Word: defeats
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Dates: during 1890-1899
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Since last Friday there has been more or less discussion throughout the University as to the reasons for our defeat at the hands of Yale. Many men, like Mr. Warren in this morning's CRIMSON, have spoken up honestly, acknowledged our defeat, and sought the cause in our own defects. But I have also heard many who have tried in one way or another to excuse the result. There has been a tendency to lay great stress on the superior form of the Harvard speakers, on the better massing of their argument, and their more clever handling of evidence...
...that the decision on the Yale debate was a surprise to the audience. This is true, and was due, no doubt, to the fact that on the question of bimetalism, the substantial matter at issue, the Harvard argument was unquestionably the stronger. Still, I think, the reason of our defeat is perfectly clear. The Yale men held that by the first half of the question the affirmative was required to defend a certain policy on the part of Congress; this policy, said the Yale speakers, would bring disaster. The Harvard men tried to make out that the first clause...
...think we can draw some lessons from our defeat. In the first place, our own interpretation of a question may be right, but it is never safe to be so sure it is right as to leave unanswered or treat as irrelevant arguments based upon a different understanding of the subject. If our men had said, "We do not accept the Yale interpretation; still we will answer our opponents on their own ground," the result might have been different...
...communication published in another column draws some very pertinent lessons from our recent defeat in the debate with Yale. The first point made by the writer, while undoubtedly true, is a matter of debating tactics and requires no comment here. The second point, however, is one that demands the serious attention of every one interested in intercollegiate debating...
...result of last night's debate must be a disappointment to the University. The speakers had worked hard and all had hoped that the defeat of last year was to give way this year to victories over both Princeton and Yale. But this hope must now be deferred for another year...