Collection consists of the records of the Poland Philopedian Debating Society, a student organization at Xavier University (Cincinnati, Ohio). Records contain constitutions, by-laws, membership lists, minutes, treasurer's accounts, speeches, invitations, programs and photographs from 1841-1864. Minutes record the proceedings and decisions of the society, along with the names of debate participants. The records include invitations and programs to events sponsored or participated in by the society including the Verkamp Debate, the University commencement, and the annual oratorical and elocution contests. Members of the society engaged in debates and wrote essays on historical and contemporary topics such as immigration, voting rights, justification of war, religion, economics, and the value of liberal arts. Students argued pros and cons of questions such as "Which is more stimulating for the mind, painting or music?", "Is the present system of free schools beneficial to the country?", "Was the Indian Policy of the government wise, just, and beneficial," and "Should the government include an income tax in its system of taxation?".