State / Historical Society
THE WEEKLY
UNIVERSITY COURIER.
PUBLISHED EVERY FRIDAY MORNING.
SUBSCRIPTION, $1 PERYEAR
VOL. IX.
THE STATE CONTEST.
UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS.
First Place is Awarded to J. G Gaines of Baker and Second to V. L. Parrington of Emporia College.
The Eighth State Oratorical Contest has come and gone. Pandemonian is the only word to express the mild howls of enthusiasm that pervaded the chilly air of Emporia last Friday.
Every train brought new delegations, until the hotels were utterly unable to feed the crowd hungry for supper.
The opera house filled rapidly and quietly until 8 o'clock, when a single horn started a hundred more. The women held their ears, and the students yelled the louder, until the din of clashing yells made the timbers of the old Whitley fairly shake.
LAWRENCE, KANSAS, FEB 27, 1891.
At 8:30 President S. R.Edwards, of Emporia college called the audience to order and Introduced Messrs. Vernon and Eberhardt of Wesleyan University, who rendered a well received piano duet. Rev. Samuel Targent, of Emporia, offered a short but impressive invocation. Prof. Thompson of the State Normal sang a solo entitled, "Anchored," which was loudly applauded. Mr. William O. Ganty of the State Normal was introduced as the first orator of the evening. He took for his subject "The Problems of the Elections." He reviewed in an effec- and vigorous manner the policy, inaugurated by our government, of throwing open our doors to all nations. The increase in population was very rapid. Eighty-three per cent of New York and ninety-one per cent of Chicago are foreigners, and these coming from the most ignorant of Europe. These de-based men are the victims of the political demagogues. The political machine has become a stupendous affair, and the method of defeating the public will be a science. The southern difficulty is a formidable one. Its solution lies in the education of the negro. Exalt the school and teach the bible, without which no nation has ever flourished. Mr. Ganty was earnest in his delivery, and held the attention of the assembly, but his gestures were too few and studied.
Mr. A. W. Meyers, of Washburn, came next with an oration on "The American Idea." He was young
Mr. E. R. Harris, of Wesleyan University, the next on the program, failed to respond to the oration announced, on "Reserve Power." It is said that he took this method of allaying the dissatisfaction which had arisen in Salina over the decisions of the judges in his favor. Prof. Hair, of Baker, rendered a difficult piano solo in a very creditable manner.
in his appearance, but perfectly at home in his delivery. His voice was rather weak for so large an assembly. He reviewed the ancient republics of barbarism and superstitution. The revolution came with the Anglo-Saxon race in America. According to the American idea every man is a law unto hionself — self-sovereignty is the ideal. This idea has lead the nation to prosperity. The influence of the American idea will never cease until the morning the morning star of republican liberty, has seen its special brightness fade in the ample effulgence of a freedom universal.
H. S. Hadley, the youngest orator of the evening, came next. He well represented the University of blue and gold in a well conceived oration on "Oliver Cromwell and Puritanism." Mr. Hadley made by far the best appearance of the evening. His voice was strong, although a trifle overtrained. A delegation was never more confident of first place and never more disappointed in not getting it, than was K. S. U. when the final decision was announced. Mr. Hadley traced the rise of Puritanism and brilliantly described its connection with the life of Cromwell from beginning to end. Two Cromwell's were eulogized; Cromwell the Puritan general, the statesman, and Cromwell the man, the Christian, the father, the history of England and the history of Cromwell are all one. He held within his hand the destinies of the English people with him passed away his government.
A touching solo by Mrs. Clara D. Thompson, of the State Normal, was loudly applauded.
Vernon L. Parrington, of the College of Emporia, was next introduced with an oration on "God in History." His voice was the best controlled of the evening, and held the attention of the entire audience. The head gesture was a
J. S. Crawford, of Ottawa University, then took the floor with an oration on "America and the Future." His reasoning was sincere and effective, but his delivery was nervous and at times a little excited. He eulogized the Anglo-Saxon race, and said that it had made remarkable growth in America. The progress of America under its sway has never been paralleled. America leads all nations. It is to be the scene of the climacteric effort of man. The day is fast approaching when this the strongest of earth's races, shall recognize a grander destiny, and shall penetrate the darkest lands, transforming government, lifting humanity, leading every nation in the triumphant march of progress.
little overdone. He propounded the question: What rules the affairs of men? Is there a God? Yes, there is a God in history and a God in nature. To affect great results by unexpected means—this is God's method in history. Natural law, accomplishing a silent work through imperceptible means, and guided by the divine purpose, this is the cease less force which is leading man upward to his destiny.
The last, and in the opinion of the judges, the best speaker of the evening, Mr. J. I. Games, of Baker University, closed the program of oratory with a well written oration on "The Civilization of the Anglo-Saxon." Mr. Games was the oldest orator of the evening, and his delivery gave unmistakable evidence of his long practice in appearing before audiences. His voice was good and his gestures well controlled. The childhood of the Anglo-Saxon was cradled in war. He was always self governed. There is not a rock on the Mount of Genius that has not been pressed by the feet of the Anglo-Saxon. Reform marks every step. With moters unconquerable, influences eternal, and a mission divine, the future of the world is to be shaped by this people.
We give the markings of the judges in another place.
The Mendelssohn Quartette, of the College of Emporia, favored the audience with a song, and were recalled twice.
The Normal yell "wasn't in it."
The newspaper men are indebted
The University Glee club, wearing the blue and gold, appeared with a song that greatly delighted the audience. They were encored three times and the appearance of the president only relieved them of the fourth song. The Glee club is without doubt, a credit to our institution, and the boys should be encouraged in their work.
NOTES.
The announcement of third place being given to Mr. Meyers, of Washburn, elicited but little applause, but the red and white of the College of Emporia could hardly be kept down when they were given second; Mr. Parrington was their orator. First place was given to Mr. Games, of Baker, and the Bakerites immediately took possession of the stage, and raising their orator to their shoulders, yelled one long continuous yell, until sheer lack of energy quelled their enthusiasm. Mr. Games will well represent Kansas in the Inter-State Contest at Des Moines, Iowa, on May 9th, 1891, but it is only in justice to the other orators to say that the decision of the judges was not in accordance with the wishes of the audience.
to the courtesy of Mr. Robt. Rugles for their seats.
Baker's was eminent. y a delegation of tin horns.
Gains receives $35 and Parring ton $25 for their trouble.
The Bakerites knew when the climaxes were coming in.
The muddiest mud on record was to be found in Emporia Friday.
The Normal was open all the afternoon to visiting delegations.
The seat brokers did not seem to strike a gold mine in Emporia.
The Topeka High School came down with the Washburn delegation.
The grand ball after the Contest was a great success. Thanks, Emporia.
The visitors were hungry and cleaned out the lunch houses in short order.
The "Review" was the only paper to have the orations on sale the night of the contest.
Sullivan-McClure.
We went to press last week too early to get an extended account of the wedding of Mr. John Sullivan and Marguerite McClure of this city. They were united in the holy bonds by Rev. Marvin at the home of the bride on Feb. 19, 1891. Mr. Sullivan is a fair sample of the self made man. He came to the University a poor boy and not only worked his way through the institution but made money in the process. He graduated in the Law class of '87, and moved to Kansas City where he entered upon the practice of his chosen professioen and newspaper work. Mr. Sullivan received the training in the paper business, which has made his life so far successful, on the University COURIER. He is now owner of several small papers in Kansas City and regular correspondent for several of the dailies. It is with pleasure that we notice in all his writings the love he bears for his Alma Mater. Through his influence the press of Kansas City has supported the University in a manner that is to be recommended to the milk and water papers of Kansas.
Miss McClure is known as a lady of womanly attainments. She has heretofore been instructor in music at Haskell Institute but resigned the position to share in the honor and glory that her promising husband is bound to achieve.
No. 23.
The Courier with their many friends, wishes them all the happiness possible and feel confident that if their future life is as successful as their past that our wish will not be in vain.
Miss Anna L. Webb, of Nortonville, is in Lawrence visiting her cousin, Irene Webb.
Seminary.
Rev. Dr. Howland addressed the Seminary last Thursday on the "Possibility and Advisability of Further Legislation Regarding Marriage." The reverend gentleman has very decided views on this subject.
He says that marriage is an institution of society, and as such may be justly controlled by government. To the abuse of this privilege Dr. Howland attributes a vast amount of the misery and crime of this world. For a remedy he advises that the government examine applicants for marriage, and make a marriage licence depend on the capacity to support a family, and on the character of the parties applying.
The Ariel Quartette.
The sixth entertainment of the Y. M. C. A. lecture course and was given Friday night by the Ariel quartette of Boston assisted by John Thomas, the humorist.
The singers were greeted by a full house, in spite of the Oratorical contest and the beastly weather. Those present were rewarded by an entertainment of the first order.
The Y. M, C, A. lecture course has thus far proved worthy of the generous patronage of Lawrence people. The next entertainment will be a lecture by Dr. Vasser of Kansas City. His subject is the "Alps." Dr. Vasser will be here on the fifth of March.
What has become of the society element among us? No parties, no hopes, no nothing. It is a mistake, examinations are four months off.
Hollowell visited Wichita last Saturday and Sunday. What is more touching than such devotion to home?
Holmes: “Emporia, sir, Emporia,
Yes Sir, Emporia!” “The train
leaves for Emporia at 2 o'clock.”
You may not travel much.
You may not travel much,
While attending the University.
A trip home at
Thanksgiving, or
Christmas, or
During the spring vacation, or
To Kansas City to hear Booth,
Is perhaps all your purse
Can stand.
But when you do go,
Remember that the
"Old Reliable" and
"Aways on Time" line is
The Santa Fe.
It reaches more Kansas towns
Than all of its competitors bunched.
Any time you feel in the
Migratory mood, call on
Geo. C. Bailey, ticket agent,
Santa Fe depot, Lawrence.
人