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as well ns themselves. Mr. Forsyth at first seemed a little
embarrassed but soon rose to the importance of his question
delivering his arguments in a forcible manner.
An opponent worthy of him was Miss Glen Talbot; sub
stantially her argument was ns lollows: The plans that regu
late railroads arc those proposed by themselves, hence arc not
beneficial to the public. She insisted that pooling would not
benefit local rates but would raise through rates. The Stan
dard Oil company was cited as an example of this. Special
rates arc freely granted under the pooling system. Allow
them protection by law and no benefit will result to the peo
ple. Miss Talbot spoke with much earnestness and her argu
ments were well worked out.
Mme. E. L. Maker, who next sang, has a strong, rich voice
and delighted the audience with her rendition of "Nobil Sig
nor." She was called out again and sang "The Old Folks at
home."
Miss Jessie Wolfe was the second orator of the class. Her
subject was "The Olympian Zeus." She said that their gods
are always an index to the character of the people who wor
ship. Before Zeus was introduced into Greece her nature was
very simple. He is called perfect and all powerful by Hom
er. Yet when measured by our standard has many imperfec
tions. Philosophers began to investigate and a process of dc.
vclopment commenced until it reached perfection in ideal
Christianity. Miss Wolfe's subject was an impressing one
and she displayed evidence of deep thought. Her appear
ance was very pleasing and she spoke distinctly.
Miss Ethel Marsland represented the society by a recitation
"The Last Banquet." Her appearance was charming. Her
presentation of the recitation differed from the common man
ner and she made no attempt at elocutionary effect. Her
voice is clear and musical and her recitation was well appre
ciated. The entertainment closed with a vocal duet, "The Gipsies"
by Mesdamcs Weber and Baker. This beautiful song was
rendered so charmingly that the audience refused to go un
til the ladies sang another. They were given "Dcr Wasser
fall." PHILODICEAN XIUMTION.
The weather on Saturday evening was even more unfavora
ble than on the preceding night, but notwithsta iding this fact
the opera house was comfortably filled by the students and
friends of the University. For some unaccountable reason
the exercises did not begin until much after the regular time,
and it was not till 8:50 that the first number was announced.
A violin solo entitled "Le Petit Tambour" was rendered by
Mr. August Hagcnow, accompanied by Miss Minnie Cochran
with the piano. This very pretty selection was given with
'care and taste, the most expressive passages being brought
out with delicacy and feeling.
Miss Hattie Curtiss next appeared with an essay entitled
"Education: What it Should Be and Do." Miss Curtiss first
took up the question as to whether a college education is of
use in fitting one for a business career. The problem of edu
cation is the most urgent one with which the people have to
deal. The courses of study at present pursued in many of our
schools and colleges tend rather to a superficial knowledge of
many subjects than to a thorough mastery of one branch.The
specialist is now most in demand. What are most needed are
young men and women who have undergone a thorough
course of general discipline, and have at the same time mas
tered some one special branch which they can utilize when oc
casion demands.
Miss Curtiss reading was slow and distinct, her tone being
clear and impressive, though not quite loud enough to reach
those in the rear part of the hall.
"Russia" was the subject of an oration next given, by Mr.
Logan Stevens. Russia had been steadily declining in power
and influence until Pclcr the Great came to the throne. This
energetic prince soon restored the empire to its original place
among the nations. The cffecl produced by the Crimean war
was to be seen in the new ideas which had sprung up among
the people. Democracy was rapidly gaining strength. The
emancipation of the serfs was the most noticeable outcome of
this movement, but the people were not satisfied; they clam
orcd for more privileges. Russia is now passing through a
crisis. The Slav is ruled by the Teuton. Freedom and dem
ocracy on the one hand are arrayed against aristocracy and
absolutism on the other. Hence a change of some sort is eas
ily to be foreseen. The fundamental principles of Russian
government are democratic, the apparent form is absolutism,
but this in due course will disappear. As eastern nations re
gard the duty they owe to monarchy almost as binding as
that whioh they owe to rcligton, it is evident that for the pres
ent, at least, autocracy should continue to be the form of gov
eminent. When the Russian nation adopts new methods of
thought, then Russia will herself take on a new character and
aspect.
Mr. Stephens was entirely at home upon the stage, and de
livered his oration in earnest and measured tones, his ges
tures being few, deliberate and impressive.
Mr. J. B. Barnaby then sang a baritone solo, "The Min
strel Boy." The gentleman gave this beautiful song so as to
necessitate his responding to an enthusiastic encore. Mrs.
P. V. M. Raymond played the accompaniment to both selec
tions. Instead of the regular debate an arraignment and defense
of James Buchanan was given, Mr. W. J. Marsh speaking
first, against Mr. Buchanan.
The ex-president's statesmanship and ability were rccog
nized. Upon his assuming the office of Chief Magistrate
many and great things were expected of him. His vacilating
policy too clearly shows how unfounded were these hopes.
Mr. Buchanan allowed himself to be influenced by bad and
designing men, and his marked partiality towards the peo
ple of the south was such as to make it evident how he would
act in the event of a crisis. The president was to be blamed
not so much for whit he did as for what he did not do. He
violated his oath in order to preserve the union. When
South Carolina was on the verge of rebellion, a decisive ac
tion on the president's part would have crushed it in the bud.
But Buchanan did nothing lie pled as excuse for his inac
tivity his inability to act until Congress should meet. The
war is over, and the people are not disposed to be harsh in
tlu-ir criticism; but the guilt of James Buchanan will always
remain.
Mr. Marsh delivered his speech in an easy and natural man
ner, and seemed to be deeply interested in his subject.
Miss Sarah K. Daley then followed with a defense of Bu
chanan. The speaker began by saying that now, judgment,
unaccompanied by prejudice, should be given upon the char
acter of the ex-president. The American people, while they
boast of the little real power possessed by the president, yet
attributed to Buchanan almost unbounded power. The in
aggressive stand taken by him brought upon his head the ha
tred of the south and the distrust of the north. His policy
was much too conservative to suit the wishes of the people)
excited by the stirring events then transpiring. Buchanan
was self-controlled enough to sec that he could not overstep
lhe bounds imposed by the constitution. This course was the
one which the people seemed to wish him to follow, and be-
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