Platonic Debating Society of West Florida Seminary

On the afternoon of December 10, 1897, some fifteen or twenty boys met in the Chapel Hall of the Seminary, for the purpose of considering plans to form a debating society. They described the need for such a society to cultivate their intellectual, moral and social endowments, to foster virtue, to promote friendship and patriotism. Mr. W.S. Whiteman Jr. was chosen chairman of the meeting and after stating the benefits to be derived from such a society, asked the opinion of the men present in regard to the proposed movement. After some discussion it was unanimously decided to form a society, and a committee was appointed to draft a constitution and by-laws. The report of this committee, with a few changes, was adopted and the organization was made permanent, and from that memorable day dated the birth of the Platonic Debating Society, whose motto has ever been, "Reason, Man's Guide." The colors decided upon by the Society were garnet and gray.

The officers for the first term of the society were Mr. W.S. Whiteman Jr., President, Mr. Harry Dozier, Vice-President, Mr. G.J. Winthrop, Secretary and Treasurer, and Mr. E.G. Johnston, Sergeant-at-Arms. These individuals were elected for a term of four months and during their term the Society grew, not only in numbers but also in strength. The question for the first annual debate at Commencement was, Resolved, "That War is Necessary for the Advancement of Civilization." Messrs. C.G. Parlin and F.A. Hathaway were chosen to champion the affirmative, and Messrs. G.J. Winthrop and E.G. Johnston were chosen to represent the negative. In this debate the affirmative was successful and Mr. Hathaway was awarded the Winthrop Medal for the best debater. Soon after Mr. Clark's election to the Presidency, a committee was appointed to arrange for the commencement debate. The committee handed in the following report: Question, Resolved, "That the Expansion Policy of the United States Is Detrimental to the Republic." Debaters, affirmative, Messrs. A.B. Clark and A.P. Harrison, and negative A.L. Randolph and Arie Donk. This debate was decided in favor of the affirmative, and the Winthrop Medal was awarded to Mr. A.P. Harrison.

It was during Mr. W.M. McIntosh's administration that the Society earned the distinction of being the first Society to propose Inter-Collegiate debating in Florida. In 1899 the Platonic Debating Society challenged the Florida Agricultural College, at Lake City, for a debate. After a few preliminary arrangements, the challenge was accepted and the question, Resolved, "That United States Senators Should Be Elected by a Direct Vote of the People," was chosen. The Society chose as its representatives Messrs. Paul Carter and Asa B. Clark. After allowing the visiting Society the choice of sides, the negative fell to the Platonic Debating Society of West Florida Seminary. The first Inter-Collegiate debate in Florida was held in Monroe's Opera House on the night of May 5, 1899, and resulted in a glorious victory for the Platonic Debating Society. Closely following the debate with the Florida Agricultural College came the Commencement debate. The question was, Resolved, "That the Standing Army of the United States Should Be Increased." Messrs. B.A. Meginnis and A.E. Wilson represented the affirmative and F.B. Winthrop and W.M. McIntosh the negative. The judges decided in favor of the negative and Mr. F.B. Winthrop was the winner of the Winthrop Medal. The last election for this year took place in February, when the following officers were chosen: Mr. Paul Carter, President, Mr. Clyde Evans, Vice-President, Mr. John McDougall, Secretary and Treasurer, and Mr. Flagg Rawls, Sergeant-at-Arms.

Active membership in the Society was open to male students of the Seminary West of the Sewanee and had to be approved by a unanimous vote. Once approved, the candidate had to agree to the following pledge before officially being accepted as a member: "Do you promise upon your faith and honor to obey all rules and regulations of this Society, and to use all the means in your power, consistent with your honor and integrity, for the promotion of the objects for which it was intended?" Active members could be expelled for "acting as to bring disrepute upon the Society" by a two thirds vote. Honorary members were those active members of good standing who had passed through the Seminary West of the Sewanee. Honorary members held the same privileges of active members except voting and holding office. Officers of the society included a president, vice-president, secretary and treasurer, and a sergeant-at-arms.

The society met bi-weekly on Friday afternoons throughout the academic year. Newly inducted members paid an admission fee of fifty cents. Each successive year, the members paid twenty-five cents for annual dues. Fines were imposed for a variety of offenses, including spitting on the floor, using profane language in the hall, and acting in any ungentlemanly manner.

The order of business for regular meetings included such proceedings as regular debate, decision of judges, irregular debate, decision by the house, and the appointment of debaters, officers and committees. During regular debates, each speaker was given fifteen minutes to make his argument and five minutes for a rejoinder. An active member received a diploma from the Society if he served for four consecutive years.

From the guide to the Platonic Debating Society Book, 1897-1904, (Repository Unknown)