Union-Philanthropic Society

The Union-Philanthropic (Literary) Society (UPLS) is an American college debating society at Hampden-Sydney College in Hampden-Sydney, Virginia.

For over two centuries, the Union-Philanthropic Society has offered Hampden-Sydney a unique forum for discussion. Whether debating the ethics of slavery — in 1810 — or discussing the various views of the historical Jesus — in 1996 — the Society has continually provided the College with an unparalleled source for the oratorical and literary improvement of her sons. Rather than narrowly focus on a single subject, the Society has long complemented the College's liberal curriculum by addressing topics from a variety of issues. Each week, the Society analyzes a different item from literature, politics, or the arts. The Society's exercises quickly train its members to think clearly, argue coherently, and speak forcefully on any topic.

The oldest student organization at the College and the second-oldest literary society in America (the oldest being the American Whig-Cliosophic Society at Princeton University, and the oldest continuously-existing being the Philomathean Society at the University of Pennsylvania), the Union-Philanthropic dates from 1789. Edward Henry, the son of Virginia's greatest orator, and William Henry Harrison, the ninth president of the Unites States, were among its early members. Yet the society has never been simply a student organization, and its influence has never stopped at the College gates. Men from all backgrounds, from Henry Wadsworth Longfellow to Robert E. Lee, have been awarded — and have accepted — honorary membership.

The Union-Philanthropic Society faces the future confident in its traditions but cognizant of the need for innovation. While reinforcing its ancient emphasis on private discussion among its members, the Union-Philanthropic is now exploring new arenas for public discussion, including debates, round-table talks between faculty and students, activities with the women's colleges, and guest lecturers.

Membership in the Society is an honor which is bestowed upon gentlemen who demonstrate an interest in public discussion, a thirst for learning, a friendly manner, and good character. The Society summons several men to become members each term.

Regalia

The regalia of the Union-Philanthropic Society combines the historic regalia of the Union Society and the Philanthropic Society, which merged into one organization in September 1929.

The Union Society:
* Name: The Union Society (Concordiæ Societas)
* Established: September 22, 1789
* Motto: "Me Socium Summis Adjungere Rebus" ("I Wish to Ally Myself With the Greatest Things")
* Colors: The badge should be displayed with the emblem in silver (or white) with a light blue background
* Badge: The Union Society badge incorporates elements from the Society's history: the fasces, stars, quills, and scroll

The Philanthropic Society:
* Name: The Philanthropic Society (Fraternitas Philanthropica)
* Established: March 1805, re-established 1807
* Motto: "" ("Dare to Be Wise")
* Colors: The badge should be displayed in gold on a dark green background
* Badge: Includes: an eagle, scroll, and star

Current Officers of the UPLS

*Edward A. Hess (President)
*Robert B. Gordon (First Reviewer)
*James A. Bonney (Second Reviewer)
*John M. Campbell (Clerk)
*Bryce T. Auker (Treasurer)
*Dr. James Simms, Jr. (Critic)

Notable Honorary Members

* Patrick Henry
* Edward Henry
* Joseph Carrington Cabell
* William Cabell Rives
* Powhatan Ellis
* John Peter Mettauer
* Andrew Hunter
* William Ballard Preston
* Hugh A. Garland
* Landon C. Garland
* Thomas Watkins Ligon
* Sterling Price
* John Tyler
* Edgar Allan Poe
* John W. Stevenson
* John C. Calhoun
* Thomas Salem Bocock
* Robert Lewis Dabney
* Henry Clay
* Roger Atkinson Pryor
* Louis Phillipe
* James Buchanan
* Philip Watkins McKinney
* Richard A. McIlwaine
* Franklin Pierce
* Stephen A. Douglas
* William Makepeace Thackeray
* Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
* Jefferson Davis
* Robert E. Lee
* P. G. T. Beauregard
* Alexander Lee Bondurant
* Alfred J. Morrison
* Adlai Stevenson
* Esther Thomas "Mrs. P.T." Atkinson
* Samuel Vaughan Wilson
* George F. Will
* Thomas P. O'Neill
* Philip Terzian

Other American collegiate Literary Societies

* Philoclean Society, Rutgers University
* The Franklin Debating Society, Randolph-Macon College
* The Jefferson Literary and Debating Society, The University of Virginia
* The Peithologian Society, Columbia University
* The Philomathean Society, The University of Pennsylvania
* The Philolexian Society, Columbia University
* The American Whig-Cliosophic Society, Princeton University
* The Phi Kappa Literary Society, University of Georgia
* The Demosthenian Literary Society, University of Georgia
* The Elizabethan Club, Yale University
* The Joint Senate of the Dialectic and Philanthropic Societies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
* Philanthropic Society, Davidson College
* The Union Philosophical Society, Dickinson College

References

* [http://people.hsc.edu/organizations/upls Union-Philanthropic Society homepage]