Social Fraternity Vol 2 1825-1831

1825

February 1st Society convened. After the opening of the meeting, Perkins, French Hennen Mann & Crocker read Criticisms; Allen and Eldridge declaimed; The dispute between Barnes and Evans on the subject of debates was read by French, they being unable to attend on account of indisposition; Smith delivered an original piece; The exercises of the preceding half year were read, and it was voted that the meetings of this Society be holden at half past six instead of six, the parts for the next meeting assigned and the Society adjourned.

Attest Frederic W Crocker Sec.

March 1st Society convened. After the opening of the meeting Swift declaimed, Edridge delivered an original declamation, Homes read a composition, Barnes & Bartlett read criticisms; After which the question whether this insurrection of the slaves at Charleston S.C was justifiable or not was debated.

Carter and Thomas on the affirmative and Perkins on the negative. Bartlett resigning the office of Librarian Eldridge was chosen in his stead. The parts for the next meeting were the assigned and the Society adjourned.

Attest F. W. Crocker Sec.

March 8th. Society convened. After the opening of the meeting Bridgman, Thomas, Bartlett and Crocker declaimed; Cummings Simpson, Barnes and French read compositions, Evans read a criticism, Perkins and Swift read a Forensic dispute whether Agriculture or the Mechanical arts were most beneficial Perkins supported the side of Agriculture Swift the side of Mechanics. Smith having requested to be dismissed from the Society, his case was considered and his request granted; The Committee recommended E. Smith and Averill to become members of this Society. The parts for the next meeting were then designated and the Society adjourned. Attest Frederic. W. Crocker Sec.

March 15th Society convened. After the opening of the meeting, Cowles, Barnes and Perkins declaimed, Bridgman & Crocker read criticisms, King and Allen delivered original declamations, & French read a Composition; After which the Tariff Question was debated Simpson and McLane on the affirmative, Eldridge and Holmes on the negative; the debate was decided in the affirmative. The persons proposed were voted in, and it was also voted that the thanks of the Society be presented to Cleaveland for his present to the library, and that McLane should present them. The parts for the next meeting were assigned, and the Society adjourned. Attest F.W. Crocker Secretary

March 22, Society convened. After the usual preliminary exercises Holmes, Cummings, Perkins, and Allen declaimed; Cowles, Evans & Crocker read compositions; McLane & French delivered original declamations; Carter & Swift read Criticisms & Thomas & Bartlett delivered a Forensic disputation on the Question whether Privateering was justifiable or not, Thomas maintained the affirmative Bartlett the negative. E. Smith was admitted a member of this Society and signed the Constitution. Voted that the meetings begin at Seven O' clock for the future. The parts for the next meeting were given out & the Society adjourned. Attest F.W. Crocker. Sec.

March 29. Society met & Carter, McLane and Eldridge declaimed, Cummings, Allen, and Holmes read Criticisms, Perkins and French compositions, Barnes delivered an original declamation; After which the question whether the right of suffrage ought to be universal or not was discussed by Simpson and Swift in the affirmative and Crocker on the Negative, decided in the Negative. King requested to be dismissed and his request was accordingly granted. The parts for the next meeting were then assigned and the Society adjourned. Attest. F.W. Crocker, Sec^y

April 5th. Society convened. After the introductory exercises, there was a speaking contest Holmes, Evans, Barnes, and Smith were on one side and Cummings, Bridgman, Swift and Allen were on the other, the leaders were Holmes & Cummings and the victory was adjudged to Holmes's side. After which there was a Forensic disputation by Carter and Cowles, Carter on the affirmative and Cowles on the negative of the question whether the Waverly novels were beneficial to society or not, and a criticism by McLane and a composition by Eldridge, McLane having assigned the office of Vice President, Allen was chosen to his place, & there being a vacancy in the Executive Committee McLane was chosen to fill it. Cleveland was recommended as a suitable person to join the

Society the part for the next meeting were then assigned and the Society adjourned. Attest. Frederic W. Crocker, Sec^y

April 12^th. Society convened; after the introductory exercises Hennen, Cowles and Carter declaimed, Evans and Swift read Compositions, Bartlett & Crocker delivered original declamations, and the Question whether provision ought to be made by law for the Support of the poor was discussed by Allen and Bridgman on the affirmative and Barnes and Thomas on the negative. Debate was decided in the affirmative. Voted that Cleaveland be invited to join this Society. The parts for the next meeting were then made known and the Society adjourend. Attest. F.W. Crocker, Sec^y

April 19th Society convened. After the introductory exercises Allen, Thomas & Eldridge declaimed, McLane, Hennen & Evans read compositions, Bartlett read a Criticism, Simpson and Holmes delivered original declamations, Smith and Perkins read a dispute on the Question whether the conduct of Elizabeth towards Mary Queen of Scots was justifiable or not. Perkins supported the affirmative and Smith the negative.