The attendance at the meeting of the Harvard Union last evening was exceedingly small. In the absence of the secretary, H. A. Bull '95, acted as secretary pro tem. The subject of the debate was as follows: Resolved, That Blaine's withdrawal is unfortunate for the country.

A. S. Apsey '93, opened the debate on the affirmative side. Mr. Blaine's withdrawal deprives the country of a great political servant. He is the most prominent and best trained statesman before the public. Ever since he entered Congress in 1863, his career as Representative, Speaker and twice Secretary of State has been characterized by great statesmanship and has won for him the confidence and trust of the Republican party.

H. Hutchinson '93, then spoke on the negative. The campaign of 1884 has shown that the road to the White House is not smooth. Republics rise, grow, flourish, become corrupt and perish. Men must be nominated whose careers are of the highest order and whose characters are spotless. This speaker based the greater part of his arguments upon the charge that Mr. Blaine once prostituted his office for money, when he was the owner of certain railroad bonds.

A. P. Stone '93, proceeded to show that this charge was almost groundless and that it was brought up to help defeat Mr. Blaine in his presidential campaign. The speaker recounted Mr. Blaine's public history and his career in inactivity and showed with what great statemanship he had settled our international difficulties and established a system of reciprocity. As a scholar, his two chief works are the book entitled "Twenty Years in Congress," the recognized authority on the history of the United States from 1863 to 1884 and his controversy with Mr. Gladstone, which was a complete victory. The presidency needs Mr. Blaine more than Mr. Blaine needs the presidency.

J. W. Howarth '93 closed the debate by speaking on the negative. The effects of Mr. Blaine's withdrawal upon the welfare of the country are to be discussed. The question is not susceptible to proof. He has withdrawn on account of his health, yet the government will go on and be looked after even though it is deprived of this great patriot. Mr. Howarth put forth his strongest efforts to show that this withdrawal was not unfortunate for the country.

A vote was taken on the merits of the debate as conducted by the principal disputants and was decided in favor of the negative. The debate was then thrown open to the house. It was decided to hold a meeting before the end of the year in the form of a national nominating convention, at which both Republicans and Democrats will speak. The subject for the next debate will be: "Resolved, That David B. Hill should be nominated for President by the Democratic party."