OCR Text |
Show A good citizen wants our opinion, editorially expressed, as to the most' practical me'her.l of stimulating a; ereatnr ir'm-t in 'on.nl affairs on I the part of the public. Years ago. when the nr'sent adult generation H-re children, the at-! tract'on tint or'- i?h' out regularly! the greitest number of people was t),? nino'ji, or the old fashioned debating society. Tho rm-"ho's of the society would select a snhiect to be discussed both aflirnnt i''"tv and necntivpiv. Then from their membership, by vo'o, they would se'ect the seeiknrs; who were to arguo the pros and cons of the subject, two taking the affirmative affirm-ative side and two the negative. Of course tni" limit was placed upon each speech. A jury of five or seven people woe! i I.'- f'npt'l to render a dicision nt the close of the speaking. and the con'estants would go to it. their partisans mo'i'iT with lavish applause, ap-plause, at every telling point made. i More vital issues would be brought out in these public debates In one night than would crop out In a year of the ordinary routine of life. And Incidently we might remark ffiat some of the most brilliant orators this country has ever produced pro-duced received their early training ia public speaking in the old time dabating society. Its revival would be a reminiscent yleasure to the older heads among ni, and a blessing to the younger generation that is springing up. The good citizen has our humble opinion. |