warriors, which he considered illogical. Good government was essential to the well-being of the community, whilst without good statesmen this could not exist. Messrs. Hall and Crooks agreed with the last speaker. On the question being put to the vote, it was found that about half of the nnmber present were for statesmen, the remainder being equally divided between the soldier and poet.