Debate
a consideration of a two-sided question. In one sense of the word a person may debate alone. Hamlet's famous soliloquy, "To be or not to be," was a debate with himself. When Caesar rode up and down on the bank of the Rubicon he was arguing both sides of a question with himself. He ended the debate by issuing orders to cross the boundary and march on Rome.
In parliamentary usage a debate is a series of speeches, long or short, some favoring, others opposing, a proposed measure. If all speakers hold the same view such a consideration of a question can hardly be called a debate. A prearranged debate between two speakers, as two rival candidates for office, is called a joint debate. In 1858 Abraham Lincoln, who had been chosen by the Republicans to contest the United States senatorship, challenged Stephen A. Douglas, the incumbent, and the most effective stump orator in the country, to a series of joint debates. The fame of the speakers and the burning question of free soil drew tremendous audiences. Douglas won reelection at the hands of the Illinois legislature, but Lincoln drove his opponent into a logical pocket, and won a reputation that brought him the nomination for the presidency. To succeed in joint debate a speaker must carry his end of the argument well, and not only that, he must be prompt to refute the arguments of his adversary and quick to take advantage of an opponent's errors. Daniel Webster made a strong point of restating an opponent's argument, fairly strengthening it, and then crushing it with a powerful sentence or two.
The greatest arena for debate in the world is the British House of Commons. The measures that come before that body may concern a single parish or even a single parishioner in Wales, or they may be measures affecting the welfare of half the civilized world. The great debates are likely to come off after dinner, that is to say, about eight or nine o'clock at night. A long table occupies the center of the hall. Along one side sit the members of the ministry with their books and documents before them. Directly across the table, and facing them, sit the leaders of the opposition. The members of the government party and of the opposition sit behind their leaders on long benches, one tier rising behind another, but all facing the center. The speakers rise in order, the younger men first, a speaker on one side, then a speaker on the other. The debate is closed by the acknowledged leader of each party, usually an ex-minister for the opposition and the prime minister for the government. Then the vote or decision is taken.
A school debate is an excellent method of arousing interest in geographical, historical, and social questions. In an elementary debate, designed to enliven school work, it is not necessary to be formal. A pupil may be appointed to preside. A leader should be appointed for each side of the question. A day or a week may be allowed for preparation. It is customary for the leader on the affirmative to speak first. Then comes the leader on the negative side. Other speakers follow, as arranged by the leaders. At the close of the debate the leaders sum up for their respective sides. The affirmative side is the more difficult. It is considered proper courtesy, therefore, to reverse the order in closing, and to allow the leader on the affirmative side to speak last. In their closing speeches the leaders are expected to introduce no new arguments, but to confine themselves to refutation and summary. A decision by judges adds interest to a debate. No formal rules can be laid down for a decision; but a judge is justified in considering both argument and skill of presentation. The burden of proof is held to lie on the affirmative side. If the arguments of the affirmative be refuted, the negative wins, even without presenting arguments on the negative side. It is well for the instructor to follow with a review of the debate and suggestions for improvement.
The following topics were suggested in a recent Winona Normal School bulletin as suitable for an advanced class in geography:
1. Resolved, That Minnesota is a more desirable state to live in than California.
2. Resolved, That the acquisition of the Philippine Islands will ultimately prove of more value to the United States than the purchase of Alaska.
3. Resolved, That national expositions do not benefit the countries in which they are held.
4. Resolved, That the earth is spherical in shape and that we live on the outside of it.
5. Resolved, That Arctic explorations should be continued.
6. Resolved, That the United States Weather Bureau is of sufficient value to justify its continuance.
7. Resolved, That Canada should be annexed to the United States.
8. Resolved, That in the future the Amazon will be of more commercial importance than the Mississippi.
9. Resolved, That on account of location Duluth is bound to become as great a city as Chicago.
10. Resolved, That the natural resources of Wisconsin are as great as those of Minnesota.
11. Resolved, That there are as many places of interest in Chicago as there are in New York City.
12. Resolved, That it is better to see and know your own country before traveling abroad.
13. Resolved, That navigation on the upper Mississippi is of sufficient importance to justify the national government in opening and maintaining a six-foot channel to St. Paul and Minneapolis.
14. Resolved, That the Panama canal will be of sufficient value to justify the government in building it.
15. Resolved, That the victory of Japan over Russia advanced the interests of civilization.
16. Resolved, That the United States government should spend less money in improving rivers, and more in irrigating the arid lands of this country.