Berea Quarterly, February 1896

              14BEREA   QUARTERLY.
pro-slavery delegates, were a number whose ability was recognized throughout the State-prominent among whom were Lucius Desha, Archibald Dixon, David Merriwether, William C. Bullitt, Alexander K. Marshall, John W. Stevenson, Ben Hardin, Charles A. Wickliffe, Richard Apperson, John H McHenry, Beverly L. Clark, James S. Chrisman, and John I/ Waller. Probably the most unique if not the ablest and most conspicuous character in the Convention was Ben Hardin, who as a lawyer and politician had achieved a repu­tation co-extensive with the limits of the State. He had served in Congress, and owing to his great power as a de­bater and his vigorous manner of presenting his views, was denominated "Old Kitchen knife." His voice was often heard in the Convention and his influence had much to do in determining the action of that body.
The debates were full, oftentimes able, and frequently acrimonious. The result aimed at, however, was the forma­tion of a constitution that was submitted and adopted by the people. That the chains of slavery might be more securely riveted, and the right of the owner more thoroughly pro­tected, this clause was inserted in the constitution: "The right of property is before and higher than any constitutional sanction; and the right of the owner of a slave to such slave, and its increase, is the same, and as inviolable as the right of the owner of any property whatever."
The framers of the document were doubtless of the opinion that they had fixed the status of slavery for all time to come, though a number of them lived to see it swept away as a result of the great civil war which followed.
 
15
TRIP OF THE GLEE CLUB.
Trip of the Glee Club.
The month of January was signalized by the debut of the Berea College Glee Club. The Club itself is altogether different from any other company of singers in the world and its introduction to the public was made under most auspicious circumstances.
To begin with Mr. Geo. W. Cable, who has been a friend of the College for many years, devoted a week to a "Berea campaign" in Ohio, in large part donating his services. On Sunday, Jan. 19, he spoke in "the stone church" at Cleveland (Dr. Haydn's), on Monday he gave a readings in connection with an address by Pres. Frost at Springfield, on Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday he gave readings in connection with the Glee Club at Cincinnati, Dayton, and Columbus, and on Saturday he read at Mansfield, with a prelude on Berea.
Another large factor was the Woman's Club of Cincinnati which kindly extended its patronage to the "Berea Benefit" in that city, and through whose influence an audience of ex­ceptional character was gathered. Mr. James Lane Alien gave an introductory paper on Provincial Types in Literature which added much to the charm of the occasion.
The Woman's Club of Dayton rendered similar service in that city, and Mrs. President Canfield, Miss Gladden, Supt. Shawan, Col. Kilbourn, and others in Columbus gave their influence.
Mr. John Fox, Jr., perhaps the leading man in literature to "exploit" the mountain dialect, added much to the attract­iveness of the program in Cincinnati, Dayton, and Columbus.
To these and many other kind friends Berea's warmest thanks are given.
The following press notices are of especial interest :