PREFACE.

HE aim of this work is not novelty, but utility. Its

THE

merit, therefore, if any it has, consists not in the develop ment of new ideas and principles, but rather in working into shape, convenient for reference and for teaching, materials which, in some form or other, every one should have, who aspires to be a good debater.

That the youth of our country ought to be conversant with the principles and practice of public debate, that is, ought to be instructed in the arts of speaking and in the modes of proceeding proper to a deliberative assembly, will immediately appear, if we but consider the important interests, social, civil and religious, which often hang upon the decisions of bodies of this nature. The time has come, when public speaking, not that alone which is the result of careful premeditation, but that, especially, which, in order to defend truth in the moment of her danger, must itself be the offspring of the moment, can be no otherwise considered than as a necessary preparation for the active duties of life.

To those, therefore, who feel the force of this sentiment, to all, in short, who, for any cause, deem it wise to fit and

furnish themselves for effective service in public discussion, this volume is offered; not as exhausting the subject, or introducing everything that might be desired in the case, but as affording important, if not essential, aid.

To those instructors who hold, with the author, that de bates, oral or written, or both, are quite legitimate scholastic exercises, and better calculated than most other exercises in speaking and writing, to awaken interest and secure proficiency, this work is commended as a suitable text-book, wherewith the subject may be brought up in regular recitations, and the precepts inculcated immediately reduced to practice.

To those, finally, who have passed the precincts of youth, and have had, or are anxious to have, some practical skill in doing what is requisite to be done in deliberative assemblies, the author ventures to tender the following pages, as containing such hints, and suggestions, and instructions, respecting the qualifications of a good debater, and the rules of order in the transaction of business, as may render it, perchance, a valuable book of reference.

Such is the design of the present publication. Its plan, which may be discovered at a glance, is perfectly simple; for it aspires to no higher office than that of being a plain, though reliable guide in the matters, whereof it undertakes to speak.

SECTION I.

INTRODUCTORY OBSERVATIONS.

THE endowments, both natural and acquired, essen

tial to the formation of a finished debater, are rare and various. Few, accordingly, ever reach the highest distinction in deliberative oratory.

But, by reasonable study and practice, every person of ordinary ability may easily acquire such skill in debating, as will enable him to acquit himself decently, if not handsomely, in a public assembly. This being the case, it becomes the interest, because it is the duty, of every American youth to prepare himself, as best he can, to figure advantageously in deliberative bodies.

In so doing, however, some guidance seems necessary; for, as he that travels, in foreign lands, without a guide, is apt to travel to very little purpose, so he that labors to become a good debater, without suitable direction, is most likely to miss the aim of his best endeavors. He ought, at least, definitely to ascertain what defects he is to cure, what errors he should avoid. To give this information, to be, in short, a sort of friendly guide to the principles and practice of de

bating in public, the following pages are designed. They assume that the young debater ought to know what is peculiar to the line of speaking, in which he wishes to excel, and that in order to understand that, one way (among many) is to consider the relations which it sustains to the several other great branches of public eloquence.

Accordingly, the question is raised,-" What is a good debater ?" and, by way of answer, the special province of deliberative eloquence is carefully marked out, and the chief qualifications for an able deliberative orator given in detail.

But, as among the qualifications set down as neces sary to success in debating, extemporaneous speaking is particularly specified, because it is of the highest importance, the section next in order is devoted exclusively to that subject.

The young debater may, however, be seriously embarrassed by a want of acquaintance with those rules of order which are in general use in deliberative assemblies. Hence, a large portion of the work is occupied with a course of instruction, in the form of question and answer, designed to render him familiar with what is aptly called the common code of Parlia mentary law.

But, when well provided in all other respects, there is a particular duty implied and involved in the very act of undertaking publicly to discuss a question, in the performance of which some aid or advice may be necessary. That duty is to study how best to treat the question; and, therefore, under the caption, "Management of a Question," the student will find

some directions that may prove both timely and serviceable.

To gratify those who might expect to find in the book the form of a debate in full, two questions have been proposed and formally discussed. This has been done, moreover, under the impression that some idea of the modes of attack and defense, usual in debate, some notion of the modus operandi in general, might be better conveyed in this way than in any other.

The full debates are followed by a series of skeleton or outline debates; that is, questions with a summary of arguments, or rather considerations on both sides, designed merely to intimate certain lines of thought, that may be varied and extended by the reader's own reflections.

Next, in order, follows a series of questions, with references, under each, to authorities or sources of information on the matters, concerning which they challenge dispute.

After these, is inserted an extensive list of debatable questions, in respect to which the reader is left to act as an independent reasoner: thinking and consulting as his judgment and intelligence may direct.

To serve the convenience of those who may, perhaps, for the first time, be appointed to draft Rules and Regulations for a Debating or Literary Society, the last Section of the work is devoted to the presentation of two different forms of a Constitution and By-Laws, suitable for such an association.