THE It ESP ER IAN.
, STA.T12 ORATORICAL CONTEST.
WcHleynn Wins First Honors hut Pushed
Hard by U. of N.
It was not long after 7 when great chunks ol cnthusinsm
began to manifest themselves at Bohannan's hall. It was
crowded long before the time lor the program to commence,
white the yells were chasing around the hall and echoing
front the splendid dome. Horns and mechanisms of various
kinds added dnchautment to the scene. Donne was on deck
with n song, or perhaps several songs. II they did not have
their share of the lun it was not because they didn't try.
At 8:15 tnc Adclphian opened the program with a college
song, which was received with great applause. President
Hyde then called the meeting to order. The university
orclicstia then favored the audience with a choice selection,
which was heartily encored, and responded gracefully.
Hev..D. R. Dungan, president Cotner university, prayed, and
the president made a few timely remarks, when the orators
were called to '.heir places; and on the non-appearance of
Mr. Chnppell, the president announced that he was unwell
but would probably come in later. The first oration conse
quently was, "The Voice of a Majority," by C. A. Holt, of
Gates college. He was at catt on the stage, gestures few
and well chosen, and his articulation clear. He was heart
ily applauded. Another song was given by the Adelphians,
and they were forced to respond to an encore.
The Social Prpblem" was then discussed by W. N. Cas
sel, of Doane. At first he did not seem to have full control
of his voice, but he improved as he went on. He spoke rap
idly, yet clearly; and the audience showed their appreciation
by their hearty applause. Mrs. F. Harrow then favored the
audience with a piano solo, which was well received.
At this point word was sent to the president that Mr.
Chappell had recovered and his oration was announced. His
subject was "What Shall be Done With the Negro." He
was greeted by the uni. yell as he approached the stage.
His delivery was forcible, his articulation clear. His posi
tion on the stage was, perhaps, slightly stiff. He was troubled
in one place to recall the passage, which somewhat
marred his delivery. He was twice interrupted by hearty
applause.
(i. II. llicknell, ol Cotner, followed with nn cration on
The Modern Ideal." His delivery was good, his gestures
well chosen. His voice showed occasionally a trace of harsh
ness, but, on the whole, was very pleasing. He was pre
sented with a fine boquel as a token of appreciation.
The last orator of the evening was C. E. Winter. His
subject was "A Lost Citizenship." His delivery as well as
his gestures were very energetic. He held the audience to
the end, although they were, no doubl, wearied by this time;
Following is the oration in full.
A LOST Crn7.RN.SHU'.
The tree of national life, the principal ol the freedom and
equality of men, was implanted by the Divine hand in the
field of strife, The convulsive struggles of the past stirred
the soil at the roots and allowed full, inspiration; it was nur
tured by discontent and intolerance; it was nourished by
rebellion npd usurpation; the death of despot and-tyrant
inftis d new ife and vigor, and the debris of ruined empires
and fallen monar-'hics gave it sustenance. Ever perfecting
through tjie centuries, it (gradually 'assumed the noble propor
tions of maturity. Slowly it approached (the culmination of
symmetry and. strength, and) at last .tyiotfinto blossom,
crownec), and .beautified, in the .declaration of independence,
and was glorified by golden fruit, the establishment of a
new nation.
Thus were produced the true principles of human govern
ment. The wisdom and knowledge of six thousand years,
the experience of a world, entered into the constitution in
which they were embodied.
To the American citizen w.s given that constitution to
love and obey, to honor and up'told, to guard and cherish as
his very life, for in it lay his existence, the existence of his
country. Nobly did he fulfill thofe duties. To him was
given' the noble trust to hand d.wn to posterity, unbroken
and undcfilcd, that document of life and freedom, and faith
fully did he discharge that trust. That grand passage, the
preamble, which declared the purposes of its inception, was
to him sublime indeed. To him each word was a tone of
wonderful sweetness, each thought a chord of exquisite
beauty, and the whole the grandest melody that ever
inspired man to noble thought and deed. Him it aroused
and encouraged and under its influence he went forth in
defense of n nation; he lived up to the provisions of that
constitution and abided by its rulings; he studied its pro
found truths at his fireside and defended them upon the field
of battle; he was a true citizen of a true republic.
Hut what of the present? Does the American citizen of
to-day measure up to that standard? Ihe accusing voice of
oppressed and suffering millions thunders; No! The bomb
of the anarchist thunders; Nol A thousand evils' thunder, No!
And the echo ol that mighty cry hurls back from the capital
ists' mountains of gold and silver the answer, No! We
look for the cnuse. By no change of attitude of this to othor
nations has this been brought about. To no alteration of
individual environment is it due. The true relation of citi
zen to government has been lost. Once the people were the
sovereign power. They were the source and cause of power,
the end and efTect. Where is that supreme authority to da) ?
Not in twelve million voters, but in a few thousand schem
ing politicians. Once there was a government of, for, rind
by the people. Now there is a government of, for, and by
the politician. Let the American citizen bow his head in
shame and let the stars and stripes droop at half mast; t'will
be symbolic of a rational calamity, a lost citizenship. The
American voter has allowed his limbs to be bound by the
cords of party oblgations; he has put into his own mouth the
gag of unreasoning obstinancy; he has deadened intellect and
conscience by acting in opposition to his real beliefs and con
victions, und now he stands helpless, the pitiful product of
his own folly, a fettered slave. The politician wields the
whip and the American citizen falls into line and marches at
his bidding. In his blind and foolish, yea criminal, obstin
ancy in clinging to parly anddisre'garding principle, he has
lost his very identity; he has given up his greatest and grand
est privilege, vthe right which wW gained only, through a
mighty revolution, that which made, him a citizen, the
power to make the laws of his country.
Our forefathers felt and lecognized the absolute necessity
of a strict and close observance of the constitution. To them
it was a legacy, priceless indeed, and they held it In wor
shipped reverence. And well they might. That wonderful
and mighty force by which the vast and intricate machinery
of state was set in motion and controlled! That marvelous
product of all time! It was the light and life of this nation
ii. the infancy of its development, and it is now, and forever
will be, the well-3pring of our national life. The principles
embodied in that constitution are as immutable as rocks.
When oceans shall disappear and mountains crumble; when
(continued on tknth pac.k)
7EKttJj'JiE
