|
Messages From |
PLEASE NOTE:
H. M. Riggle was a popular debater back in the early 1900's. Here are a few brief comments he would make, before entering into a debate. I have found them to be helpful to me, as a guideline, while searching for Truth. I trust that you too, will find them interesting and helpful.
Before I enter upon this investigation, I will lay down a rule by which I expect to be governed through the entire ‘debate.’ It is this: Facts and truths are eternal principles. You cannot destroy a fact, neither can you destroy a truth. It may be possible for men, by their human reasoning and sophistry, to cover up and hide from the people the real truth, but this cannot erase it. It still remains the truth. It will stand forever. Again: Facts and truths never contradict. They never cross. A fact cannot contradict a fact. Truth CANNOT contradict a truth. All truth runs parallel. Any position or doctrine that is sustained by a single fact or truth is sustained by every other fact and truth, in the whole realm of fact and truth, that has any bearing on the subject. Any doctrine or position that is refuted or contradicted by a single fact or truth, is refuted and contradicted by every other fact and truth that relates to the subject. If it should develop during this investigation that I can sustain the position I occupy—with a single fact or truth, then remember that every other fact and truth that has any bearing upon the subject in debate sustains my position. And if I shall bring to bear against the position of my respondent a single fact or truth, then all other facts and truths contradict his position.
