the art of public speaking - one more library

First publication: USA 1915

https://TheVirtualLibrary.org

The Art of Public SpeakingDale Carnegie

TableofContents

ThingstoThinkofFirstEpigraphChapterIChapterIIChapterIIIChapterIVChapterVChapterVIChapterVIIChapterVIIIChapterIXChapterXChapterXIChapterXIIChapterXIIIChapterXIVChapterXVChapterXVIChapterXVIIChapterXVIIIChapterXIXChapterXXChapterXXIChapterXXIIChapterXXIIIChapterXXIVChapterXXVChapterXXVIChapterXXVIIChapterXXVIIIChapterXXIXChapterXXXChapterXXXIAppendixAAppendixBAppendixCAppendixD

THINGSTOTHINKOFFIRSTAForeword

Theefficiencyofabookislikethatofaman,inoneimportantrespect:itsattitudetowarditssubjectisthefirstsourceofitspower.Abookmaybefullofgoodideaswellexpressed,butifitswriterviewshissubjectfromthewrongangleevenhisexcellentadvicemayprovetobeineffective.

Thisbookstandsorfallsbyitsauthors’attitudetowarditssubject.Ifthebestwaytoteachoneselforotherstospeakeffectivelyinpublicistofillthemindwithrules,andtosetupfixedstandardsfortheinterpretationofthought,theutteranceoflanguage,themakingofgestures,andalltherest,thenthisbookwillbelimitedinvaluetosuchstrayideasthroughoutitspagesasmayprovehelpfultothereader—asanefforttoenforceagroupofprinciplesitmustbereckonedafailure,becauseitisthenuntrue.

Itisofsomeimportance,therefore,tothosewhotakeupthisvolumewithopenmindthattheyshouldseeclearlyattheout–startwhatisthethoughtthatatonceunderliesandisbuildedthroughthisstructure.Inplainwordsitisthis:

Traininginpublicspeakingisnotamatterofexternals—primarily;itisnotamatterofimitation—fundamentally;itisnotamatterofconformitytostandards—atall.Publicspeakingispublicutterance,publicissuance,ofthemanhimself;thereforethefirstthingbothintimeandinimportanceisthatthemanshouldbeandthinkandfeelthingsthatareworthyofbeinggivenforth.Unlesstherebesomethingofvaluewithin,notricksoftrainingcanevermakeofthetalkeranythingmorethanamachine—albeitahighlyperfectedmachine—forthedeliveryofothermen’sgoods.Soself–developmentisfundamentalinourplan.

Thesecondprincipleliesclosetothefirst:Themanmustenthronehiswilltoruleoverhisthought,hisfeelings,andallhisphysicalpowers,sothattheouterselfmaygiveperfect,unhamperedexpressiontotheinner.Itisfutile,weassert,tolaydownsystemsofrulesforvoiceculture,intonation,gesture,andwhatnot,unlessthesetwoprinciplesofhavingsomethingtosayandmakingthewillsovereignhaveatleastbeguntomakethemselvesfeltinthelife.

Thethirdprinciplewill,wesurmise,arousenodispute:Noonecanlearnhowtospeakwhodoesnotfirstspeakasbesthecan.Thatmayseemlikeaviciouscircleinstatement,butitwillbearexamination.

Manyteachershavebegunwiththehow.Vaineffort!Itisanancienttruismthatwelearntodobydoing.Thefirstthingforthebeginnerinpublicspeakingistospeak—nottostudyvoiceandgestureandtherest.Oncehehasspokenhecanimprovehimselfbyself–observationoraccordingtothecriticismsofthosewhohear.

Buthowshallhebeabletocriticisehimself?Simplybyfindingoutthreethings:Whatarethequalitieswhichbycommonconsentgotomakeupaneffectivespeaker;bywhat

meansatleastsomeofthesequalitiesmaybeacquired;andwhatwronghabitsofspeechinhimselfworkagainsthisacquiringandusingthequalitieswhichhefindstobegood.

Experience,then,isnotonlythebestteacher,butthefirstandthelast.Butexperiencemustbeadualthing—theexperienceofothersmustbeusedtosupplement,correctandjustifyourownexperience;inthiswayweshallbecomeourownbestcriticsonlyafterwehavetrainedourselvesinself–knowledge,theknowledgeofwhatothermindsthink,andintheabilitytojudgeourselvesbythestandardswehavecometobelieveareright.“IfIought,”saidKant,“Ican.”

Anexaminationofthecontentsofthisvolumewillshowhowconsistentlythesearticlesoffaithhavebeendeclared,expounded,andillustrated.Thestudentisurgedtobegintospeakatonceofwhatheknows.Thenheisgivensimplesuggestionsforself–control,withgraduallyincreasingemphasisuponthepoweroftheinnermanovertheouter.Next,thewaytotherichstorehousesofmaterialispointedout.Andfinally,allthewhileheisurgedtospeak,speak,SPEAKasheisapplyingtohisownmethods,inhisownpersonalway,theprincipleshehasgatheredfromhisownexperienceandobservationandtherecordedexperiencesofothers.

Sonowattheveryfirstletitbeasclearaslightthatmethodsaresecondarymatters;thatthefullmind,thewarmheart,thedominantwillareprimary—andnotonlyprimarybutparamount;forunlessitbeafullbeingthatusesthemethodsitwillbelikedressingawoodenimageintheclothesofaman.

J.BERGESENWEIN.NARBERTH,PA.,JANUARY1,1915.

EPIGRAPH

Senseneverfailstogivethemthathaveit,Wordsenoughtomakethemunderstood.Ittoooftenhappensinsomeconversations,asinApothecaryShops,thatthosePotsthatareEmpty,orhaveThingsofsmallValueinthem,areasgaudilyDress’dasthosethatarefullofpreciousDrugs.

Theythatsoartoohigh,oftenfallhard,makingalowandlevelDwellingpreferable.ThetallestTreesaremostinthePoweroftheWinds,andAmbitiousMenoftheBlastsofFortune.BuildingshaveneedofagoodFoundation,thatliesomuchexposedtotheWeather.

—WILLIAMPENN.

CHAPTERIAcquiringConfidenceBeforeanAudience

Thereisastrangesensationoftenexperiencedinthepresenceofanaudience.Itmayproceedfromthegazeofthemanyeyesthatturnuponthespeaker,especiallyifhepermitshimselftosteadilyreturnthatgaze.Mostspeakershavebeenconsciousofthisinanamelessthrill,arealsomething,pervadingtheatmosphere,tangible,evanescent,indescribable.Allwritershavebornetestimonytothepowerofaspeaker’seyeinimpressinganaudience.Thisinfluencewhichwearenowconsideringisthereverseofthatpicture—thepowertheireyesmayexertuponhim,especiallybeforehebeginstospeak:aftertheinwardfiresoforatoryarefannedintoflametheeyesoftheaudienceloseallterror.

—WILLIAMPITTENGER,ExtemporeSpeech.

Studentsofpublicspeakingcontinuallyask,“HowcanIovercomeself–consciousnessandthefearthatparalyzesmebeforeanaudience?”

Didyouevernoticeinlookingfromatrainwindowthatsomehorsesfeednearthetrackandneverevenpausetolookupatthethunderingcars,whilejustaheadatthenextrailroadcrossingafarmer’swifewillbenervouslytryingtoquietherscaredhorseasthetraingoesby?

Howwouldyoucureahorsethatisafraidofcars—grazehiminaback–woodslotwherehewouldneverseesteam–enginesorautomobiles,ordriveorpasturehimwherehewouldfrequentlyseethemachines?

Applyhorse–sensetoriddingyourselfofself–consciousnessandfear:faceanaudienceasfrequentlyasyoucan,andyouwillsoonstopshying.Youcanneverattainfreedomfromstage–frightbyreadingatreatise.Abookmaygiveyouexcellentsuggestionsonhowbesttoconductyourselfinthewater,butsoonerorlateryoumustgetwet,perhapsevenstrangleandbe“halfscaredtodeath.”Thereareagreatmany“wetless”bathingsuitswornattheseashore,butnooneeverlearnstoswiminthem.Toplungeistheonlyway.

Practise,practise,PRACTISEinspeakingbeforeanaudiencewilltendtoremoveallfearofaudiences,justaspractiseinswimmingwillleadtoconfidenceandfacilityinthewater.Youmustlearntospeakbyspeaking.

TheApostlePaultellsusthateverymanmustworkouthisownsalvation.Allwecandohereistoofferyousuggestionsastohowbesttoprepareforyourplunge.Therealplungenoonecantakeforyou.Adoctormayprescribe,butyoumusttakethemedicine.

Donotbedisheartenedifatfirstyousufferfromstage–fright.DanPatchwasmoresusceptibletosufferingthanasuperannuateddrayhorsewouldbe.Itneverhurtsafooltoappearbeforeanaudience,forhiscapacityisnotacapacityforfeeling.Ablowthatwouldkillacivilizedmansoonhealsonasavage.Thehigherwegointhescaleoflife,the

greateristhecapacityforsuffering.

Foronereasonoranother,somemaster–speakersneverentirelyovercomestage–fright,butitwillpayyoutosparenopainstoconquerit.DanielWebsterfailedinhisfirstappearanceandhadtotakehisseatwithoutfinishinghisspeechbecausehewasnervous.Gladstonewasoftentroubledwithself–consciousnessinthebeginningofanaddress.Beecherwasalwaysperturbedbeforetalkinginpublic.

Blacksmithssometimestwistaropetightaroundthenoseofahorse,andbythusinflictingalittlepaintheydistracthisattentionfromtheshoeingprocess.Onewaytogetairoutofaglassistopourinwater.

BeAbsorbedbyYourSubject

Applytheblacksmith’shomelyprinciplewhenyouarespeaking.Ifyoufeeldeeplyaboutyoursubjectyouwillbeabletothinkoflittleelse.Concentrationisaprocessofdistractionfromlessimportantmatters.Itistoolatetothinkaboutthecutofyourcoatwhenonceyouareupontheplatform,socentreyourinterestonwhatyouareabouttosay—fillyourmindwithyourspeech–materialand,liketheinfillingwaterintheglass,itwilldriveoutyourunsubstantialfears.

Self–consciousnessisundueconsciousnessofself,and,forthepurposeofdelivery,selfissecondarytoyoursubject,notonlyintheopinionoftheaudience,but,ifyouarewise,inyourown.Toholdanyotherviewistoregardyourselfasanexhibitinsteadofasamessengerwithamessageworthdelivering.DoyourememberElbertHubbard’stremendouslittletract,“AMessagetoGarcia”?Theyouthsubordinatedhimselftothemessagehebore.Somustyou,byallthedeterminationyoucanmuster.Itissheeregotismtofillyourmindwiththoughtsofselfwhenagreaterthingisthere—TRUTH.Saythistoyourselfsternly,andshameyourself–consciousnessintoquiescence.Ifthetheatercaughtfireyoucouldrushtothestageandshoutdirectionstotheaudiencewithoutanyself–consciousness,fortheimportanceofwhatyouweresayingwoulddriveallfear–thoughtsoutofyourmind.

Farworsethanself–consciousnessthroughfearofdoingpoorlyisself–consciousnessthroughassumptionofdoingwell.Thefirstsignofgreatnessiswhenamandoesnotattempttolookandactgreat.Beforeyoucancallyourselfamanatall,Kiplingassuresus,youmust“notlooktoogoodnortalktoowise.”

Nothingadvertisesitselfsothoroughlyasconceit.Onemaybesofullofselfastobeempty.Voltairesaid,“Wemustconcealself–love.”Butthatcannotbedone.Youknowthistobetrue,foryouhaverecognizedoverweeningself–loveinothers.Ifyouhaveit,othersareseeingitinyou.Therearethingsinthisworldbiggerthanself,andinworkingforthemselfwillbeforgotten,or—whatisbetter—rememberedonlysoastohelpuswintowardhigherthings.

HaveSomethingtoSay

Thetroublewithmanyspeakersisthattheygobeforeanaudiencewiththeirmindsablank.Itisnowonderthatnature,abhorringavacuum,fillsthemwiththenearestthinghandy,whichgenerallyhappenstobe,“IwonderifIamdoingthisright!Howdoesmyhairlook?IknowIshallfail.”Theirpropheticsoulsaresuretoberight.

Itisnotenoughtobeabsorbedbyyoursubject—toacquireself–confidenceyoumusthavesomethinginwhichtobeconfident.Ifyougobeforeanaudiencewithoutanypreparation,orpreviousknowledgeofyoursubject,yououghttobeself–conscious—yououghttobeashamedtostealthetimeofyouraudience.Prepareyourself.Knowwhatyouaregoingtotalkabout,and,ingeneral,howyouaregoingtosayit.Havethefirstfewsentencesworkedoutcompletelysothatyoumaynotbetroubledinthebeginningtofindwords.Knowyoursubjectbetterthanyourhearersknowit,andyouhavenothingtofear.

AfterPreparingforSuccess,ExpectIt

Letyourbearingbemodestlyconfident,butmostofallbemodestlyconfidentwithin.Over–confidenceisbad,buttotoleratepremonitionsoffailureisworse,foraboldmanmaywinattentionbyhisverybearing,whilearabbit–heartedcowardinvitesdisaster.

Humilityisnotthepersonaldiscountthatwemustofferinthepresenceofothers—againstthisoldinterpretationtherehasbeenamosthealthymodernreaction.Truehumilityanymanwhothoroughlyknowshimselfmustfeel;butitisnotahumilitythatassumesaworm–likemeekness;itisratherastrong,vibrantprayerforgreaterpowerforservice—aprayerthatUriahHeepcouldneverhaveuttered.

WashingtonIrvingonceintroducedCharlesDickensatadinnergiveninthelatter’shonor.InthemiddleofhisspeechIrvinghesitated,becameembarrassed,andsatdownawkwardly.Turningtoafriendbesidehimheremarked,“There,ItoldyouIwouldfail,andIdid.”

Ifyoubelieveyouwillfail,thereisnohopeforyou.Youwill.

RidyourselfofthisI–am–a–poor–worm–in–the–dustidea.Youareagod,withinfinitecapabilities.“Allthingsarereadyifthemindbeso.”Theeaglelooksthecloudlesssunintheface.

AssumeMasteryOverYourAudience

Inpublicspeech,asinelectricity,thereisapositiveandanegativeforce.Eitheryouoryouraudiencearegoingtopossessthepositivefactor.Ifyouassumeityoucanalmostinvariablymakeityours.Ifyouassumethenegativeyouaresuretobenegative.Assumingavirtueoravicevitalizesit.Summonallyourpowerofself–direction,andrememberthatthoughyouraudienceisinfinitelymoreimportantthanyou,thetruthismoreimportantthanbothofyou,becauseitiseternal.Ifyourmindfaltersinitsleadershiptheswordwilldropfromyourhands.Yourassumptionofbeingabletoinstructorleadorinspireamultitudeorevenasmallgroupofpeoplemayappallyouasbeingcolossalimpudence—asindeeditmaybe;buthavingonceessayedtospeak,becourageous.BEcourageous—itlieswithinyoutobewhatyouwill.MAKEyourselfbecalmandconfident.

Reflectthatyouraudiencewillnothurtyou.IfBeecherinLiverpoolhadspokenbehindawirescreenhewouldhaveinvitedtheaudiencetothrowtheover–ripemissileswithwhichtheywereloaded;buthewasaman,confrontedhishostilehearersfearlessly—andwonthem.

Infacingyouraudience,pauseamomentandlookthemover—ahundredchancestoonetheywantyoutosucceed,forwhatmanissofoolishastospendhistime,perhapshis

money,inthehopethatyouwillwastehisinvestmentbytalkingdully?

ConcludingHints

Donotmakehastetobegin—hasteshowslackofcontrol.

Donotapologize.Itoughtnottobenecessary;andifitis,itwillnothelp.Gostraightahead.

Takeadeepbreath,relax,andbegininaquietconversationaltoneasthoughyouwerespeakingtoonelargefriend.Youwillnotfindithalfsobadasyouimagined;really,itisliketakingacoldplunge:afteryouarein,thewaterisfine.Infact,havingspokenafewtimesyouwillevenanticipatetheplungewithexhilaration.Tostandbeforeanaudienceandmakethemthinkyourthoughtsafteryouisoneofthegreatestpleasuresyoucaneverknow.Insteadoffearingit,yououghttobeasanxiousasthefoxhoundsstrainingattheirleashes,ortheracehorsestuggingattheirreins.

Socastoutfear,forfeariscowardly—whenitisnotmastered.Thebravestknowfear,buttheydonotyieldtoit.Faceyouraudiencepluckily—ifyourkneesquake,MAKEthemstop.Inyouraudienceliessomevictoryforyouandthecauseyourepresent.Gowinit.SupposeCharlesMartellhadbeenafraidtohammertheSaracenatTours;supposeColumbushadfearedtoventureoutintotheunknownWest;supposeourforefathershadbeentootimidtoopposethetyrannyofGeorgetheThird;supposethatanymanwhoeverdidanythingworthwhilehadbeenacoward!Theworldowesitsprogresstothemenwhohavedared,andyoumustdaretospeaktheeffectivewordthatisinyourhearttospeak—foroftenitrequirescouragetoutterasinglesentence.Butrememberthatmenerectnomonumentsandweavenolaurelsforthosewhofeartodowhattheycan.

Isallthisunsympathetic,doyousay?

Man,whatyouneedisnotsympathy,butapush.Noonedoubtsthattemperamentandnervesandillnessandevenpraiseworthymodestymay,singlyorcombined,causethespeaker’scheektoblanchbeforeanaudience,butneithercananyonedoubtthatcoddlingwillmagnifythisweakness.Thevictoryliesinafearlessframeofmind.Prof.WalterDillScottsays:“Successorfailureinbusinessiscausedmorebymentalattitudeeventhanbymentalcapacity.”Banishthefear–attitude;acquiretheconfidentattitude.Andrememberthattheonlywaytoacquireitis—toacquireit.

Inthisfoundationchapterwehavetriedtostrikethetoneofmuchthatistofollow.Manyoftheseideaswillbeamplifiedandenforcedinamorespecificway;butthroughallthesechaptersonanartwhichMr.Gladstonebelievedtobemorepowerfulthanthepublicpress,thenoteofjustifiableself–confidencemustsoundagainandagain.

QUESTIONSANDEXERCISES.

1.Whatisthecauseofself–consciousness?

2.Whyareanimalsfreefromit?

3.Whatisyourobservationregardingself–consciousnessinchildren?

4.Whyareyoufreefromitunderthestressofunusualexcitement?

5.Howdoesmoderateexcitementaffectyou?

6.Whatarethetwofundamentalrequisitesfortheacquiringofself–confidence?Whichisthemoreimportant?

7.Whateffectdoesconfidenceonthepartofthespeakerhaveontheaudience?

8.Writeoutatwo–minutespeechon“ConfidenceandCowardice.”

9.Whateffectdohabitsofthoughthaveonconfidence?Inthisconnectionreadthechapteron“RightThinkingandPersonality.”

10.Writeoutverybrieflyanyexperienceyoumayhavehadinvolvingtheteachingsofthischapter.

11.Giveathree–minutetalkon“Stage–Fright,”includinga(kindly)imitationoftwoormorevictims.

CHAPTERIITheSinofMonotony

OnedayEnnuiwasbornfromUniformity.

—MOTTE.

OurEnglishhaschangedwiththeyearssothatmanywordsnowconnotemorethantheydidoriginally.Thisistrueofthewordmonotonous.From“havingbutonetone,”ithascometomeanmorebroadly,“lackofvariation.”

Themonotonousspeakernotonlydronesalonginthesamevolumeandpitchoftonebutusesalwaysthesameemphasis,thesamespeed,thesamethoughts—ordispenseswiththoughtaltogether.

Monotony,thecardinalandmostcommonsinofthepublicspeaker,isnotatransgression—itisratherasinofomission,foritconsistsinlivinguptotheconfessionofthePrayerBook:“Wehaveleftundonethosethingsweoughttohavedone.”

Emersonsays,“Thevirtueofartliesindetachment,insequesteringoneobjectfromtheembarrassingvariety.”Thatisjustwhatthemonotonousspeakerfailstodo—hedoesnotdetachonethoughtorphrasefromanother,theyareallexpressedinthesamemanner.

Totellyouthatyourspeechismonotonousmaymeanverylittletoyou,soletuslookatthenature—andthecurse—ofmonotonyinotherspheresoflife,thenweshallappreciatemorefullyhowitwillblightanotherwisegoodspeech.

IftheVictrolaintheadjoiningapartmentgrindsoutjustthreeselectionsoverandoveragain,itisprettysafetoassumethatyourneighborhasnootherrecords.Ifaspeakerusesonlyafewofhispowers,itpointsveryplainlytothefactthattherestofhispowersarenotdeveloped.Monotonyrevealsourlimitations.

Initseffectonitsvictim,monotonyisactuallydeadly—itwilldrivethebloomfromthecheekandthelustrefromtheeyeasquicklyassin,andoftenleadstoviciousness.Theworstpunishmentthathumaningenuityhaseverbeenabletoinventisextrememonotony—solitaryconfinement.Layamarbleonthetableanddonothingeighteenhoursofthedaybutchangethatmarblefromonepointtoanotherandbackagain,andyouwillgoinsaneifyoucontinuelongenough.

Sothisthingthatshortenslife,andisusedasthemostcruelofpunishmentsinourprisons,isthethingthatwilldestroyallthelifeandforceofaspeech.Avoiditasyouwouldshunadeadlydullbore.The“idlerich”canhavehalf–a–dozenhomes,commandallthevarietiesoffoodsgatheredfromthefourcornersoftheearth,andsailforAfricaorAlaskaattheirpleasure;butthepoverty–strickenmanmustwalkortakeastreetcar—hedoesnothavethechoiceofyacht,auto,orspecialtrain.Hemustspendthemostofhislifeinlaborandbecontentwiththestaplesofthefood–market.Monotonyispoverty,whetherinspeechorinlife.Strivetoincreasethevarietyofyourspeechasthebusinessmanlabors

toaugmenthiswealth.

Bird–songs,forestglens,andmountainsarenotmonotonous—itisthelongrowsofbrown–stonefrontsandthemilesofpavedstreetsthataresoterriblysame.Natureinherwealthgivesusendlessvariety;manwithhislimitationsisoftenmonotonous.Getbacktonatureinyourmethodsofspeech–making.

Thepowerofvarietyliesinitspleasure–givingquality.Thegreattruthsoftheworldhaveoftenbeencouchedinfascinatingstories—“LesMiserables,”forinstance.Ifyouwishtoteachorinfluencemen,youmustpleasethem,firstorlast.Strikethesamenoteonthepianooverandoveragain.Thiswillgiveyousomeideaofthedispleasing,jarringeffectmonotonyhasontheear.Thedictionarydefines“monotonous”asbeingsynonymouswith“wearisome.”Thatisputtingitmildly.Itismaddening.Thedepartment–storeprincedoesnotdisgustthepublicbyplayingonlytheonetune,“ComeBuyMyWares!”Hegivesrecitalsona$125,000organ,andthepleasedpeoplenaturallyslipintoabuyingmood.

HowtoConquerMonotony

Weobviatemonotonyindressbyreplenishingourwardrobes.Weavoidmonotonyinspeechbymultiplyingourpowersofspeech.Wemultiplyourpowersofspeechbyincreasingourtools.

Thecarpenterhasspecialimplementswithwhichtoconstructtheseveralpartsofabuilding.Theorganisthascertainkeysandstopswhichhemanipulatestoproducehisharmoniesandeffects.Inlikemannerthespeakerhascertaininstrumentsandtoolsathiscommandbywhichhebuildshisargument,playsonthefeelings,andguidesthebeliefsofhisaudience.Togiveyouaconceptionoftheseinstruments,andpracticalhelpinlearningtousethem,arethepurposesoftheimmediatelyfollowingchapters.

WhydidnottheChildrenofIsraelwhirlthroughthedesertinlimousines,andwhydidnotNoahhavemoving–pictureentertainmentsandtalkingmachinesontheArk?Thelawsthatenableustooperateanautomobile,producemoving–pictures,ormusicontheVictrola,wouldhaveworkedjustaswellthenastheydotoday.Itwasignoranceoflawthatforagesdeprivedhumanityofourmodernconveniences.Manyspeakersstilluseox–cartmethodsintheirspeechinsteadofemployingautomobileoroverland–expressmethods.Theyareignorantoflawsthatmakeforefficiencyinspeaking.Justtotheextentthatyouregardandusethelawsthatweareabouttoexamineandlearnhowtousewillyouhaveefficiencyandforceinyourspeaking;andjusttotheextentthatyoudisregardthemwillyourspeakingbefeebleandineffective.Wecannotimpresstoothoroughlyuponyouthenecessityforarealworkingmasteryoftheseprinciples.Theyaretheveryfoundationsofsuccessfulspeaking.“Getyourprinciplesright,”saidNapoleon,“andtherestisamatterofdetail.”

Itisuselesstoshoeadeadhorse,andallthesoundprinciplesinChristendomwillnevermakealivespeechoutofadeadone.Soletitbeunderstoodthatpublicspeakingisnotamatterofmasteringafewdeadrules;themostimportantlawofpublicspeechisthenecessityfortruth,force,feeling,andlife.Forgetallelse,butnotthis.

Whenyouhavemasteredthemechanicsofspeechoutlinedinthenextfewchaptersyouwillnolongerbetroubledwithmonotony.Thecompleteknowledgeoftheseprinciplesandtheabilitytoapplythemwillgiveyougreatvarietyinyourpowersofexpression.But

theycannotbemasteredandappliedbythinkingorreadingaboutthem—youmustpractise,practise,PRACTISE.Ifnooneelsewilllistentoyou,listentoyourself—youmustalwaysbeyourownbestcritic,andtheseverestoneofall.

Thetechnicalprinciplesthatwelaydowninthefollowingchaptersarenotarbitrarycreationsofourown.Theyareallfoundedonthepracticesthatgoodspeakersandactorsadopt—eithernaturallyandunconsciouslyorunderinstruction—ingettingtheireffects.

Itisuselesstowarnthestudentthathemustbenatural.Tobenaturalmaybetobemonotonous.Thelittlestrawberryupinthearcticswithafewtinyseedsandanacidtangisanaturalberry,butitisnottobecomparedwiththeimprovedvarietythatweenjoyhere.Thedwarfedoakontherockyhillsideisnatural,butapoorthingcomparedwiththebeautifultreefoundintherich,moistbottomlands.Benatural—butimproveyournaturalgiftsuntilyouhaveapproachedtheideal,forwemuststriveafteridealizednature,infruit,tree,andspeech.


1.Whatarethecausesofmonotony?

2.Citesomeinstancesinnature.

3.Citeinstancesinman’sdailylife.

4.Describesomeoftheeffectsofmonotonyinbothcases.

5.Readaloudsomespeechwithoutpayingparticularattentiontoitsmeaningorforce.

6.Nowrepeatitafteryouhavethoroughlyassimilateditsmatterandspirit.Whatdifferencedoyounoticeinitsrendition?

7.Whyismonotonyoneoftheworstaswellasoneofthemostcommonfaultsofspeakers?

CHAPTERIIIEfficiencyThroughEmphasisandSubordination

Inaword,theprincipleofemphasis…isfollowedbest,notbyrememberingparticularrules,butbybeingfullofaparticularfeeling.

—C.S.BALDWIN,WritingandSpeaking.

Thegunthatscatterstoomuchdoesnotbagthebirds.Thesameprincipleappliestospeech.Thespeakerthatfireshisforceandemphasisatrandomintoasentencewillnotgetresults.Noteverywordisofspecialimportance—thereforeonlycertainwordsdemandemphasis.

YousayMassaCHUsettsandMinneAPolis,youdonotemphasizeeachsyllablealike,buthittheaccentedsyllablewithforceandhurryovertheunimportantones.Nowwhydoyounotapplythisprincipleinspeakingasentence?Tosomeextentyoudo,inordinaryspeech;butdoyouinpublicdiscourse?Itistherethatmonotonycausedbylackofemphasisissopainfullyapparent.

Sofarasemphasisisconcerned,youmayconsidertheaveragesentenceasjustonebigword,withtheimportantwordastheaccentedsyllable.Notethefollowing:

“Destinyisnotamatterofchance.Itisamatterofchoice.”

YoumightaswellsayMASS–A–CHU–SETTS,emphasizingeverysyllableequally,astolayequalstressoneachwordintheforegoingsentences.

Speakitaloudandsee.Ofcourseyouwillwanttoemphasizedestiny,foritistheprincipalideainyourdeclaration,andyouwillputsomeemphasisonnot,elseyourhearersmaythinkyouareaffirmingthatdestinyisamatterofchance.Byallmeansyoumustemphasizechance,foritisoneofthetwobigideasinthestatement.

Anotherreasonwhychancetakesemphasisisthatitiscontrastedwithchoiceinthenextsentence.Obviously,theauthorhascontrastedtheseideaspurposely,sothattheymightbemoreemphatic,andhereweseethatcontrastisoneoftheveryfirstdevicestogainemphasis.

Asapublicspeakeryoucanassistthisemphasisofcontrastwithyourvoice.Ifyousay,“Myhorseisnotblack,”whatcolorimmediatelycomesintomind?White,naturally,forthatistheoppositeofblack.Ifyouwishtobringoutthethoughtthatdestinyisamatterofchoice,youcandosomoreeffectivelybyfirstsayingthat“DESTINYisNOTamatterofCHANCE.”Isnotthecolorofthehorseimpresseduponusmoreemphaticallywhenyousay,“MyhorseisNOTBLACK.HeisWHITE”thanitwouldbebyhearingyouassertmerelythatyourhorseiswhite?

Inthesecondsentenceofthestatementthereisonlyoneimportantword—choice.Itistheonewordthatpositivelydefinesthequalityofthesubjectbeingdiscussed,andtheauthor

ofthoselinesdesiredtobringitoutemphatically,ashehasshownbycontrastingitwithanotheridea.Theselines,then,wouldreadlikethis:

”DESTINYisNOTamatterofCHANCE.ItisamatterofCHOICE.”Nowreadthisover,strikingthewordsincapitalswithagreatdealofforce.

InalmosteverysentencethereareafewMOUNTAINPEAKWORDSthatrepresentthebig,importantideas.Whenyoupickuptheeveningpaperyoucantellataglancewhicharetheimportantnewsarticles.Thankstotheeditor,hedoesnottellabouta“holdup”inHongKonginthesamesizedtypeasheusestoreportthedeathoffivefiremeninyourhomecity.Sizeoftypeishisdevicetoshowemphasisinboldrelief.Hebringsoutsometimeseveninredheadlinesthestrikingnewsoftheday.

Itwouldbeaboontospeech–makingifspeakerswouldconservetheattentionoftheiraudiencesinthesamewayandemphasizeonlythewordsrepresentingtheimportantideas.Theaveragespeakerwilldelivertheforegoinglineondestinywithaboutthesameamountofemphasisoneachword.Insteadofsaying,“ItisamatterofCHOICE,”hewilldeliverit,“Itisamatterofchoice,”or“ITISAMATTEROFCHOICE“—bothequallybad.

CharlesDana,thefamouseditorofTheNewYorkSun,toldoneofhisreportersthatifhewentupthestreetandsawadogbiteaman,topaynoattentiontoit.TheSuncouldnotaffordtowastethetimeandattentionofitsreadersonsuchunimportanthappenings.“But,”saidMr.Dana,“ifyouseeamanbiteadog,hurrybacktotheofficeandwritethestory.”Ofcoursethatisnews;thatisunusual.

Nowthespeakerwhosays“ITISAMATTEROFCHOICE”isputtingtoomuchemphasisuponthingsthatareofnomoreimportancetometropolitanreadersthanadogbite,andwhenhefailstoemphasize“choice”heislikethereporterwho“passesup”theman’sbitingadog.Theidealspeakermakeshisbigwordsstandoutlikemountainpeaks;hisunimportantwordsaresubmergedlikestream–beds.Hisbigthoughtsstandlikehugeoaks;hisideasofnoespecialvaluearemerelylikethegrassaroundthetree.

Fromallthiswemaydeducethisimportantprinciple:EMPHASISisamatterofCONTRASTandCOMPARISON.

RecentlytheNewYorkAmericanfeaturedaneditorialbyArthurBrisbane.Notethefollowing,printedinthesametypeasgivenhere.

=WedonotknowwhatthePresidentTHOUGHTwhenhegotthatmessage,orwhattheelephantthinkswhenheseesthemouse,butwedoknowwhatthePresidentDID.=

ThewordsTHOUGHTandDIDimmediatelycatchthereader’sattentionbecausetheyaredifferentfromtheothers,notespeciallybecausetheyarelarger.Ifalltherestofthewordsinthissentenceweremadetentimesaslargeastheyare,andDIDandTHOUGHTwerekeptattheirpresentsize,theywouldstillbeemphatic,becausedifferent.

TakethefollowingfromRobertChambers’novel,“TheBusinessofLife.”Thewordsyou,had,would,areallemphatic,becausetheyhavebeenmadedifferent.

Helookedatherinangryastonishment.

“Well,whatdoyoucallitifitisn’tcowardice—toslinkoffandmarryadefenselessgirllikethat!”

“DidyouexpectmetogiveyouachancetodestroymeandpoisonJacqueline’smind?IfIhadbeenguiltyofthethingwithwhichyouchargeme,whatIhavedonewouldhavebeencowardly.Otherwise,itisjustified.”

AFifthAvenuebuswouldattractattentionupatMinisinkFord,NewYork,whileoneoftheoxteamsthatfrequentlypasstherewouldattractattentiononFifthAvenue.Tomakeawordemphatic,deliveritdifferentlyfromthemannerinwhichthewordssurroundingitaredelivered.Ifyouhavebeentalkingloudly,uttertheemphaticwordinaconcentratedwhisper—andyouhaveintenseemphasis.Ifyouhavebeengoingfast,goveryslowontheemphaticword.Ifyouhavebeentalkingonalowpitch,jumptoahighoneontheemphaticword.Ifyouhavebeentalkingonahighpitch,takealowoneonyouremphaticideas.Readthechapterson“Inflection,”“Feeling,”“Pause,”“ChangeofPitch,”“ChangeofTempo.”Eachofthesewillexplainindetailhowtogetemphasisthroughtheuseofacertainprinciple.

Inthischapter,however,weareconsideringonlyoneformofemphasis:thatofapplyingforcetotheimportantwordandsubordinatingtheunimportantwords.Donotforget:thisisoneofthemainmethodsthatyoumustcontinuallyemployingettingyoureffects.

Letusnotconfoundloudnesswithemphasis.Toyellisnotasignofearnestness,intelligence,orfeeling.Thekindofforcethatwewantappliedtotheemphaticwordisnotentirelyphysical.True,theemphaticwordmaybespokenmoreloudly,oritmaybespokenmoresoftly,buttherealqualitydesiredisintensity,earnestness.Itmustcomefromwithin,outward.

Lastnightaspeakersaid:“Thecurseofthiscountryisnotalackofeducation.It’spolitics.”Heemphasizedcurse,lack,education,politics.Theotherwordswerehurriedoverandthusgivennocomparativeimportanceatall.Thewordpoliticswasflamedoutwithgreatfeelingasheslappedhishandstogetherindignantly.Hisemphasiswasbothcorrectandpowerful.Heconcentratedallourattentiononthewordsthatmeantsomething,insteadofholdingituponsuchwordsasofthis,a,of,It’s.

WhatwouldyouthinkofaguidewhoagreedtoshowNewYorktoastrangerandthentookuphistimebyvisitingChineselaundriesandboot–blacking“parlors”onthesidestreets?Thereisonlyoneexcuseforaspeaker’saskingtheattentionofhisaudience:Hemusthaveeithertruthorentertainmentforthem.IfheweariestheirattentionwithtriflestheywillhaveneithervivacitynordesireleftwhenhereacheswordsofWall–Streetandskyscraperimportance.Youdonotdwellonthesesmallwordsinyoureverydayconversation,becauseyouarenotaconversationalbore.Applythecorrectmethodofeverydayspeechtotheplatform.Aswehavenotedelsewhere,publicspeakingisverymuchlikeconversationenlarged.

Sometimes,forbigemphasis,itisadvisabletolaystressoneverysinglesyllableinaword,asabsolutelyinthefollowingsentence:

Iab–so–lute–lyrefusetograntyourdemand.

Nowandthenthisprincipleshouldbeappliedtoanemphaticsentencebystressingeachword.Itisagooddeviceforexcitingspecialattention,anditfurnishesapleasingvariety.PatrickHenry’snotableclimaxcouldbedeliveredinthatmannerveryeffectively:“Give—me—liberty—or—give—me—death.”Theitalicizedpartofthefollowingmightalsobedeliveredwiththisevery–wordemphasis.Ofcourse,therearemanywaysofdeliveringit;thisisonlyoneofseveralgoodinterpretationsthatmightbechosen.

Knowingthepricewemustpay,thesacrificewemustmake,theburdenswemustcarry,theassaultswemustendure—knowingfullwellthecost—yetweenlist,andweenlistforthewar.Forweknowthejusticeofourcause,andweknow,too,itscertaintriumph.

—From“PassProsperityAround,”byALBERTJ.BEVERIDGE,beforetheChicagoNationalConventionoftheProgressiveParty.

Stronglyemphasizingasinglewordhasatendencytosuggestitsantithesis.Noticehowthemeaningchangesbymerelyputtingtheemphasisondifferentwordsinthefollowingsentence.Theparentheticalexpressionswouldreallynotbeneededtosupplementtheemphaticwords.

IintendedtobuyahousethisSpring(evenifyoudidnot).

IINTENDEDtobuyahousethisSpring(butsomethingprevented).

IintendedtoBUYahousethisSpring(insteadofrentingasheretofore).

IintendedtobuyaHOUSEthisSpring(andnotanautomobile).

IintendedtobuyahouseTHISSpring(insteadofnextSpring).

IintendedtobuyahousethisSPRING(insteadofintheAutumn).

Whenagreatbattleisreportedinthepapers,theydonotkeepemphasizingthesamefactsoverandoveragain.Theytrytogetnewinformation,ora“newslant.”Thenewsthattakesanimportantplaceinthemorningeditionwillberelegatedtoasmallspaceinthelateafternoonedition.Weareinterestedinnewideasandnewfacts.Thisprinciplehasaveryimportantbearingindeterminingyouremphasis.Donotemphasizethesameideaoverandoveragainunlessyoudesiretolayextrastressonit;SenatorThurstondesiredtoputthemaximumamountofemphasison“force”inhisspeechonpage50.Notehowforceisemphasizedrepeatedly.Asageneralrule,however,thenewidea,the“newslant,”whetherinanewspaperreportofabattleoraspeaker’senunciationofhisideas,isemphatic.

Inthefollowingselection,“larger”isemphatic,foritisthenewidea.Allmenhaveeyes,butthismanasksforaLARGEReye.

Thismanwiththelargereyesayshewilldiscover,notriversorsafetyappliancesforaeroplanes,butNEWSTARSandSUNS.“Newstarsandsuns”arehardlyasemphaticastheword“larger.”Why?Becauseweexpectanastronomertodiscoverheavenlybodiesratherthancookingrecipes.Thewords,“Republicneeds”inthenextsentence,areemphatic;theyintroduceanewandimportantidea.Republicshavealwaysneededmen,buttheauthorsaystheyneedNEWmen.“New”isemphaticbecauseitintroducesanewidea.Inlikemanner,“soil,”“grain,”“tools,”arealsoemphatic.

Themostemphaticwordsareitalicizedinthisselection.Arethereanyothersyouwouldemphasize?Why?

Theoldastronomersaid,“Givemealargereye,andIwilldiscovernewstarsandsuns.”Thatiswhattherepublicneedstoday—newmen—menwhoarewisetowardthesoil,towardthegrains,towardthetools.IfGodwouldonlyraiseupforthepeopletwoorthreemenlikeWatt,FultonandMcCormick,theywouldbeworthmoretotheStatethanthattreasureboxnamedCaliforniaorMexico.Andtherealsupremacyofmanisbaseduponhiscapacityforeducation.Manisuniqueinthelengthofhischildhood,whichmeanstheperiodofplasticityandeducation.Thechildhoodofamoth,thedistancethatstandsbetweenthehatchingoftherobinanditsmaturity,representafewhoursorafewweeks,buttwentyyearsforgrowthstandsbetweenman’scradleandhiscitizenship.Thisprotractedchildhoodmakesitpossibletohandovertotheboyalltheaccumulatedstoresachievedbyracesandcivilizationsthroughthousandsofyears.

—Anonymous.

Youmustunderstandthattherearenosteel–rivetedrulesofemphasis.Itisnotalwayspossibletodesignatewhichwordmust,andwhichmustnotbeemphasized.Onespeakerwillputoneinterpretationonaspeech,anotherspeakerwillusedifferentemphasistobringoutadifferentinterpretation.Noonecansaythatoneinterpretationisrightandtheotherwrong.Thisprinciplemustbeborneinmindinallourmarkedexercises.Hereyourownintelligencemustguide—andgreatlytoyourprofit.


1.Whatisemphasis?

2.Describeonemethodofdestroyingmonotonyofthought–presentation.

3.Whatrelationdoesthishavetotheuseofthevoice?

4.Whichwordsshouldbeemphasized,whichsubordinated,inasentence?

5.Readtheselectionsonpages50,51,52,53and54,devotingspecialattentiontoemphasizingtheimportantwordsorphrasesandsubordinatingtheunimportantones.Readagain,changingemphasisslightly.Whatistheeffect?

6.Readsomesentencerepeatedly,emphasizingadifferentwordeachtime,andshowhowthemeaningischanged,asisdoneonpage22.

7.Whatistheeffectofalackofemphasis?

8.Readtheselectionsonpages30and48,emphasizingeveryword.Whatistheeffectontheemphasis?

9.Whenisitpermissibletoemphasizeeverysinglewordinasentence?

10.Notetheemphasisandsubordinationinsomeconversationorspeechyouhaveheard.Weretheywellmade?Why?Canyousuggestanyimprovement?

11.Fromanewspaperoramagazine,clipareportofanaddress,orabiographicaleulogy.Markthepassageforemphasisandbringitwithyoutoclass.

12.Inthefollowingpassage,wouldyoumakeanychangesintheauthor’smarkingsforemphasis?Where?Why?Bearinmindthatnotallwordsmarkedrequirethesamedegreeofemphasis—inawidevarietyofemphasis,andinniceshadingofthegradations,lietheexcellenceofemphaticspeech.

IwouldcallhimNapoleon,butNapoleonmadehiswaytoempireoverbrokenoathsandthroughaseaofblood.Thismanneverbrokehisword.“NoRetaliation”washisgreatmottoandtheruleofhislife;andthelastwordsutteredtohissoninFrancewerethese:“Myboy,youwillonedaygobacktoSantoDomingo;forgetthatFrancemurderedyourfather.”IwouldcallhimCromwell,butCromwellwasonlyasoldier,andthestatehefoundedwentdownwithhimintohisgrave.IwouldcallhimWashington,butthegreatVirginianheldslaves.Thismanriskedhisempireratherthanpermittheslave–tradeinthehumblestvillageofhisdominions.

Youthinkmeafanaticto–night,foryoureadhistory,notwithyoureyes,butwithyourprejudices.Butfiftyyearshence,whenTruthgetsahearing,theMuseofHistorywillputPhocionfortheGreek,andBrutusfortheRoman,HampdenforEngland,LafayetteforFrance,chooseWashingtonasthebright,consummateflowerofourearliercivilization,andJohnBrowntheripefruitofournoonday,then,dippingherpeninthesunlight,willwriteintheclearblue,abovethemall,thenameofthesoldier,thestatesman,themartyr,TOUSSAINTL’OUVERTURE.

—WENDELLPHILLIPS,Toussaintl’Ouverture.

Practiseonthefollowingselectionsforemphasis:Beecher’s“AbrahamLincoln,”page76;Lincoln’s“GettysburgSpeech,”page50;Seward’s“IrrepressibleConflict,”page67;andBryan’s“PrinceofPeace,”page448.

CHAPTERIVEfficiencyThroughChangeofPitch

Speechissimplyamodifiedformofsinging:theprincipaldifferencebeinginthefactthatinsingingthevowelsoundsareprolongedandtheintervalsareshort,whereasinspeechthewordsareutteredinwhatmaybecalled“staccato”tones,thevowelsnotbeingspeciallyprolongedandtheintervalsbetweenthewordsbeingmoredistinct.Thefactthatinsingingwehavealargerrangeoftonesdoesnotproperlydistinguishitfromordinaryspeech.Inspeechwehavelikewiseavariationoftones,andeveninordinaryconversationthereisadifferenceoffromthreetosixsemi–tones,asIhavefoundinmyinvestigations,andinsomepersonstherangeisashighasoneoctave.

—WILLIAMSCHEPPEGRELL,PopularScienceMonthly.

Bypitch,aseveryoneknows,wemeantherelativepositionofavocaltone—as,high,medium,low,oranyvariationbetween.Inpublicspeechweapplyitnotonlytoasingleutterance,asanexclamationoramonosyllable(Oh!orthe)buttoanygroupofsyllables,words,andevensentencesthatmaybespokeninasingletone.Thisdistinctionitisimportanttokeepinmind,fortheefficientspeakernotonlychangesthepitchofsuccessivesyllables(seeChapterVII,“EfficiencythroughInflection”),butgivesadifferentpitchtodifferentparts,orword–groups,ofsuccessivesentences.Itisthisphaseofthesubjectwhichweareconsideringinthischapter.

EveryChangeintheThoughtDemandsaChangeintheVoice–Pitch

Whetherthespeakerfollowstheruleconsciously,unconsciously,orsubconsciously,thisisthelogicalbasisuponwhichallgoodvoicevariationismade,yetthislawisviolatedmoreoftenthananyotherbypublicspeakers.Acriminalmaydisregardalawofthestatewithoutdetectionandpunishment,butthespeakerwhoviolatesthisregulationsuffersitspenaltyatonceinhislossofeffectiveness,whilehisinnocenthearersmustendurethemonotony—formonotonyisnotonlyasinoftheperpetrator,aswehaveshown,butaplagueonthevictimsaswell.

Changeofpitchisastumblingblockforalmostallbeginners,andformanyexperiencedspeakersalso.Thisisespeciallytruewhenthewordsofthespeechhavebeenmemorized.

Ifyouwishtohearhowpitch–monotonysounds,strikethesamenoteonthepianooverandoveragain.Youhaveinyourspeakingvoicearangeofpitchfromhightolow,withagreatmanyshadesbetweentheextremes.Withallthesenotesavailablethereisnoexcuseforoffendingtheearsandtasteofyouraudiencebycontinuallyusingtheonenote.True,thereiterationofthesametoneinmusic—asinpedalpointonanorgancomposition—maybemadethefoundationofbeauty,fortheharmonyweavingaboutthatonebasictoneproducesaconsistent,insistentqualitynotfeltinpurevarietyofchordsequences.Inlikemannertheintoningvoiceinaritualmay—thoughitrarelydoes—possessasolemnbeauty.Butthepublicspeakershouldshunthemonotoneashewouldapestilence.

ContinualChangeofPitchisNature’sHighestMethod

Inoursearchfortheprinciplesofefficiencywemustcontinuallygobacktonature.Listen—reallylisten—tothebirdssing.Whichofthesefeatheredtribesaremostpleasingintheirvocalefforts:thosewhosevoices,thoughsweet,havelittleornorange,orthosethat,likethecanary,thelark,andthenightingale,notonlypossessaconsiderablerangebututtertheirnotesincontinualvarietyofcombinations?Evenasweet–tonedchirp,whenreiteratedwithoutchange,maygrowmaddeningtotheenforcedlistener.

Thelittlechildseldomspeaksinamonotonouspitch.Observetheconversationsoflittlefolkthatyouhearonthestreetorinthehome,andnotethecontinualchangesofpitch.Theunconsciousspeechofmostadultsislikewisefullofpleasingvariations.

Imaginesomeonespeakingthefollowing,andconsideriftheeffectwouldnotbejustaboutasindicated.Remember,wearenotnowdiscussingtheinflectionofsinglewords,butthegeneralpitchinwhichphrasesarespoken.

(Highpitch)“I’dliketoleaveformyvacationtomorrow,—(lower)still,Ihavesomuchtodo.(Higher)YetIsupposeifIwaituntilIhavetimeI’llnevergo.”

Repeatthis,firstinthepitchesindicated,andthenallintheonepitch,asmanyspeakerswould.Observethedifferenceinnaturalnessofeffect.

Thefollowingexerciseshouldbespokeninapurelyconversationaltone,withnumerouschangesofpitch.Practiseituntilyourdeliverywouldcauseastrangerinthenextroomtothinkyouwerediscussinganactualincidentwithafriend,insteadofdeliveringamemorizedmonologue.Ifyouareindoubtabouttheeffectyouhavesecured,repeatittoafriendandaskhimifitsoundslikememorizedwords.Ifitdoes,itiswrong.

ASIMILARCASE

Jack,Ihearyou’vegoneanddoneit.—Yes,Iknow;mostfellowswill;wentandtrieditoncemyself,sir,thoughyouseeI’msinglestill.Andyoumether—didyoutellme—downatNewport,lastJuly,andresolvedtoaskthequestionatasoirée?SodidI.

Isupposeyoulefttheball–room,withitsmusicanditslight;fortheysaylove’sflameisbrightestinthedarknessofthenight.Well,youwalkedalongtogether,overheadthestarlitsky;andI’llbet—oldman,confessit—youwerefrightened.SowasI.

Soyoustrolledalongtheterrace,sawthesummermoonlightpourallitsradianceonthewaters,astheyrippledontheshore,tillatlengthyougatheredcourage,whenyousawthatnonewasnigh—didyoudrawhercloseandtellherthatyoulovedher?SodidI.

Well,Ineedn’taskyoufurther,andI’msureIwishyoujoy.ThinkI’llwanderdownandseeyouwhenyou’remarried—eh,myboy?Whenthehoneymoonisoverandyou’resettleddown,we’lltry—What?thedeuceyousay!Rejected—yourejected?SowasI.

—Anonymous.

Thenecessityforchangingpitchissoself–evidentthatitshouldbegraspedandappliedimmediately.However,itrequirespatientdrilltofreeyourselffrommonotonyofpitch.

Innaturalconversationyouthinkofanideafirst,andthenfindwordstoexpressit.Inmemorizedspeechesyouareliabletospeakthewords,andthenthinkwhattheymean—andmanyspeakersseemtotroubleverylittleevenaboutthat.Isitanywonderthatreversingtheprocessshouldreversetheresult?Getbacktonatureinyourmethodsofexpression.

Readthefollowingselectioninanonchalantmanner,neverpausingtothinkwhatthewordsreallymean.Tryitagain,carefullystudyingthethoughtyouhaveassimilated.Believetheidea,desiretoexpressiteffectively,andimagineanaudiencebeforeyou.Lookthemearnestlyinthefaceandrepeatthistruth.Ifyoufollowdirections,youwillnotethatyouhavemademanychangesofpitchafterseveralreadings.

Itisnotworkthatkillsmen;itisworry.Workishealthy;youcanhardlyputmoreuponamanthanhecanbear.Worryisrustupontheblade.Itisnottherevolutionthatdestroysthemachinerybutthefriction.

—HENRYWARDBEECHER.

ChangeofPitchProducesEmphasis

Thisisahighlyimportantstatement.Varietyinpitchmaintainsthehearer’sinterest,butoneofthesurestwaystocompelattention—tosecureunusualemphasis—istochangethepitchofyourvoicesuddenlyandinamarkeddegree.Agreatcontrastalwaysarousesattention.Whiteshowswhiteragainstblack;acannonroarslouderintheSaharasilencethanintheChicagohurlyburly—thesearesimpleillustrationsofthepowerofcontrast.

“WhatisCongressgoingtodonext?(Highpitch)Idonotknow.(Lowpitch)

BysuchsuddenchangeofpitchduringasermonDr.NewellDwightHillisrecentlyachievedgreatemphasisandsuggestedthegravityofthequestionhehadraised.

Theforegoingorderofpitch–changemightbereversedwithequallygoodeffect,thoughwithaslightchangeinseriousness—eithermethodproducesemphasiswhenusedintelligently,thatis,withacommon–senseappreciationofthesortofemphasistobeattained.

Inattemptingthesecontrastsofpitchitisimportanttoavoidunpleasantextremes.Mostspeakerspitchtheirvoicestoohigh.OneofthesecretsofMr.Bryan’seloquenceishislow,bell–likevoice.Shakespearesaidthatasoft,gentle,lowvoicewas“anexcellentthinginwoman;”itisnolesssoinman,foravoiceneednotbeblatanttobepowerful,—andmustnotbe,tobepleasing.

Inclosing,letusemphasizeanewtheimportanceofusingvarietyofpitch.Yousingupanddownthescale,firsttouchingonenoteandthenanotheraboveorbelowit.Do

likewiseinspeaking.

Thoughtandindividualtastemustgenerallybeyourguideastowheretousealow,amoderate,orahighpitch.

QUESTIONSANDEXERCISES

1.Nametwomethodsofdestroyingmonotonyandgainingforceinspeaking.

2.Whyisacontinualchangeofpitchnecessaryinspeaking?

3.Noticeyourhabitualtonesinspeaking.Aretheytoohightobepleasant?

4.Doweexpressthefollowingthoughtsandemotionsinaloworahighpitch?Whichmaybeexpressedineitherhighorlowpitch?Excitement.Victory.Defeat.Sorrow.Love.Earnestness.Fear.

5.Howwouldyounaturallyvarythepitchinintroducinganexplanatoryorparentheticalexpressionlikethefollowing:

Hestarted—thatis,hemadepreparationstostart—onSeptemberthird.

6.Speakthefollowinglineswithasmarkedvariationsinpitchasyourinterpretationofthesensemaydictate.Tryeachlineintwodifferentways.Which,ineachinstance,isthemoreeffective—andwhy?

WhathaveItogainfromyou?Nothing.

Toengageournationinsuchacompactwouldbeaninfamy.

Note:Intheforegoingsentence,experimentastowherethechangeinpitchwouldbetterbemade.

Oncetheflowersdistilledtheirfragrancehere,butnowseethedevastationsofwar.

Hehadreckonedwithoutoneprimefactor—hisconscience.

7.Makeadiagramofaconversationyouhaveheard,showingwherehighandlowpitcheswereused.Werethesechangesinpitchadvisable?Whyorwhynot?

8.Readtheselectionsonpages34,35,36,37and38,payingcarefulattentiontothechangesinpitch.Reread,substitutinglowpitchforhigh,andviceversa.

SelectionsforPractise

Note:Inthefollowingselections,thosepassagesthatmaybestbedeliveredinamoderatepitchareprintedinordinary(roman)type.Thosewhichmayberenderedinahighpitch—donotmakethemistakeofraisingthevoicetoohigh—areprintedinitalics.ThosewhichmightwellbespokeninalowpitchareprintedinCAPITALS.

Thesearrangements,however,aremerelysuggestive—wecannotmakeitstrongenoughthatyoumustuseyourownjudgmentininterpretingaselection.Beforedoingso,however,itiswelltopractisethesepassagesastheyaremarked.

Yes,allmenlabor.RUFUSCHOATEANDDANIELWEBSTERlabor,saythecritics.Buteverymanwhoreadsofthelaborquestionknowsthatitmeansthemovementofthementhatearntheirlivingwiththeirhands;THATAREEMPLOYED,ANDPAIDWAGES:aregatheredunderroofsoffactories,sentoutonfarms,sentoutonships,gatheredonthewalls.Inpopularacceptation,theworkingclassmeansthementhatworkwiththeirhands,forwages,somanyhoursaday,employedbygreatcapitalists;thatworkforeverybodyelse.Whydowemoveforthisclass?“Why,”asksacritic,“don’tyoumoveFORALLWORKINGMEN?”BECAUSE,WHILEDANIELWEBSTERGETSFORTYTHOUSANDDOLLARSFORARGUINGTHEMEXICANCLAIMS,thereisnoneedofanybody’smovingforhim.BECAUSE,WHILERUFUSCHOATEGETSFIVETHOUSANDDOLLARSFORMAKINGONEARGUMENTTOAJURY,thereisnoneedofmovingforhim,orforthementhatworkwiththeirbrains,—thatdohighlydisciplinedandskilledlabor,invent,andwritebooks.ThereasonwhytheLabormovementconfinesitselftoasingleclassisbecausethatclassofworkDOESNOTGETPAID,doesnotgetprotection.MENTALLABORisadequatelypaid,andMORETHANADEQUATELYprotected.ITCANSHIFTITSCHANNELS;itcanvaryaccordingtothesupplyanddemand.

IFAMANFAILSASAMINISTER,why,hebecomesarailwayconductor.IFTHATDOESN’TSUITHIM,hegoesWest,andbecomesgovernorofaterritory.ANDIFHEFINDSHIMSELFINCAPABLEOFEITHEROFTHESEPOSITIONS,hecomeshome,andgetstobeacityeditor.Hevarieshisoccupationashepleases,anddoesn’tneedprotection.BUTTHEGREATMASS,CHAINEDTOATRADE,DOOMEDTOBEGROUNDUPINTHEMILLOFSUPPLYANDDEMAND,THATWORKSOMANYHOURSADAY,ANDMUSTRUNINTHEGREATRUTSOFBUSINESS,—theyarethemenwhoseinadequateprotection,whoseunfairshareofthegeneralproduct,claimsamovementintheirbehalf.

—WENDELLPHILLIPS.

_KNOWINGTHEPRICEWEMUSTPAY,THESACRIFICEWEMUSTMAKE,THEBURDENSWEMUSTCARRY,THEASSAULTSWEMUSTENDURE—KNOWINGFULLWELLTHECOST—yetweenlist,andweenlistforthewar.FORWEKNOWTHEJUSTICEOFOURCAUSE,andweknow,too,itscertaintriumph.

NOTRELUCTANTLYTHEN,buteagerly,notwithfaintheartsBUTSTRONG,dowenowadvanceupontheenemiesofthepeople.FORTHECALLTHATCOMESTOUSisthecallthatcametoourfathers_.Astheyrespondedsoshallwe.

“_HEHATHSOUNDEDFORTHATRUMPETthatshallnevercallretreat.HEISSIFTINGOUTTHEHEARTSOFMENbeforeHisjudgmentseat.OH,BESWIFTOURSOULSTOANSWERHIM,BEJUBILANTOURFEET,

OurGodismarchingon_.”

—ALBERTJ.BEVERIDGE.

Rememberthattwosentences,ortwopartsofthesamesentence,whichcontainchangesofthought,cannotpossiblybegiveneffectivelyinthesamekey.Letusrepeat,everybigchangeofthoughtrequiresabigchangeofpitch.Whatthebeginningstudentwillthinkarebigchangesofpitchwillbemonotonouslyalike.Learntospeaksomethoughtsinaveryhightone—othersinavery,verylowtone.DEVELOPRANGE.Itisalmostimpossibletousetoomuchofit.

HAPPYAMITHATTHISMISSIONHASBROUGHTMYFEETATLASTTOPRESSNEWENGLAND’SHISTORICSOILandmyeyestotheknowledgeofherbeautyandherthrift.HerewithintouchofPlymouthRockandBunkerHill—WHEREWEBSTERTHUNDEREDandLongfellowsang,EmersonthoughtANDCHANNINGPREACHED—HEREINTHECRADLEOFAMERICANLETTERSandalmostofAmericanliberty,IhastentomaketheobeisancethateveryAmericanowesNewEnglandwhenfirsthestandsuncoveredinhermightypresence.Strangeapparition!Thissternanduniquefigure—carvedfromtheoceanandthewilderness—itsmajestykindlingandgrowingamidthestormsofwinterandofwars—untilatlastthegloomwasbroken,ITSBEAUTYDISCLOSEDINTHESUNSHINE,andtheheroicworkersrestedatitsbase—whilestartledkingsandemperorsgazedandmarveledthatfromtherudetouchofthishandfulcastonableakandunknownshoreshouldhavecometheembodiedgeniusofhumangovernmentANDTHEPERFECTEDMODELOFHUMANLIBERTY!Godblessthememoryofthoseimmortalworkers,andprosperthefortunesoftheirlivingsons—andperpetuatetheinspirationoftheirhandiwork….

FartotheSouth,Mr.President,separatedfromthissectionbyaline—oncedefinedinirrepressibledifference,oncetracedinfratricidalblood,ANDNOW,THANKGOD,BUTAVANISHINGSHADOW—liesthefairestandrichestdomainofthisearth.Itisthehomeofabraveandhospitablepeople.THEREISCENTEREDALLTHATCANPLEASEORPROSPERHUMANKIND.APERFECTCLIMATEABOVEafertilesoilyieldstothehusbandmaneveryproductofthetemperatezone.

There,bynightthecottonwhitensbeneaththestars,andbydayTHEWHEATLOCKSTHESUNSHINEINITSBEARDEDSHEAF.Inthesamefieldthecloverstealsthefragranceofthewind,andtobaccocatchesthequickaromaoftherains.THEREAREMOUNTAINSSTOREDWITHEXHAUSTLESSTREASURES:forests—vastandprimeval;andriversthat,tumblingorloitering,runwantontothesea.Ofthethreeessentialitemsofallindustries—cotton,ironandwood—thatregionhaseasycontrol.INCOTTON,afixedmonopoly—INIRON,provensupremacy—INTIMBER,thereservesupplyoftheRepublic.Fromthisassuredandpermanentadvantage,againstwhichartificialconditionscannotmuchlongerprevail,hasgrownanamazingsystemofindustries.Notmaintainedbyhumancontrivanceoftarifforcapital,afarofffromthefullestandcheapestsourceofsupply,butrestingindivineassurance,withintouchoffieldandmineandforest—notsetamidcostlyfarmsfromwhichcompetitionhasdriventhefarmerindespair,butamidcheapandsunnylands,

richwithagriculture,towhichneitherseasonnorsoilhassetalimit—thissystemofindustriesismountingtoasplendorthatshalldazzleandilluminetheworld.THAT,SIR,isthepictureandthepromiseofmyhome—ALANDBETTERANDFAIRERTHANIHAVETOLDYOU,andyetbutfitsettinginitsmaterialexcellencefortheloyalandgentlequalityofitscitizenship.

ThishourlittleneedstheLOYALTYTHATISLOYALTOONESECTIONandyetholdstheotherinenduringsuspicionandestrangement.GiveusthebroadandperfectloyaltythatlovesandtrustsGEORGIAalikewithMassachusetts—thatknowsnoSOUTH,noNorth,noEAST,noWest,butendearswithequalandpatrioticloveeveryfootofoursoil,everyStateofourUnion.

AMIGHTYDUTY,SIR,ANDAMIGHTYINSPIRATIONimpelseveryoneofusto–nighttoloseinpatrioticconsecrationWHATEVERESTRANGES,WHATEVERDIVIDES.

WE,SIR,areAmericans—ANDWESTANDFORHUMANLIBERTY!TheupliftingforceoftheAmericanideaisundereverythroneonearth.France,Brazil—THESEAREOURVICTORIES.Toredeemtheearthfromkingcraftandoppression—THISISOURMISSION!ANDWESHALLNOTFAIL.GodhassowninoursoiltheseedofHismillennialharvest,andHewillnotlaythesickletotheripeningcropuntilHisfullandperfectdayhascome.OURHISTORY,SIR,hasbeenaconstantandexpandingmiracle,FROMPLYMOUTHROCKANDJAMESTOWN,alltheway—aye,evenfromthehourwhenfromthevoicelessandtracelessoceananewworldrosetothesightoftheinspiredsailor.Asweapproachthefourthcentennialofthatstupendousday—whentheoldworldwillcometomarvelandtolearnamidourgatheredtreasures—letusresolvetocrownthemiraclesofourpastwiththespectacleofaRepublic,compact,unitedINDISSOLUBLEINTHEBONDSOFLOVE—lovingfromtheLakestotheGulf—thewoundsofwarhealedineveryheartasoneveryhill,sereneandresplendentATTHESUMMITOFHUMANACHIEVEMENTANDEARTHLYGLORY,blazingoutthepathandmakingclearthewayupwhichallthenationsoftheearth,mustcomeinGod’sappointedtime!

—HENRYW.GRADY,TheRaceProblem.

…IWOULDCALLHIMNAPOLEON,butNapoleonmadehiswaytoempireoverbrokenoathsandthroughaseaofblood.Thismanneverbrokehisword.“NoRetaliation”washisgreatmottoandtheruleofhislife;ANDTHELASTWORDSUTTEREDTOHISSONINFRANCEWERETHESE:“Myboy,youwillonedaygobacktoSantoDomingo;forgetthatFrancemurderedyourfather.”IWOULDCALLHIMCROMWELL,butCromwellwasonlyasoldier,andthestatehefoundedwentdownwithhimintohisgrave.IWOULDCALLHIMWASHINGTON,butthegreatVirginianheldslaves.THISMANRISKEDHISEMPIREratherthanpermittheslave–tradeinthehumblestvillageofhisdominions.

YOUTHINKMEAFANATICTO–NIGHT,foryoureadhistory,notwithyoureyes,BUTWITHYOURPREJUDICES.Butfiftyyearshence,whenTruthgetsahearing,

theMuseofHistorywillputPHOCIONfortheGreek,andBRUTUSfortheRoman,HAMPDENforEngland,LAFAYETTEforFrance,chooseWASHINGTONasthebright,consummateflowerofourEARLIERcivilization,ANDJOHNBROWNtheripefruitofourNOONDAY,then,dippingherpeninthesunlight,willwriteintheclearblue,abovethemall,thenameofTHESOLDIER,THESTATESMAN,THEMARTYR,TOUSSAINTL’OUVERTURE.

—WendellPhillips,Toussaintl’Ouverture.

Drillonthefollowingselectionsforchangeofpitch:Beecher’s“AbrahamLincoln,”p.76;Seward’s“IrrepressibleConflict,”p.67;Everett’s“HistoryofLiberty,”p.78;Grady’s“TheRaceProblem,”p.36;andBeveridge’s“PassProsperityAround,”p.470.

CHAPTERVEfficiencyThroughChangeofPace

Hearhowheclearsthepointso’FaithWi’rattlin’an’thumpin’!Nowmeeklycalm,nowwildinwrath,He’sstampin’an’he’sjumpin’.

—ROBERTBURNS,HolyFair.

TheLatinshavebequeathedtousawordthathasnopreciseequivalentinourtongue,thereforewehaveacceptedit,bodyunchanged—itisthewordtempo,andmeansrateofmovement,asmeasuredbythetimeconsumedinexecutingthatmovement.

Thusfaritsusehasbeenlargelylimitedtothevocalandmusicalarts,butitwouldnotbesurprisingtoheartempoappliedtomoreconcretematters,foritperfectlyillustratestherealmeaningofthewordtosaythatanox–cartmovesinslowtempo,anexpresstraininafasttempo.Ourgunsthatfiresixhundredtimesaminute,shootatafasttempo;theoldmuzzleloaderthatrequiredthreeminutestoload,shotataslowtempo.Everymusicianunderstandsthisprinciple:itrequireslongertosingahalfnotethanitdoesaneighthnote.

Nowtempoisatremendouslyimportantelementingoodplatformwork,forwhenaspeakerdeliversawholeaddressatverynearlythesamerateofspeedheisdeprivinghimselfofoneofhischiefmeansofemphasisandpower.Thebaseballpitcher,thebowlerincricket,thetennisserver,allknowthevalueofchangeofpace—changeoftempo—indeliveringtheirball,andsomustthepublicspeakerobserveitspower.

ChangeofTempoLendsNaturalnesstotheDelivery

Naturalness,oratleastseemingnaturalness,aswasexplainedinthechapteron“Monotony,”isgreatlytobedesired,andacontinualchangeoftempowillgoalongwaytowardsestablishingit.Mr.HowardLindsay,StageManagerforMissMargaretAnglin,recentlysaidtothepresentwriterthatchangeofpacewasoneofthemosteffectivetoolsoftheactor.Whileitmustbeadmittedthatthestiltedmouthingsofmanyactorsindicatecloudymirrors,stillthepublicspeakerwoulddowelltostudytheactor’suseoftempo.

Thereis,however,amorefundamentalandeffectivesourceatwhichtostudynaturalness—atraitwhich,oncelost,isshyofrecapture:thatsourceisthecommonconversationofanywell–bredcircle.Thisisthestandardwestrivetoreachonbothstageandplatform—withcertaindifferences,ofcourse,whichwillappearaswegoon.Ifspeakerandactorweretoreproducewithabsolutefidelityeveryvariationofutterance—everywhisper,grunt,pause,silence,andexplosion—ofconversationaswefindittypicallyineverydaylife,muchoftheinterestwouldleavethepublicutterance.Naturalnessinpublicaddressissomethingmorethanfaithfulreproductionofnature—itisthereproductionofthosetypicalpartsofnature’sworkwhicharetrulyrepresentativeofthewhole.

Therealisticstory–writerunderstandsthisinwritingdialogue,andwemusttakeitintoaccountinseekingfornaturalnessthroughchangeoftempo.

Supposeyouspeakthefirstofthefollowingsentencesinaslowtempo,thesecondquickly,observinghownaturalistheeffect.Thenspeakbothwiththesamerapidityandnotethedifference.

Ican’trecallwhatIdidwithmyknife.Oh,nowIrememberIgaveittoMary.

Weseeherethatachangeoftempooftenoccursinthesamesentence—fortempoappliesnotonlytosinglewords,groupsofwords,andgroupsofsentences,buttothemajorpartsofapublicspeechaswell.


1.Inthefollowing,speakthewords“long,longwhile”veryslowly;therestofthesentenceisspokeninmoderatelyrapidtempo.

WhenyouandIbehindtheVeilarepast,Ohbutthelong,longwhiletheworldshalllast,Whichofourcominganddepartureheeds,Asthesevenseasshouldheedapebblecast.

Note:Inthefollowingselectionsthepassagesthatshouldbegivenafasttempoareinitalics;thosethatshouldbegiveninaslowtempoareinsmallcapitals.Practisetheseselections,andthentryothers,changingfromfasttoslowtempoondifferentparts,carefullynotingtheeffect.

2.NoMIRABEAU,NAPOLEON,BURNS,CROMWELL,NOmanADEQUATEtoDOANYTHINGbutisfirstofallinRIGHTEARNESTaboutit—whatIcallASINCEREman.IshouldsaySINCERITY,aGREAT,DEEP,GENUINESINCERITY,isthefirstCHARACTERISTICofamaninanywayHEROIC.NotthesinceritythatCALLSitselfsincere.Ahno.Thatisaverypoormatterindeed—ASHALLOW,BRAGGART,CONSCIOUSsincerity,oftenestSELF–CONCEITmainly.TheGREATMAN’SSINCERITYisofakindheCANNOTSPEAKOF.IsNOTCONSCIOUSof.—THOMASCARLYLE.

3.TRUEWORTHisinBEING—NOTSEEMING—indoingeachdaythatgoesbySOMELITTLEGOOD,notinDREAMINGofGREATTHINGStodobyandby.ForwhatevermensayintheirBLINDNESS,andinspiteoftheFOLLIESofYOUTH,thereisnothingsoKINGLYasKINDNESS,andnothingsoROYALasTRUTH.—Anonymous.

4.Togetanaturaleffect,wherewouldyouuseslowandwherefasttempointhefollowing?

FOOL’SGOLD

Seehimthere,coldandgray,Watchhimashetriestoplay;No,hedoesn’tknowtheway—Hebegantolearntoolate.

She’sagrimoldhag,isFate,Forshelethimhavehispile,Smilingtoherselfthewhile,Knowingwhatthecostwouldbe,Whenhe’dfoundtheGoldenKey.Multimillionaireishe,Manytimesmorerichthanwe;ButatthatIwouldn’ttradeWiththebargainthathemade.Cameheremanyyearsago,Notapersondidheknow;Hadthemoney–hungerbad—Madformoney,piggishmad;Didn’tletajoydiverthim,Didn’tletasorrowhurthim,Lethisfriendsandkindeserthim,WhileheplannedandpluggedandhurriedOnhisquestforgoldandpower.EverysinglewakefulhourWithamoneythoughthe’ddower;Allthewhileashegrewolder,Andgrewbolder,hegrewcolder.AndhethoughtthatsomedayHewouldtakethetimetoplay;But,say—hewaswrong.Life’sasong;InthespringYouthcansingandcanfling;ButjoyswingWhenwe’reolder,Likebirdswhenit’scolder.Theroseswereredashewentrushingby,Andglorioustapestrieshunginthesky,Andthecloverwaswaving‘Neathhoney–bees’slaving;AbirdoverthereRoundelayedasoftair;Butthemancouldn’tspareTimeforgatheringflowers,Orrestinginbowers,OrgazingatskiesThatgladdenedtheeyes.

SohekeptonandsweptonThroughmean,sordidyears.Nowhe’suptohisearsInthechoicestofstocks.HeownsendlessblocksOfhousesandshops,AndthestreamneverstopsPouringintohisbanks.IsupposethatheranksPrettyneartothetop.WhatIhavewouldn’tsopHisambitiononetittle;AndyetwithmylittleIdon’tcaretotradeWiththebargainhemade.Justwatchhimto–day—Seehimtryingtoplay.He’scomebackforblueskies.Butthey’reinanewguise—Winter’shere,allisgray,Thebirdsareaway,Themeadowsarebrown,Theleaveslieaground,AndthegaybrookthatwoundWithaswirlingandwhirlingOfwaters,isfurlingItsbosominice.Andhehasn’ttheprice,Withallofhisgold,Tobuywhathesold.HeknowsnowthecostOfthespring–timehelost,OftheflowershetossedFromhisway,And,say,He’dpayAnypriceifthedayCouldbemadenotsogray.Hecan’tplay.

—HERBERTKAUFMAN.UsedbypermissionofEverybody’sMagazine.

ChangeofTempoPreventsMonotony

Thecanaryinthecagebeforethewindowisaddingtothebeautyandcharmofhissingingbyacontinualchangeoftempo.IfKingSolomonhadbeenanoratorheundoubtedlywouldhavegatheredwisdomfromthesongofthewildbirdsaswellasfromthebees.Imagineasongwrittenwithbutquarternotes.Imagineanautowithonlyonespeed.

EXERCISES

1.Notethechangeoftempoindicatedinthefollowing,andhowitgivesapleasingvariety.Readitaloud.(Fasttempoisindicatedbyitalics,slowbysmallcapitals.)

Andhethoughtthatsomedayhewouldtakethetimetoplay;but,say—HEWASWRONG.LIFE’SASONG;intheSPRINGYOUTHcanSINGandcanFLING;BUTJOYSWINGWHENWE’REOLDER,LIKETHEBIRDSwhenit’sCOLDER.Theroseswereredashewentrushingby,andglorioustapestrieshunginthesky.

2.Turnto“FoolsGold,”onPage42,anddeliveritinanunvariedtempo:notehowmonotonousistheresult.Thispoemrequiresagreatmanychangesoftempo,andisanexcellentoneforpractise.

3.Usethechangesoftempoindicatedinthefollowing,notinghowtheypreventmonotony.Wherenochangeoftempoisindicated,useamoderatespeed.Toomuchofvarietywouldreallybeareturntomonotony.

THEMOB

“AMOBKILLSTHEWRONGMAN”wasflashedinanewspaperheadlinelately.ThemobisanIRRESPONSIBLE,UNTHINKINGMASS.ItalwaysdestroysBUTNEVERCONSTRUCTS.ItcriticisesBUTNEVERCREATES.

UtteragreattruthANDTHEMOBWILLHATEYOU.SeehowitcondemnedDANTEtoEXILE.Encounterthedangersoftheunknownworldforitsbenefit,ANDTHEMOBWILLDECLAREYOUCRAZY.ItridiculedCOLUMBUS,andfordiscoveringanewworldGAVEHIMPRISONANDCHAINS.

Writeapoemtothrillhumanheartswithpleasure,ANDTHEMOBWILLALLOWYOUTOGOHUNGRY:THEBLINDHOMERBEGGEDBREADTHROUGHTHESTREETS.InventamachinetosavelaborANDTHEMOBWILLDECLAREYOUITSENEMY.LessthanahundredyearsagoafuriousrabblesmashedThimonier’sinvention,thesewingmachine.

BUILDASTEAMSHIPTOCARRYMERCHANDISEANDACCELERATETRAVELandthemobwillcallyouafool.AMOBLINEDTHESHORESOFTHEHUDSONRIVERTOLAUGHATTHEMAIDENATTEMPTOF“FULTON’SFOLLY,”astheycalledhislittlesteamboat.

Emersonsays:“Amobisasocietyofbodiesvoluntarilybereavingthemselvesofreasonandtraversingitswork.Themobismanvoluntarilydescendedtothenatureofthebeast.ItsfithourofactivityisNIGHT.ITSACTIONSAREINSANE,likeitswholeconstitution.Itpersecutesaprinciple—ITWOULDWHIPARIGHT.Itwould

tarandfeatherjusticebyinflictingfireandoutrageuponthehouseandpersonsofthosewhohavethese.”

Themobspiritstalksabroadinourlandtoday.Everyweekgivesafreshvictimtoitsmalignantcryforblood.Therewere48personskilledbymobsintheUnitedStatesin1913;64in1912,and71in1911.Amongthe48lastyearwereawomanandachild.Twovictimswereproveninnocentaftertheirdeath.

IN399B.C.ADEMAGOGAPPEALEDTOTHEPOPULARMOBTOHAVESOCRATESPUTTODEATHandhewassentencedtothehemlockcup.FOURTEENHUNDREDYEARSAFTERWARDANENTHUSIASTAPPEALEDTOTHEPOPULARMOBandallEuropeplungedintotheHolyLandtokillandmangletheheathen.IntheseventeenthcenturyademagogappealedtotheignoranceofmenANDTWENTYPEOPLEWEREEXECUTEDATSALEM,MASS.,WITHINSIXMONTHSFORWITCHCRAFT.Twothousandyearsagothemobyelled,“RELEASEUNTOUSBARABBAS“—ANDBARABBASWASAMURDERER!

—FromanEditorialbyD.C.in“Leslie’sWeekly,”bypermission.

Present–daybusinessisasunlikeOLD–TIMEBUSINESSastheOLD–TIMEOX–CARTisunlikethepresent–daylocomotive.INVENTIONhasmadethewholeworldoveragain.Therailroad,telegraph,telephonehaveboundthepeopleofMODERNNATIONSintoFAMILIES.TodothebusinessofthesecloselyknitmillionsineverymoderncountryGREATBUSINESSCONCERNSCAMEINTOBEING.WhatwecallbigbusinessistheCHILDOFTHEECONOMICPROGRESSOFMANKIND.SowarfaretodestroybigbusinessisFOOLISHBECAUSEITCANNOTSUCCEEDandwickedBECAUSEITOUGHTNOTTOSUCCEED.Warfaretodestroybigbusinessdoesnothurtbigbusiness,whichalwayscomesoutontop,SOMUCHASITHURTSALLOTHERBUSINESSWHICH,INSUCHAWARFARE,NEVERCOMEOUTONTOP.

—A.J.BEVERIDGE.

ChangeofTempoProducesEmphasis

Anybigchangeoftempoisemphaticandwillcatchtheattention.Youmayscarcelybeconsciousthatapassengertrainismovingwhenitisflyingovertherailsatninetymilesanhour,butifitslowsdownverysuddenlytoaten–milegaityourattentionwillbedrawntoitverydecidedly.Youmayforgetthatyouarelisteningtomusicasyoudine,butlettheorchestraeitherincreaseordiminishitstempoinaverymarkeddegreeandyourattentionwillbearrestedatonce.

Thissameprinciplewillprocureemphasisinaspeech.Ifyouhaveapointthatyouwanttobringhometoyouraudienceforcefully,makeasuddenandgreatchangeoftempo,andtheywillbepowerlesstokeepfrompayingattentiontothatpoint.Recentlythepresentwritersawaplayinwhichtheselineswerespoken:

“Idon’twantyoutoforgetwhatIsaid.Iwantyoutorememberitthelongestdayyou—I

don’tcareifyou’vegotsixguns.”Thepartuptothedashwasdeliveredinaveryslowtempo,theremainderwasnamedoutatlightningspeed,asthecharacterwhowasspokentodrewarevolver.Theeffectwassoemphaticthatthelinesarerememberedsixmonthsafterwards,whilemostoftheplayhasfadedfrommemory.Thestudentwhohaspowersofobservationwillseethisprincipleappliedbyallourbestactorsintheireffortstogetemphasiswhereemphasisisdue.Butrememberthattheemotioninthemattermustwarranttheintensityinthemanner,ortheeffectwillberidiculous.Toomanypublicspeakersareimpressiveovernothing.

Thoughtratherthanrulesmustgovernyouwhilepractisingchangeofpace.Itisoftenamatterofnoconsequencewhichpartofasentenceisspokenslowlyandwhichisgiveninfasttempo.Themainthingtobedesiredisthechangeitself.Forexample,intheselection,“TheMob,”onpage46,notethelastparagraph.Reversetheinstructionsgiven,deliveringeverythingthatismarkedforslowtempo,quickly;andeverythingthatismarkedforquicktempo,slowly.Youwillnotethattheforceormeaningofthepassagehasnotbeendestroyed.

However,manypassagescannotbechangedtoaslowtempowithoutdestroyingtheirforce.Instances:ThePatrickHenryspeechonpage110,andthefollowingpassagefromWhittier’s“BarefootBoy.”

Oforboyhood’stimeofJune,crowdingyearsinonebriefmoon,whenallthingsIheardorsaw,me,theirmaster,waitedfor.Iwasrichinflowersandtrees,humming–birdsandhoney–bees;formysportthesquirrelplayed;pliedthesnoutedmolehisspade;formytastetheblackberryconepurpledoverhedgeandstone;laughedthebrookformydelightthroughthedayandthroughthenight,whisperingatthegardenwall,talkedwithmefromfalltofall;minethesand–rimmedpickerelpond;minethewalnutslopesbeyond;mine,anbendingorchardtrees,applesofHesperides!Still,asmyhorizongrew,largergrewmyriches,too;alltheworldIsaworknewseemedacomplexChinesetoy,fashionedforabarefootboy!

—J.G.WHITTIER.

Becarefulinregulatingyourtemponottogetyourmovementtoofast.Thisisacommonfaultwithamateurspeakers.Mrs.Siddonsrulewas,“Taketime.”Ahundredyearsagotherewasusedinmedicalcirclesapreparationknownas“theshotgunremedy;”itwasamixtureofaboutfiftydifferentingredients,andwasgiventothepatientinthehopethatatleastoneofthemwouldproveefficacious!Thatseemsaratherpoorschemeformedicalpractice,butitisgoodtouse“shotgun”tempoformostspeeches,asitgivesavariety.Tempo,likediet,isbestwhenmixed.


1.Definetempo.

2.Whatwordscomefromthesameroot?

3.Whatismeantbyachangeoftempo?

4.Whateffectsaregainedbyit?

5.Namethreemethodsofdestroyingmonotonyandgainingforceinspeaking.

6.Notethechangesoftempoinaconversationorspeechthatyouhear.Weretheywellmade?Why?Illustrate.

7.Readselectionsonpages34,35,36,37,and38,payingcarefulattentiontochangeoftempo.

8.Asarule,excitement,joy,orintenseangertakeafasttempo,whilesorrow,andsentimentsofgreatdignityorsolemnitytendtoaslowtempo.TrytodeliverLincoln’sGettysburgspeech(page50),inafasttempo,orPatrickHenry’sspeech(page110),inaslowtempo,andnotehowridiculoustheeffectwillbe.

Practisethefollowingselections,notingcarefullywherethetempomaybechangedtoadvantage.Experiment,makingnumerouschanges.Whichonedoyoulikebest?

DEDICATIONOFGETTYSBURGCEMETERY

Fourscoreandsevenyearsago,ourfathersbroughtforthuponthiscontinentanewnation,conceivedinlibertyanddedicatedtothepropositionthatallmenarecreatedequal.Nowweareengagedinagreatcivilwar,testingwhetherthatnation—oranynationsoconceivedandsodedicated—canlongendure.

Wearemetonagreatbattlefieldofthatwar.Wearemettodedicateaportionofitasthefinalresting–placeofthosewhohavegiventheirlivesthatthatnationmightlive.Itisaltogetherfittingandproperthatweshoulddothis.

But,inalargersense,wecannotdedicate,wecannotconsecrate,wecannothallow,thisground.Thebravemen,livinganddead,whostruggledhere,haveconsecratedit,faraboveourpowertoaddortodetract.Theworldwillverylittlenotenorlongrememberwhatwesayhere;butitcanneverforgetwhattheydidhere.

Itisforus,theliving,rather,tobededicatedheretotheunfinishedworktheyhavethusfarsonoblycarriedon.Itisratherforustobeherededicatedtothegreattaskremainingbeforeus:thatfromthesehonoreddeadwetakeincreaseddevotiontothatcauseforwhichtheyheregavethelastfullmeasureofdevotion;thatweherehighlyresolvethatthesedeadshallnothavediedinvain;thatthenationshall,underGod,haveanewbirthoffreedom,andthatgovernmentofthepeople,bythepeople,forthepeople,shallnotperishfromtheearth.

—ABRAHAMLINCOLN.

APLEAFORCUBA

[ThisdeliberativeorationwasdeliveredbySenatorThurstonintheUnitedStatesSenateonMarch24,1898.ItisrecordedinfullintheCongressionalRecordofthatdate.Mrs.ThurstondiedinCuba.Asadyingrequestsheurgedherhusband,whowasinvestigatingaffairsintheisland,todohisutmosttoinducetheUnitedStatestointervene—hencethisoration.]

Mr.President,IamherebycommandofsilentlipstospeakonceandforallupontheCubansituation.Ishallendeavortobehonest,conservative,andjust.IhavenopurposetostirthepublicpassiontoanyactionnotnecessaryandimperativetomeetthedutiesandnecessitiesofAmericanresponsibility,Christianhumanity,andnationalhonor.IwouldshirkthistaskifIcould,butIdarenot.Icannotsatisfymyconscienceexceptbyspeaking,andspeakingnow.

IwenttoCubafirmlybelievingthattheconditionofaffairstherehadbeengreatlyexaggeratedbythepress,andmyowneffortsweredirectedinthefirstinstancetotheattemptedexposureofthesesupposedexaggerations.Therehasundoubtedlybeenmuchsensationalisminthejournalismofthetime,butastotheconditionofaffairsinCuba,therehasbeennoexaggeration,becauseexaggerationhasbeenimpossible.

UndertheinhumanpolicyofWeylernotlessthanfourhundredthousandself–supporting,simple,peaceable,defenselesscountrypeopleweredrivenfromtheirhomesintheagriculturalportionsoftheSpanishprovincestothecities,andimprisoneduponthebarrenwasteoutsidetheresidenceportionsofthesecitiesandwithinthelinesofintrenchmentestablishedalittlewaybeyond.Theirhumblehomeswereburned,theirfieldslaidwaste,theirimplementsofhusbandrydestroyed,theirlivestockandfoodsuppliesforthemostpartconfiscated.Mostofthepeoplewereoldmen,women,andchildren.Theywerethusplacedinhopelessimprisonment,withoutshelterorfood.Therewasnoworkfortheminthecitiestowhichtheyweredriven.Theywereleftwithnothingtodependuponexceptthescantycharityoftheinhabitantsofthecitiesandwithslowstarvationtheirinevitablefate….

ThepicturesintheAmericannewspapersofthestarvingreconcentradosaretrue.Theycanallbeduplicatedbythethousands.Ineverbeforesaw,andpleaseGodImayneveragainsee,sodeplorableasightasthereconcentradosinthesuburbsofMatanzas.Icanneverforgettomydyingdaythehopelessanguishintheirdespairingeyes.Huddledabouttheirlittlebarkhuts,theyraisednovoiceofappealtousforalmsaswewentamongthem….

Men,women,andchildrenstandsilent,famishingwithhunger.Theironlyappealcomesfromtheirsadeyes,throughwhichonelooksasthroughanopenwindowintotheiragonizingsouls.

ThegovernmentofSpainhasnotappropriatedandwillnotappropriateonedollartosavethesepeople.TheyarenowbeingattendedandnursedandadministeredtobythecharityoftheUnitedStates.Thinkofthespectacle!WearefeedingthesecitizensofSpain;wearenursingtheirsick;wearesavingsuchascanbesaved,andyettherearethosewhostillsayitisrightforustosendfood,butwemustkeephandsoff.Isaythatthetimehascomewhenmusketsoughttogowiththefood.

WeaskedthegovernorifheknewofanyreliefforthesepeopleexceptthroughthecharityoftheUnitedStates.Hedidnot.Weaskedhim,“Whendoyouthinkthetimewillcomethatthesepeoplecanbeplacedinapositionofself–support?”Herepliedtous,withdeepfeeling,“OnlythegoodGodorthegreatgovernmentoftheUnited

Stateswillanswerthatquestion.”IhopeandbelievethatthegoodGodbythegreatgovernmentoftheUnitedStateswillanswerthatquestion.

Ishallrefertothesehorriblethingsnofurther.Theyarethere.Godpityme,Ihaveseenthem;theywillremaininmymindforever—andthisisalmostthetwentiethcentury.Christdiednineteenhundredyearsago,andSpainisaChristiannation.Shehassetupmorecrossesinmorelands,beneathmoreskies,andunderthemhasbutcheredmorepeoplethanalltheothernationsoftheearthcombined.EuropemaytolerateherexistenceaslongasthepeopleoftheOldWorldwish.GodgrantthatbeforeanotherChristmasmorningthelastvestigeofSpanishtyrannyandoppressionwillhavevanishedfromtheWesternHemisphere!…

Thetimeforactionhascome.Nogreaterreasonforitcanexistto–morrowthanexiststo–day.Everyhour’sdelayonlyaddsanotherchaptertotheawfulstoryofmiseryanddeath.Onlyonepowercanintervene—theUnitedStatesofAmerica.Oursistheonegreatnationintheworld,themotherofAmericanrepublics.SheholdsapositionoftrustandresponsibilitytowardthepeoplesandaffairsofthewholeWesternHemisphere.ItwashergloriousexamplewhichinspiredthepatriotsofCubatoraisetheflagoflibertyinhereternalhills.WecannotrefusetoacceptthisresponsibilitywhichtheGodoftheuniversehasplaceduponusastheonegreatpowerintheNewWorld.Wemustact!Whatshallouractionbe?

AgainsttheinterventionoftheUnitedStatesinthisholycausethereisbutonevoiceofdissent;thatvoiceisthevoiceofthemoney–changers.Theyfearwar!NotbecauseofanyChristianorennoblingsentimentagainstwarandinfavorofpeace,butbecausetheyfearthatadeclarationofwar,ortheinterventionwhichmightresultinwar,wouldhaveadepressingeffectuponthestockmarket.Letthemgo.TheydonotrepresentAmericansentiment;theydonotrepresentAmericanpatriotism.Letthemtaketheirchancesastheycan.Theirwealorwoeisofbutlittleimportancetotheliberty–lovingpeopleoftheUnitedStates.Theywillnotdothefighting;theirbloodwillnotflow;theywillkeepondealinginoptionsonhumanlife.Letthemenwhoseloyaltyistothedollarstandasidewhilethemenwhoseloyaltyistotheflagcometothefront.

Mr.President,thereisonlyoneactionpossible,ifanyistaken;thatis,interventionfortheindependenceoftheisland.ButwecannotinterveneandsaveCubawithouttheexerciseofforce,andforcemeanswar;warmeansblood.ThelowlyNazareneontheshoresofGalileepreachedthedivinedoctrineoflove,“Peaceonearth,goodwilltowardmen.”Notpeaceonearthattheexpenseoflibertyandhumanity.Notgoodwilltowardmenwhodespoil,enslave,degrade,andstarvetodeaththeirfellow–men.IbelieveinthedoctrineofChrist.Ibelieveinthedoctrineofpeace;but,Mr.President,menmusthavelibertybeforetherecancomeabidingpeace.

Interventionmeansforce.Forcemeanswar.Warmeansblood.ButitwillbeGod’sforce.Whenhasabattleforhumanityandlibertyeverbeenwonexceptbyforce?Whatbarricadeofwrong,injustice,andoppressionhaseverbeencarriedexceptbyforce?

ForcecompelledthesignatureofunwillingroyaltytothegreatMagnaCharta;forceputlifeintotheDeclarationofIndependenceandmadeeffectivetheEmancipationProclamation;forcebeatwithnakedhandsupontheirongatewayoftheBastileandmadereprisalinoneawfulhourforcenturiesofkinglycrime;forcewavedtheflagofrevolutionoverBunkerHillandmarkedthesnowsofValleyForgewithblood–stainedfeet;forceheldthebrokenlineofShiloh,climbedtheflame–swepthillatChattanooga,andstormedthecloudsonLookoutHeights;forcemarchedwithShermantothesea,rodewithSheridaninthevalleyoftheShenandoah,andgaveGrantvictoryatAppomattox;forcesavedtheUnion,keptthestarsintheflag,made“niggers”men.ThetimeforGod’sforcehascomeagain.LettheimpassionedlipsofAmericanpatriotsoncemoretakeupthesong:—

“Inthebeautyofthelilies,Christwasbornacrossthesea.WithagloryinHisbosomthattransfiguresyouandme;AsHediedtomakemenholy,letusdietomakemenfree.WhileGodismarchingon.”

Othersmayhesitate,othersmayprocrastinate,othersmaypleadforfurtherdiplomaticnegotiation,whichmeansdelay;butforme,Iamreadytoactnow,andformyactionIamreadytoanswertomyconscience,mycountry,andmyGod.

—JAMESMELLENTHURSTON.

CHAPTERVIPauseandPower

Thetruebusinessoftheliteraryartististoplaitorweavehismeaning,involvingitarounditself;sothateachsentence,bysuccessivephrases,shallfirstcomeintoakindofknot,andthen,afteramomentofsuspendedmeaning,solveandclearitself.

—GEORGESAINTSBURY,onEnglishProseStyle,in_MiscellaneousEssays_.

…pause…hasadistinctivevalue,expressedinsilence;inotherwords,whilethevoiceiswaiting,themusicofthemovementisgoingon…Tomanageit,withitsdelicaciesandcompensations,requiresthatsamefinenessofearonwhichwemustdependforallfaultlessproserhythm.Whenthereisnocompensation,whenthepauseisinadvertent…thereisasenseofjoltingandlack,asifsomepinorfasteninghadfallenout.

—JOHNFRANKLINGENUNG,TheWorkingPrinciplesofRhetoric.

Pause,inpublicspeech,isnotmeresilence—itissilencemadedesignedlyeloquent.

Whenamansays:“I–uh–itiswithprofound–ah–pleasurethat–er–Ihavebeenpermittedtospeaktoyoutonightand–uh–uh–Ishouldsay–er”—thatisnotpausing;thatisstumbling.Itisconceivablethataspeakermaybeeffectiveinspiteofstumbling—butneverbecauseofit.

Ontheotherhand,oneofthemostimportantmeansofdevelopingpowerinpublicspeakingistopauseeitherbeforeorafter,orbothbeforeandafter,animportantwordorphrase.Noonewhowouldbeaforcefulspeakercanaffordtoneglectthisprinciple—oneofthemostsignificantthathaseverbeeninferredfromlisteningtogreatorators.Studythispotentialdeviceuntilyouhaveabsorbedandassimilatedit.

Itwouldseemthatthisprincipleofrhetoricalpauseoughttobeeasilygraspedandapplied,butalongexperienceintrainingbothcollegemenandmaturerspeakershasdemonstratedthatthedeviceisnomorereadilyunderstoodbytheaveragemanwhenitisfirstexplainedtohimthanifitwerespokeninHindoostani.Perhapsthisisbecausewedonoteagerlydevourthefruitofexperiencewhenitisimpressivelysetbeforeusontheplatterofauthority;weliketopluckfruitforourselves—itnotonlytastesbetter,butweneverforgetthattree!Fortunately,thisisnodifficulttask,inthisinstance,forthetreesstandthickallaboutus.

Onemanispleadingthecauseofanother:

“Thisman,myfriends,hasmadethiswonderfulsacrifice—foryouandme.”

Didnotthepausesurprisinglyenhancethepowerofthisstatement?Seehowhegatheredupreserveforceandimpressivenesstodeliverthewords“foryouandme.”Repeatthispassagewithoutmakingapause.Diditloseineffectiveness?

Naturallyenough,duringapremeditatedpauseofthiskindthemindofthespeakerisconcentratedonthethoughttowhichheisabouttogiveexpression.Hewillnotdaretoallowhisthoughtstowanderforaninstant—hewillrathersupremelycenterhisthoughtandhisemotionuponthesacrificewhoseservice,sweetnessanddivinityheisenforcingbyhisappeal.

Concentration,then,isthebigwordhere—nopausewithoutitcanperfectlyhitthemark.

Efficientpausingaccomplishesoneoralloffourresults:

1.PauseEnablestheMindoftheSpeakertoGatherHisForcesBeforeDeliveringtheFinalVolley

Itisoftendangeroustorushintobattlewithoutpausingforpreparationorwaitingforrecruits.ConsiderCuster’smassacreasaninstance.

Youcanlightamatchbyholdingitbeneathalensandconcentratingthesun’srays.Youwouldnotexpectthematchtoflameifyoujerkedthelensbackandforthquickly.Pause,andthelensgatherstheheat.Yourthoughtswillnotsetfiretothemindsofyourhearersunlessyoupausetogathertheforcethatcomesbyasecondortwoofconcentration.Mapletreesandgaswellsarerarelytappedcontinually;whenastrongerflowiswanted,apauseismade,naturehastimetogatherherreserveforces,andwhenthetreeorthewellisreopened,astrongerflowistheresult.

Usethesamecommonsensewithyourmind.Ifyouwouldmakeathoughtparticularlyeffective,pausejustbeforeitsutterance,concentrateyourmind–energies,andthengiveitexpressionwithrenewedvigor.Carlylewasright:“Speaknot,Ipassionatelyentreatthee,tillthythoughthassilentlymatureditself.Outofsilencecomesthystrength.Speechissilvern,Silenceisgolden;Speechishuman,Silenceisdivine.”

Silencehasbeencalledthefatherofspeech.Itshouldbe.Toomanyofourpublicspeecheshavenofathers.Theyramblealongwithoutpauseorbreak.LikeTennyson’sbrook,theyrunonforever.Listentolittlechildren,thepolicemanonthecorner,thefamilyconversationaroundthetable,andseehowmanypausestheynaturallyuse,fortheyareunconsciousofeffects.Whenwegetbeforeanaudience,wethrowmostofournaturalmethodsofexpressiontothewind,andstriveafterartificialeffects.Getbacktothemethodsofnature—andpause.

2.PausePreparestheMindoftheAuditortoReceiveYourMessage

HerbertSpencersaidthatalltheuniverseisinmotion.Soitis—andallperfectmotionisrhythm.Partofrhythmisrest.Restfollowsactivityallthroughnature.Instances:dayandnight;spring—summer—autumn—winter;aperiodofrestbetweenbreaths;aninstantofcompleterestbetweenheartbeats.Pause,andgivetheattention–powersofyouraudiencearest.Whatyousayaftersuchasilencewillthenhaveagreatdealmoreeffect.

Whenyourcountrycousinscometotown,thenoiseofapassingcarwillawakenthem,thoughitseldomaffectsaseasonedcitydweller.Bythecontinualpassingofcarshis

attention–powerhasbecomedeadened.Inonewhovisitsthecitybutseldom,attention–valueisinsistent.Tohimthenoisecomesafteralongpause;henceitspower.Toyou,dwellerinthecity,thereisnopause;hencethelowattention–value.Afterridingonatrainseveralhoursyouwillbecomesoaccustomedtoitsroarthatitwillloseitsattention–value,unlessthetrainshouldstopforawhileandstartagain.Ifyouattempttolistentoaclock–tickthatissofarawaythatyoucanbarelyhearit,youwillfindthatattimesyouareunabletodistinguishit,butinafewmomentsthesoundbecomesdistinctagain.Yourmindwillpauseforrestwhetheryoudesireittodosoornot.

Theattentionofyouraudiencewillactinquitethesameway.Recognizethislawandprepareforit—bypausing.Letitberepeated:thethoughtthatfollowsapauseismuchmoredynamicthanifnopausehadoccurred.Whatissaidtoyouofanightwillnothavethesameeffectonyourmindasifithadbeenutteredinthemorningwhenyourattentionhadbeenlatelyrefreshedbythepauseofsleep.WearetoldonthefirstpageoftheBiblethateventheCreativeEnergyofGodrestedonthe“seventhday.”Youmaybesure,then,thatthefrailfinitemindofyouraudiencewilllikewisedemandrest.Observenature,studyherlaws,andobeytheminyourspeaking.

3.PauseCreatesEffectiveSuspense

Suspenseisresponsibleforagreatshareofourinterestinlife;itwillbethesamewithyourspeech.Aplayoranovelisoftenrobbedofmuchofitsinterestifyouknowtheplotbeforehand.Weliketokeepguessingastotheoutcome.Theabilitytocreatesuspenseispartofwoman’spowertoholdtheothersex.Thecircusacrobatemploysthisprinciplewhenhefailspurposelyinseveralattemptstoperformafeat,andthenachievesit.Eventhedeliberatemannerinwhichhearrangesthepreliminariesincreasesourexpectation—weliketobekeptwaiting.Inthelastactoftheplay,“PollyoftheCircus,”thereisacircussceneinwhichalittledogturnsabackwardsomersaultonthebackofarunningpony.Onenightwhenhehesitatedandhadtobecoaxedandworkedwithalongtimebeforehewouldperformhisfeathegotagreatdealmoreapplausethanwhenhedidhistrickatonce.Wenotonlyliketowaitbutweappreciatewhatwewaitfor.Iffishbitetooreadilythesportsoonceasestobeasport.

ItisthissameprincipleofsuspensethatholdsyouinaSherlockHolmesstory—youwaittoseehowthemysteryissolved,andifitissolvedtoosoonyouthrowdownthetaleunfinished.WilkieCollins’receiptforfictionwritingwellappliestopublicspeech:“Make‘emlaugh;make‘emweep;make‘emwait.”Aboveallelsemakethemwait;iftheywillnotdothatyoumaybesuretheywillneitherlaughnorweep.

Thuspauseisavaluableinstrumentinthehandsofatrainedspeakertoarouseandmaintainsuspense.WeonceheardMr.Bryansayinaspeech:“Itwasmyprivilegetohear”—andhepaused,whiletheaudiencewonderedforasecondwhomitwashisprivilegetohear—“thegreatevangelist”—andhepausedagain;weknewalittlemoreaboutthemanhehadheard,butstillwonderedtowhichevangelisthereferred;andthenheconcluded:“DwightL.Moody.”Mr.Bryanpausedslightlyagainandcontinued:“Icametoregardhim”—herehepausedagainandheldtheaudienceinabriefmomentofsuspenseastohowhehadregardedMr.Moody,thencontinued—“asthegreatestpreacherofhisday.”Letthedashesillustratepausesandwehavethefollowing:

“Itwasmyprivilegetohear—thegreatevangelist—DwightL.Moody.—Icametoregardhim—asthegreatestpreacherofhisday.”

Theunskilledspeakerwouldhaverattledthisoffwithneitherpausenorsuspense,andthesentenceswouldhavefallenflatupontheaudience.Itispreciselytheapplicationofthesesmallthingsthatmakesmuchofthedifferencebetweenthesuccessfulandtheunsuccessfulspeaker.

4.PausingAfterAnImportantIdeaGivesitTimetoPenetrate

AnyMissourifarmerwilltellyouthatarainthatfallstoofastwillrunoffintothecreeksanddothecropsbutlittlegood.Astoryistoldofacountrydeaconprayingforraininthismanner:“Lord,don’tsendusanychunkfloater.Justgiveusagoodolddrizzle–drazzle.”Aspeech,likearain,willnotdoanybodymuchgoodifitcomestoofasttosoakin.Thefarmer’swifefollowsthissameprincipleindoingherwashingwhensheputstheclothesinwater—andpausesforseveralhoursthatthewatermaysoakin.Thephysicianputscocaineonyourturbinates—andpausestoletittakeholdbeforeheremovesthem.Whydoweusethisprincipleeverywhereexceptinthecommunicationofideas?Ifyouhavegiventheaudienceabigidea,pauseforasecondortwoandletthemturnitover.Seewhateffectithas.Afterthesmokeclearsawayyoumayhavetofireanother14–inchshellonthesamesubjectbeforeyoudemolishthecitadeloferrorthatyouaretryingtodestroy.Taketime.Don’tletyourspeechresemblethosetouristswhotry“todo”NewYorkinaday.TheyspendfifteenminuteslookingatthemasterpiecesintheMetropolitanMuseumofArts,tenminutesintheMuseumofNaturalHistory,takeapeepintotheAquarium,hurryacrosstheBrooklynBridge,rushuptotheZoo,andbackbyGrant’sTomb—andcallthat“SeeingNewYork.”Ifyouhastenbyyourimportantpointswithoutpausing,youraudiencewillhavejustaboutasadequateanideaofwhatyouhavetriedtoconvey.

Taketime,youhavejustasmuchofitasourrichestmultimillionaire.Youraudiencewillwaitforyou.Itisasignofsmallnesstohurry.ThegreatredwoodtreesofCaliforniahadburstthroughthesoilfivehundredyearsbeforeSocratesdrankhiscupofhemlockpoison,andareonlyintheirprimetoday.Natureshamesuswithourpettyhaste.Silenceisoneofthemosteloquentthingsintheworld.Masterit,anduseitthroughpause.

*****

Inthefollowingselectionsdasheshavebeeninsertedwherepausesmaybeusedeffectively.Naturally,youmayomitsomeoftheseandinsertotherswithoutgoingwrong—onespeakerwouldinterpretapassageinoneway,oneinanother;itislargelyamatterofpersonalpreference.AdozengreatactorshaveplayedHamletwell,andyeteachhasplayedthepartdifferently.Whichcomesthenearesttoperfectionisaquestionofopinion.Youwillsucceedbestbydaringtofollowyourowncourse—ifyouareindividualenoughtoblazeanoriginaltrail.

Amoment’shalt—amomentarytasteofbeingfromthewellamidthewaste—andlo!thephantomcaravanhasreached—thenothingitsetoutfrom—Ohmakehaste!

Theworldlyhopemensettheirheartsupon—turnsashes—oritprospers;—andanonlikesnowuponthedesert’sdustyface—lightingalittlehourortwo—isgone.

Thebirdoftimehasbutalittlewaytoflutter,—andthebirdisonthewing.

Youwillnotethatthepunctuationmarkshavenothingtodowiththepausing.Youmayrunbyaperiodveryquicklyandmakealongpausewherethereisnokindofpunctuation.Thoughtisgreaterthanpunctuation.Itmustguideyouinyourpauses.

Abookofversesunderneaththebough,—ajugofwine,aloafofbread—andthoubesidemesinginginthewilderness—Oh—wildernesswereparadiseenow.

Youmustnotconfusethepauseforemphasiswiththenaturalpausesthatcomethroughtakingbreathandphrasing.Forexample,notethepausesindicatedinthisselectionfromByron:

Buthush!—hark!—thatdeepsoundbreaksinoncemore,Andnearer!—clearer!—deadlierthanbefore.Arm,ARM!—itis—itisthecannon’sopeningroar!

Itisnotnecessarytodwellatlengthupontheseobviousdistinctions.Youwillobservethatinnaturalconversationourwordsaregatheredintoclustersorphrases,andweoftenpausetotakebreathbetweenthem.Soinpublicspeech,breathenaturallyanddonottalkuntilyoumustgaspforbreath;noruntiltheaudienceisequallywinded.

Aseriouswordofcautionmustherebeuttered:donotoverworkthepause.Todosowillmakeyourspeechheavyandstilted.Anddonotthinkthatpausecantransmutecommonplacethoughtsintogreatanddignifiedutterance.AgrandmannercombinedwithinsignificantideasislikeharnessingaHambletonianwithanass.Yourememberthefarcicaloldschooldeclamation,“AMidnightMurder,”thatproceededingrandiosemannertoathrillingclimax,andended—“andrelentlesslymurdered—amosquito!”

Thepause,dramaticallyhandled,alwaysdrewalaughfromthetoleranthearers.Thisisallverywellinfarce,butsuchanti–climaxbecomespainfulwhenthespeakerfallsfromthesublimetotheridiculousquiteunintentionally.Thepause,tobeeffectiveinsomeothermannerthaninthatoftheboomerang,mustprecedeorfollowathoughtthatisreallyworthwhile,oratleastanideawhosebearingupontherestofthespeechisimportant.

WilliamPittengerrelatesinhisvolume,“ExtemporeSpeech,”aninstanceoftheunconsciouslyfarcicaluseofthepausebyareallygreatAmericanstatesmanandorator.“HehadvisitedNiagaraFallsandwastomakeanorationatBuffalothesameday,but,unfortunately,hesattoolongoverthewineafterdinner.Whenhearosetospeak,theoratoricalinstinctstruggledwithdifficulties,ashedeclared,‘Gentlemen,Ihavebeentolookuponyourmag—mag—magnificentcataract,onehundred—andforty—seven—feethigh!Gentlemen,GreeceandRomeintheirpalmiestdaysneverhadacataractonehundred—andforty—seven—feethigh!’”


1.Namefourmethodsfordestroyingmonotonyandgainingpowerinspeaking.

2.Whatarethefourspecialeffectsofpause?

3.Notethepausesinaconversation,play,orspeech.Weretheythebestthatcouldhave

beenused?Illustrate.

4.Readaloudselectionsonpages50–54,payingspecialattentiontopause.

5.Readthefollowingwithoutmakinganypauses.Rereadcorrectlyandnotethedifference:

Soonthenightwillpass;andwhen,oftheSentinelontherampartsofLibertytheanxiousask:|“Watchman,whatofthenight?”hisanswerwillbe|“Lo,themornappeareth.”

Knowingthepricewemustpay,|thesacrifice|wemustmake,|theburdens|wemustcarry,|theassaults|wemustendure,|knowingfullwellthecost,|yetweenlist,andweenlist|forthewar.|Forweknowthejusticeofourcause,|andweknow,too,itscertaintriumph.|

Notreluctantly,then,|buteagerly,|notwithfainthearts,|butstrong,dowenowadvanceupontheenemiesofthepeople.|Forthecallthatcomestousisthecallthatcametoourfathers.|Astheyresponded,soshallwe.

“Hehathsoundedforthatrumpet|thatshallnevercallretreat,Heissiftingouttheheartsofmen|beforeHisjudgmentseat.Oh,beswift|oursoulstoanswerHim,|bejubilantourfeet,OurGod|ismarchingon.”

—ALBERTJ.BEVERIDGE,_FromhisspeechastemporarychairmanofProgressiveNationalConvention,Chicago,1912_.

6.Bringoutthecontrastingideasinthefollowingbyusingthepause:

Contrastnowthecircumstancesofyourlifeandmine,gentlyandwithtemper,Æschines;andthenaskthesepeoplewhosefortunetheywouldeachofthemprefer.Youtaughtreading,Iwenttoschool:youperformedinitiations,Ireceivedthem:youdancedinthechorus,Ifurnishedit:youwereassembly–clerk,Iwasaspeaker:youactedthirdparts,Iheardyou:youbrokedown,andIhissed:youhaveworkedasastatesmanfortheenemy,Iformycountry.Ipassbytherest;butthisverydayIamonmyprobationforacrown,andamacknowledgedtobeinnocentofalloffence;whileyouarealreadyjudgedtobeapettifogger,andthequestionis,whetheryoushallcontinuethattrade,oratoncebesilencedbynotgettingafifthpartofthevotes.Ahappyfortune,doyousee,youhaveenjoyed,thatyoushoulddenouncemineasmiserable!

—DEMOSTHENES.

7.Aftercarefulstudyandpractice,markthepausesinthefollowing:

Thepastrisesbeforemelikeadream.Againweareinthegreatstrugglefornationallife.Wehearthesoundsofpreparation—themusicoftheboisterousdrums,thesilver

voicesofheroicbugles.Weseethousandsofassemblages,andheartheappealsoforators;weseethepalecheeksofwomenandtheflushedfacesofmen;andinthoseassemblagesweseeallthedeadwhosedustwehavecoveredwithflowers.Welosesightofthemnomore.Wearewiththemwhentheyenlistinthegreatarmyoffreedom.Weseethempartfromthosetheylove.Somearewalkingforthelasttimeinquietwoodyplaceswiththemaidentheyadore.Wehearthewhisperingsandthesweetvowsofeternalloveastheylingeringlypartforever.Othersarebendingovercradles,kissingbabiesthatareasleep.Somearereceivingtheblessingsofoldmen.Somearepartingfromthosewhoholdthemandpressthemtotheirheartsagainandagain,andsaynothing;andsomearetalkingwithwives,andendeavoringwithbravewordsspokenintheoldtonestodrivefromtheirheartstheawfulfear.Weseethempart.Weseethewifestandinginthedoor,withthebabeinherarms—standinginthesunlightsobbing;attheturnoftheroadahandwaves—sheanswersbyholdinghighinherlovinghandsthechild.Heisgone—andforever.

—ROBERTJ.INGERSOLL,totheSoldiersofIndianapolis.

8.Wherewouldyoupauseinthefollowingselections?Trypausingindifferentplacesandnotetheeffectitgives.

Themovingfingerwrites;andhavingwritmoveson:norallyourpietynorwitshalllureitbacktocancelhalfaline,norallyourtearswashoutawordofit.

Thehistoryofwomankindisastoryofabuse.Foragesmenbeat,sold,andabusedtheirwivesanddaughterslikecattle.TheSpartanmotherthatgavebirthtooneofherownsexdisgracedherself;thegirlbabieswereoftendesertedinthemountainstostarve;Chinaboundanddeformedtheirfeet;Turkeyveiledtheirfaces;Americadeniedthemequaleducationaladvantageswithmen.Mostoftheworldstillrefusesthemtherighttoparticipateinthegovernmentandeverywherewomenbearthebruntofanunequalstandardofmorality.

Butthewomenareonthemarch.Theyarewalkingupwardtothesunlitplainswherethethinkingpeoplerule.Chinahasceasedbindingtheirfeet.IntheshadowoftheHaremTurkeyhasopenedaschoolforgirls.Americahasgiventhewomenequaleducationaladvantages,andAmerica,webelieve,willenfranchisethem.

Wecandolittletohelpandnotmuchtohinderthisgreatmovement.ThethinkingpeoplehaveputtheirO.K.uponit.Itismovingforwardtoitsgoaljustassurelyasthisoldearthisswingingfromthegripofwintertowardthespring’sblossomsandthesummer’sharvest.[1]

9.Readaloudthefollowingaddress,payingcarefulattentiontopausewherevertheemphasismaytherebybeheightened.

THEIRREPRESSIBLECONFLICT

…Atlast,theRepublicanpartyhasappeared.Itavows,now,astheRepublicanparty

of1800did,inoneword,itsfaithanditsworks,“Equalandexactjusticetoallmen.”Evenwhenitfirstenteredthefield,onlyhalforganized,itstruckablowwhichonlyjustfailedtosecurecompleteandtriumphantvictory.Inthis,itssecondcampaign,ithasalreadywonadvantageswhichrenderthattriumphnowbotheasyandcertain.Thesecretofitsassuredsuccessliesinthatverycharacteristicwhich,inthemouthofscoffers,constitutesitsgreatandlastingimbecilityandreproach.Itliesinthefactthatitisapartyofoneidea;butthatisanobleone—anideathatfillsandexpandsallgeneroussouls;theideaofequalityofallmenbeforehumantribunalsandhumanlaws,astheyallareequalbeforetheDivinetribunalandDivinelaws.

Iknow,andyouknow,thatarevolutionhasbegun.Iknow,andalltheworldknows,thatrevolutionsnevergobackward.TwentysenatorsandahundredrepresentativesproclaimboldlyinCongressto–daysentimentsandopinionsandprinciplesoffreedomwhichhardlysomanymen,eveninthisfreeState,daredtoutterintheirownhomestwentyyearsago.WhilethegovernmentoftheUnitedStates,undertheconductoftheDemocraticparty,hasbeenallthattimesurrenderingoneplainandcastleafteranothertoslavery,thepeopleoftheUnitedStateshavebeennolesssteadilyandperseveringlygatheringtogethertheforceswithwhichtorecoverbackagainallthefieldsandallthecastleswhichhavebeenlost,andtoconfoundandoverthrow,byonedecisiveblow,thebetrayersoftheConstitutionandfreedomforever.

—W.H.SEWARD.

[1]FromaneditorialbyD.C.inLeslie’sWeekly,June4,1914.Usedbypermission.

CHAPTERVIIEfficiencyThroughInflection

Howsoftthemusicofthosevillagebells,FallingatintervalsupontheearIncadencesweet;nowdyingallaway,Nowpealingloudagain,andlouderstill,Clearandsonorous,asthegalecomeson!WitheasyforceitopensallthecellsWhereMemoryslept.

—WILLIAMCOWPER,TheTask.

HerbertSpencerremarkedthat“Cadence”—bywhichhemeantthemodulationofthetonesofthevoiceinspeaking—“istherunningcommentaryoftheemotionsuponthepropositionsoftheintellect.”Howtruethisiswillappearwhenwereflectthatthelittleupwardanddownwardshadingsofthevoicetellmoretrulywhatwemeanthanourwords.Theexpressivenessoflanguageisliterallymultipliedbythissubtlepowertoshadethevocaltones,andthisvoice–shadingwecallinflection.

Thechangeofpitchwithinawordisevenmoreimportant,becausemoredelicate,thanthechangeofpitchfromphrasetophrase.Indeed,onecannotbepractisedwithouttheother.Thebarewordsareonlysomanybricks—inflectionwillmakeofthemapavement,agarage,oracathedral.Itisthepowerofinflectiontochangethemeaningofwordsthatgavebirthtotheoldsaying:“Itisnotsomuchwhatyousay,ashowyousayit.”

Mrs.Jameson,theShakespeareancommentator,hasgivenusapenetratingexampleoftheeffectofinflection;“InherimpersonationofthepartofLadyMacbeth,Mrs.Siddonsadoptedsuccessivelythreedifferentintonationsingivingthewords‘Wefail.’Atfirstaquickcontemptuousinterrogation—‘Wefail?’Afterwards,withthenoteofadmiration—‘Wefail,’anaccentofindignantastonishmentlayingtheprincipalemphasisontheword‘we’—’wefail.’Lastly,shefixedonwhatIamconvincedisthetruereading—Wefail—withthesimpleperiod,modulatingthevoicetoadeep,low,resolutetonewhichsettlestheissueatonceasthoughshehadsaid:‘Ifwefail,whythenwefail,andallisover.’”

Thismostexpressiveelementofourspeechisthelasttobemasteredinattainingtonaturalnessinspeakingaforeignlanguage,anditscorrectuseisthemainelementinanatural,flexibleutteranceofournativetongue.Withoutvariedinflectionsspeechbecomeswoodenandmonotonous.

Therearebuttwokindsofinflection,therisingandthefalling,yetthesetwomaybesoshadedorsocombinedthattheyarecapableofproducingasmanyvarietiesofmodulationasmaybeillustratedbyeitheroneortwolines,straightorcurved,thus:

Sharprising,Longrising,Level,Longfalling,Sharpfalling,Sharprisingandfalling,Sharpfallingandrising,Hesitating

Thesemaybevariedindefinitely,andservemerelytoillustratewhatwidevarietiesofcombinationmaybeeffectedbythesetwosimpleinflectionsofthevoice.

Itisimpossibletotabulatethevariousinflectionswhichservetoexpressvariousshadesofthoughtandfeeling.Afewsuggestionsareofferedhere,togetherwithabundantexercisesforpractise,buttheonlyrealwaytomasterinflectionistoobserve,experiment,andpractise.

Forexample,takethecommonsentence,“Oh,he’sallright.”Notehowarisinginflectionmaybemadetoexpressfaintpraise,orpolitedoubt,oruncertaintyofopinion.Thennotehowthesamewords,spokenwithagenerallyfallinginflectionmaydenotecertainty,orgood–naturedapproval,orenthusiasticpraise,andsoon.

Ingeneral,then,wefindthatabendingupwardofthevoicewillsuggestdoubtanduncertainty,whileadecidedfallinginflectionwillsuggestthatyouarecertainofyourground.

Studentsdisliketobetoldthattheirspeechesare“notsobad,”spokenwitharisinginflection.Toenunciatethesewordswithalongfallinginflectionwouldindorsethespeechratherheartily.

Saygood–byetoanimaginarypersonwhomyouexpecttoseeagaintomorrow;thentoadearfriendyouneverexpecttomeetagain.Notethedifferenceininflection.

“Ihavehadadelightfultime,”whenspokenattheterminationofaformalteabyafrivolouswomantakesaltogetherdifferentinflectionthanthesamewordsspokenbetweenloverswhohaveenjoyedthemselves.Mimicthetwocharactersinrepeatingthisandobservethedifference.

Notehowlightandshorttheinflectionsareinthefollowingbriefquotationfrom“AnthonytheAbsolute,”bySamuelMervin.

AtSea—March28th.

ThiseveningItoldSirRobertWhat’sHisNamehewasafool.

Iwasquiterightinthis.Heis.

EveryeveningsincetheshipleftVancouverhehaspresidedovertheroundtableinthemiddleofthesmoking–room.Therehesipshiscoffeeandliqueur,andholdsforthoneverysubjectknowntothemindofman.Eachsubjectishissubject.Heisanelderlyperson,withabadfaceandadroopinglefteyelid.

TheytellmethatheisintheBritishService—ajudgesomewheredowninMalaysia,wheretheydrinkmorethanisgoodforthem.

Deliverthetwofollowingselectionswithgreatearnestness,andnotehowtheinflectionsdifferfromtheforegoing.Thenrereadtheseselectionsinalight,superficialmanner,notingthatthechangeofattitudeisexpressedthroughachangeofinflection.

WhenIreadasublimefactinPlutarch,oranunselfishdeedinalineofpoetry,orthrillbeneathsomeheroiclegend,itisnolongerfairyland—Ihaveseenitmatched.

—WENDELLPHILLIPS.

Thoughtisdeeperthanallspeech,Feelingdeeperthanallthought;SoulstosoulscanneverteachWhatuntothemselveswastaught.

—CRANCH

Itmustbemadeperfectlyclearthatinflectiondealsmostlyinsubtle,delicateshadingwithinsinglewords,andisnotbyanymeansaccomplishedbyageneralriseorfallinthevoiceinspeakingasentence.Yetcertainsentencesmaybeeffectivelydeliveredwithjustsuchinflection.Trythissentenceinseveralways,makingnomodulationuntilyoucometothelasttwosyllables,asindicated,

(high)AndyetItoldhimdis–(low)tinctly.

(low)AndyetItoldhimdis–(high)tinctly.

Nowtrythissentencebyinflectingtheimportantwordssoastobringoutvariousshadesofmeaning.Thefirstforms,illustratedabove,showchangeofpitchwithinasingleword;theformsyouwillworkoutforyourselfshouldshowanumberofsuchinflections

throughoutthesentence.

Oneofthechiefmeansofsecuringemphasisistoemployalongfallinginflectionontheemphaticwords—thatis,toletthevoicefalltoalowerpitchonaninteriorvowelsoundinaword.Tryitonthewords“every,”“eleemosynary,”and“destroy.”

Uselongfallinginflectionsontheitalicizedwordsinthefollowingselection,notingtheiremphaticpower.Arethereanyotherwordsherethatlongfallinginflectionswouldhelptomakeexpressive?

ADDRESSINTHEDARTMOUTHCOLLEGECASE

This,sir,ismycase.Itisthecasenotmerelyofthathumbleinstitution;itisthecaseofeverycollegeinourland.Itismore;itisthecaseofeveryeleemosynaryinstitutionthroughoutourcountry—ofallthosegreatcharitiesfoundedbythepietyofourancestorstoalleviatehumanmiseryandscatterblessingsalongthepathwayoflife.Sir,youmaydestroythislittleinstitution—itisweak,itisinyourhands.Iknowitisoneofthelesserlightsintheliteraryhorizonofourcountry.Youmayputitout.Butifyoudoyoumustcarrythroughyourwork;youmustextinguish,oneafteranother,allthosegreatlightsofsciencewhich,formorethanacentury,havethrowntheirradianceoverourland!

Itis,sir,asIhavesaid,asmallcollege,andyet—therearethosewholoveit!

Sir,Iknownothowothersmayfeel,butasformyselfwhenIseemyalmamatersurrounded,likeCæsarinthesenatehouse,bythosewhoarereiteratingstabafterstab,Iwouldnotforthisrighthandhaveherturntomeandsay,Andthou,too,myson!

—DANIELWEBSTER.

Becarefulnottoover–inflect.Toomuchmodulationproducesanunpleasanteffectofartificiality,likeamaturematrontryingtobekittenish.Itisashortstepbetweentrueexpressionandunintentionalburlesque.Scrutinizeyourowntones.Takeasingleexpressionlike“Oh,no!”or“Oh,Isee,”or“Indeed,”andbypatientself–examinationseehowmanyshadesofmeaningmaybeexpressedbyinflection.Thissortofcommon–sensepractisewilldoyoumoregoodthanabookofrules.Butdon’tforgettolistentoyourownvoice.


1.Inyourownwordsdefine(a)cadence,(b)modulation,(c)inflection,(d)emphasis.

2.Namefivewaysofdestroyingmonotonyandgainingeffectivenessinspeech.

3.Whatstatesofminddoesfallinginflectionsignify?Makeasfullalistasyoucan.

4.Dothesamefortherisinginflection.

5.Howdoesthevoicebendinexpressing(a)surprise?(b)shame?(c)hate?(d)formality?(e)excitement?

6.Rereadsomesentenceseveraltimesandbyusingdifferentinflectionschangethemeaningwitheachreading.

7.Notetheinflectionsemployedinsomespeechorconversation.Weretheythebestthatcouldbeusedtobringoutthemeaning?Criticiseandillustrate.

8.Renderthefollowingpassages:

Hasthegentlemandone?Hashecompletelydone?

AndGodsaid,Lettherebelight:andtherewaslight.

9.Inventanindirectquestionandshowhowitwouldnaturallybeinflected.

10.Doesadirectquestionalwaysrequirearisinginflection?Illustrate.

11.Illustratehowthecompleteendingofanexpressionorofaspeechisindicatedbyinflection.

12.Dothesameforincompletenessofidea.

13.Illustrate(a)trembling,(b)hesitation,and(c)doubtbymeansofinflection.

14.Showhowcontrastmaybeexpressed.

15.Trytheeffectsofbothrisingandfallinginflectionsontheitalicizedwordsinthefollowingsentences.Stateyourpreference.

Gentlemen,Iampersuaded,nay,Iamresolvedtospeak.

Itissownanaturalbody;itisraisedaspiritualbody.

SELECTIONSFORPRACTISE

Inthefollowingselectionssecureemphasisbymeansoflongfallinginflectionsratherthanloudness.

Repeattheseselections,attemptingtoputintopractiseallthetechnicalprinciplesthatwehavethusfarhad;emphasizingimportantwords,subordinatingunimportantwords,varietyofpitch,changingtempo,pause,andinflection.Iftheseprinciplesareappliedyouwillhavenotroublewithmonotony.

Constantpractisewillgivegreatfacilityintheuseofinflectionandwillrenderthevoiceitselfflexible.

CHARLESI

Wechargehimwithhavingbrokenhiscoronationoath;andwearetoldthathekepthismarriagevow!Weaccusehimofhavinggivenuphispeopletothemercilessinflictionsofthemosthot–headedandhard–heartedofprelates;andthedefenceis,thathetookhislittlesononhiskneeandkissedhim!WecensurehimforhavingviolatedthearticlesofthePetitionofRight,afterhaving,forgoodandvaluableconsideration,promisedtoobservethem;andweareinformedthathewas

accustomedtohearprayersatsixo’clockinthemorning!Itistosuchconsiderationsasthese,togetherwithhisVandykedress,hishandsomeface,andhispeakedbeard,thatheowes,weverilybelieve,mostofhispopularitywiththepresentgeneration.

—T.B.MACAULAY.

ABRAHAMLINCOLN

Weneedednotthatheshouldputonpaperthathebelievedinslavery,who,withtreason,withmurder,withcrueltyinfernal,hoveredaroundthatmajesticmantodestroyhislife.Hewashimselfbutthelongstingwithwhichslaverystruckatliberty;andhecarriedthepoisonthatbelongedtoslavery.Aslongasthisnationlasts,itwillneverbeforgottenthatwehaveonemartyredPresident—never!Never,whiletimelasts,whileheavenlasts,whilehellrocksandgroans,willitbeforgottenthatslavery,byitsminions,slewhim,andinslayinghimmademanifestitswholenatureandtendency.

Butanotherthingforustorememberisthatthisblowwasaimedatthelifeofthegovernmentandofthenation.Lincolnwasslain;Americawasmeant.Themanwascastdown;thegovernmentwassmittenat.ItwasthePresidentwhowaskilled.Itwasnationallife,breathingfreedomandmeaningbeneficence,thatwassought.He,themanofIllinois,theprivateman,divestedofrobesandtheinsigniaofauthority,representingnothingbuthispersonalself,mighthavebeenhated;butthatwouldnothavecalledforththemurderer’sblow.Itwasbecausehestoodintheplaceofgovernment,representinggovernmentandagovernmentthatrepresentedrightandliberty,thathewassingledout.

This,then,isacrimeagainstuniversalgovernment.Itisnotablowatthefoundationsofourgovernment,morethanatthefoundationsoftheEnglishgovernment,oftheFrenchgovernment,ofeverycompactandwell–organizedgovernment.Itwasacrimeagainstmankind.Thewholeworldwillrepudiateandstigmatizeitasadeedwithoutashadeofredeeminglight….

Theblow,however,hassignallyfailed.Thecauseisnotstricken;itisstrengthened.Thisnationhasdissolved,—butintearsonly.Itstands,four–square,moresolid,to–day,thananypyramidinEgypt.Thispeopleareneitherwasted,nordaunted,nordisordered.Menhateslaveryandlovelibertywithstrongerhateandloveto–daythaneverbefore.TheGovernmentisnotweakened,itismadestronger….

Andnowthemartyrismovingintriumphalmarch,mightierthanwhenalive.Thenationrisesupateverystageofhiscoming.Citiesandstatesarehispall–bearers,andthecannonbeatsthehourswithsolemnprogression.Dead—dead—dead—heyetspeaketh!IsWashingtondead?IsHampdendead?IsDaviddead?Isanymandeadthateverwasfittolive?Disenthralledofflesh,andrisentotheunobstructedspherewherepassionnevercomes,hebeginshisillimitablework.HislifenowisgraftedupontheInfinite,andwillbefruitfulasnoearthlylifecanbe.Passon,thouthathastovercome!YoursorrowsOpeople,arehispeace!Yourbells,andbands,andmuffled

drumssoundtriumphinhisear.Wailandweephere;Godmakesitechojoyandtriumphthere.Passon,victor!

Fouryearsago,OIllinois,wetookfromyourmidstanuntriedman,andfromamongthepeople;wereturnhimtoyouamightyconqueror.Notthineanymore,butthenation’s;notours,buttheworld’s.Givehimplace,yeprairies!InthemidstofthisgreatContinenthisdustshallrest,asacredtreasuretomyriadswhoshallmakepilgrimagetothatshrinetokindleanewtheirzealandpatriotism.Yewinds,thatmoveoverthemightyplacesoftheWest,chanthisrequiem!Yepeople,beholdamartyr,whoseblood,assomanyinarticulatewords,pleadsforfidelity,forlaw,forliberty!


THEHISTORYOFLIBERTY

Theeventwhichwecommemorateisall–important,notmerelyinourownannals,butinthoseoftheworld.ThesententiousEnglishpoethasdeclaredthat“theproperstudyofmankindisman,”andofallinquiriesofatemporalnature,thehistoryofourfellow–beingsisunquestionablyamongthemostinteresting.Butnotallthechaptersofhumanhistoryarealikeimportant.Theannalsofourracehavebeenfilledupwithincidentswhichconcernnot,oratleastoughtnottoconcern,thegreatcompanyofmankind.History,asithasoftenbeenwritten,isthegenealogyofprinces,thefield–bookofconquerors;andthefortunesofourfellow–menhavebeentreatedonlysofarastheyhavebeenaffectedbytheinfluenceofthegreatmastersanddestroyersofourrace.Suchhistoryis,Iwillnotsayaworthlessstudy,foritisnecessaryforustoknowthedarksideaswellasthebrightsideofourcondition.Butitisamelancholystudywhichfillsthebosomofthephilanthropistandthefriendoflibertywithsorrow.

Butthehistoryofliberty—thehistoryofmenstrugglingtobefree—thehistoryofmenwhohaveacquiredandareexercisingtheirfreedom—thehistoryofthosegreatmovementsintheworld,bywhichlibertyhasbeenestablishedandperpetuated,formsasubjectwhichwecannotcontemplatetooclosely.Thisistherealhistoryofman,ofthehumanfamily,ofrationalimmortalbeings….

Thetrialofadversitywastheirs;thetrialofprosperityisours.Letusmeetitasmenwhoknowtheirdutyandprizetheirblessings.Ourpositionisthemostenviable,themostresponsible,whichmencanfill.Ifthisgenerationdoesitsduty,thecauseofconstitutionalfreedomissafe.Ifwefail—ifwefail—notonlydowedefraudourchildrenoftheinheritancewhichwereceivedfromourfathers,butweblastthehopesofthefriendsoflibertythroughoutourcontinent,throughoutEurope,throughouttheworld,totheendoftime.

Historyisnotwithoutherexamplesofhard–foughtfields,wherethebanneroflibertyhasfloatedtriumphantlyonthewildeststormofbattle.Sheiswithoutherexamplesofapeoplebywhomthedear–boughttreasurehasbeenwiselyemployedandsafely

handeddown.Theeyesoftheworldareturnedforthatexampletous….

Letus,then,asweassembleonthebirthdayofthenation,aswegatheruponthegreenturf,oncewetwithpreciousblood—letusdevoteourselvestothesacredcauseofconstitutionalliberty!LetusabjuretheinterestsandpassionswhichdividethegreatfamilyofAmericanfreemen!Lettherageofpartyspiritsleepto–day!Letusresolvethatourchildrenshallhavecausetoblessthememoryoftheirfathers,aswehavecausetoblessthememoryofours!

—EDWARDEVERETT.

CHAPTERVIIIConcentrationinDelivery

Attentionisthemicroscopeofthementaleye.Itspowermaybehighorlow;itsfieldofviewnarroworbroad.Whenhighpowerisusedattentionisconfinedwithinverycircumscribedlimits,butitsactionisexceedinglyintenseandabsorbing.Itseesbutfewthings,butthesefewareobserved“throughandthrough”…Mentalenergyandactivity,whetherofperceptionorofthought,thusconcentrated,actlikethesun’sraysconcentratedbytheburningglass.Theobjectisillumined,heated,setonfire.Impressionsaresodeepthattheycanneverbeeffaced.Attentionofthissortistheprimeconditionofthemostproductivementallabor.

—DANIELPUTNAM,Psychology.

Trytorubthetopofyourheadforwardandbackwardatthesametimethatyouarepattingyourchest.Unlessyourpowersofcoördinationarewelldevelopedyouwillfinditconfusing,ifnotimpossible.Thebrainneedsspecialtrainingbeforeitcandotwoormorethingsefficientlyatthesameinstant.Itmayseemlikesplittingahairbetweenitsnorthandnorthwestcorner,butsomepsychologistsarguethatnobraincanthinktwodistinctthoughts,absolutelysimultaneously—thatwhatseemstobesimultaneousisreallyveryrapidrotationfromthefirstthoughttothesecondandbackagain,justasintheabove–citedexperimenttheattentionmustshiftfromonehandtotheotheruntiloneortheothermovementbecomespartlyorwhollyautomatic.

Whateveristhepsychologicaltruthofthiscontentionitisundeniablethatthemindmeasurablylosesgripononeideathemomenttheattentionisprojecteddecidedlyaheadtoasecondorathirdidea.

Afaultinpublicspeakersthatisasperniciousasitiscommonisthattheytrytothinkofthesucceedingsentencewhilestillutteringtheformer,andinthiswaytheirconcentrationtrailsoff;inconsequence,theystarttheirsentencesstronglyandendthemweakly.Inawell–preparedwrittenspeechtheemphaticwordusuallycomesatoneendofthesentence.Butanemphaticwordneedsemphaticexpression,andthisispreciselywhatitdoesnotgetwhenconcentrationflagsbyleapingtoosoontothatwhichisnexttobeuttered.Concentrateallyourmentalenergiesonthepresentsentence.Rememberthatthemindofyouraudiencefollowsyoursveryclosely,andifyouwithdrawyourattentionfromwhatyouaresayingtowhatyouaregoingtosay,youraudiencewillalsowithdrawtheirs.Theymaynotdosoconsciouslyanddeliberately,buttheywillsurelyceasetogiveimportancetothethingsthatyouyourselfslight.Itisfataltoeithertheactororthespeakertocrosshisbridgestoosoon.

Ofcourse,allthisisnottosaythatinthenaturalpausesofyourspeechyouarenottotakeswiftforwardsurveys—theyareasimportantastheforwardlookindrivingamotorcar;thecautionisofquiteanothersort:whilespeakingonesentencedonotthinkofthe

sentencetofollow.Letitcomefromitspropersource—withinyourself.Youcannotdeliverabroadsidewithoutconcentratedforce—thatiswhatproducestheexplosion.Inpreparationyoustoreandconcentratethoughtandfeeling;inthepausesduringdeliveryyouswiftlylookaheadandgatheryourselfforeffectiveattack;duringthemomentsofactualspeech,SPEAK—DON’TANTICIPATE.Divideyourattentionandyoudivideyourpower.

Thismatteroftheeffectoftheinnermanupontheouterneedsafurtherwordhere,particularlyastouchingconcentration.

“Whatdoyouread,mylord?”Hamletreplied,“Words.Words.Words.”Thatisaworld–oldtrouble.Themechanicalcallingofwordsisnotexpression,byalongstretch.Didyouevernoticehowhollowamemorizedspeechusuallysounds?Youhavelistenedtotheranting,mechanicalcadenceofinefficientactors,lawyersandpreachers.Theirtroubleisamentalone—theyarenotconcentratedlythinkingthoughtsthatcausewordstoissuewithsincerityandconviction,butaremerelyenunciatingword–soundsmechanically.Painfulexperiencealiketoaudienceandtospeaker!Aparrotisequallyeloquent.AgainletShakespeareinstructus,thistuneintheinsincereprayeroftheKing,Hamlet’suncle.Helamentsthuspointedly:

Mywordsflyup,mythoughtsremainbelow:Wordswithoutthoughtsnevertoheavengo.

Thetruthis,thatasaspeakeryourwordsmustbebornagaineverytimetheyarespoken,thentheywillnotsufferintheirutterance,eventhoughperforcecommittedtomemoryandrepeated,likeDr.RussellConwell’slecture,“AcresofDiamonds,”fivethousandtimes.Suchspeecheslosenothingbyrepetitionfortheperfectlypatentreasonthattheyarisefromconcentratedthoughtandfeelingandnotamerenecessityforsayingsomething—whichusuallymeansanything,andthat,inturn,istantamounttonothing.Ifthethoughtbeneathyourwordsiswarm,fresh,spontaneous,apartofyourself,yourutterancewillhavebreathandlife.Wordsareonlyaresult.Donottrytogettheresultwithoutstimulatingthecause.

Doyouaskhowtoconcentrate?Thinkoftheworditself,andofitsphilologicalbrother,concentric.Thinkofhowalensgathersandconcenterstheraysoflightwithinagivencircle.Itcentersthembyaprocessofwithdrawal.Itmayseemlikeaharshsaying,butthemanwhocannotconcentrateiseitherweakofwill,anervouswreck,orhasneverlearnedwhatwill–powerisgoodfor.

Youmustconcentratebyresolutelywithdrawingyourattentionfromeverythingelse.Ifyouconcentrateyourthoughtonapainwhichmaybeafflictingyou,thatpainwillgrowmoreintense.“Countyourblessings”andtheywillmultiply.Centeryourthoughtonyourstrokesandyourtennisplaywillgraduallyimprove.Toconcentrateissimplytoattendtoonething,andattendtonothingelse.Ifyoufindthatyoucannotdothat,thereissomethingwrong—attendtothatfirst.Removethecauseandthesymptomwilldisappear.Readthechapteron“WillPower.”Cultivateyourwillbywillingandthendoing,atallcosts.Concentrate—andyouwillwin.


1.Selectfromanysourceseveralsentencessuitableforspeakingaloud;deliverthemfirstinthemannercondemnedinthischapter,andsecondwithdueregardforemphasistowardthecloseofeachsentence.

2.Putintoaboutonehundredwordsyourimpressionoftheeffectproduced.

3.Tellofanypeculiarmethodsyoumayhaveobservedorheardofbywhichspeakershavesoughttoaidtheirpowersofconcentration,suchaslookingfixedlyatablankspotintheceiling,ortwistingawatchcharm.

4.Whateffectdosuchhabitshaveontheaudience?

5.Whatrelationdoespausebeartoconcentration?

6.Tellwhyconcentrationnaturallyhelpsaspeakertochangepitch,tempo,andemphasis.

7.Readthefollowingselectionthroughtogetitsmeaningandspiritclearlyinyourmind.Thenreaditaloud,concentratingsolelyonthethoughtthatyouareexpressing—donottroubleaboutthesentenceorthoughtthatiscoming.Halfthetroublesofmankindarisefromanticipatingtrialsthatneveroccur.Avoidthisinspeaking.Maketheendofyoursentencesjustasstrongasthebeginning.CONCENTRATE.

WAR!

Thelastofthesavageinstinctsiswar.Thecaveman’sclubmadelawandprocuredfood.Mightdecreedright.Warriorsweresaviours.

InNazarethacarpenterlaiddownthesawandpreachedthebrotherhoodofman.TwelvecenturiesafterwardshisfollowersmarchedtotheHolyLandtodestroyallwhodifferedwiththemintheworshipoftheGodofLove.Triumphantlytheywrote“InSolomon’sPorchandinhistempleourmenrodeinthebloodoftheSaracensuptothekneesoftheirhorses.”

Historyisanappallingtaleofwar.IntheseventeenthcenturyGermany,France,Sweden,andSpainwarredforthirtyyears.AtMagdeburg30,000outof36,000werekilledregardlessofsexorage.InGermanyschoolswereclosedforathirdofacentury,homesburned,womenoutraged,townsdemolished,andtheuntilledlandbecameawilderness.

Two–thirdsofGermany’spropertywasdestroyedand18,000,000ofhercitizenswerekilled,becausemenquarrelledaboutthewaytoglorify“ThePrinceofPeace.”Marchingthroughrainandsnow,sleepingontheground,eatingstalefoodorstarving,contractingdiseasesandfacinggunsthatfiresixhundredtimesaminute,forfiftycentsaday—thisisthesoldier’slife.

Atthewindowsitsthewidowedmothercrying.Littlechildrenwithtearfulfacespressedagainstthepanewatchandwait.Theirmeansoflivelihood,theirhome,theirhappinessisgone.Fatherlesschildren,broken–heartedwomen,sick,disabledanddeadmen—thisisthewageofwar.

Wespendmoremoneypreparingmentokilleachotherthanwedointeachingthemtolive.Wespendmoremoneybuildingonebattleshipthanintheannualmaintenanceofallourstateuniversities.Thefinanciallossresultingfromdestroyingoneanother’shomesinthecivilwarwouldhavebuilt15,000,000houses,eachcosting$2,000.Weprayforlovebutprepareforhate.Wepreachpeacebutequipforwar.

Werehalfthepowerthatfillstheworldwithterror,WerehalfthewealthbestowedoncampandcourtGiventoredeemthisworldfromerror,Therewouldbenoneedofarsenalandfort.

Waronlydefersaquestion.Noissuewilleverreallybesettleduntilitissettledrightly.Likerival“gungangs”inabackalley,thenationsoftheworld,throughthebloodyages,havefoughtovertheirdifferences.DenvercannotfightChicagoandIowacannotfightOhio.WhyshouldGermanybepermittedtofightFrance,orBulgariafightTurkey?

Whenmankindrisesabovecreeds,colorsandcountries,whenwearecitizens,notofanation,butoftheworld,thearmiesandnaviesoftheearthwillconstituteaninternationalpoliceforcetopreservethepeaceandthedovewilltaketheeagle’splace.

Ourdifferenceswillbesettledbyaninternationalcourtwiththepowertoenforceitsmandates.Intimesofpeaceprepareforpeace.Thewagesofwararethewagesofsin,andthe“wagesofsinisdeath.”

—EditorialbyD.C.,Leslie’sWeekly;usedbypermission.

CHAPTERIXForce

However,‘tisexpedienttobewary:Indifference,certes,don’tproducedistress;AndrashenthusiasmingoodsocietyWerenothingbutamoralinebriety.

—BYRON,DonJuan.

Youhaveattendedplaysthatseemedfair,yettheydidnotmoveyou,gripyou.Intheatricalparlance,theyfailedto“getover,”whichmeansthattheirmessagedidnotgetoverthefoot–lightstotheaudience.Therewasnopunch,nojabtothem—theyhadnoforce.

Ofcourse,allthisspellsdisaster,inbigletters,notonlyinastageproductionbutinanyplatformeffort.Everysuchpresentationexistssolelyfortheaudience,andifitfailstohitthem—andtheexpressionisagoodone—ithasnoexcuseforliving;norwillitlivelong.

WhatisForce?

Someofourmostobviouswordsopenupsecretmeaningsunderscrutiny,andthisisoneofthem.

Tobeginwith,wemustrecognizethedistinctionbetweeninnerandouterforce.Theoneiscause,theothereffect.Theoneisspiritual,theotherphysical.Inthisimportantparticular,animateforcediffersfrominanimateforce—thepowerofman,comingfromwithinandexpressingitselfoutwardly,isofanothersortfromtheforceofShimosepowder,whichawaitssomeinfluencefromwithouttoexplodeit.Howeversusceptivetooutsidestimuli,thetruesourceofpowerinmanlieswithinhimself.Thismayseemlike“merepsychology,”butithasanintenselypracticalbearingonpublicspeaking,aswillappear.

Notonlymustwediscernthedifferencebetweenhumanforceandmerephysicalforce,butwemustnotconfuseitsrealessencewithsomeofthethingsthatmay—andmaynot—accompanyit.Forexample,loudnessisnotforce,thoughforceattimesmaybeattendedbynoise.Mereroaringnevermadeagoodspeech,yettherearemoments—moments,mindyou,notminutes—whenbigvoicepowermaybeusedwithtremendouseffect.

Norisviolentmotionforce—yetforcemayresultinviolentmotion.Hamletcounseledtheplayers:

Nordonotsawtheairtoomuchwithyourhand,thus;butuseallgently;forintheverytorrent,tempest,and(asImaysay)whirlwindofyourpassion,youmustacquireandbegetatemperance,thatmaygiveitsmoothness.Oh,itoffendsmetothesoul,toheararobustiousperiwig–patedfellowtearapassiontotatters,toveryrags,tosplittheearsofthegroundlings[2];who,forthemostpart,arecapableofnothingbut

inexplicabledumbshow,andnoise.Iwouldhavesuchafellowwhippedforo’er–doingTermagant;itout–herodsHerod.Prayyouavoidit.

Benottootame,neither,butletyourdiscretionbeyourtutor:suittheactiontotheword,thewordtotheaction;withthisspecialobservance,thatyouo’erstepnotthemodestyofnature;foranythingsooverdoneisfromthepurposeofplaying,whoseend,bothatthefirst,andnow,was,andis,tohold,as‘twere,themirroruptoNature,toshowVirtueherownfeature,Scornherownimage,andtheveryageandbodyofthetimehisformandpressure.Now,thisoverdone,orcometardyoff,thoughitmaketheunskillfullaugh,cannotbutmakethejudiciousgrieve;thecensureofthewhichonemust,inyourallowance,o’erweighawholetheaterofothers.Oh,therebeplayersthatIhaveseenplay—andheardotherspraise,andthathighly—nottospeakitprofanely,that,neitherhavingtheaccentofChristians,northegaitofChristian,pagan,orman,havesostruttedandbellowedthatIhavethoughtsomeofNature’sjourneymenhadmademen,andnotmadethemwell,theyimitatedhumanitysoabominably.[3]

Forceisbothacauseandaneffect.Innerforce,whichmustprecedeouterforce,isacombinationoffourelements,actingprogressively.Firstofall,forcearisesfromconviction.Youmustbeconvincedofthetruth,ortheimportance,orthemeaning,ofwhatyouareabouttosaybeforeyoucangiveitforcefuldelivery.Itmustlaystrongholduponyourconvictionsbeforeitcangripyouraudience.Convictionconvinces.

TheSaturdayEveningPostinanarticleon“England’sT.R.”—WinstonSpencerChurchill—attributedmuchofChurchill’sandRoosevelt’spublicplatformsuccesstotheirforcefuldelivery.Nomatterwhatisinhand,thesemenmakethemselvesbelieveforthetimebeingthatthatonethingisthemostimportantonearth.HencetheyspeaktotheiraudiencesinaDo–this–or–you–PERISHmanner.

Thatkindofspeakingwins,anditisthatvirile,strenuous,aggressiveattitudewhichbothdistinguishesandmaintainstheplatformcareersofourgreatestleaders.

Butletuslookalittlecloserattheoriginsofinnerforce.Howdoesconvictionaffectthemanwhofeelsit?Wehaveansweredtheinquiryintheveryquestionitself—hefeelsit:Convictionproducesemotionaltension.StudythepicturesofTheodoreRooseveltandofBillySundayinaction—actionistheword.Notethetensionoftheirjawmuscles,thetautlinesofsinewsintheirentirebodieswhenreachingaclimaxofforce.Moralandphysicalforcearealikeinbeingbothprecededandaccompaniedbyin–tens–ity—tension—tightnessofthecordsofpower.

Itisthistautnessofthebow–string,thisknottingofthemuscles,thiscontractionbeforethespring,thatmakesanaudiencefeel—almostsee—thereservepowerinaspeaker.Insomereallywonderfulwayitismorewhataspeakerdoesnotsayanddothatrevealsthedynamowithin.Anythingmaycomefromsuchstored–upforceonceitisletloose;andthatkeepsanaudiencealert,hangingonthelipsofaspeakerforhisnextword.Afterall,itisallaquestionofmanhood,forastuffeddollhasneitherconvictionsnoremotionaltension.Ifyouareupholsteredwithsawdust,keepofftheplatform,foryourownspeechwillpunctureyou.

Growingoutofthisconviction–tensioncomesresolvetomaketheaudiencesharethatconviction–tension.Purposeisthebackboneofforce;withoutitspeechisflabby—itmayglitter,butitistheiridescenceofthespinelessjellyfish.Youmustholdfasttoyourresolveifyouwouldholdfasttoyouraudience.

Finally,allthisconviction–tension–purposeislifelessanduselessunlessitresultsinpropulsion.YourememberhowYounginhiswonderful“NightThoughts”delineatesthemanwho

Pusheshisprudentpurposetoresolve,Resolves,andre–resolves,anddiesthesame.

Letnotyourforce“diea–borning,”—bringittofulllifeinitsconviction,emotionaltension,resolve,andpropulsivepower.

CanForcebeAcquired?

Yes,iftheacquirerhasanysuchcapacitiesaswehavejustoutlined.Howtoacquirethisvitalfactorissuggestedinitsveryanalysis:Livewithyoursubjectuntilyouareconvincedofitsimportance.

Ifyourmessagedoesnotofitselfarouseyoutotension,PULLyourselftogether.Whenamanfacesthenecessityofleapingacrossacrevassehedoesnotwaitforinspiration,hewillshismusclesintotensityforthespring—itisnotwithoutpurposethatourEnglishlanguageusesthesamewordtodepictamightythoughdelicatesteelcontrivanceandaquickleapthroughtheair.Thenresolve—andletitallendinactualpunch.

Thistruthisworthreiteration:Themanwithinisthefinalfactor.Hemustsupplythefuel.Theaudience,oreventhemanhimself,mayaddthematch—itmatterslittlewhich,onlysothattherebefire.Howeverskillfullyyourengineisconstructed,howeverwellitworks,youwillhavenoforceifthefirehasgoneoutundertheboiler.Itmatterslittlehowwellyouhavemasteredpoise,pause,modulation,andtempo,ifyourspeechlacksfireitisdead.Neitheradeadenginenoradeadspeechwillmoveanybody.

Fourfactorsofforcearemeasurablywithinyourcontrol,andinthatfarmaybeacquired:ideas,feelingaboutthesubject,wording,anddelivery.Eachoftheseismoreorlessfullydiscussedinthisvolume,exceptwording,whichreallyrequiresafullerrhetoricalstudythancanherebeventured.Itis,however,oftheutmostimportancethatyoushouldbeawareofpreciselyhowwordingbearsuponforceinasentence.Study“TheWorkingPrinciplesofRhetoric,”byJohnFranklinGenung,ortherhetoricaltreatisesofAdamsShermanHill,ofCharlesSearsBaldwin,oranyotherswhosenamesmayeasilybelearnedfromanyteacher.

Hereareafewsuggestionsontheuseofwordstoattainforce:

ChoiceofWords

PLAINwordsaremoreforcefulthanwordslesscommonlyused—jugglehasmorevigorthanprestidigitate.

SHORTwordsarestrongerthanlongwords—endhasmoredirectnessthanterminate.

SAXONwordsareusuallymoreforcefulthanLatinisticwords—forforce,usewars

againstratherthanmilitateagainst.

SPECIFICwordsarestrongerthangeneralwords—pressmanismoredefinitethanprinter.

CONNOTATIVEwords,thosethatsuggestmorethantheysay,havemorepowerthanordinarywords—“Sheletherselfbemarried”expressesmorethan“Shemarried.”

EPITHETS,figurativelydescriptivewords,aremoreeffectivethandirectnames—“Gotellthatoldfox,”hasmore“punch”than“Gotellthatslyfellow.”ONOMATOPOETICwords,wordsthatconveythesensebythesound,aremorepowerfulthanotherwords—crashismoreeffectivethancataclysm.

Arrangementofwords

Cutoutmodifiers.

Cutoutconnectives.

Beginwithwordsthatdemandattention.

“Endwithwordsthatdeservedistinction,”saysProf.BarrettWendell.

Setstrongideasoveragainstweakerones,soastogainstrengthbythecontrast.

Avoidelaboratesentencestructure—shortsentencesarestrongerthanlongones.

Cutouteveryuselessword,soastogiveprominencetothereallyimportantones.

Leteachsentencebeacondensedbatteringram,swingingtoitsfinalblowontheattention.

Afamiliar,homelyidiom,ifnotwornbymuchuse,ismoreeffectivethanahighlyformal,scholarlyexpression.

Considerwelltherelativevalueofdifferentpositionsinthesentencesothatyoumaygivetheprominentplacetoideasyouwishtoemphasize.

“But,”sayssomeone,“isitnotmorehonesttodependtheinherentinterestinasubject,itsnativetruth,clearnessandsincerityofpresentation,andbeautyofutterance,towinyouraudience?Whynotcharmmeninsteadofcapturingthembyassault?”

WhyUseForce?

Thereismuchtruthinsuchanappeal,butnotallthetruth.Clearness,persuasion,beauty,simplestatementoftruth,areallessential—indeed,theyarealldefinitepartsofaforcefulpresentmentofasubject,withoutbeingtheonlyparts.Strongmeatmaynotbeasattractiveasices,butalldependsontheappetiteandthestageofthemeal.

Youcannotdeliveranaggressivemessagewithcaressinglittlestrokes.No!Jabitinwithhard,swiftsolarplexuspunches.Youcannotstrikefirefromflintorfromanaudiencewithlovetaps.Saytoacrowdedtheatreinalackadaisicalmanner:“Itseemstomethatthehouseisonfire,”andyourannouncementmaybegreetedwithalaugh.Ifyouflashoutthewords:“Thehouse’sonfire!”theywillcrushoneanotheringettingtotheexits.

Thespiritandthelanguageofforcearedefinitewithconviction.Noimmortalspeechinliteraturecontainssuchexpressionsas“itseemstome,”“Ishouldjudge,”“inmy

opinion,”“Isuppose,”“perhapsitistrue.”Thespeechesthatwilllivehavebeendeliveredbymenablazewiththecourageoftheirconvictions,whoutteredtheirwordsaseternaltruth.OfJesusitwassaidthat“thecommonpeopleheardHimgladly.”Why?“HetaughtthemasonehavingAUTHORITY.”Anaudiencewillneverbemovedbywhat“seems”toyoutobetruthorwhatinyour“humbleopinion”maybeso.Ifyouhonestlycan,assertconvictionsasyourconclusions.Besureyouarerightbeforeyouspeakyourspeech,thenutteryourthoughtsasthoughtheywereaGibraltarofunimpeachabletruth.DeliverthemwiththeironhandandconfidenceofaCromwell.Assertthemwiththefireofauthority.Pronouncethemasanultimatum.Ifyoucannotspeakwithconviction,besilent.

Whatforcedidthatyoungministerhavewho,fearingtobetoodogmatic,thusexhortedhishearers:“Myfriends—asIassumethatyouare—itappearstobemydutytotellyouthatifyoudonotrepent,sotospeak,forsakeyoursins,asitwere,andturntorighteousness,ifImaysoexpressit,youwillbelost,inameasure”?

Effectivespeechmustreflecttheera.Thisisnotarosewaterage,andatepid,half–heartedspeechwillnotwin.Thisisthecenturyoftriphammers,ofoverlandexpressesthatdashundercitiesandthroughmountaintunnels,andyoumustinstillthisspiritintoyourspeechifyouwouldmoveapopularaudience.Fromafrontseatlistentoafirst–classcompanypresentamodernBroadwaydrama—notacomedy,butagripping,thrillingdrama.Donotbecomeabsorbedinthestory;reserveallyourattentionforthetechniqueandtheforceoftheacting.Thereisakickandacrashaswellasaninfinitelysubtleintensityinthebig,climax–speechesthatsuggestthislesson:thesamewell–calculated,restrained,delicatelyshadedforcewouldsimplyrivetyourideasinthemindsofyouraudience.Anair–gunwillrattlebird–shotagainstawindowpane—ittakesarifletowingabulletthroughplateglassandtheoakenwallsbeyond.

WhentoUseForce

Anaudienceisunlikethekingdomofheaven—theviolentdonotalwaystakeitbyforce.Therearetimeswhenbeautyandserenityshouldbetheonlybellsinyourchime.Forceisonlyoneofthegreatextremesofcontrast—useneitheritnorquietutterancetotheexclusionofothertones:bevarious,andinvarietyfindevengreaterforcethanyoucouldattainbyattemptingitsconstantuse.Ifyouarereadinganessayonthebeautiesofthedawn,talkingaboutthedaintybloomofahoney–suckle,orexplainingthemechanismofagasengine,avigorousstyleofdeliveryisentirelyoutofplace.Butwhenyouareappealingtowillsandconsciencesforimmediateaction,forcefuldeliverywins.Insuchcases,considerthemindsofyouraudienceassomanysafesthathavebeenlockedandthekeyslost.Donottrytofigureoutthecombinations.Pouralittlenitroglycerineintothecracksandlightthefuse.Astheselinesarebeingwrittenacontractordownthestreetisclearingawaytherockswithdynamitetolaythefoundationsforagreatbuilding.Whenyouwanttogetaction,donotfeartousedynamite.

Thefinalargumentfortheeffectivenessofforceinpublicspeechisthefactthateverythingmustbeenlargedforthepurposesoftheplatform—thatiswhysofewspeechesreadwellinthereportsonthemorningafter:statementsappearcrudeandexaggeratedbecausetheyareunaccompaniedbytheforcefuldeliveryofaglowingspeakerbeforeanaudienceheatedtoattentiveenthusiasm.Soinpreparingyourspeechyoumustnoterronthesideofmildstatement—youraudiencewillinevitablytonedownyourwordsinthe

coldgreyofafterthought.WhenPhidiaswascriticisedfortherough,boldoutlinesofafigurehehadsubmittedincompetition,hesmiledandaskedthathisstatueandtheonewroughtbyhisrivalshouldbesetuponthecolumnforwhichthesculpturewasdestined.Whenthiswasdonealltheexaggerationsandcrudities,tonedbydistances,meltedintoexquisitegraceoflineandform.Eachspeechmustbeaspecialstudyinsuitabilityandproportion.

Omitthethunderofdelivery,ifyouwill,butlikeWendellPhillipsput“silentlightning”intoyourspeech.Makeyourthoughtsbreatheandyourwordsburn.Birrellsaid:“Emersonwriteslikeanelectricalcatemittingsparksandshocksineverysentence.”Gothouandspeaklikewise.Getthe“bigstick”intoyourdelivery—beforceful.


1.Illustrate,byrepeatingasentencefrommemory,whatismeantbyemployingforceinspeaking.

2.Whichinyouropinionisthemostimportantofthetechnicalprinciplesofspeakingthatyouhavestudiedsofar?Why?

3.Whatistheeffectoftoomuchforceinaspeech?Toolittle?

4.Notesomeuninterestingconversationorineffectivespeech,andtellwhyitfailed.

5.Suggesthowitmightbeimproved.

6.Whydospeecheshavetobespokenwithmoreforcethandoconversations?

7.Readaloudtheselectiononpage84,usingthetechnicalprinciplesoutlinedinchaptersIIItoVIII,butneglecttoputanyforcebehindtheinterpretation.Whatistheresult?

8.Rereadseveraltimes,doingyourbesttoachieveforce.

9.Whichpartsoftheselectiononpage84requirethemostforce?

10.Writeafive–minutespeechnotonlydiscussingtheerrorsofthosewhoexaggerateandthosewhominimizetheuseofforce,butbyimitationshowtheirweaknesses.Donotburlesque,butcloselyimitate.

11.Givealistoftenthemesforpublicaddresses,sayingwhichseemmostlikelytorequirethefrequentuseofforceindelivery.

12.Inyourownopinion,dospeakersusuallyerrfromtheuseoftoomuchortoolittleforce?

13.Define(a)bombast;(b)bathos;(c)sentimentality;(d)squeamish.

14.Sayhowtheforegoingwordsdescribeweaknessesinpublicspeech.

15.Recastintwentieth–centuryEnglish“Hamlet’sDirectionstothePlayers,”page88.

16.MemorizethefollowingextractsfromWendellPhillips’speeches,anddeliverthemwiththeofWendellPhillips’“silentlightning”delivery.

Weareforarevolution!Wesayinbehalfofthesehuntedlyings,whomGodcreated,andwholaw–abidingWebsterandWinthrophaveswornshallnotfindshelterin

Massachusetts,—wesaythattheymaymaketheirlittlemotions,andpasstheirlittlelawsinWashington,butthatFaneuilHallrepealstheminthenameofhumanityandtheoldBayState!

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Myadvicetoworkingmenisthis:

Ifyouwantpowerinthiscountry;ifyouwanttomakeyourselvesfelt;ifyoudonotwantyourchildrentowaitlongyearsbeforetheyhavethebreadonthetabletheyoughttohave,theleisureintheirlivestheyoughttohave,theopportunitiesinlifetheyoughttohave;ifyoudon’twanttowaityourselves,—writeonyourbanner,sothateverypoliticaltrimmercanreadit,sothateverypolitician,nomatterhowshort–sightedhemaybe,canreadit,“WENEVERFORGET!Ifyoulaunchthearrowofsarcasmatlabor,WENEVERFORGET!IfthereisadivisioninCongress,andyouthrowyourvoteinthewrongscale,WENEVERFORGET!Youmaygodownonyourknees,andsay,‘IamsorryIdidtheact’—butwewillsay‘ITWILLAVAILYOUINHEAVENTOBESORRY,BUTONTHISSIDEOFTHEGRAVE,NEVER!’”Sothatamanintakingupthelaborquestionwillknowheisdealingwithahair–triggerpistol,andwillsay,“Iamtobetruetojusticeandtoman;otherwiseIamadeadduck.”

*****

InRussiathereisnopress,nodebate,noexplanationofwhatgovernmentdoes,noremonstranceallowed,noagitationofpublicissues.Deadsilence,likethatwhichreignsatthesummitofMontBlanc,freezesthewholeempire,longagodescribedas“adespotismtemperedbyassassination.”Meanwhile,suchdespotismhasunsettledthebrainsoftherulingfamily,asunbridledpowerdoubtlessmadesomeofthetwelveCæsarsinsane;amadman,sportingwiththelivesandcomfortofahundredmillionsofmen.Theyounggirlwhispersinhermother’sear,underaceiledroof,herpityforabrotherknoutedanddraggedhalfdeadintoexileforhisopinions.Thenextweeksheisstrippednakedandfloggedtodeathinthepublicsquare.Noinquiry,noexplanation,notrial,noprotest,onedeaduniformsilence,thelawofthetyrant.Whereistheregroundforanyhopeofpeacefulchange?No,no!insuchalanddynamiteandthedaggerarethenecessaryandpropersubstitutesforFaneuilHall.Anythingthatwillmakethemadmanquakeinhisbedchamber,androusehisvictimsintorecklessanddesperateresistance.ThisistheonlyviewanAmerican,thechildof1620and1776,cantakeofNihilism.Anyotherunsettlesandperplexestheethicsofourcivilization.

BornwithinsightofBunkerHill—sonofHarvard,whosefirstpledgewas“Truth,”citizenofarepublicbasedontheclaimthatnogovernmentisrightfulunlessrestingontheconsentofthepeople,andwhichassumestoleadinassertingtherightsofhumanity—Iatleastcansaynothingelseandnothingless—nonotifeverytileonCambridgeroofswereadevilhootingmywords!

Forpractiseonforcefulselections,use“TheIrrepressibleConflict,”page67;“AbrahamLincoln,”page76,“PassProsperityAround,”page470;“APleaforCuba,”page50.

[2]Thosewhosatinthepitortheparquet.[3]Hamlet,ActIII,Scene2.

CHAPTERXFeelingandEnthusiasm

Enthusiasmisthatsecretandharmoniousspiritthathoversovertheproductionofgenius.

—ISAACDISRAELI,LiteraryCharacter.

Ifyouareaddressingabodyofscientistsonsuchasubjectastheveinsinabutterfly’swings,oronroadstructure,naturallyyourthemewillnotarousemuchfeelingineitheryouoryouraudience.Thesearepurelymentalsubjects.Butifyouwantmentovoteforameasurethatwillabolishchildlabor,orifyouwouldinspirethemtotakeuparmsforfreedom,youmuststrikestraightattheirfeelings.Welieonsoftbeds,sitneartheradiatoronacoldday,eatcherrypie,anddevoteourattentiontooneoftheoppositesex,notbecausewehavereasonedoutthatitistherightthingtodo,butbecauseitfeelsright.Noonebutadyspepticchooseshisdietfromachart.Ourfeelingsdictatewhatweshalleatandgenerallyhowweshallact.Manisafeelinganimal,hencethepublicspeaker’sabilitytoarousementoactiondependsalmostwhollyonhisabilitytotouchtheiremotions.

Negromothersontheauction–blockseeingtheirchildrensoldawayfromthemintoslaveryhaveflamedoutsomeofAmerica’smoststirringspeeches.True,themotherdidnothaveanyknowledgeofthetechniqueofspeaking,butshehadsomethinggreaterthanalltechnique,moreeffectivethanreason:feeling.Thegreatspeechesoftheworldhavenotbeendeliveredontariffreductionsorpost–officeappropriations.Thespeechesthatwilllivehavebeenchargedwithemotionalforce.Prosperityandpeacearepoordevelopersofeloquence.Whengreatwrongsaretoberighted,whenthepublicheartisflamingwithpassion,thatistheoccasionformemorablespeaking.PatrickHenrymadeanimmortaladdress,forinanepochalcrisishepleadedforliberty.Hehadrousedhimselftothepointwherehecouldhonestlyandpassionatelyexclaim,“Givemelibertyorgivemedeath.”Hisfamewouldhavebeendifferenthadhelivedto–dayandarguedfortherecallofjudges.

ThePowerofEnthusiasm

Politicalpartieshirebands,andpayforapplause—theyarguethat,forvote–getting,tostirupenthusiasmismoreeffectivethanreasoning.Howfartheyarerightdependsonthehearers,buttherecanbenodoubtaboutthecontagiousnatureofenthusiasm.AwatchmanufacturerinNewYorktriedouttwoseriesofwatchadvertisements;onearguedthesuperiorconstruction,workmanship,durability,andguaranteeofferedwiththewatch;theotherwasheaded,“AWatchtobeProudof,”anddweltuponthepleasureandprideofownership.Thelatterseriessoldtwiceasmanyastheformer.Asalesmanforalocomotiveworksinformedthewriterthatinsellingrailroadenginesemotionalappealwasstrongerthananargumentbasedonmechanicalexcellence.

Illustrationswithoutnumbermightbecitedtoshowthatinallouractionsweare

emotionalbeings.Thespeakerwhowouldspeakefficientlymustdevelopthepowertoarousefeeling.

Webster,greatdebaterthathewas,knewthattherealsecretofaspeaker’spowerwasanemotionalone.Heeloquentlysaysofeloquence:

“Affectedpassion,intenseexpression,thepompofdeclamation,allmayaspireafterit;theycannotreachit.Itcomes,ifitcomeatall,liketheoutbreakofafountainfromtheearth,ortheburstingforthofvolcanicfires,withspontaneous,original,nativeforce.

“Thegracestaughtintheschools,thecostlyornamentsandstudiedcontrivancesofspeech,shockanddisgustmen,whentheirownlives,andthefateoftheirwives,theirchildren,andtheircountryhangonthedecisionofthehour.Thenwordshavelosttheirpower,rhetoricisinvain,andallelaborateoratorycontemptible.Evengeniusitselfthenfeelsrebukedandsubdued,asinthepresenceofhigherqualities.Thenpatriotismiseloquent,thenself–devotioniseloquent.Theclearconceptionoutrunningthedeductionsoflogic,thehighpurpose,thefirmresolve,thedauntlessspirit,speakingonthetongue,beamingfromtheeye,informingeveryfeature,andurgingthewholemanonward,rightonwardtohissubject—this,thisiseloquence;orrather,itissomethinggreaterandhigherthanalleloquence;itisaction,noble,sublime,godlikeaction.”

WhentravelingthroughtheNorthwestsometimeago,oneofthepresentwritersstrolledupavillagestreetafterdinnerandnoticedacrowdlisteningtoa“faker”speakingonacornerfromagoods–box.RememberingEmerson’sadviceaboutlearningsomethingfromeverymanwemeet,theobserverstoppedtolistentothisspeaker’sappeal.Hewassellingahairtonic,whichheclaimedtohavediscoveredinArizona.Heremovedhishattoshowwhatthisremedyhaddoneforhim,washedhisfaceinittodemonstratethatitwasasharmlessaswater,andenlargedonitsmeritsinsuchanenthusiasticmannerthatthehalf–dollarspouredinonhiminasilverflood.Whenhehadsuppliedtheaudiencewithhairtonic,heaskedwhyagreaterproportionofmenthanwomenwerebald.Nooneknew.Heexplainedthatitwasbecausewomenworethinner–soledshoes,andsomadeagoodelectricalconnectionwithmotherearth,whilemenworethick,dry–soledshoesthatdidnottransmittheearth’selectricitytothebody.Men’shair,nothavingaproperamountofelectricalfood,diedandfellout.Ofcoursehehadaremedy—alittlecopperplatethatshouldbenailedonthebottomoftheshoe.Hepicturedinenthusiasticandvividtermsthedesirabilityofescapingbaldness—andpaidtributestohiscopperplates.Strangeasitmayseemwhenthestoryistoldincoldprint,thespeaker’senthusiasmhadswepthisaudiencewithhim,andtheycrushedaroundhisstandwithoutstretched“quarters”intheiranxietytobethepossessorsofthesemagicalplates!

Emerson’ssuggestionhadbeenwelltaken—theobserverhadseenagainthewonderful,persuasivepowerofenthusiasm!

EnthusiasmsentmillionscrusadingintotheHolyLandtoredeemitfromtheSaracens.EnthusiasmplungedEuropeintoathirtyyears’waroverreligion.Enthusiasmsentthreesmallshipsplyingtheunknownseatotheshoresofanewworld.WhenNapoleon’sarmy

werewornoutanddiscouragedintheirascentoftheAlps,theLittleCorporalstoppedthemandorderedthebandstoplaytheMarseillaise.Underitssoul–stirringstrainstherewerenoAlps.

Listen!Emersonsaid:“Nothinggreatwaseverachievedwithoutenthusiasm.”Carlyledeclaredthat“Everygreatmovementintheannalsofhistoryhasbeenthetriumphofenthusiasm.”Itisascontagiousasmeasles.Eloquenceishalfinspiration.Sweepyouraudiencewithyouinapulsationofenthusiasm.Letyourselfgo.“Aman,”saidOliverCromwell,“neverrisessohighaswhenheknowsnotwhitherheisgoing.”

HowareWetoAcquireandDevelopEnthusiasm?

Itisnottobeslippedonlikeasmokingjacket.Abookcannotfurnishyouwithit.Itisagrowth—aneffect.Butaneffectofwhat?Letussee.

Emersonwrote:“Apaintertoldmethatnobodycoulddrawatreewithoutinsomesortbecomingatree;ordrawachildbystudyingtheoutlinesofhisformmerely,—but,bywatchingforatimehismotionandplays,thepainterentershisnature,andthencandrawhimatwillineveryattitude.SoRoos‘enteredintotheinmostnatureofhissheep.’Iknewadraughtsmanemployedinapublicsurvey,whofoundthathecouldnotsketchtherocksuntiltheirgeologicalstructurewasfirstexplainedtohim.”

WhenSarahBernhardtplaysadifficultroleshefrequentlywillspeaktonoonefromfouro’clockintheafternoonuntilaftertheperformance.Fromthehouroffoursheliveshercharacter.Booth,itisreported,wouldnotpermitanyonetospeaktohimbetweentheactsofhisShakespereanrôles,forhewasMacbeththen—notBooth.Dante,exiledfromhisbelovedFlorence,condemnedtodeath,livedincaves,halfstarved;thenDantewroteouthisheartin“TheDivineComedy.”Bunyanenteredintothespiritofhis“Pilgrim’sProgress”sothoroughlythathefelldownonthefloorofBedfordjailandweptforjoy.Turner,wholivedinagarret,arosebeforedaybreakandwalkedoverthehillsninemilestoseethesunriseontheocean,thathemightcatchthespiritofitswonderfulbeauty.WendellPhillips’sentenceswerefullof“silentlightning”becauseheboreinhisheartthesorrowoffivemillionslaves.

Thereisonlyonewaytogetfeelingintoyourspeaking—andwhateverelseyouforget,forgetnotthis:YoumustactuallyENTERINTOthecharacteryouimpersonate,thecauseyouadvocate,thecaseyouargue—enterintoitsodeeplythatitclothesyou,enthrallsyou,possessesyouwholly.Thenyouare,inthetruemeaningoftheword,insympathywithyoursubject,foritsfeelingisyourfeeling,you“feelwith”it,andthereforeyourenthusiasmisbothgenuineandcontagious.TheCarpenterwhospokeas“nevermanspake”utteredwordsbornoutofapassionofloveforhumanity—hehadenteredintohumanity,andthusbecameMan.

Butwemustnotlookupontheforegoingwordsasafacileprescriptionfordecoctingafeelingwhichmaythenbeladledouttoacomplacentaudienceinquantitiestosuittheneedofthemoment.Genuinefeelinginaspeechisboneandbloodofthespeechitselfandnotsomethingthatmaybeaddedtoitorsubstractedatwill.Intheidealaddresstheme,speakerandaudiencebecomeone,fusedbytheemotionandthoughtofthehour.

TheNeedofSympathyforHumanity

Itisimpossibletolaytoomuchstressonthenecessityforthespeaker’shavingabroadanddeeptendernessforhumannature.OneofVictorHugo’sbiographersattributeshispowerasanoratorandwritertohiswidesympathiesandprofoundreligiousfeelings.RecentlyweheardtheeditorofCollier’sWeeklyspeakonshort–storywriting,andhesooftenemphasizedthenecessityforthisbroadloveforhumanity,thistrulyreligiousfeeling,thatheapologizedtwicefordeliveringasermon.Fewifanyoftheimmortalspeecheswereeverdeliveredforaselfishoranarrowcause—theywerebornoutofapassionatedesiretohelphumanity;instances,Paul’saddresstotheAtheniansonMarsHill,Lincoln’sGettysburgspeech,TheSermonontheMount,Henry’saddressbeforetheVirginiaConventionofDelegates.

Thesealandsignofgreatnessisadesiretoserveothers.Self–preservationisthefirstlawoflife,butself–abnegationisthefirstlawofgreatness—andofart.Selfishnessisthefundamentalcauseofallsin,itisthethingthatallgreatreligions,allworthyphilosophies,havestruckat.Outofaheartofrealsympathyandlovecomethespeechesthatmovehumanity.

FormerUnitedStatesSenatorAlbertJ.Beveridgeinanintroductiontooneofthevolumesof“ModernEloquence,”says:“Theprofoundestfeelingamongthemasses,themostinfluentialelementintheircharacter,isthereligiouselement.Itisasinstinctiveandelementalasthelawofself–preservation.Itinformsthewholeintellectandpersonalityofthepeople.Andhewhowouldgreatlyinfluencethepeoplebyutteringtheirunformedthoughtsmusthavethisgreatandunanalyzablebondofsympathywiththem.”

WhenthemenofUlsterarmedthemselvestoopposethepassageoftheHomeRuleAct,oneofthepresentwritersassignedtoahundredmen“HomeRule”asthetopicforanaddresstobepreparedbyeach.Amongthisgroupweresomebrilliantspeakers,severalofthemexperiencedlawyersandpoliticalcampaigners.Someoftheiraddressesshowedaremarkableknowledgeandgraspofthesubject;otherswereclothedinthemostattractivephrases.Butaclerk,withoutagreatdealofeducationandexperience,aroseandtoldhowhespenthisboyhooddaysinUlster,howhismotherwhileholdinghimonherlaphadpicturedtohimUlster’sdeedsofvalor.Hespokeofapictureinhisuncle’shomethatshowedthemenofUlsterconqueringatyrantandmarchingontovictory.Hisvoicequivered,andwithahandpointingupwardhedeclaredthatifthemenofUlsterwenttowartheywouldnotgoalone—agreatGodwouldgowiththem.

Thespeechthrilledandelectrifiedtheaudience.Itthrillsyetaswerecallit.Thehigh–soundingphrases,thehistoricalknowledge,thephilosophicaltreatment,oftheotherspeakerslargelyfailedtoarouseanydeepinterest,whilethegenuineconvictionandfeelingofthemodestclerk,speakingonasubjectthatlaydeepinhisheart,notonlyelectrifiedhisaudiencebutwontheirpersonalsympathyforthecauseheadvocated.

AsWebstersaid,itisofnousetotrytopretendtosympathyorfeelings.Itcannotbedonesuccessfully.“Natureisforeverputtingapremiumonreality.”Whatisfalseissoondetectedassuch.Thethoughtsandfeelingsthatcreateandmouldthespeechinthestudymustbebornagainwhenthespeechisdeliveredfromtheplatform.Donotletyourwordssayonething,andyourvoiceandattitudeanother.Thereisnoroomhereforhalf–hearted,nonchalantmethodsofdelivery.Sincerityistheverysoulofeloquence.Carlylewasright:“NoMirabeau,Napoleon,Burns,Cromwell,nomanadequatetodoanything,butisfirst

ofallinrightearnestaboutit;whatIcallasincereman.Ishouldsaysincerity,agreat,deep,genuinesincerity,isthefirstcharacteristicofallmeninanywayheroic.Notthesinceritythatcallsitselfsincere;ahno,thatisaverypoormatterindeed;ashallowbraggart,conscioussincerity,oftenestself–conceitmainly.Thegreatman’ssincerityisofthekindhecannotspeakof—isnotconsciousof.”


Itisonethingtoconvincethewould–bespeakerthatheoughttoputfeelingintohisspeeches;oftenitisquiteanotherthingforhimtodoit.Theaveragespeakerisafraidtolethimselfgo,andcontinuallysuppresseshisemotions.Whenyouputenoughfeelingintoyourspeechestheywillsoundoverdonetoyou,unlessyouareanexperiencedspeaker.Theywillsoundtoostrong,ifyouarenotusedtoenlargingforplatformorstage,forthedelineationoftheemotionsmustbeenlargedforpublicdelivery.

1.Studythefollowingspeech,goingbackinyourimaginationtothetimeandcircumstancesthatbroughtitforth.Makeitnotamemorizedhistoricaldocument,butfeeltheemotionsthatgaveitbirth.Thespeechisonlyaneffect;liveoverinyourownheartthecausesthatproduceditandtrytodeliveritatwhiteheat.Itisnotpossibleforyoutoputtoomuchrealfeelingintoit,thoughofcourseitwouldbequiteeasytorantandfillitwithfalseemotion.Thisspeech,accordingtoThomasJefferson,startedtheballoftheRevolutionrolling.Menwerethenwillingtogooutanddieforliberty.

PATRICKHENRY’SSPEECH

BEFORETHEVIRGINIACONVENTIONOFDELEGATES

Mr.President,itisnaturaltomantoindulgeintheillusionsofhope.Weareapttoshutoureyesagainstapainfultruth,andlistentothesongofthatsiren,tillshetransformsustobeasts.Isthisthepartofwisemen,engagedinagreatandarduousstruggleforliberty?Arewedisposedtobeofthenumberofthosewho,havingeyes,seenot,andhavingears,hearnot,thethingswhichsonearlyconcernourtemporalsalvation?Formypart,whateveranguishofspirititmaycost,Iamwillingtoknowthewholetruth;toknowtheworst,andtoprovideforit.

Ihavebutonelampbywhichmyfeetareguided;andthatisthelampofexperience.Iknowofnowayofjudgingofthefuturebutbythepast.Andjudgingbythepast,IwishtoknowwhattherehasbeenintheconductoftheBritishMinistryforthelasttenyearstojustifythosehopeswithwhichgentlemenhavebeenpleasedtosolacethemselvesandtheHouse?Isitthatinsidioussmilewithwhichourpetitionhasbeenlatelyreceived?Trustitnot,sir;itwillproveasnaretoyourfeet.Suffernotyourselvestobe“betrayedwithakiss”!Askyourselves,howthisgraciousreceptionofourpetitioncomportswiththosewarlikepreparationswhichcoverourwatersanddarkenourland.Arefleetsandarmiesnecessarytoaworkofloveandreconciliation?Haveweshownourselvessounwillingtobereconciled,thatforcemustbecalledintowinbackourlove?Letusnotdeceiveourselves,sir.Thesearetheimplementsofwarandsubjugation,thelast“arguments”towhichkingsresort.

Iaskgentlemen,sir,whatmeansthismartialarray,ifitspurposebenottoforceustosubmission?Cangentlemenassignanyotherpossiblemotiveforit?HasGreatBritainanyenemyinthisquarteroftheworld,tocallforallthisaccumulationofnaviesandarmies?No,sir,shehasnone.Theyaremeantforus;theycanbemeantfornoother.TheyaresentovertobindandtorivetuponusthosechainswhichtheBritishMinistryhavebeensolongforging.Andwhathavewetoopposetothem?Shallwetryargument?Sir,wehavebeentryingthatforthelasttenyears.Haveweanythingnewtoofferuponthesubject?Nothing.Wehaveheldthesubjectupineverylightofwhichitiscapable;butithasbeenallinvain.Shallweresorttoentreatyandhumblesupplication?Whattermsshallwefindwhichhavenotbeenalreadyexhausted?Letusnot,Ibeseechyou,sir,deceiveourselveslonger.Sir,wehavedoneeverythingthatcouldbedone,toavertthestormwhichisnowcomingon.Wehavepetitioned,wehaveremonstrated,wehavesupplicated,wehaveprostratedourselvesbeforethethrone,andhaveimploreditsinterpositiontoarrestthetyrannicalhandsoftheMinistryandParliament.Ourpetitionshavebeenslighted;ourremonstranceshaveproducedadditionalviolenceandinsult;oursupplicationshavebeendisregarded,andwehavebeenspurnedwithcontemptfromthefootofthethrone.Invain,afterthesethings,mayweindulgeinthefondhopeofpeaceandreconciliation.Thereisnolongeranyroomforhope.Ifwewishtobefree,ifwemeantopreserveinviolatethoseinestimableprivilegesforwhichwehavebeensolongcontending;ifwemeannotbaselytoabandonthenoblestruggleinwhichwehavebeensolongengaged,andwhichwehavepledgedourselvesnevertoabandonuntilthegloriousobjectofourcontestshallbeobtained,wemustfight;Irepeatit,sir,wemustfight!Anappealtoarms,andtotheGodofHosts,isallthatisleftus!

Theytellus,sir,thatweareweak—“unabletocopewithsoformidableanadversary”!Butwhenshallwebestronger?Willitbethenextweek,orthenextyear?Willitbewhenwearetotallydisarmed,andwhenaBritishguardshallbestationedineveryhouse?Shallwegatherstrengthbyirresolutionandinaction?Shallweacquirethemeansofeffectualresistance,bylyingsupinelyonourbacks,andhuggingthedelusivephantomofhope,untilourenemieshaveboundushandandfoot?Sir,wearenotweak,ifwemakeaproperuseofthosemeanswhichtheGodofNaturehathplacedinourpower.Threemillionsofpeople,armedintheholycauseofLiberty,andinsuchacountryasthatwhichwepossess,areinvinciblebyanyforcewhichourenemycansendagainstus.Besides,sir,weshallnotfightourbattlesalone.ThereisajustPowerwhopresidesoverthedestiniesofnations,andwhowillraiseupfriendstofightourbattlesforus.Thebattle,sir,isnottothestrongalone;itistothevigilant,theactive,thebrave.Besides,sir,wehavenoelection.Ifwewerebaseenoughtodesireit,itisnowtoolatetoretirefromthecontest.Thereisnoretreat,butinsubmissionandslavery.Ourchainsareforged.TheirclankingmaybeheardontheplainsofBoston.Thewarisinevitable;andletitcome!Irepeatit,sir,letitcome!Itisinvain,sir,toextenuatethematter.Gentlemenmaycry“Peace,peace!”butthereisnopeace!Thewarisactuallybegun!Thenextgalethatsweepsfromthenorthwillbringtoourearstheclashofresoundingarms!Ourbrethrenarealreadyinthefield!Whystandwehereidle?Whatisitthatgentlemenwish?Whatwouldtheyhave?Islifesodear,orpeacesosweet,astobepurchasedatthepriceof

chainsandslavery?Forbidit,AlmightyPowers!—Iknownotwhatcourseothersmaytake;butasforme,givemelibertyorgivemedeath!

2.LiveoverinyourimaginationallthesolemnityandsorrowthatLincolnfeltattheGettysburgcemetery.Thefeelinginthisspeechisverydeep,butitisquieterandmoresubduedthantheprecedingone.ThepurposeofHenry’saddresswastogetaction;Lincoln’sspeechwasmeantonlytodedicatethelastrestingplaceofthosewhohadacted.Readitoverandover(seepage50)untilitburnsinyoursoul.Thencommititandrepeatitforemotionalexpression.

3.Beecher’sspeechonLincoln,page76;Thurston’sspeechon“APleaforCuba,”page50;andthefollowingselection,arerecommendedforpractiseindevelopingfeelingindelivery.

Alivingforcethatbringstoitselfalltheresourcesofimagination,alltheinspirationsoffeeling,allthatisinfluentialinbody,invoice,ineye,ingesture,inposture,inthewholeanimatedman,isinstrictanalogywiththedivinethoughtandthedivinearrangement;andthereisnomisconstructionmoreutterlyuntrueandfatalthanthis:thatoratoryisanartificialthing,whichdealswithbaublesandtrifles,forthesakeofmakingbubblesofpleasurefortransienteffectonmercurialaudiences.Sofarfromthat,itistheconsecrationofthewholemantothenoblestpurposestowhichonecanaddresshimself—theeducationandinspirationofhisfellowmenbyallthatthereisinlearning,byallthatthereisinthought,byallthatthereisinfeeling,byallthatthereisinallofthem,senthomethroughthechannelsoftasteandofbeauty.


4.Whatinyouropinionaretherelativevaluesofthoughtandfeelinginaspeech?

5.Couldwedispensewitheither?

6.Whatkindsofselectionsoroccasionsrequiremuchfeelingandenthusiasm?Whichrequirelittle?

7.Inventalistoftensubjectsforspeeches,sayingwhichwouldgivemostroomforpurethoughtandwhichforfeeling.

8.Prepareanddeliveraten–minutespeechdenouncingthe(imaginary)unfeelingpleaofanattorney;hemaybeeitherthecounselforthedefenseortheprosecutingattorney,andtheaccusedmaybeassumedtobeeitherguiltyorinnocent,atyouroption.

9.IsfeelingmoreimportantthanthetechnicalprinciplesexpoundedinchaptersIIItoVII?Why?

10.Analyzethesecretofsomeeffectivespeechorspeaker.Towhatisthesuccessdue?

11.Giveanexamplefromyourownobservationoftheeffectoffeelingandenthusiasmonlisteners.

12.MemorizeCarlyle’sandEmerson’sremarksonenthusiasm.

13.DeliverPatrickHenry’saddress,page110,andThurston’sspeech,page50,without

showoffeelingorenthusiasm.Whatistheresult?

14.Repeat,withallthefeelingtheseselectionsdemand.Whatistheresult?

15.Whatstepsdoyouintendtotaketodevelopthepowerofenthusiasmandfeelinginspeaking?

16.Writeanddeliverafive–minutespeechridiculingaspeakerwhousesbombast,pomposityandover–enthusiasm.Imitatehim.

CHAPTERXIFluencyThroughPreparation

Animisopibusqueparati—Readyinmindandresources.

—MottoofSouthCarolina.

Inomnibusnegotiispriusquamaggrediare,adhibendaestpræparatiodiligens—Inallmattersbeforebeginningadiligentpreparationshouldbemade.

—CICERO,DeOfficiis.

TakeyourdictionaryandlookupthewordsthatcontaintheLatinstemflu—theresultswillbesuggestive.

Atfirstblushitwouldseemthatfluencyconsistsinaready,easyuseofwords.Notso—theflowingqualityofspeechismuchmore,foritisacompositeeffect,witheachofitspriorconditionsdeservingofcarefulnotice.

TheSourcesofFluency

Speakingbroadly,fluencyisalmostentirelyamatterofpreparation.Certainly,nativegiftsfigurelargelyhere,asineveryart,butevennaturalfacilityisdependentontheverysamelawsofpreparationthatholdgoodforthemanofsupposedlysmallnativeendowment.Letthisencourageyouif,likeMoses,youarepronetocomplainthatyouarenotareadyspeaker.

Haveyoueverstoppedtoanalyzethatexpression,“areadyspeaker?”Readiness,initsprimesense,ispreparedness,andtheyaremostreadywhoarebestprepared.Quickfiringdependsmoreonthealertfingerthanonthehairtrigger.Yourfluencywillbeindirectratiototwoimportantconditions:yourknowledgeofwhatyouaregoingtosay,andyourbeingaccustomedtotellingwhatyouknowtoanaudience.Thisgivesusthesecondgreatelementoffluency—topreparationmustbeaddedtheeasethatarisesfrompractise;ofwhichmorepresently.

KnowledgeisEssential

Mr.Bryanisamostfluentspeakerwhenhespeaksonpoliticalproblems,tendenciesofthetime,andquestionsofmorals.Itistobesupposed,however,thathewouldnotbesofluentinspeakingonthebirdlifeoftheFloridaEverglades.Mr.JohnBurroughsmightbeathisbestonthislastsubject,yetentirelylostintalkingaboutinternationallaw.Donotexpecttospeakfluentlyonasubjectthatyouknowlittleornothingabout.Ctesiphonboastedthathecouldspeakallday(asininitself)onanysubjectthatanaudiencewouldsuggest.HewasbanishedbytheSpartans.

Butpreparationgoesbeyondthegettingofthefactsinthecaseyouaretopresent:itincludesalsotheabilitytothinkandarrangeyourthoughts,afullandprecisevocabulary,

aneasymannerofspeechandbreathing,absenceofself–consciousness,andtheseveralothercharacteristicsofefficientdeliverythathavedeservedspecialattentioninotherpartsofthisbookratherthaninthischapter.

Preparationmaybeeithergeneralorspecific;usuallyitshouldbeboth.Alife–timeofreading,ofcompanionshipwithstirringthoughts,ofwrestlingwiththeproblemsoflife—thisconstitutesageneralpreparationofinestimableworth.Outofawell–storedmind,and—richerstill—abroadexperience,and—bestofall—awarmlysympatheticheart,thespeakerwillhavetodrawmuchmaterialthatnoimmediatestudycouldprovide.Generalpreparationconsistsofallthatamanhasputintohimself,allthatheredityandenvironmenthaveinstilledintohim,and—thatotherrichsourceofpreparednessforspeech—thefriendshipofwisecompanions.WhenSchillerreturnedhomeafteravisitwithGoetheafriendremarked:“IamamazedbytheprogressSchillercanmakewithinasinglefortnight.”Itwastheprogressiveinfluenceofanewfriendship.Properfriendshipsformoneofthebestmeansfortheformationofideasandideals,fortheyenableonetopractiseingivingexpressiontothought.Thespeakerwhowouldspeakfluentlybeforeanaudienceshouldlearntospeakfluentlyandentertaininglywithafriend.Clarifyyourideasbyputtingtheminwords;thetalkergainsasmuchfromhisconversationasthelistener.Yousometimesbegintoconverseonasubjectthinkingyouhaveverylittletosay,butoneideagivesbirthtoanother,andyouaresurprisedtolearnthatthemoreyougivethemoreyouhavetogive.Thisgive–and–takeoffriendlyconversationdevelopsmentality,andfluencyinexpression.Longfellowsaid:“Asingleconversationacrossthetablewithawisemanisbetterthantenyears’studyofbooks,”andHolmeswhimsicallyyetnonethelesstruthfullydeclaredthathalfthetimehetalkedtofindoutwhathethought.Butthatmethodmustnotbeappliedontheplatform!

Afterallthisenrichmentoflifebystorage,mustcomethespecialpreparationfortheparticularspeech.Thisisofsodefiniteasortthatitwarrantsseparatechapter–treatmentlater.

Practise

Butpreparationmustalsobeofanothersortthanthegathering,organizing,andshapingofmaterials—itmustincludepractise,which,likementalpreparation,mustbebothgeneralandspecial.

Donotfeelsurprisedordiscouragedifpractiseontheprinciplesofdeliveryhereinlaiddownseemstoretardyourfluency.Foratime,thiswillbeinevitable.Whileyouareworkingforproperinflection,forinstance,inflectionwillbedemandingyourfirstthoughts,andtheflowofyourspeech,forthetimebeing,willbesecondary.Thiswarning,however,isstrictlyforthecloset,foryourpractiseathome.Donotcarryanythoughtsofinflectionwithyoutotheplatform.Thereyoumustthinkonlyofyoursubject.Thereisanabsolutetelepathybetweentheaudienceandthespeaker.Ifyourthoughtgoestoyourgesture,theirthoughtwilltoo.Ifyourinterestgoestothequalityofyourvoice,theywillberegardingthatinsteadofwhatyourvoiceisuttering.

Youhavedoubtlessbeenadjuredto“forgeteverythingbutyoursubject.”Thisadvicesayseithertoomuchortoolittle.Thetruthisthatwhileontheplatformyoumustnotforgetagreatmanythingsthatarenotinyoursubject,butyoumustnotthinkofthem.Your

attentionmustconsciouslygoonlytoyourmessage,butsubconsciouslyyouwillbeattendingtothepointsoftechniquewhichhavebecomemoreorlesshabitualbypractise.

Anicebalancebetweenthesetwokindsofattentionisimportant.

Youcannomoreescapethislawthanyoucanlivewithoutair:Yourplatformgestures,yourvoice,yourinflection,willallbejustasgoodasyourhabitofgesture,voice,andinflectionmakesthem—nobetter.Eventhethoughtofwhetheryouarespeakingfluentlyornotwillhavetheeffectofmarringyourflowofspeech.

Returntotheopeningchapter,onself–confidence,andagainlayitspreceptstoheart.Learnbyrulestospeakwithoutthinkingofrules.Itisnot—oroughtnottobe—necessaryforyoutostoptothinkhowtosaythealphabetcorrectly,asamatteroffactitisslightlymoredifficultforyoutorepeatZ,Y,XthanitistosayX,Y,Z—habithasestablishedtheorder.Justsoyoumustmasterthelawsofefficiencyinspeakinguntilitisasecondnatureforyoutospeakcorrectlyratherthanotherwise.Abeginneratthepianohasagreatdealoftroublewiththemechanicsofplaying,butastimegoesonhisfingersbecometrainedandalmostinstinctivelywanderoverthekeyscorrectly.Asaninexperiencedspeakeryouwillfindagreatdealofdifficultyatfirstinputtingprinciplesintopractise,foryouwillbescared,liketheyoungswimmer,andmakesomecrudestrokes,butifyoupersevereyouwill“winout.”

Thus,tosumup,thevocabularyyouhaveenlargedbystudy,[4]theeaseinspeakingyouhavedevelopedbypractise,theeconomyofyourwell–studiedemphasisallwillsubconsciouslycometoyouraidontheplatform.Thenthehabitsyouhaveformedwillbeearningyouasplendiddividend.Thefluencyofyourspeechwillbeatthespeedofflowyourpractisehasmadehabitual.

Butthismeanswork.Whatgoodhabitdoesnot?Nophilosopher’sstonethatwillactasasubstituteforlaboriouspractisehaseverbeenfound.Ifitwere,itwouldbethrownaway,becauseitwouldkillourgreatestjoy—thedelightofacquisition.Ifpublic–speakingmeanstoyouafullerlife,youwillknownogreaterhappinessthanawell–spokenspeech.Thetimeyouhavespentingatheringideasandinprivatepractiseofspeakingyouwillfindamplyrewarded.


1.Whatadvantageshasthefluentspeakeroverthehesitatingtalker?

2.Whatinfluences,withinandwithoutthemanhimself,workagainstfluency?

3.Selectfromthedailypapersometopicforanaddressandmakeathree–minuteaddressonit.Doyourwordscomefreelyandyoursentencesflowoutrhythmically?Practiseonthesametopicuntiltheydo.

4.Selectsomesubjectwithwhichyouarefamiliarandtestyourfluencybyspeakingextemporaneously.

5.Takeoneofthesentimentsgivenbelowand,followingtheadvicegivenonpages118–119,constructashortspeechbeginningwiththelastwordinthesentence.

Machineryhascreatedaneweconomicworld.

TheSocialistPartyisastrenuousworkerforpeace.

Hewasacrushedandbrokenmanwhenheleftprison.

Warmustultimatelygivewaytoworld–widearbitration.

Thelaborunionsdemandamoreequaldistributionofthewealththatlaborcreates.

6.PutthesentimentsofMr.Bryan’s“PrinceofPeace,”onpage448,intoyourownwords.Honestlycriticiseyourowneffort.

7.Takeanyofthefollowingquotationsandmakeafive–minutespeechonitwithoutpausingtoprepare.Thefirsteffortsmaybeverylame,butifyouwantspeedonatypewriter,arecordforahundred–yarddash,orfacilityinspeaking,youmustpractise,practise,PRACTISE.

Therelivesmorefaithinhonestdoubt,Believeme,thaninhalfthecreeds.

—TENNYSON,InMemoriam.

Howe’eritbe,itseemstome,‘Tisonlynobletobegood.Kindheartsaremorethancoronets,AndsimplefaiththanNormanblood.

—TENNYSON,LadyClaraVeredeVere.

‘TisdistancelendsenchantmenttotheviewAndrobesthemountaininitsazurehue.

—CAMPBELL,PleasuresofHope.

Hisbestcompanions,innocenceandhealth,Andhisbestriches,ignoranceofwealth.

—GOLDSMITH,TheDesertedVillage.

Bewareofdesperatesteps!Thedarkestday,Livetilltomorrow,willhavepassedaway.

—COWPER,NeedlessAlarm.

Mycountryistheworld,andmyreligionistodogood.

—PAINE,RightsofMan.

Tradeitmayhelp,societyextend,

Butluresthepirate,andcorruptsthefriend:Itraisesarmiesinanation’said,Butbribesasenate,andtheland’sbetray’d.

—POPE,MoralEssays.[5]

OGod,thatmenshouldputanenemyintheirmouthstostealawaytheirbrains!

—SHAKESPEARE,Othello.

Itmattersnothowstraitthegate,Howchargedwithpunishmentthescroll,Iamthemasterofmyfate,Iamthecaptainofmysoul.

—HENLEY,Invictus.

Theworldissofullofanumberofthings,Iamsureweshouldallbehappyaskings.

—STEVENSON,AChild’sGardenofVerses.

Ifyourmoralsaredreary,dependuponittheyarewrong.

—STEVENSON,Essays.

Everyadvantagehasitstax.Ilearntobecontent.

—EMERSON,Essays.

8.Makeatwo–minutespeechonanyofthefollowinggeneralsubjects,butyouwillfindthatyourideaswillcomemorereadilyifyounarrowyoursubjectbytakingsomespecificphaseofit.Forinstance,insteadoftryingtospeakon“Law”ingeneral,taketheproposition,“ThePoorManCannotAffordtoProsecute;”orinsteadofdwellingon“Leisure,”showhowmodernspeediscreatingmoreleisure.Inthiswayyoumayexpandthissubjectlistindefinitely.

GENERALTHEMES

Law.Politics.Woman’sSuffrage.InitiativeandReferendum.ALargerNavy.War.Peace.ForeignImmigration.

TheLiquorTraffic.LaborUnions.Strikes.Socialism.SingleTax.Tariff.Honesty.Courage.Hope.Love.Mercy.Kindness.Justice.Progress.Machinery.Invention.Wealth.Poverty.Agriculture.Science.Surgery.Haste.Leisure.Happiness.Health.Business.America.TheFarEast.Mobs.Colleges.Sports.Matrimony.Divorce.ChildLabor.Education.Books.TheTheater.Literature.Electricity.Achievement.Failure.PublicSpeaking.

Ideals.Conversation.TheMostDramaticMomentofMyLife.MyHappiestDays.ThingsWorthWhile.WhatIHopetoAchieve.MyGreatestDesire.WhatIWouldDowithaMillionDollars.IsMankindProgressing?OurGreatestNeed.

[4]Seechapteron“IncreasingtheVocabulary.”[5]Money.

CHAPTERXIITheVoice

Oh,thereissomethinginthatvoicethatreachesTheinnermostrecessesofmyspirit!

—LONGFELLOW,Christus.

ThedramaticcriticofTheLondonTimesoncedeclaredthatactingisnine–tenthsvoicework.Leavingthemessageaside,thesamemayjustlybesaidofpublicspeaking.Arich,correctly–usedvoiceisthegreatestphysicalfactorofpersuasivenessandpower,oftenover–toppingtheeffectsofreason.

Butagoodvoice,wellhandled,isnotonlyaneffectivepossessionfortheprofessionalspeaker,itisamarkofpersonalcultureaswell,andevenadistinctcommercialasset.Gladstone,himselfthepossessorofadeep,musicalvoice,hassaid:“Ninetymenineveryhundredinthecrowdedprofessionswillprobablyneverriseabovemediocritybecausethetrainingofthevoiceisentirelyneglectedandconsideredofnoimportance.”Thesearewordsworthpondering.

Therearethreefundamentalrequisitesforagoodvoice:

1.Ease

SignorBoncioftheMetropolitanOperaCompanysaysthatthesecretofgoodvoiceisrelaxation;andthisistrue,forrelaxationisthebasisofease.Theairwavesthatproducevoiceresultinadifferentkindoftonewhenstrikingagainstrelaxedmusclesthanwhenstrikingconstrictedmuscles.Trythisforyourself.Contractthemusclesofyourfaceandthroatasyoudoinhate,andflameout“Ihateyou!”Nowrelaxasyoudowhenthinkinggentle,tenderthoughts,andsay,“Iloveyou.”Howdifferentthevoicesounds.

Inpractisingvoiceexercises,andinspeaking,neverforceyourtones.Easemustbeyourwatchword.Thevoiceisadelicateinstrument,andyoumustnothandleitwithhammerandtongs.Don’tmakeyourvoicego—letitgo.Don’twork.Lettheyokeofspeechbeeasyanditsburdenlight.

Yourthroatshouldbefreefromstrainduringspeech,thereforeitisnecessarytoavoidmuscularcontraction.Thethroatmustactasasortofchimneyorfunnelforthevoice,henceanyunnaturalconstrictionwillnotonlyharmitstonesbutinjureitshealth.

Nervousnessandmentalstrainarecommonsourcesofmouthandthroatconstriction,somakethebattleforpoiseandself–confidenceforwhichwepleadedintheopeningchapter.

ButhowcanIrelax?youask.Bysimplywillingtorelax.Holdyourarmoutstraightfromyourshoulder.Now—withdrawallpowerandletitfall.Practiserelaxationofthemusclesofthethroatbylettingyourneckandheadfallforward.Rolltheupperpartofyourbody

around,withthewaistlineactingasapivot.Letyourheadfallandrollaroundasyoushiftthetorsotodifferentpositions.Donotforceyourheadaround—simplyrelaxyourneckandletgravitypullitaroundasyourbodymoves.

Again,letyourheadfallforwardonyourbreast;raiseyourhead,lettingyourjawhang.Relaxuntilyourjawfeelsheavy,asthoughitwereaweighthungtoyourface.Remember,youmustrelaxthejawtoobtaincommandofit.Itmustbefreeandflexibleforthemouldingoftone,andtoletthetonepassoutunobstructed.

Thelipsalsomustbemadeflexible,toaidinthemouldingofclearandbeautifultones.Forflexibilityoflipsrepeatthesyllables,mo—me.Insayingmo,bringthelipsuptoresembletheshapeoftheletterO.Inrepeatingmedrawthembackasyoudoinagrin.Repeatthisexerciserapidly,givingthelipsasmuchexerciseaspossible.

Trythefollowingexerciseinthesamemanner:

Mo—E—O—E—OO—Ah.

Afterthisexercisehasbeenmastered,thefollowingwillalsobefoundexcellentforflexibilityoflips:

Memorizethesesoundsindicated(nottheexpressions)sothatyoucanrepeatthemrapidly.

|AasinMay.|EasinMet.|UasinUse.|A”Ah.|I”Ice.|Oi”Oil.|A”At.|I”It.|Ou”Our.|O”No.|O”No.|OO”Ooze.|A”All.|OO”Foot.|A”Ah.|E”Eat.|OO”Ooze.|E”Eat.

Alltheactivityofbreathingmustbecentered,notinthethroat,butinthemiddleofthebody—youmustbreathefromthediaphragm.Notethewayyoubreathewhenlyingflatontheback,undressedinbed.Youwillobservethatalltheactivitythencentersaroundthediaphragm.Thisisthenaturalandcorrectmethodofbreathing.Byconstantwatchfulnessmakethisyourhabitualmanner,foritwillenableyoutorelaxmoreperfectlythemusclesofthethroat.

Thenextfundamentalrequisiteforgoodvoiceis

2.Openness

Ifthemusclesofthethroatareconstricted,thetonepassagepartiallyclosed,andthemouthkepthalf–shut,howcanyouexpectthetonetocomeoutbrightandclear,oreventocomeoutatall?Soundisaseriesofwaves,andifyoumakeaprisonofyourmouth,holdingthejawsandlipsrigidly,itwillbeverydifficultforthetonetosqueezethrough,andevenwhenitdoesescapeitwilllackforceandcarryingpower.Openyourmouthwide,relaxalltheorgansofspeech,andletthetoneflowouteasily.

Starttoyawn,butinsteadofyawning,speakwhileyourthroatisopen.Makethisopen–feelinghabitualwhenspeaking—wesaymakebecauseitisamatterofresolutionandofpractise,ifyourvocalorgansarehealthy.Yourtonepassagesmaybepartlyclosedbyenlargedtonsils,adenoids,orenlargedturbinatebonesofthenose.Ifso,askilledphysicianshouldbeconsulted.

Thenoseisanimportanttonepassageandshouldbekeptopenandfreeforperfecttones.

Whatwecall“talkingthroughthenose”isnottalkingthroughthenose,asyoucaneasilydemonstratebyholdingyournoseasyoutalk.Ifyouarebotheredwithnasaltonescausedbygrowthsorswellingsinthenasalpassages,aslight,painlessoperationwillremovetheobstruction.Thisisquiteimportant,asidefromvoice,forthegeneralhealthwillbemuchloweredifthelungsarecontinuallystarvedforair.

Thefinalfundamentalrequisiteforgoodvoiceis

3.Forwardness

Avoicethatispitchedbackinthethroatisdark,sombre,andunattractive.Thetonemustbepitchedforward,butdonotforceitforward.Youwillrecallthatourfirstprinciplewasease.Thinkthetoneforwardandout.Believeitisgoingforward,andallowittofloweasily.Youcantellwhetheryouareplacingyourtoneforwardornotbyinhalingadeepbreathandsingingahwiththemouthwideopen,tryingtofeelthelittledelicatesoundwavesstrikethebonyarchofthemouthjustabovethefrontteeth.Thesensationissoslightthatyouwillprobablynotbeabletodetectitatonce,butpersevereinyourpractise,alwaysthinkingthetoneforward,andyouwillberewardedbyfeelingyourvoicestriketheroofofyourmouth.Acorrectforward–placingofthetonewilldoawaywiththedark,throatytonesthataresounpleasant,inefficient,andharmfultothethroat.

Closethelips,hummingng,im,oran.Thinkthetoneforward.Doyoufeelitstrikethelips?

Holdthepalmofyourhandinfrontofyourfaceandsayvigorouslycrash,dash,whirl,buzz.Canyoufeeltheforwardtonesstrikeagainstyourhand?Practiseuntilyoucan.Remember,theonlywaytogetyourvoiceforwardistoputitforward.

HowtoDeveloptheCarryingPoweroftheVoice

Itisnotnecessarytospeakloudlyinordertobeheardatadistance.Itisnecessaryonlytospeakcorrectly.EdithWynneMatthison’svoicewillcarryinawhisperthroughoutalargetheater.Apaperrustlingonthestageofalargeauditoriumcanbehearddistinctlyinthefurthermostseatinthegallery.Ifyouwillonlyuseyourvoicecorrectly,youwillnothavemuchdifficultyinbeingheard.Ofcourseitisalwayswelltoaddressyourspeechtoyourfurthestauditors;iftheygetit,thosenearerwillhavenotrouble,butasidefromthisobvioussuggestion,youmustobservetheselawsofvoiceproduction:

Remembertoapplytheprinciplesofease,opennessandforwardness—theyaretheprimefactorsinenablingyourvoicetobeheardatadistance.

Donotgazeatthefloorasyoutalk.Thishabitnotonlygivesthespeakeranamateurishappearancebutiftheheadishungforwardthevoicewillbedirectedtowardsthegroundinsteadoffloatingoutovertheaudience.

Voiceisaseriesofairvibrations.Tostrengthenittwothingsarenecessary:moreairorbreath,andmorevibration.

Breathistheverybasisofvoice.Asabulletwithlittlepowderbehinditwillnothaveforceandcarryingpower,sothevoicethathaslittlebreathbehinditwillbeweak.Notonlywilldeepbreathing—breathingfromthediaphragm—givethevoiceabettersupport,butitwillgiveitastrongerresonancebyimprovingthegeneralhealth.

Usually,illhealthmeansaweakvoice,whileabundantphysicalvitalityisshownthroughastrong,vibrantvoice.Thereforeanythingthatimprovesthegeneralvitalityisanexcellentvoicestrengthener,providedyouusethevoiceproperly.Authoritiesdifferonmostoftherulesofhygienebutononepointtheyallagree:vitalityandlongevityareincreasedbydeepbreathing.Practisethisuntilitbecomessecondnature.Wheneveryouarespeaking,takeindeepbreaths,butinsuchamannerthattheinhalationswillbesilent.

Donottrytospeaktoolongwithoutrenewingyourbreath.Naturecaresforthisprettywellunconsciouslyinconversation,andshewilldothesameforyouinplatformspeakingifyoudonotinterferewithherpremonitions.

Acertainverysuccessfulspeakerdevelopedvoicecarryingpowerbyrunningacrosscountry,practisinghisspeechesashewent.Thevigorousexerciseforcedhimtotakedeepbreaths,anddevelopedlungpower.Ahard–foughtbasketballortennisgameisanefficientwayofpractisingdeepbreathing.Whenthesemethodsarenotconvenient,werecommendthefollowing:

Placeyourhandsatyoursides,onthewaistline.

Bytryingtoencompassyourwaistwithyourfingersandthumbs,forcealltheairoutofthelungs.

Takeadeepbreath.Remember,alltheactivityistobecenteredinthemiddleofthebody;donotraisetheshoulders.Asthebreathistakenyourhandswillbeforcedout.

Repeattheexercise,placingyourhandsonthesmallofthebackandforcingthemoutasyouinhale.

Manymethodsfordeepbreathinghavebeengivenbyvariousauthorities.Gettheairintoyourlungs—thatistheimportantthing.

Thebodyactsasasoundingboardforthevoicejustasthebodyoftheviolinactsasasoundingboardforitstones.Youcanincreaseitsvibrationsbypractise.

Placeyourfingeronyourlipandhumthemusicalscale,thinkingandplacingthevoiceforwardonthelips.Doyoufeelthelipsvibrate?Afteralittlepractisetheywillvibrate,givingaticklingsensation.

Repeatthisexercise,throwingthehummingsoundintothenose.Holdtheupperpartofthenosebetweenthethumbandforefinger.Canyoufeelthenosevibrate?

Placingthepalmofyourhandontopofyourhead,repeatthishummingexercise.Thinkthevoicethereasyouhuminheadtones.Canyoufeelthevibrationthere?

Nowplacethepalmofyourhandonthebackofyourhead,repeatingtheforegoingprocess.Thentryitonthechest.Alwaysremembertothinkyourtonewhereyoudesiretofeelthevibrations.Themereactofthinkingaboutanyportionofyourbodywilltendtomakeitvibrate.

Repeatthefollowing,afteradeepinhalation,endeavoringtofeelallportionsofyourbodyvibrateatthesametime.Whenyouhaveattainedthisyouwillfindthatitisapleasantsensation.

Whatho,myjovialmates.Comeon!Wewillfrolicitlikefairies,friskinginthe

merrymoonshine.

PurityofVoice

Thisqualityissometimesdestroyedbywastingthebreath.Carefullycontrolthebreath,usingonlyasmuchasisnecessaryfortheproductionoftone.Utilizeallthatyougiveout.Failuretodothisresultsinabreathytone.Takeinbreathlikeaprodigal;inspeaking,giveitoutlikeamiser.

VoiceSuggestions

Neverattempttoforceyourvoicewhenhoarse.

Donotdrinkcoldwaterwhenspeaking.Thesuddenshocktotheheatedorgansofspeechwillinjurethevoice.

Avoidpitchingyourvoicetoohigh—itwillmakeitraspy.Thisisacommonfault.Whenyoufindyourvoiceintoohigharange,lowerit.Donotwaituntilyougettotheplatformtotrythis.Practiseitinyourdailyconversation.Repeatthealphabet,beginningAonthelowestscalepossibleandgoingupanoteoneachsucceedingletter,forthedevelopmentofrange.Awiderangewillgiveyoufacilityinmakingnumerouschangesofpitch.

Donotformthehabitoflisteningtoyourvoicewhenspeaking.Youwillneedyourbraintothinkofwhatyouaresaying—reserveyourobservationforprivatepractise.


1.Whataretheprimerequisitesforgoodvoice?

2.Tellwhyeachoneisnecessaryforgoodvoiceproduction.

3.Givesomeexercisesfordevelopmentoftheseconditions.

4.Whyisrangeofvoicedesirable?

5.Tellhowrangeofvoicemaybecultivated.

6.Howmuchdailypractisedoyouconsidernecessaryfortheproperdevelopmentofyourvoice?

7.Howcanresonanceandcarryingpowerbedeveloped?

8.Whatareyourvoicefaults?

9.Howareyoutryingtocorrectthem?

CHAPTERXIIIVoiceCharm

Acheerfultemperjoinedwithinnocencewillmakebeautyattractive,knowledgedelightful,andwitgood–natured.

—JOSEPHADDISON,TheTattler.

Poesaidthat“thetoneofbeautyissadness,”buthewasevidentlythinkingfromcausetoeffect,notcontrariwise,forsadnessisrarelyaproducerofbeauty—thatispeculiarlytheprovinceofjoy.

TheexquisitebeautyofasunsetisnotexhilaratingbuttendstoasortofmelancholythatisnotfarfromdelightThehauntingbeautyofdeep,quietmusicholdsmorethanatingeofsadness.Thelovelyminorcadencesofbirdsongattwilightarealmostdepressing.

Thereasonweareaffectedtosadnessbycertainformsofplacidbeautyistwofold:movementisstimulatingandjoy–producing,whilequietudeleadstoreflection,andreflectioninturnoftenbringsoutthetoneofregretfullongingforthatwhichispast;secondly,quietbeautyproducesavagueaspirationfortherelativelyunattainable,yetdoesnotstimulatetothetremendouseffortnecessarytomakethedimlydesiredstateorobjectours.

Wemustdistinguish,forthesereasons,betweenthesadnessofbeautyandthejoyofbeauty.True,joyisadeep,innerthingandtakesinmuchmorethantheideaofbounding,sanguinespirits,foritincludesacertainactivecontentednessofheart.Inthischapter,howeverthewordwillhaveitsoptimistic,exuberantconnotation—wearethinkingnowofvivid,bright–eyed,laughingjoy.

Musical,joyoustonesconstitutevoicecharm,asubtlemagnetismthatisdelightfullycontagious.Nowitmightseemtothedesultoryreaderthattotakethelancetandcutintothisalluringvoicequalitywouldbetodissectabutterflywingandsodestroyitscharm.Yethowcanweinduceaneffectifwearenotcertainastothecause?

NasalResonanceProducestheBell–tonesoftheVoice

Thetonepassagesofthenosemustbekeptentirelyfreeforthebrighttonesofvoice—andafterourwarningintheprecedingchapteryouwillnotconfusewhatispopularlyanderroneouslycalleda“nasal”tonewiththetruenasalquality,whichissowellillustratedbythevoiceworkoftrainedFrenchsingersandspeakers.

Todevelopnasalresonancesingthefollowing,dwellingaslongaspossibleonthengsounds.Pitchthevoiceinthenasalcavity.Practisebothinhighandlowregisters,anddeveloprange—withbrightness.

Sing–song.Ding–dong.Hong–kong.Long–thong.

Practiseinthefalsettovoicedevelopsabrightqualityinthenormalspeaking–voice.Trythefollowing,andanyotherselectionsyouchoose,inafalsettovoice.Aman’sfalsettovoiceisextremelyhighandwomanish,somenshouldnotpractiseinfalsettoaftertheexercisebecomestiresome.

Sheperfectlyscornedthebestofhisclan,anddeclaredtheninthofanyman,aperfectlyvulgarfraction.

TheactressMaryAndersonaskedthepoetLongfellowwhatshecoulddotoimprovehervoice.Hereplied,“Readalouddaily,joyous,lyricpoetry.”

Thejoyoustonesarethebrighttones.Developthembyexercise.Practiseyourvoiceexercisesinanattitudeofjoy.Undertheinfluenceofpleasurethebodyexpands,thetonepassagesopen,theactionofheartandlungsisaccelerated,andalltheprimaryconditionsforgoodtoneareestablished.

MoresongsfloatoutfromthebrokenwindowsofthenegrocabinsintheSouththanfromthepalatialhomesonFifthAvenue.HenryWardBeechersaidthehappiestdaysofhislifewerenotwhenhehadbecomeaninternationalcharacter,butwhenhewasanunknownministeroutinLawrenceville,Ohio,sweepinghisownchurch,andworkingasacarpentertohelppaythegrocer.Happinessislargelyanattitudeofmind,ofviewinglifefromtherightangle.Theoptimisticattitudecanbecultivated,anditwillexpressitselfinvoicecharm.Atelephonecompanyrecentlyplacardedthismottointheirbooths:“TheVoicewiththeSmileWins.”Itdoes.Tryit.

Readingjoyousprose,orlyricpoetry,willhelpputsmileandjoyofsoulintoyourvoice.Thefollowingselectionsareexcellentforpractise.

REMEMBERthatwhenyoufirstpractisetheseclassicsyouaretogivesoleattentiontotwothings:ajoyousattitudeofheartandbody,andbrighttonesofvoice.Aftertheseendshavebeenattainedtoyoursatisfaction,carefullyreviewtheprinciplesofpublicspeakinglaiddownintheprecedingchaptersandputthemintopractiseasyoureadthesepassagesagainandagain.Itwouldbebettertocommiteachselectiontomemory.


FROMMILTON’S“L’ALLEGRO”

Hastethee,Nymph,andbringwiththeeJest,andyouthfulJollity,QuipsandCranksandwantonWiles,NodsandBecks,andwreathèdSmiles,SuchashangonHebe’scheek,Andlovetoliveindimplesleek,—SportthatwrinkledCarederides,AndLaughterholdingbothhissides.

Come,andtripitasyego

Onthelightfantastictoe;AndinthyrighthandleadwiththeeThemountainnymph,sweetLiberty:And,ifIgivetheehonordue,Mirth,admitmeofthycrew,Tolivewithher,andlivewiththee,Inunreprovèdpleasuresfree;

Tohearthelarkbeginhisflight,Andsinging,startlethedullNightFromhiswatch–towerintheskies,TillthedappledDawndothrise;Thentocomeinspiteofsorrow,Andatmywindowbidgood–morrowThroughthesweetbrier,orthevine,Orthetwistedeglantine;WhilethecockwithlivelydinScatterstherearofdarknessthin,Andtothestack,orthebarn–door,Stoutlystrutshisdamesbefore;

OftlisteninghowthehoundsandhornCheerlyrousetheslumberingMorn,Fromthesideofsomehoarhill,Throughthehighwoodechoingshrill;Sometimewalking,notunseen,Byhedge–rowelms,onhillocksgreen,Rightagainsttheeasterngate,WherethegreatSunbeginshisstate,Robedinflamesandamberlight,Thecloudsinthousandliveriesdight,WhiletheplowmannearathandWhistleso’erthefurrowedland,Andthemilkmaidsingingblithe,Andthemowerwhetshisscythe,Andeveryshepherdtellshistale,Underthehawthorninthedale.

THESEA

Thesea,thesea,theopensea,Theblue,thefresh,thefeverfree;Withoutamark,withoutabound,

Itrunneththeearth’swideregionsround;Itplayswiththeclouds,itmockstheskies,Orlikeacradledcreaturelies.I’monthesea,I’monthesea,IamwhereIwouldeverbe,Withtheblueaboveandthebluebelow,Andsilencewheresoe’erIgo.Ifastormshouldcomeandawakethedeep,Whatmatter?Ishallrideandsleep.

Ilove,oh!howIlovetorideOnthefierce,foaming,burstingtide,Whereeverymadwavedrownsthemoon,Andwhistlesaloftitstempesttune,Andtellshowgoeththeworldbelow,Andwhythesouthwestwinddothblow!Ineverwasonthedull,tameshoreButIlovedthegreatseamoreandmore,Andbackwardflewtoherbillowybreast,Likeabirdthatseekethhermother’snest,—Andamothershewasandistome,ForIwasbornontheopensea.

Thewaveswerewhite,andredthemorn,InthenoisyhourwhenIwasborn;Thewhaleitwhistled,theporpoiserolled,Andthedolphinsbaredtheirbacksofgold;Andneverwasheardsuchanoutcrywild,Aswelcomedtolifetheoceanchild.Ihavelived,sincethen,incalmandstrife,Fullfiftysummersarover’slife,Withwealthtospend,andapowertorange,Butneverhavesoughtorsighedforchange:Anddeath,wheneverhecomestome,Shallcomeonthewide,unboundedsea!

—BARRYCORNWALL.

Thesundoesnotshineforafewtreesandflowers,butforthewideworld’sjoy.Thelonelypineuponthemountain–topwavesitssombreboughs,andcries,“Thouartmysun.”Andthelittlemeadowvioletliftsitscupofblue,andwhisperswithitsperfumedbreath,“Thouartmysun.”Andthegraininathousandfieldsrustlesinthewind,andmakesanswer,“Thouartmysun.”AndsoGodsitseffulgentinHeaven,notforafavoredfew,butfortheuniverseoflife;andthereisnocreaturesopooror

solowthathemaynotlookupwithchild–likeconfidenceandsay,“MyFather!Thouartmine.”


THELARK

Birdofthewilderness,Blithesomeandcumberless,Sweetbethymatino’ermoorlandandlea!Emblemofhappiness,Blestisthydwelling–place:Oh,toabideinthedesertwiththee!

Wildisthylay,andloud,Farinthedownycloud,—Lovegivesitenergy;lovegaveitbirth.Where,onthydewywingWhereartthoujourneying?Thylayisinheaven;thyloveisonearth.

O’erfellandfountainsheen,O’ermoorandmountaingreen,O’ertheredstreamerthatheraldstheday;Overthecloudletdim,Overtherainbow’srim,Musicalcherub,soar,singing,away!

Then,whenthegloamingcomes,Lowintheheatherblooms,Sweetwillthywelcomeandbedoflovebe!Emblemofhappiness,Blestisthydwelling–place.Oh,toabideinthedesertwiththee!

—JAMESHOGG.

Injoyousconversationthereisanelastictouch,adelicatestroke,uponthecentralideas,generallyfollowingapause.Thiselastictouchaddsvivacitytothevoice.Ifyoutryrepeatedly,itcanbesensedbyfeelingthetonguestriketheteeth.Theentireabsenceofelastictouchinthevoicecanbeobservedinthethicktongueoftheintoxicatedman.Trytotalkwiththetonguelyingstillinthebottomofthemouth,andyouwillobtainlargelythesameeffect.Vivacityofutteranceisgainedbyusingthetonguetostrikeofftheemphaticideawithadecisive,elastictouch.

Deliverthefollowingwithdecisivestrokesontheemphaticideas.Deliveritinavivacious

manner,notingtheelastictouch–actionofthetongue.Aflexible,responsivetongueisabsolutelyessentialtogoodvoicework.

FROMNAPOLEON’SADDRESSTOTHEDIRECTORYONHISRETURNFROMEGYPT

WhathaveyoudonewiththatbrilliantFrancewhichIleftyou?Ileftyouatpeace,andIfindyouatwar.IleftyouvictoriousandIfindyoudefeated.IleftyouthemillionsofItaly,andIfindonlyspoliationandpoverty.WhathaveyoudonewiththehundredthousandFrenchmen,mycompanionsinglory?Theyaredead!…Thisstateofaffairscannotlastlong;inlessthanthreeyearsitwouldplungeusintodespotism.

Practisethefollowingselection,forthedevelopmentofelastictouch;sayitinajoyousspirit,usingtheexercisetodevelopvoicecharminallthewayssuggestedinthischapter.

THEBROOK

Icomefromhauntsofcootandhern,Imakeasuddensally,Andsparkleoutamongthefern,Tobickerdownavalley.

BythirtyhillsIhurrydown,Orslipbetweentheridges;Bytwentythorps,alittletown,Andhalfahundredbridges.

TilllastbyPhilip’sfarmIflowTojointhebrimmingriver;Formenmaycomeandmenmaygo,ButIgoonforever.

Ichatteroverstonyways,Inlittlesharpsandtrebles,Ibubbleintoeddyingbays,Ibabbleonthepebbles.

WithmanyacurvemybanksIfret,Bymanyafieldandfallow,AndmanyafairyforelandsetWithwillow–weedandmallow.

Ichatter,chatter,asIflowTojointhebrimmingriver;Formenmaycomeandmenmaygo,ButIgoonforever.

Iwindabout,andinandout,Withhereablossomsailing,Andhereandtherealustytrout,Andhereandthereagrayling,

AndhereandthereafoamyflakeUponme,asItravel,Withmanyasilverywater–breakAbovethegoldengravel,

Anddrawthemallalong,andflowTojointhebrimmingriver,Formenmaycomeandmenmaygo,ButIgoonforever.

Istealbylawnsandgrassyplots,Islidebyhazelcovers,Imovethesweetforget–me–notsThatgrowforhappylovers.

Islip,Islide,Igloom,Iglance,Amongmyskimmingswallows;ImakethenettedsunbeamdanceAgainstmysandyshallows,

ImurmurundermoonandstarsInbramblywildernesses,Ilingerbymyshinglybars,Iloiterroundmycresses;

AndoutagainIcurveandflowTojointhebrimmingriver;Formenmaycomeandmenmaygo,ButIgoonforever.

—ALFREDTENNYSON.

Thechildrenatplayonthestreet,gladfromsheerphysicalvitality,displayaresonanceandcharmintheirvoicesquitedifferentfromthevoicesthatfloatthroughthesilenthallsofthehospitals.Askilledphysiciancantellmuchabouthispatient’sconditionfromthemeresoundofthevoice.Failinghealth,orevenphysicalweariness,tellsthroughthevoice.Itisalwayswelltorestandbeentirelyrefreshedbeforeattemptingtodeliverapublicaddress.Astohealth,neitherscopenorspacepermitsustodiscussherethelawsofhygiene.Therearemanyexcellentbooksonthissubject.InthereignoftheRomanemperorTiberius,onesenatorwrotetoanother:“Tothewise,awordissufficient.”

“Theappareloftproclaimstheman;”thevoicealwaysdoes—itisoneofthegreatestrevealersofcharacter.Thesuperficialwoman,thebrutishman,thereprobate,thepersonofculture,oftendisclosesinnernatureinthevoice,foreventhecleverestdissemblercannotentirelypreventitstonesandqualitiesbeingaffectedbytheslightestchangeofthoughtoremotion.Inangeritbecomeshigh,harsh,andunpleasant;inlovelow,soft,andmelodious—thevariationsareaslimitlessastheyarefascinatingtoobserve.Visitatheatricalhotelinalargecity,andlistentothebuzz–sawvoicesofthechorusgirlsfromsomeburlesque“attraction.”Theexplanationissimple—buzz–sawlives.Emersonsaid:“WhenamanliveswithGodhisvoiceshallbeassweetasthemurmurofthebrookortherustleofthecorn.”Itisimpossibletothinkselfishthoughtsandhaveeitheranattractivepersonality,alovelycharacter,oracharmingvoice.Ifyouwanttopossessvoicecharm,cultivateadeep,sinceresympathyformankind.Lovewillshineoutthroughyoureyesandproclaimitselfinyourtones.Onesecretofthesweetnessofthecanary’ssongmaybehisfreedomfromtaintedthoughts.Yourcharacterbeautifiesormarsyourvoice.Asamanthinkethinhisheartsoishisvoice.


1.Define(a)charm;(b)joy;(c)beauty.

2.Makealistofallthewordsrelatedtojoy.

3.Writeathree–minuteeulogyof“TheJoyfulMan.”

4.Deliveritwithouttheuseofnotes.Haveyoucarefullyconsideredallthequalitiesthatgotomakeupvoice–charminitsdelivery?

5.Tellbrieflyinyourownwordswhatmeansmaybeemployedtodevelopacharmingvoice.

6.Discusstheeffectofvoiceoncharacter.

7.Discusstheeffectofcharacteronvoice.

8.Analyzethevoicecharmofanyspeakerorsingeryouchoose.

9.Analyzethedefectsofanygivenvoice.

10.Makeashorthumorousspeechimitatingcertainvoicedefects,pointingoutreasons.

11.Committhefollowingstanzaandinterpreteachphaseofdelightsuggestedorexpressedbythepoet.

Aninfantwhenitgazesonalight,Achildthemomentwhenitdrainsthebreast,AdevoteewhensoarstheHostinsight,AnArabwithastrangerforaguest,Asailorwhentheprizehasstruckinfight,Amiserfillinghismosthoardedchest,Feelrapture;butnotsuchtruejoyarereapingAstheywhowatcho’erwhattheylovewhilesleeping.

—BYRON,DonJuan.

CHAPTERXIVDistinctnessandPrecisionofUtterance

InmanspeaksGod.

—HESIOD,WordsandDays.

Andendlessarethemodesofspeech,andfarExtendsfromsidetosidethefieldofwords.

—HOMER,Iliad.

Inpopularusagetheterms“pronunciation,”“enunciation,”and“articulation”aresynonymous,butrealpronunciationincludesthreedistinctprocesses,andmaythereforebedefinedas,theutteranceofasyllableoragroupofsyllableswithregardtoarticulation,accentuation,andenunciation.

Distinctandpreciseutteranceisoneofthemostimportantconsiderationsofpublicspeech.Howpreposterousitistohearaspeakermakingsoundsof“inarticulateearnestness”underthecontenteddelusionthatheistellingsomethingtohisaudience!Telling?Tellingmeanscommunicating,andhowcanheactuallycommunicatewithoutmakingeveryworddistinct?

Slovenlypronunciationresultsfromeitherphysicaldeformityorhabit.Asurgeonorasurgeondentistmaycorrectadeformity,butyourownwill,workingbyself–observationandresolutionindrill,willbreakahabit.Alldependsuponwhetheryouthinkitworthwhile.

Defectivespeechissowidespreadthatfreedomfromitistheexception.Itispainfullycommontohearpublicspeakersmutilatetheking’sEnglish.Iftheydonotactuallymurderit,asCurranoncesaid,theyoftenknockaniout.

ACanadianclergyman,writingintheHomileticReview,relatesthatinhisstudentdays“aclassmatewhowasanEnglishmansuppliedacountrychurchforaSunday.OnthefollowingMondayheconductedamissionarymeeting.Inthecourseofhisaddresshesaidsomefarmersthoughttheyweredoingtheirdutytowardmissionswhentheygavetheir‘hoddsandhends’tothework,buttheLordrequiredmore.Atthecloseofthemeetingayoungwomanseriouslysaidtoafriend:‘Iamsurethefarmersdowelliftheygivetheirhogsandhenstomissions.Itismorethanmostpeoplecanafford.’”

Itisinsufferableeffronteryforanymantoappearbeforeanaudiencewhopersistsindrivingthehoutofhappiness,homeandheaven,and,toparaphraseWaldoMessaros,willnotletitrestinhell.Hewhodoesnotshowenoughself–knowledgetoseeinhimselfsuchglaringfaults,norenoughself–masterytocorrectthem,hasnobusinesstoinstructothers.Ifhecandonobetter,heshouldbesilent.Ifhewilldonobetter,heshouldalsobesilent.

Barringincurablephysicaldefects—andfewareincurablenowadays—thewholematterisoneofwill.Thecatalogueofthosewhohavedonetheimpossiblebyfaithfulworkisasinspiringasaroll–callofwarriors.“Thelessthereisofyou,”saysNathanSheppard,“themoreneedforyoutomakethemostofwhatthereisofyou.”

Articulation

Articulationistheformingandjoiningoftheelementarysoundsofspeech.Itseemsanappallingtasktoutterarticulatelythethird–of–amillionwordsthatgotomakeupourEnglishvocabulary,butthewaytomakeabeginningisreallysimple:learntouttercorrectly,andwitheasychangefromonetotheother,eachoftheforty–fourelementarysoundsinourlanguage.

Thereasonswhyarticulationissopainfullyslurredbyagreatmanypublicspeakersarefour:ignoranceoftheelementalsounds;failuretodiscriminatebetweensoundsnearlyalike;aslovenly,lazyuseofthevocalorgans;andatorpidwill.Anyonewhoisstillmasterofhimselfwillknowhowtohandleeachofthesedefects.

Thevowelsoundsarethemostvexingsourceoferrors,especiallywherediphthongsarefound.WhohasnotheardsucherrorsasarehitoffinthisinimitableversebyOliverWendellHolmes:

LearningcondemnsbeyondthereachofhopeThecarelesslipsthatspeakofs[)o]apfors[=o]ap;HeredictexilesfromherfairabodeTheclownishvoicethatuttersr[)o]adforr[=o]ad;Lesssterntohimwhocallshisc[=o]at,ac[)o]atAndsteershisb[=o]atbelievingitab[)o]at.Shepardonedone,ourclassiccity’sboast.WhosaidatCambridge,m[)o]stinsteadofm[=o]st,ButknitherbrowsandstampedherangryfootTohearaTeachercallar[=oo]tar[)oo]t.

Theforegoingexamplesareallmonosyllables,butbadarticulationisfrequentlytheresultofjoiningsoundsthatdonotbelongtogether.Forexample,noonefindsitdifficulttosaybeauty,butmanypersistinpronouncingdutyasthoughitwerespelledeitherdootyorjuty.Itisnotonlyfromuntaughtspeakersthatwehearsuchslovenlyarticulationsascolyumforcolumn,andprittyforpretty,butevengreatoratorsoccasionallyoffendquiteasunblushinglyaslessnotedmortals.

Nearlyallsuchareerrorsofcarelessness,notofpureignorance—ofcarelessnessbecausetheearnevertriestohearwhatthelipsarticulate.Itmustbeexasperatingtoaforeignertofindthattheelementalsoundougiveshimnohintforthepronunciationofbough,cough,rough,thorough,andthrough,andwecanwellforgiveevenamanofculturewhooccasionallyloseshiswayamidsttheintricaciesofEnglisharticulation,buttherecanbenoexcusefortheslovenlyutteranceofthesimplevowelsoundswhichformatoncethelifeandthebeautyofourlanguage.Hewhoistoolazytospeakdistinctlyshouldholdhistongue.

Theconsonantsoundsoccasionserioustroubleonlyforthosewhodonotlookwithcareatthespellingofwordsabouttobepronounced.NothingbutcarelessnesscanaccountforsayingJacop,Babtist,sevem,alwus,orsadisfy.

“Hethathathyawstoyaw,lethimyaw,”istherenderingwhichanAnglophobiacclergymangaveofthefamiliarscripture,“Hethathathearstohear,lethimhear.”AfterhearingthenameofSirHumphryDavypronounced,aFrenchmanwhowishedtowritetotheeminentEnglishmanthusaddressedtheletter:“SerumFridavi.”

Accentuation

Accentuationisthestressingofthepropersyllablesinwords.Thisitisthatispopularlycalledpronunciation.Forinstance,weproperlysaythatawordismispronouncedwhenitisaccentedin’–viteinsteadofin–vite’,thoughitisreallyanoffenseagainstonlyoneformofpronunciation—accentuation.

Itistheworkofalifetimetolearntheaccentsofalargevocabularyandtokeeppacewithchangingusage;butanalertear,thestudyofword–origins,andthedictionaryhabit,willprovetobemightyhelpersinataskthatcanneverbefinallycompleted.

Enunciation

Correctenunciationisthecompleteutteranceofallthesoundsofasyllableoraword.Wrongarticulationgivesthewrongsoundtothevowelorvowelsofawordorasyllable,asdoofordew;orunitestwosoundsimproperly,ashullyforwholly.Wrongenunciationistheincompleteutteranceofasyllableoraword,thesoundomittedoraddedbeingusuallyconsonantal.Tosayneedcessityinsteadofnecessityisawrongarticulation;tosaydoinfordoingisimproperenunciation.Theonearticulates—thatis,joints—twosoundsthatshouldnotbejoined,andthusgivesthewordapositivelywrongsound;theotherfailstotouchallthesoundsintheword,andinthatparticularwayalsosoundsthewordincorrectly.

“Mytex’maybefoun’inthefif’andsix’versesofthesecon’chapterofTitus;andthesubjec’ofmydiscourseis‘TheGover’mentofarHomes.’”[6]

Whatdidthispreacherdowithhisfinalconsonants?Thisslovenlydroppingofessentialsoundsisasoffensiveasthecommonhabitofrunningwordstogethersothattheylosetheirindividualityanddistinctness.Lightendark,uppendown,doncherknow,partic’lar,zamination,arealltoocommontoneedcomment.

Imperfectenunciationisduetolackofattentionandtolazylips.Itcanbecorrectedbyresolutelyattendingtotheformationofsyllablesastheyareuttered.Flexiblelipswillenunciatedifficultcombinationsofsoundswithoutslightinganyofthem,butsuchflexibilitycannotbeattainedexceptbyhabituallyutteringwordswithdistinctnessandaccuracy.Adailyexerciseinenunciatingaseriesofsoundswillinashorttimegiveflexibilitytothelipsandalertnesstothemind,sothatnowordwillbeutteredwithoutreceivingitsduecomplementofsound.

Returningtoourdefinition,weseethatwhenthesoundsofawordareproperlyarticulated,therightsyllablesaccented,andfullvaluegiventoeachsoundinitsenunciation,wehavecorrectpronunciation.Perhapsonewordofcautionisneededhere,lestanyone,anxioustobringoutclearlyeverysound,shouldoverdothematterand

neglecttheunityandsmoothnessofpronunciation.Becarefulnottobringsyllablesintosomuchprominenceastomakewordsseemlongandangular.Thejointsmustbekeptdecentlydressed.

Beforedelivery,donotfailtogooveryourmanuscriptandnoteeverysoundthatmaypossiblybemispronounced.Consultthedictionaryandmakeassurancedoublysure.Ifthearrangementofwordsisunfavorabletoclearenunciation,changeeitherwordsororderanddonotrestuntilyoucanfollowHamlet’sdirectionstotheplayers.


1.Practiserepeatingthefollowingrapidly,payingparticularattentiontotheconsonants.

“FoolishFlavius,flushingfeverishly,fiercelyfoundfaultwithFlora’sfrivolity.[7]”

Mary’smatchlessmimicrymakesmuchmischief.

Seatedonshiningshaleshesellsseashells.

Youyoungstersyieldedyouryouthfulyule–tideyearningsyesterday.

2.Soundthelineachofthefollowingwords,repeatedinsequence:

BlueblackblinkersblockedBlackBlondin’seyes.

3.Doyousayablooskyorabluesky?

4.Comparetheusoundinfewandinnew.Sayeachaloud,anddecidewhichiscorrect,NooYork,NewYawk,orNewYork?

5.Paycarefulheedtothedirectionsofthischapterinreadingthefollowing,fromHamlet.Aftertheinterviewwiththeghostofhisfather,HamlettellshisfriendsHoratioandMarcellusthatheintendstoactapart:

Horatio.Odayandnight,butthisiswondrousstrange!

Hamlet.Andthereforeasastrangergiveitwelcome.Therearemorethingsinheavenandearth,Horatio,Thanaredreamtofinyourphilosophy.Butcome;Here,asbefore,never,sohelpyoumercy,Howstrangeoroddso’erIbearmyself,—AsIperchancehereaftershallthinkmeetToputananticdispositionon,—Thatyou,atsuchtimesseeingme,nevershall,Witharmsencumber’dthus,orthishead–shake,Orbypronouncingofsomedoubtfulphrase,As“Well,well,weknow,”or“Wecould,anifwewould,”

Or“Ifwelisttospeak,”or“Therebe,aniftheremight,”Orsuchambiguousgiving–out,tonoteThatyouknowaughtofme:thisnottodo,Sograceandmercyatyourmostneedhelpyou,Swear.

—ActI.SceneV.

6.Makealistofcommonerrorsofpronunciation,sayingwhichareduetofaultyarticulation,wrongaccentuation,andincompleteenunciation.Ineachcasemakethecorrection.

7.Criticiseanyspeechyoumayhaveheardwhichdisplayedthesefaults.

8.Explainhowthefalseshameofseemingtobetooprecisemayhinderusfromcultivatingperfectverbalutterance.

9.Over–precisionislikewiseafault.Tobringoutanysyllableundulyistocaricaturetheword.Bemoderateinreadingthefollowing:

THELASTSPEECHOFMAXIMILIANDEROBESPIERRE

TheenemiesoftheRepubliccallmetyrant!WereIsuchtheywouldgrovelatmyfeet.Ishouldgorgethemwithgold,Ishouldgrantthemimmunityfortheircrimes,andtheywouldbegrateful.WereIsuch,thekingswehavevanquished,farfromdenouncingRobespierre,wouldlendmetheirguiltysupport;therewouldbeacovenantbetweenthemandme.Tyrannymusthavetools.Buttheenemiesoftyranny,—whitherdoestheirpathtend?Tothetomb,andtoimmortality!Whattyrantismyprotector?TowhatfactiondoIbelong?Yourselves!Whatfaction,sincethebeginningoftheRevolution,hascrushedandannihilatedsomanydetectedtraitors?You,thepeople,—ourprinciples—arethatfaction—afactiontowhichIamdevoted,andagainstwhichallthescoundrelismofthedayisbanded!

TheconfirmationoftheRepublichasbeenmyobject;andIknowthattheRepubliccanbeestablishedonlyontheeternalbasisofmorality.Againstme,andagainstthosewhoholdkindredprinciples,theleagueisformed.Mylife?Oh!mylifeIabandonwithoutaregret!Ihaveseenthepast;andIforeseethefuture.Whatfriendofthiscountrywouldwishtosurvivethemomentwhenhecouldnolongerserveit,—whenhecouldnolongerdefendinnocenceagainstoppression?WhereforeshouldIcontinueinanorderofthings,whereintrigueeternallytriumphsovertruth;wherejusticeismocked;wherepassionsthemostabject,orfearsthemostabsurd,over–ridethesacredinterestsofhumanity?InwitnessingthemultitudeofviceswhichthetorrentoftheRevolutionhasrolledinturbidcommunionwithitscivicvirtues,IconfessthatIhavesometimesfearedthatIshouldbesullied,intheeyesofposterity,bytheimpureneighborhoodofunprincipledmen,whohadthrustthemselvesintoassociationwiththesincerefriendsofhumanity;andIrejoicethattheseconspiratorsagainstmycountryhavenow,bytheirrecklessrage,traceddeepthelineofdemarcationbetweenthemselvesandalltruemen.

Questionhistory,andlearnhowallthedefendersofliberty,inalltimes,havebeenoverwhelmedbycalumny.Buttheirtraducersdiedalso.Thegoodandthebaddisappearalikefromtheearth;butinverydifferentconditions.OFrenchmen!Omycountrymen!Letnotyourenemies,withtheirdesolatingdoctrines,degradeyoursouls,andenervateyourvirtues!No,Chaumette,no!Deathisnot“aneternalsleep!”Citizens!effacefromthetombthatmotto,gravenbysacrilegioushands,whichspreadsoverallnatureafunerealcrape,takesfromoppressedinnocenceitssupport,andaffrontsthebeneficentdispensationofdeath!Inscriberatherthereonthesewords:“Deathisthecommencementofimmortality!”IleavetotheoppressorsofthePeopleaterribletestament,whichIproclaimwiththeindependencebefittingonewhosecareerissonearlyended;itistheawfultruth—“Thoushaltdie!”

[6]SchoolandCollegeSpeaker,Mitchell.[7]SchoolandCollegeSpeaker,Mitchell.

CHAPTERXVTheTruthAboutGesture

WhenWhitefieldactedanoldblindmanadvancingbyslowstepstowardtheedgeoftheprecipice,LordChesterfieldstartedupandcried:“GoodGod,heisgone!”

—NATHANSHEPPARD,BeforeanAudience.

Gestureisreallyasimplematterthatrequiresobservationandcommonsenseratherthanabookofrules.Gestureisanoutwardexpressionofaninwardcondition.Itismerelyaneffect—theeffectofamentaloranemotionalimpulsestrugglingforexpressionthroughphysicalavenues.

Youmustnot,however,beginatthewrongend:ifyouaretroubledbyyourgestures,oralackofgestures,attendtothecause,nottheeffect.Itwillnotintheleasthelpmatterstotackontoyourdeliveryafewmechanicalmovements.Ifthetreeinyourfrontyardisnotgrowingtosuityou,fertilizeandwaterthesoilandletthetreehavesunshine.Obviouslyitwillnothelpyourtreetonailonafewbranches.Ifyourcisternisdry,waituntilitrains;orboreawell.Whyplungeapumpintoadryhole?

Thespeakerwhosethoughtsandemotionsarewellingwithinhimlikeamountainspringwillnothavemuchtroubletomakegestures;itwillbemerelyaquestionofproperlydirectingthem.Ifhisenthusiasmforhissubjectisnotsuchastogivehimanaturalimpulsefordramaticaction,itwillavailnothingtofurnishhimwithalonglistofrules.Hemaytackonsomemovements,buttheywilllooklikethewiltedbranchesnailedtoatreetosimulatelife.Gesturesmustbeborn,notbuilt.Awoodenhorsemayamusethechildren,butittakesaliveonetogosomewhere.

Itisnotonlyimpossibletolaydowndefiniterulesonthissubject,butitwouldbesillytotry,foreverythingdependsonthespeech,theoccasion,thepersonalityandfeelingsofthespeaker,andtheattitudeoftheaudience.Itiseasyenoughtoforecasttheresultofmultiplyingsevenbysix,butitisimpossibletotellanymanwhatkindofgestureshewillbeimpelledtousewhenhewishestoshowhisearnestness.Wemaytellhimthatmanyspeakersclosethehand,withtheexceptionoftheforefinger,andpointingthatfingerstraightattheaudiencepourouttheirthoughtslikeavolley;orthatothersstamponefootforemphasis;orthatMr.Bryanoftenslapshishandstogetherforgreatforce,holdingonepalmupwardinaneasymanner;orthatGladstonewouldsometimesmakearushattheclerk’stableinParliamentandsmiteitwithhishandsoforcefullythatD’israelioncebroughtdownthehousebygrimlycongratulatinghimselfthatsuchabarrierstoodbetweenhimselfand“thehonorablegentleman.”

Allthesethings,andabookfulmore,maywetellthespeaker,butwecannotknowwhetherhecanusethesegesturesornot,anymorethanwecandecidewhetherhecouldwearMr.Bryan’sclothes.Thebestthatcanbedoneonthissubjectistoofferafewpracticalsuggestions,andletpersonalgoodtastedecideastowhereeffectivedramatic

actionendsandextravagantmotionbegins.

AnyGestureThatMerelyCallsAttentiontoItselfIsBad

Thepurposeofagestureistocarryyourthoughtandfeelingintothemindsandheartsofyourhearers;thisitdoesbyemphasizingyourmessage,byinterpretingit,byexpressingitinaction,bystrikingitstoneineitheraphysicallydescriptive,asuggestive,oratypicalgesture—andletitberememberedallthetimethatgestureincludesallphysicalmovement,fromfacialexpressionandthetossingoftheheadtotheexpressivemovementsofhandandfoot.Ashiftingoftheposemaybeamosteffectivegesture.

Whatistrueofgestureistrueofalllife.Ifthepeopleonthestreetturnaroundandwatchyourwalk,yourwalkismoreimportantthanyouare—changeit.Iftheattentionofyouraudienceiscalledtoyourgestures,theyarenotconvincing,becausetheyappeartobe—whattheyhaveadoubtfulrighttobeinreality—studied.Haveyoueverseenaspeakerusesuchgrotesquegesticulationsthatyouwerefascinatedbytheirfrenzyofoddity,butcouldnotfollowhisthought?Donotsmotherideaswithgymnastics.SavonarolawouldrushdownfromthehighpulpitamongthecongregationintheduomoatFlorenceandcarrythefireofconvictiontohishearers;BillySundayslidestobaseontheplatformcarpetindramatizingoneofhisbaseballillustrations.Yetinbothinstancesthemessagehassomehowstoodoutbiggerthanthegesture—itischieflyincalmafterthoughtthatmenhaverememberedtheformofdramaticexpression.WhenSirHenryIrvingmadehisfamousexitas“Shylock”thelastthingtheaudiencesawwashispallid,avaricioushandextendedskinnyandclaw–likeagainstthebackground.Atthetime,everyonewasoverwhelmedbythetremendoustypicalqualityofthisgesture;now,wehavetimetothinkofitsart,anddiscussitsrealisticpower.

Onlywhengestureissubordinatedtotheabsorbingimportanceoftheidea—aspontaneous,livingexpressionoflivingtruth—isitjustifiableatall;andwhenitisrememberedforitself—asapieceofunusualphysicalenergyorasapoemofgrace—itisadeadfailureasdramaticexpression.Thereisaplaceforauniquestyleofwalking—itisthecircusorthecake–walk;thereisaplaceforsurprisinglyrhythmicalevolutionsofarmsandlegs—itisonthedancefloororthestage.Don’tletyouragilityandgraceputyourthoughtsoutofbusiness.

OneofthepresentwriterstookhisfirstlessonsingesturefromacertaincollegepresidentwhoknewfarmoreaboutwhathadhappenedattheDietofWormsthanhedidabouthowtoexpresshimselfinaction.Hisinstructionsweretostartthemovementonacertainword,continueitonaprecisecurve,andunfoldthefingersattheconclusion,endingwiththeforefinger—justso.Plenty,andmorethanplenty,hasbeenpublishedonthissubject,givingjustsuchsillydirections.Gestureisathingofmentalityandfeeling—notamatterofgeometry.Remember,wheneverapairofshoes,amethodofpronunciation,oragesturecallsattentiontoitself,itisbad.Whenyouhavemadereallygoodgesturesinagoodspeechyourhearerswillnotgoawaysaying,“Whatbeautifulgestureshemade!”buttheywillsay,“I’llvoteforthatmeasure.”“Heisright—Ibelieveinthat.”

GesturesShouldBeBornoftheMoment

Thebestactorsandpublicspeakersrarelyknowinadvancewhatgesturestheyaregoingtomake.Theymakeonegestureoncertainwordstonight,andnoneatalltomorrownight

atthesamepoint—theirvariousmoodsandinterpretationsgoverntheirgestures.Itisallamatterofimpulseandintelligentfeelingwiththem—don’toverlookthatwordintelligent.Naturedoesnotalwaysprovidethesamekindofsunsetsorsnowflakes,andthemovementsofagoodspeakervaryalmostasmuchasthecreationsofnature.

Nowallthisisnottosaythatyoumustnottakesomethoughtforyourgestures.Ifthatweremeant,whythischapter?Whenthesergeantdespairinglybesoughttherecruitintheawkwardsquadtostepoutandlookathimself,hegavesplendidadvice—andworthyofpersonalapplication.Particularlywhileyouareinthelearningdaysofpublicspeakingyoumustlearntocriticiseyourowngestures.Recallthem—seewheretheywereuseless,crude,awkward,whatnot,anddobetternexttime.Thereisavastdealofdifferencebetweenbeingconsciousofselfandbeingself–conscious.

Itwillrequireyournicediscriminationinordertocultivatespontaneousgesturesandyetgivedueattentiontopractise.WhileyoudependuponthemomentitisvitaltorememberthatonlyadramaticgeniuscaneffectivelyaccomplishsuchfeatsaswehaverelatedofWhitefield,Savonarola,andothers:anddoubtlessthefirsttimetheywereusedtheycameinaburstofspontaneousfeeling,yetWhitefielddeclaredthatnotuntilhehaddeliveredasermonfortytimeswasitsdeliveryperfected.Whatspontaneityinitiatesletpractisecomplete.Everyeffectivespeakerandeveryvividactorhasobserved,consideredandpractisedgestureuntilhisdramaticactionsareasub–consciouspossession,justlikehisabilitytopronouncecorrectlywithoutespeciallyconcentratinghisthought.Everyableplatformmanhaspossessedhimselfofadozenwaysinwhichhemightdepictingestureanygivenemotion;infact,themeansforsuchexpressionareendless—andthisispreciselywhyitisbothuselessandharmfultomakeachartofgesturesandenforcethemastheidealsofwhatmaybeusedtoexpressthisorthatfeeling.Practisedescriptive,suggestive,andtypicalmovementsuntiltheycomeasnaturallyasagoodarticulation;andrarelyforecastthegesturesyouwilluseatagivenmoment:leavesomethingtothatmoment.

AvoidMonotonyinGesture

Roastbeefisanexcellentdish,butitwouldbeterribleasanexclusivediet.Nomatterhoweffectiveonegestureis,donotoverworkit.Putvarietyinyouractions.Monotonywilldestroyallbeautyandpower.Thepumphandlemakesoneeffectivegesture,andonhotdaysthatoneisveryeloquent,butithasitslimitations.

AnyMovementthatisnotSignificant,Weakens

Donotforgetthat.Restlessnessisnotexpression.Agreatmanyuselessmovementswillonlytaketheattentionoftheaudiencefromwhatyouaresaying.Awidely–notedmanintroducedthespeakeroftheeveningoneSundaylatelytoaNewYorkaudience.Theonlythingrememberedaboutthatintroductoryspeechisthatthespeakerplayednervouslywiththecoveringofthetableashetalked.Wenaturallywatchmovingobjects.AjanitorputtingdownawindowcantaketheattentionofthehearersfromMr.Roosevelt.Bymakingafewmovementsatonesideofthestageachorusgirlmaydrawtheinterestofthespectatorsfromabigscenebetweenthe“leads.”Whenourforefatherslivedincavestheyhadtowatchmovingobjects,formovementsmeantdanger.Wehavenotyetovercomethehabit.Advertisershavetakenadvantageofit—witnessthemovingelectric

lightsignsinanycity.Ashrewdspeakerwillrespectthislawandconservetheattentionofhisaudiencebyeliminatingallunnecessarymovements.

GestureShouldeitherbeSimultaneouswithorPrecedetheWords—notFollowThem

LadyMacbethsays:“Bearwelcomeinyoureye,yourhand,yourtongue.”Reversethisorderandyougetcomedy.Say,“Therehegoes,”pointingathimafteryouhavefinishedyourwords,andseeiftheresultisnotcomical.

DoNotMakeShort,JerkyMovements

Somespeakersseemtobeimitatingawaiterwhohasfailedtogetatip.Letyourmovementsbeeasy,andfromtheshoulder,asarule,ratherthanfromtheelbow.Butdonotgototheotherextremeandmaketoomanyflowingmotions—thatsavorsofthelackadaisical.

Putalittle“punch”andlifeintoyourgestures.Youcannot,however,dothismechanically.Theaudiencewilldetectitifyoudo.Theymaynotknowjustwhatiswrong,butthegesturewillhaveafalseappearancetothem.

FacialExpressionisImportant

HaveyoueverstoppedinfrontofaBroadwaytheaterandlookedatthephotographsofthecast?Noticetherowofchorusgirlswhoaresupposedtobeexpressingfear.Theirattitudesaresomechanicalthattheattemptisridiculous.Noticethepictureofthe“star”expressingthesameemotion:hismusclesaredrawn,hiseyebrowslifted,heshrinks,andfearshinesthroughhiseyes.Thatactorfeltfearwhenthephotographwastaken.Thechorusgirlsfeltthatitwastimeforararebit,andmorenearlyexpressedthatemotionthantheydidfear.Incidentally,thatisonereasonwhytheystayinthechorus.

Themovementsofthefacialmusclesmaymeanagreatdealmorethanthemovementsofthehand.Themanwhositsinadejectedheapwithalookofdespaironhisfaceisexpressinghisthoughtsandfeelingsjustaseffectivelyasthemanwhoiswavinghisarmsandshoutingfromthebackofadraywagon.Theeyehasbeencalledthewindowofthesoul.Throughitshinesthelightofourthoughtsandfeelings.

DoNotUseTooMuchGesture

Asamatteroffact,inthebigcrisesoflifewedonotgothroughmanyactions.Whenyourclosestfrienddiesyoudonotthrowupyourhandsandtalkaboutyourgrief.Youaremorelikelytositandbroodindry–eyedsilence.TheHudsonRiverdoesnotmakemuchnoiseonitswaytothesea—itisnothalfsoloudasthelittlecreekupinBronxParkthatabullfrogcouldleapacross.Thebarkingdognevertearsyourtrousers—atleasttheysayhedoesn’t.Donotfearthemanwhowaveshisarmsandshoutshisanger,butthemanwhocomesupquietlywitheyesflamingandfaceburningmayknockyoudown.Fussisnotforce.Observetheseprinciplesinnatureandpractisetheminyourdelivery.

Thewriterofthischapteronceobservedaninstructordrillingaclassingesture.TheyhadcometothepassagefromHenryVIIIinwhichthehumbledCardinalsays:“Farewell,alongfarewelltoallmygreatness.”Itisoneofthepatheticpassagesofliterature.Amanutteringsuchasentimentwouldbecrushed,andthelastthingonearthhewoulddowouldbetomakeflamboyantmovements.Yetthisclasshadanelocutionarymanualbeforethem

thatgaveanappropriategestureforeveryoccasion,frompayingthegasbilltodeath–bedfarewells.Sotheywereinstructedtothrowtheirarmsoutatfulllengthoneachsideandsay:“Farewell,alongfarewelltoallmygreatness.”Suchagesturemightpossiblybeusedinanafter–dinnerspeechattheconventionofatelephonecompanywhoselinesextendedfromtheAtlantictothePacific,buttothinkofWolsey’susingthatmovementwouldsuggestthathisfatewasjust.

Posture

Thephysicalattitudetobetakenbeforetheaudiencereallyisincludedingesture.Justwhatthatattitudeshouldbedepends,notonrules,butonthespiritofthespeechandtheoccasion.SenatorLaFollettestoodforthreehourswithhisweightthrownonhisforwardfootasheleanedoutoverthefootlights,ranhisfingersthroughhishair,andflamedoutadenunciationofthetrusts.Itwasveryeffective.Butimagineaspeakertakingthatkindofpositiontodiscourseonthedevelopmentofroad–makingmachinery.Ifyouhaveafiery,aggressivemessage,andwillletyourselfgo,naturewillnaturallypullyourweighttoyourforwardfoot.Amaninahotpoliticalargumentorastreetbrawlneverhastostoptothinkuponwhichfootheshouldthrowhisweight.Youmaysometimesplaceyourweightonyourbackfootifyouhavearestfulandcalmmessage—butdon’tworryaboutit:juststandlikeamanwhogenuinelyfeelswhatheissaying.Donotstandwithyourheelsclosetogether,likeasoldierorabutler.Nomoreshouldyoustandwiththemwideapartlikeatrafficpoliceman.Usesimplegoodmannersandcommonsense.

Hereawordofcautionisneeded.Wehaveadvisedyoutoallowyourgesturesandposturestobespontaneousandnotwoodenlypreparedbeforehand,butdonotgototheextremeofignoringtheimportanceofacquiringmasteryofyourphysicalmovements.Amuscularhandmadeflexiblebyfreemovement,isfarmorelikelytobeaneffectiveinstrumentingesturethanastiff,pudgybunchoffingers.Ifyourshouldersarelitheandcarriedwell,whileyourchestdoesnotretreatfromassociationwithyourchin,thechancesofusinggoodextemporaneousgesturesaresomuchthebetter.Learntokeepthebackofyournecktouchingyourcollar,holdyourchesthigh,andkeepdownyourwaistmeasure.

Soattentiontostrength,poise,flexibility,andgraceofbodyarethefoundationsofgoodgesture,fortheyareexpressionsofvitality,andwithoutvitalitynospeakercanenterthekingdomofpower.WhenanawkwardgiantlikeAbrahamLincolnrosetothesublimestheightsoforatoryhedidsobecauseofthegreatnessofhissoul—hisveryruggednessofspiritandartlesshonestywereproperlyexpressedinhisgnarlybody.Thefireofcharacter,ofearnestness,andofmessageswepthishearersbeforehimwhenthetepidwordsofaninsincereApollowouldhaveleftnoeffect.ButbesureyouareasecondLincolnbeforeyoudespisethehandicapofphysicalawkwardness.

“Ty”Cobbhasconfidedtothepublicthatwhenheisinabattingslumpheevenstandsbeforeamirror,batinhand,toobservethe“swing”and“followthrough”ofhisbattingform.Ifyouwouldlearntostandwellbeforeanaudience,lookatyourselfinamirror—butnottoooften.Practisewalkingandstandingbeforethemirrorsoastoconquerawkwardness—nottocultivateapose.Standontheplatforminthesameeasymannerthatyouwouldusebeforeguestsinadrawing–room.Ifyourpositionisnotgraceful,makeitsobydancing,gymnasiumwork,andbygettinggraceandpoiseinyourmind.

Donotcontinuallyholdthesameposition.Anybigchangeofthoughtnecessitatesachangeofposition.Beathome.Therearenorules—itisallamatteroftaste.Whileontheplatformforgetthatyouhaveanyhandsuntilyoudesiretousethem—thenrememberthemeffectively.Gravitywilltakecareofthem.Ofcourse,ifyouwanttoputthembehindyou,orfoldthemonceinawhile,itisnotgoingtoruinyourspeech.Thoughtandfeelingarethebigthingsinspeaking—notthepositionofafootorahand.Simplyputyourlimbswhereyouwantthemtobe—youhaveawill,sodonotneglecttouseit.

Letusreiterate,donotdespisepractise.Yourgesturesandmovementsmaybespontaneousandstillbewrong.Nomatterhownaturaltheyare,itispossibletoimprovethem.

Itisimpossibleforanyone—evenyourself—tocriticiseyourgesturesuntilaftertheyaremade.Youcan’tpruneapeachtreeuntilitcomesup;thereforespeakmuch,andobserveyourownspeech.Whileyouareexaminingyourself,donotforgettostudystatuaryandpaintingstoseehowthegreatportrayersofnaturehavemadetheirsubjectsexpressideasthroughaction.Noticethegesturesofthebestspeakersandactors.Observethephysicalexpressionoflifeeverywhere.Theleavesonthetreerespondtotheslightestbreeze.Themusclesofyourface,thelightofyoureyes,shouldrespondtotheslightestchangeoffeeling.Emersonsays:“EverymanthatImeetismysuperiorinsomeway.InthatIlearnofhim.”IlliterateItaliansmakegesturessowonderfulandbeautifulthatBoothorBarrettmighthavesatattheirfeetandbeeninstructed.Openyoureyes.Emersonsaysagain:“Weareimmersedinbeauty,butoureyeshavenoclearvision.”Tossthisbooktooneside;gooutandwatchonechildpleadwithanotherforabiteofapple;seeastreetbrawl;observelifeinaction.Doyouwanttoknowhowtoexpressvictory?Watchthevictors’handsgohighonelectionnight.Doyouwanttopleadacause?Makeacompositephotographofallthepleadersindailylifeyouconstantlysee.Beg,borrow,andstealthebestyoucanget,BUTDON’TGIVEITOUTASTHEFT.Assimilateituntilitbecomesapartofyou—thenlettheexpressioncomeout.


1.Fromwhatsourcedoyouintendtostudygesture?

2.Whatisthefirstrequisiteofgoodgestures?Why?

3.Whyisitimpossibletolaydownsteel–cladrulesforgesturing?

4.Describe(a)agracefulgesturethatyouhaveobserved;(b)aforcefulone;(c)anextravagantone;(d)aninappropriateone.

5.Whatgesturesdoyouuseforemphasis?Why?

6.Howcangraceofmovementbeacquired?

7.Whenindoubtaboutagesturewhatwouldyoudo?

8.What,accordingtoyourobservationsbeforeamirror,areyourfaultsingesturing?

9.Howdoyouintendtocorrectthem?

10.Whataresomeofthegestures,ifany,thatyoumightuseindeliveringThurston’sspeech,page50;Grady’sspeech,page36?Bespecific.

11.Describesomeparticularlyappropriategesturethatyouhaveobserved.Whywasitappropriate?

12.Citeatleastthreemovementsinnaturethatmightwellbeimitatedingesture.

13.Whatwouldyougatherfromtheexpressions:descriptivegesture,suggestivegesture,andtypicalgesture?

14.Selectanyelementalemotion,suchasfear,andtry,bypicturinginyourmindatleastfivedifferentsituationsthatmightcallforththisemotion,toexpressitsseveralphasesbygesture—includingposture,movement,andfacialexpression.

15.Dothesamethingforsuchotheremotionsasyoumayselect.

16.Selectthreepassagesfromanysource,onlybeingsurethattheyaresuitableforpublicdelivery,memorizeeach,andthendevisegesturessuitableforeach.Saywhy.

17.Criticisethegesturesinanyspeechyouhaveheardrecently.

18.Practiseflexiblemovementofthehand.Whatexercisesdidyoufinduseful?

19.Carefullyobservesomeanimal;thendeviseseveraltypicalgestures.

20.Writeabriefdialoguebetweenanytwoanimals;readitaloudandinventexpressivegestures.

21.Deliver,withappropriategestures,thequotationthatheadsthischapter.

22.Readaloudthefollowingincident,usingdramaticgestures:

WhenVoltairewaspreparingayoungactresstoappearinoneofhistragedies,hetiedherhandstohersideswithpackthreadinordertocheckhertendencytowardexuberantgesticulation.Underthisconditionofcompulsoryimmobilityshecommencedtorehearse,andforsometimesheboreherselfcalmlyenough;butatlast,completelycarriedawaybyherfeelings,sheburstherbondsandflungupherarms.Alarmedathersupposedneglectofhisinstructions,shebegantoapologizetothepoet;hesmilinglyreassuredher,however;thegesturewasthenadmirable,becauseitwasirrepressible.

—REDWAY,TheActor’sArt.

23.Renderthefollowingwithsuitablegestures:

Oneday,whilepreaching,Whitefield“suddenlyassumedanauticalairandmannerthatwereirresistiblewithhim,”andbrokeforthinthesewords:“Well,myboys,wehaveaclearsky,andaremakingfineheadwayoverasmoothseabeforealightbreeze,andweshallsoonlosesightofland.Butwhatmeansthissuddenloweringoftheheavens,andthatdarkcloudarisingfrombeneaththewesternhorizon?Hark!Don’tyouheardistantthunder?Don’tyouseethoseflashesoflightning?Thereisastormgathering!Everymantohisduty!Theairisdark!—thetempestrages!—ourmastsaregone!—theshipisonherbeamends!Whatnext?”Atthisanumberofsailorsinthecongregation,utterlysweptawaybythedramaticdescription,leapedtotheirfeetandcried:“Thelongboat!—taketothelongboat!”

—NATHANSHEPPARD,BeforeanAudience.

CHAPTERXVIMethodsofDelivery

Thecrown,theconsummation,ofthediscourseisitsdelivery.Towarditallpreparationlooks,forittheaudiencewaits,byitthespeakerisjudged….Alltheforcesoftheorator’slifeconvergeinhisoratory.Thelogicalacutenesswithwhichhemarshalsthefactsaroundhistheme,therhetoricalfacilitywithwhichheordershislanguage,thecontroltowhichhehasattainedintheuseofhisbodyasasingleorganofexpression,whateverrichnessofacquisitionandexperiencearehis—theseallarenowincidents;thefactisthesendingofhismessagehometohishearers….Thehourofdeliveryisthe“supreme,inevitablehour”fortheorator.Itisthisfactthatmakeslackofadequatepreparationsuchanimpertinence.Anditisthisthatsendssuchthrillsofindescribablejoythroughtheorator’swholebeingwhenhehasachievedasuccess—itislikethemotherforgettingherpangsforthejoyofbringingasonintotheworld.

—J.B.E.,HowtoAttractandHoldanAudience.

Therearefourfundamentalmethodsofdeliveringanaddress;allothersaremodificationsofoneormoreofthese:readingfrommanuscript,committingthewrittenspeechandspeakingfrommemory,speakingfromnotes,andextemporaneousspeech.Itisimpossibletosaywhichformofdeliveryisbestforallspeakersinallcircumstances—indecidingforyourselfyoushouldconsidertheoccasion,thenatureoftheaudience,thecharacterofyoursubject,andyourownlimitationsoftimeandability.However,itisworthwhilewarningyounottobelenientinself–exaction.Saytoyourselfcourageously:Whatotherscando,Icanattempt.Aboldspiritconquerswhereothersflinch,andatryingtaskchallengespluck.

ReadingfromManuscript

Thismethodreallydeservesshortshriftinabookonpublicspeaking,for,deludeyourselfasyoumay,publicreadingisnotpublicspeaking.Yettherearesomanywhograspthisbrokenreedforsupportthatwemustherediscussthe“readspeech”—apologeticmisnomerasitis.

Certainlythereareoccasions—amongthem,theopeningofCongress,thepresentationofasorequestionbeforeadeliberativebody,orahistoricalcommemoration—whenitmayseemnotalonetothe“orator”buttoallthoseinterestedthatthechiefthingistoexpresscertainthoughtsinpreciselanguage—inlanguagethatmustnotbeeithermisunderstoodormisquoted.Atsuchtimesoratoryisunhappilyelbowedtoabackbench,themanuscriptissolemnlywithdrawnfromthecapaciousinnerpocketofthenewfrockcoat,andeveryonesettleshimselfresignedly,withonlyafeebleflickerofhopethattheso–calledspeechmaynotbeaslongasitisthick.Thewordsmaybegolden,butthehearers’(?)eyesarepronetobeleaden,andinaboutoneinstanceoutofahundreddoesthe

perpetratorreallydeliveranimpressiveaddress.Hisexcuseishisapology—heisnottobeblamed,asarule,forsomeonedecreedthatitwouldbedangeroustocutloosefrommanuscriptmooringsandtakehisaudiencewithhimonareallydelightfulsail.

Onegreattroubleonsuch“greatoccasions”isthattheessayist—forsuchheis—hasbeenchosennotbecauseofhisspeakingabilitybutbecausehisgrandfatherfoughtinacertainbattle,orhisconstituentssenthimtoCongress,orhisgiftsinsomelineofendeavorotherthanspeakinghavedistinguishedhim.

Aswellchooseasurgeonfromhisabilitytoplaygolf.Tobesure,italwaysinterestsanaudiencetoseeagreatman;becauseofhiseminencetheyarelikelytolistentohiswordswithrespect,perhapswithinterest,evenwhendronedfromamanuscript.Buthowmuchmoreeffectivesuchadeliverancewouldbeifthepaperswerecastaside!

Nowhereistheread–addresssocommonasinthepulpit—thepulpit,thatinthesedaysleastofallcanaffordtoinviteahandicap.Doubtlessmanyclergymenpreferfinishtofervor—letthemchoose:theyarerarelymenwhoswaythemassestoacceptanceoftheirmessage.Whattheygaininprecisionandeleganceoflanguagetheyloseinforce.

Therearejustfourmotivesthatcanmoveamantoreadhisaddressorsermon:

1.Lazinessisthecommonest.Enoughsaid.EvenHeavencannotmakealazymanefficient.

2.Amemorysodefectivethathereallycannotspeakwithoutreading.Alas,heisnotspeakingwhenheisreading,sohisdilemmaispainful—andnottohimselfalone.Butnomanhasarighttoassumethathismemoryisutterlybaduntilhehasbuckleddowntomemoryculture—andfailed.Aweakmemoryisofteneranexcusethanareason.

3.Agenuinelackoftimetodomorethanwritethespeech.Therearesuchinstances—buttheydonotoccureveryweek!Thedispositionofyourtimeallowsmoreflexibilitythanyourealize.Motive3toooftenharnessesupwithMotive1.

4.Aconvictionthatthespeechistooimportanttoriskforsakingthemanuscript.But,ifitisvitalthateverywordshouldbesoprecise,thestylesopolished,andthethoughtssological,thatthepreachermustwritethesermonentire,isnotthemessageimportantenoughtowarrantextraeffortinperfectingitsdelivery?ItisaninsulttoacongregationanddisrespectfultoAlmightyGodtoputthephrasingofamessageabovethemessageitself.Toreachtheheartsofthehearersthesermonmustbedelivered—itisonlyhalfdeliveredwhenthespeakercannotutteritwithoriginalfireandforce,whenhemerelyrepeatswordsthatwereconceivedhoursorweeksbeforeandhencearelikechampagnethathaslostitsfizz.Thereadingpreacher’seyesaretieddowntohismanuscript;hecannotgivetheaudiencethebenefitofhisexpression.Howlongwouldaplayfillatheateriftheactorsheldtheircue–booksinhandandreadtheirparts?ImaginePatrickHenryreadinghisfamousspeech;Peter–the–Hermit,manuscriptinhand,exhortingthecrusaders;Napoleon,constantlylookingathispapers,addressingthearmyatthePyramids;orJesusreadingtheSermonontheMount!Thesespeakersweresofulloftheirsubjects,theirgeneralpreparationhadbeensorichlyadequate,thattherewasnonecessityforamanuscript,eithertorefertoortoserveas“anoutwardandvisiblesign”oftheirpreparedness.Noeventwaseversodignifiedthatitrequiredanartificialattemptatspeechmaking.Callanessaybyitsrightname,butnevercallitaspeech.Perhapsthe

mostdignifiedofeventsisasupplicationtotheCreator.Ifyoueverlistenedtothereadingofanoriginalprayeryoumusthavefeltitssuperficiality.

Regardlessofwhatthetheoriesmaybeaboutmanuscriptdelivery,thefactremainsthatitdoesnotworkoutwithefficiency.Avoiditwheneveratallpossible.

CommittingtheWrittenSpeechandSpeakingfromMemory

Thismethodhascertainpointsinitsfavor.Ifyouhavetimeandleisure,itispossibletopolishandrewriteyourideasuntiltheyareexpressedinclear,conciseterms.Popesometimesspentawholedayinperfectingonecouplet.Gibbonconsumedtwentyyearsgatheringmaterialforandrewritingthe“DeclineandFalloftheRomanEmpire.”Althoughyoucannotdevotesuchpainstakingpreparationtoaspeech,youshouldtaketimetoeliminateuselesswords,crowdwholeparagraphsintoasentenceandchooseproperillustrations.Goodspeeches,likeplays,arenotwritten;theyarerewritten.TheNationalCashRegisterCompanyfollowsthisplanwiththeirmostefficientsellingorganization:theyrequiretheirsalesmentomemorizeverbatimasellingtalk.Theymaintainthatthereisonebestwayofputtingtheirsellingarguments,andtheyinsistthateachsalesmanusethisidealwayratherthanemployanyhaphazardphrasesthatmaycomeintohismindatthemoment.

Themethodofwritingandcommittinghasbeenadoptedbymanynotedspeakers;JuliusCæsar,RobertIngersoll,and,onsomeoccasions,WendellPhillips,weredistinguishedexamples.Thewonderfuleffectsachievedbyfamousactorswere,ofcourse,accomplishedthroughthedeliveryofmemorizedlines.

Theinexperiencedspeakermustbewarnedbeforeattemptingthismethodofdeliverythatitisdifficultandtrying.Itrequiresmuchskilltomakeitefficient.Thememorizedlinesoftheyoungspeakerwillusuallysoundlikememorizedwords,andrepel.

Ifyouwanttohearanexample,listentoadepartmentstoredemonstratorrepeathermemorizedlingoaboutthenewestfurniturepolishorbreakfastfood.Itrequirestrainingtomakeamemorizedspeechsoundfreshandspontaneous,and,unlessyouhaveafinenativememory,ineachinstancethefinishedproductnecessitatesmuchlabor.Shouldyouforgetapartofyourspeechormissafewwords,youareliabletobesoconfusedthat,likeMarkTwain’sguideinRome,youwillbecompelledtorepeatyourlinesfromthebeginning.

Ontheotherhand,youmaybesotakenupwithtryingtorecallyourwrittenwordsthatyouwillnotabandonyourselftothespiritofyouraddress,andsofailtodeliveritwiththatspontaneitywhichissovitaltoforcefuldelivery.

Butdonotletthesedifficultiesfrightenyou.Ifcommittingseemsbesttoyou,giveitafaithfultrial.Donotbedeterredbyitspitfalls,butbyresolutepractiseavoidthem.

OneofthebestwaystorisesuperiortothesedifficultiesistodoasDr.WallaceRadcliffeoftendoes:commitwithoutwritingthespeech,makingpracticallyallthepreparationmentally,withoutputtingpentopaper—alaboriousbuteffectivewayofcultivatingbothmindandmemory.

Youwillfinditexcellentpractise,bothformemoryanddelivery,tocommitthespecimenspeechesfoundinthisvolumeanddeclaimthem,withallattentiontotheprincipleswe

haveputbeforeyou.WilliamElleryChanning,himselfadistinguishedspeaker,yearsagohadthistosayofpractiseindeclamation:

“Istherenotanamusement,havinganaffinitywiththedrama,whichmightbeusefullyintroducedamongus?Imean,Recitation.Aworkofgenius,recitedbyamanoffinetaste,enthusiasm,andpowersofelocution,isaverypureandhighgratification.Werethisartcultivatedandencouraged,greatnumbers,nowinsensibletothemostbeautifulcompositions,mightbewakeduptotheirexcellenceandpower.”

SpeakingfromNotes

Thethird,andthemostpopularmethodofdelivery,isprobablyalsothebestoneforthebeginner.Speakingfromnotesisnotidealdelivery,butwelearntoswiminshallowwaterbeforegoingoutbeyondtheropes.

Makeadefiniteplanforyourdiscourse(forafullerdiscussionseeChapterXVIII)andsetdownthepointssomewhatinthefashionofalawyer’sbrief,orapreacher’soutline.Hereisasampleofverysimplenotes:

ATTENTION

I.INTRODUCTION.

Attentionindispensabletotheperformanceofanygreatwork.Anecdote.

II.DEFINEDANDILLUSTRATED.

1.Fromcommonobservation.

2.Fromthelivesofgreatmen{Carlyle,RobertE.Lee.}

III.ITSRELATIONTOOTHERMENTALPOWERS.

1.Reason.

2.Imagination.

3.Memory.

4.Will.Anecdote.

IV.ATTENTIONMAYBECULTIVATED.

1.Involuntaryattention.

2.Voluntaryattention.Examples.

V.CONCLUSION.

Theconsequencesofinattentionandofattention.

Fewbriefswouldbesopreciseasthisone,forwithexperienceaspeakerlearnstouselittletrickstoattracthiseye—hemayunderscoreacatch–wordheavily,drawaredcirclearoundapivotalidea,enclosethekey–wordofananecdoteinawavy–linedbox,andsoonindefinitely.Thesepointsareworthremembering,fornothingsoeludestheswift–glancingeyeofthespeakerasthesamenessoftypewriting,orevenaregularpen–script.

Sounintentionalathingasablotonthepagemayhelpyoutorememberabig“point”inyourbrief—perhapsbyassociationofideas.

Aninexperiencedspeakerwouldprobablyrequirefullernotesthanthespecimengiven.Yetthatwayliesdanger,forthecompletemanuscriptisbutashortremovefromthecopiousoutline.Useasfewnotesaspossible.

Theymaybenecessaryforthetimebeing,butdonotfailtolookuponthemasanecessaryevil;andevenwhenyoulaythembeforeyou,refertothemonlywhencompelledtodoso.Makeyournotesasfullasyoupleaseinpreparation,butbyallmeanscondensethemforplatformuse.

ExtemporaneousSpeech

Surelythisistheidealmethodofdelivery.Itisfarandawaythemostpopularwiththeaudience,andthefavoritemethodofthemostefficientspeakers.

“Extemporaneousspeech”hassometimesbeenmadetomeanunpreparedspeech,andindeeditistoooftenpreciselythat;butinnosuchsensedowerecommenditstronglytospeakersoldandyoung.Onthecontrary,tospeakwellwithoutnotesrequiresallthepreparationwhichwediscussedsofullyinthechapteron“Fluency,”whileyetrelyinguponthe“inspirationofthehour”forsomeofyourthoughtsandmuchofyourlanguage.Youhadbetterremember,however,thatthemosteffectiveinspirationofthehouristheinspirationyouyourselfbringtoit,bottledupinyourspiritandreadytoinfuseitselfintotheaudience.

Ifyouextemporizeyoucangetmuchclosertoyouraudience.Inasense,theyappreciatethetaskyouhavebeforeyouandsendouttheirsympathy.Extemporize,andyouwillnothavetostopandfumblearoundamidstyournotes—youcankeepyoureyeafirewithyourmessageandholdyouraudiencewithyourveryglance.Youyourselfwillfeeltheirresponseasyoureadtheeffectsofyourwarm,spontaneouswords,writtenontheircountenances.

Sentenceswrittenoutinthestudyareliabletobedeadandcoldwhenresurrectedbeforetheaudience.Whenyoucreateasyouspeakyouconserveallthenativefireofyourthought.Youcanenlargeononepointoromitanother,justastheoccasionorthemoodoftheaudiencemaydemand.Itisnotpossibleforeveryspeakertousethis,themostdifficultofallmethodsofdelivery,andleastofallcanitbeusedsuccessfullywithoutmuchpractise,butitistheidealtowardswhichallshouldstrive.

Onedangerinthismethodisthatyoumaybeledasidefromyoursubjectintoby–paths.Toavoidthisperil,firmlysticktoyourmentaloutline.Practisespeakingfromamemorizedbriefuntilyougaincontrol.Joinadebatingsociety—talk,talk,TALK,andalwaysextemporize.Youmay“makeafoolofyourself”onceortwice,butisthattoogreatapricetopayforsuccess?

Notes,likecrutches,areonlyasignofweakness.Rememberthatthepowerofyourspeechdependstosomeextentupontheviewyouraudienceholdsofyou.GeneralGrant’swordsaspresidentweremorepowerfulthanhiswordsasaMissourifarmer.Ifyouwouldappearinthelightofanauthority,beone.Makenotesonyourbraininsteadofonpaper.

JointMethodsofDelivery

Amodificationofthesecondmethodhasbeenadoptedbymanygreatspeakers,particularlylecturerswhoarecompelledtospeakonawidevarietyofsubjectsdayafterday;suchspeakersoftencommittheiraddressestomemorybutkeeptheirmanuscriptsinflexiblebookformbeforethem,turningseveralpagesatatime.Theyfeelsaferforhavingasheet–anchortowindward—butitisananchor,nevertheless,andhindersrapid,freesailing,thoughitdragneversolightly.

Otherspeakersthrowoutastilllighteranchorbykeepingbeforethemaratherfulloutlineoftheirwrittenandcommittedspeech.

Othersagainwriteandcommitafewimportantpartsoftheaddress—theintroduction,theconclusion,somevitalargument,somepatillustration—anddependonthehourforthelanguageoftherest.Thismethodiswelladaptedtospeakingeitherwithorwithoutnotes.

Somespeakersreadfrommanuscriptthemostimportantpartsoftheirspeechesanduttertherestextemporaneously.

Thus,whatwehavecalled“jointmethodsofdelivery”areopentomuchpersonalvariation.Youmustdecideforyourselfwhichisbestforyou,fortheoccasion,foryoursubject,foryouraudience—forthesefourfactorsallhavetheirindividualclaims.

Whateverformyouchoose,donotbesoweaklyindifferentastoprefertheeasyway—choosethebestway,whateveritcostyouintimeandeffort.Andofthisbeassured:onlythepractisedspeakercanhopetogainbothconcisenessofargumentandconvictioninmanner,polishoflanguageandpowerindelivery,finishofstyleandfireinutterance.


1.Whichinyourjudgmentisthemostsuitableofdeliveryforyou?Why?

2.Whatobjectionscanyouofferto,(a)memorizingtheentirespeech;(b)readingfrommanuscript;(c)usingnotes;(d)speakingfrommemorizedoutlineornotes;(ee)anyofthe“jointmethods”?

3.Whatistheretocommendindeliveringaspeechinanyoftheforegoingmethods?

4.Canyousuggestanycombinationofmethodsthatyouhavefoundefficacious?

5.Whatmethods,accordingtoyourobservation,domostsuccessfulspeakersuse?

6.Selectsometopicfromthelistonpage123,narrowthethemesoastomakeitspecific(seepage122),anddeliverashortaddress,utilizingthefourmethodsmentioned,infourdifferentdeliveriesofthespeech.

7.Selectoneofthejointmethodsandapplyittothedeliveryofthesameaddress.

8.Whichmethoddoyouprefer,andwhy?

9.FromthelistofsubjectsintheAppendixselectathemeanddeliverafive–minuteaddresswithoutnotes,butmakecarefulpreparationwithoutputtingyourthoughtsonpaper.

NOTE:Itisearnestlyhopedthatinstructorswillnotpassthisstageoftheworkwithoutrequiringoftheirstudentsmuchpractiseinthedeliveryoforiginalspeeches,inthemannerthatseems,aftersomeexperiment,tobebestsuitedtothestudent’sgifts.Students

whoarestudyingaloneshouldbeequallyexactingindemanduponthemselves.Onepointismostimportant:Itiseasytolearntoreadaspeech,thereforeitismuchmoreurgentthatthepupilshouldhavemuchpractiseinspeakingfromnotesandspeakingwithoutnotes.Atthisstage,paymoreattentiontomannerthantomatter—thesucceedingchapterstakeupthecompositionoftheaddress.Beparticularlyinsistentuponfrequentandthoroughreviewoftheprinciplesofdeliverydiscussedintheprecedingchapters.

CHAPTERXVIIThoughtandReservePower

Providenceisalwaysonthesideofthelastreserve.

—NAPOLEONBONAPARTE.

Somightiestpowersbydeepestcalmsarefed,Andsleep,howoft,inthingsthatgentlestbe!

—BARRYCORNWALL,TheSeainCalm.

Whatwouldhappenifyoushouldoverdrawyourbankaccount?Asarulethecheckwouldbeprotested;butifyouwereonfriendlytermswiththebank,yourcheckmightbehonored,andyouwouldbecalledupontomakegoodtheoverdraft.

Naturehasnosuchfavorites,thereforeextendsnocredits.Sheisasrelentlessasagasolinetank—whenthe“gas”isallusedthemachinestops.Itisasrecklessforaspeakertoriskgoingbeforeanaudiencewithouthavingsomethinginreserveasitisforthemotoristtoessayalongjourneyinthewildswithoutenoughgasolineinsight.

Butinwhatdoesaspeaker’sreservepowerconsist?Inawell–foundedrelianceonhisgeneralandparticulargraspofhissubject;inthequalityofbeingalertandresourcefulinthought—particularlyintheabilitytothinkwhileonhisfeet;andinthatself–possessionwhichmakesonethecaptainofallhisownforces,bodilyandmental.

Thefirstoftheseelements,adequatepreparation,andthelast,self–reliance,werediscussedfullyinthechapterson“Self–Confidence”and“Fluency,”sotheywillbetouchedonlyincidentallyhere;besides,thenextchapterwilltakeupspecificmethodsofpreparationforpublicspeaking.Thereforethecentralthemeofthischapteristhesecondoftheelementsofreservepower—Thought.

TheMentalStorehouse

Anemptymind,likeanemptylarder,maybeaseriousmatterornot—allwilldependontheavailableresources.Ifthereisnofoodinthecupboardthehousewifedoesnotnervouslyrattletheemptydishes;shetelephonesthegrocer.Ifyouhavenoideas,donotrattleyouremptyersandahs,butgetsomeideas,anddon’tspeakuntilyoudogetthem.

This,however,isnotbeingwhattheoldNewEnglandhousekeeperusedtocall“forehanded.”Therealsolutionoftheproblemofwhattodowithanemptyheadisnevertoletitbecomeempty.IntheartesianwellsofDakotathewaterrushestothesurfaceandleapsascoreoffeetabovetheground.Thesecretofthisexuberantflowisofcoursethegreatsupplybelow,crowdingtogetout.

Whatistheuseofstoppingtoprimeamentalpumpwhenyoucanfillyourlifewiththeresourcesforanartesianwell?Itisnotenoughtohavemerelyenough;youmusthave

morethanenough.Thenthepressureofyourmassofthoughtandfeelingwillmaintainyourflowofspeechandgiveyoutheconfidenceandpoisethatdenotereservepower.Tobeawayfromhomewithonlytheexactreturnfareleavesagreatdealtocircumstances!

Reservepowerismagnetic.Itdoesnotconsistingivingtheideathatyouareholdingsomethinginreserve,butratherinthesuggestionthattheaudienceisgettingthecreamofyourobservation,reading,experience,feeling,thought.Tohavereservepower,therefore,youmusthaveenoughmilkofmaterialonhandtosupplysufficientcream.

Buthowshallwegetthemilk?Therearetwoways:theoneisfirst–hand—fromthecow;theotherissecond–hand—fromthemilkman.

TheSeeingEye

Somesagehassaid:“Forathousandmenwhocanspeak,thereisonlyonewhocanthink;forathousandmenwhocanthink,thereisonlyonewhocansee.”Toseeandtothinkistogetyourmilkfromyourowncow.

Whentheonemaninamillionwhocanseecomesalong,wecallhimMaster.OldMr.Holbrook,of“Cranford,”askedhisguestwhatcolorash–budswereinMarch;sheconfessedshedidnotknow,towhichtheoldgentlemananswered:“Iknewyoudidn’t.NomoredidI—anoldfoolthatIam!—tillthisyoungmancomesandtellsme.‘Blackasash–budsinMarch.’AndI’velivedallmylifeinthecountry.Moreshameformenottoknow.Black;theyarejet–black,madam.”

“Thisyoungman”referredtobyMr.HolbrookwasTennyson.

HenryWardBeechersaid:“IdonotbelievethatIhaveevermetamanonthestreetthatIdidnotgetfromhimsomeelementforasermon.IneverseeanythinginnaturewhichdoesnotworktowardsthatforwhichIgivethestrengthofmylife.Thematerialformysermonsisallthetimefollowingmeandswarminguparoundme.”

Insteadofsayingonlyonemaninamillioncansee,itwouldstrikenearerthetruthtosaythatnoneofusseeswithperfectunderstandingmorethanafractionofwhatpassesbeforeoureyes,yetthisfacultyofacuteandaccurateobservationissoimportantthatnomanambitioustoleadcanneglectit.Thenexttimeyouareinacar,lookatthosewhositoppositeyouandseewhatyoucandiscoveroftheirhabits,occupations,ideals,nationalities,environments,education,andsoon.Youmaynotseeagreatdealthefirsttime,butpractisewillrevealastonishingresults.Transmuteeveryincidentofyourdayintoasubjectforaspeechoranillustration.Translateallthatyouseeintotermsofspeech.Whenyoucandescribeallthatyouhaveseenindefinitewords,youareseeingclearly.Youarebecomingthemillionthman.

DeMaupassant’sdescriptionofanauthorshouldalsofitthepublic–speaker:“Hiseyeislikeasuctionpump,absorbingeverything;likeapickpocket’shand,alwaysatwork.Nothingescapeshim.Heisconstantlycollectingmaterial,gathering–upglances,gestures,intentions,everythingthatgoesoninhispresence—theslightestlook,theleastact,themeresttrifle.”DeMaupassantwashimselfamillionthman,aMaster.

“Ruskintookacommonrock–crystalandsawhiddenwithinitsstolidheartlessonswhichhavenotyetceasedtomovemen’slives.Beecherstoodforhoursbeforethewindowofajewelrystorethinkingoutanalogiesbetweenjewelsandthesoulsofmen.Goughsawina

singledropofwaterenoughtruthwherewithtoquenchthethirstoffivethousandsouls.Thoreausatsostillintheshadowywoodsthatbirdsandinsectscameandopeneduptheirsecretlivestohiseye.Emersonobservedthesoulofamansolongthatatlengthhecouldsay,‘Icannothearwhatyousay,forseeingwhatyouare.’Preyerforthreeyearsstudiedthelifeofhisbabeandsobecameanauthorityuponthechildmind.Observation!Mostmenareblind.Thereareathousandtimesasmanyhiddentruthsandundiscoveredfactsaboutusto–dayashavemadediscoverersfamous—factswaitingforsomeoneto‘pluckouttheheartoftheirmystery.’Butsolongasmengoaboutthesearchwitheyesthatseenot,solongwillthesehiddenpearlslieintheirshells.Notanoratorbutwhocouldmoreeffectivelypointandfeatherhisshaftswerehetosearchnatureratherthanlibraries.Toofewcansee‘sermonsinstones’and‘booksintherunningbrooks,’becausetheyaresousedtoseeingmerelysermonsinbooksandonlystonesinrunningbrooks.SirPhilipSidneyhadasaying,‘Lookinthyheartandwrite;’Massillonexplainedhisastuteknowledgeofthehumanheartbysaying,‘Ilearneditbystudyingmyself;’ByronsaysofJohnLockethat‘allhisknowledgeofthehumanunderstandingwasderivedfromstudyinghisownmind.’Sincemultiformnatureisallaboutus,originalityoughtnottobesorare.”[8]

TheThinkingMind

Thinkingisdoingmentalarithmeticwithfacts.Addthisfacttothatandyoureachacertainconclusion.Subtractthistruthfromanotherandyouhaveadefiniteresult.Multiplythisfactbyanotherandhaveapreciseproduct.Seehowmanytimesthisoccurrencehappensinthatspaceoftimeandyouhavereachedacalculabledividend.Inthought–processesyouperformeveryknownproblemofarithmeticandalgebra.Thatiswhymathematicsaresuchexcellentmentalgymnastics.Butbythesametoken,thinkingiswork.Thinkingtakesenergy.Thinkingrequirestime,andpatience,andbroadinformation,andclearheadedness.Beyondamiserablelittlesurface–scratching,fewpeoplereallythinkatall—onlyoneinathousand,accordingtothepunditalreadyquoted.Solongasthepresentsystemofeducationprevailsandchildrenaretaughtthroughtheearratherthanthroughtheeye,solongastheyareexpectedtorememberthoughtsofothersratherthanthinkforthemselves,thisproportionwillcontinue—onemaninamillionwillbeabletosee,andoneinathousandtothink.

But,howeverthought–lessamindhasbeen,thereispromiseofbetterthingssosoonastheminddetectsitsownlackofthought–power.Thefirststepistostopregardingthoughtas“themagicofthemind,”touseByron’sexpression,andseeitasthoughttrulyis—aweighingofideasandaplacingoftheminrelationshipstoeachother.Ponderthisdefinitionandseeifyouhavelearnedtothinkefficiently.

Habitualthinkingisjustthat—ahabit.Habitcomesofdoingathingrepeatedly.Thelowerhabitsareacquiredeasily,thehigheronesrequiredeepergroovesiftheyaretopersist.Sowefindthatthethought–habitcomesonlywithresolutepractise;yetnoeffortwillyieldricherdividends.Persistinpractise,andwhereasyouhavebeenabletothinkonlyaninch–deepintoasubject,youwillsoonfindthatyoucanpenetrateitafoot.

Perhapsthishomelymetaphorwillsuggesthowtobeginthepractiseofconsecutivethinking,bywhichwemeanweldinganumberofseparatethought–linksintoachainthatwillhold.Takeonelinkatatime,seethateachnaturallybelongswiththeonesyoulinkto

it,andrememberthatasinglemissinglinkmeansnochain.

Thinkingisthemostfascinatingandexhilaratingofallmentalexercises.OncerealizethatyouropiniononasubjectdoesnotrepresentthechoiceyouhavemadebetweenwhatDr.CerebrumhaswrittenandProfessorCerebellumhassaid,butistheresultofyourownearnestly–appliedbrain–energy,andyouwillgainaconfidenceinyourabilitytospeakonthatsubjectthatnothingwillbeabletoshake.Yourthoughtwillhavegivenyoubothpowerandreservepower.

Someonehascondensedtherelationofthoughttoknowledgeinthesepungent,homelylines:

“Don’tgivemethemanwhothinkshethinks,Don’tgivemethemanwhothinksheknows,Butgivemethemanwhoknowshethinks,AndIhavethemanwhoknowsheknows!”

ReadingAsaStimulustoThought

Nomatterhowdrythecow,however,norhowpoorourabilitytomilk,thereisstillthemilkman—wecanreadwhatothershaveseenandfeltandthought.Often,indeed,suchrecordswillkindlewithinusthatpre–essentialandvitalspark,thedesiretobeathinker.

ThefollowingselectionistakenfromoneofDr.NewellDwightHillis’slectures,asgivenin“AMan’sValuetoSociety.”Dr.Hillisisamostfluentspeaker—heneverreferstonotes.Hehasreservepower.Hismindisaveritabletreasure–houseoffactsandideas.Seehowhedrawsfromaknowledgeoffifteendifferentgeneralorspecialsubjects:geology,plantlife,Palestine,chemistry,Eskimos,mythology,literature,TheNile,history,law,wit,evolution,religion,biography,andelectricity.Surely,itneedsnosagetodiscoverthatthesecretofthisman’sreservepoweristheoldsecretofourartesianwellwhoseabundancesurgesfromunseendepths.

THEUSESOFBOOKSANDREADING[9]

EachKingsleyapproachesastoneasajewelerapproachesacaskettounlockthehiddengems.Geikiecausesthebitofhardcoaltounrollthejuicybud,thethickodorousleaves,thepungentboughs,untilthebitofcarbonenlargesintothebeautyofatropicforest.ThatlittlebookofGrantAllen’scalled“HowPlantsGrow”exhibitstreesandshrubsaseating,drinkingandmarrying.WeseecertaindategrovesinPalestine,andotherdategrovesinthedesertahundredmilesaway,andthepollenoftheonecarrieduponthetradewindstothebranchesoftheother.Weseethetreewithitsstrangesystemofwater–works,pumpingthesapupthroughpipesandmains;weseethechemicallaboratoryinthebranchesmixingflavorfortheorangeinonebough,mixingthejuicesofthepineappleinanother;webeholdthetreeasamothermakingeachinfantacornreadyagainstthelongwinter,rollingitinswathssoftandwarmaswoolblankets,wrappingitaroundwithgarmentsimpervioustotherain,andfinallyslippingtheinfantacornintoasleepingbag,likethosetheEskimosgaveDr.Kane.

AtlengthwecometofeelthattheGreekswerenotfarwronginthinkingeachtreehadadryadinit,animatingit,protectingitagainstdestruction,dyingwhenthetreewithered.SomeFaradayshowsusthateachdropofwaterisasheathforelectricforcessufficienttocharge800,000Leydenjars,ordriveanenginefromLiverpooltoLondon.SomeSirWilliamThomsontellsushowhydrogengaswillchewupalargeironspikeasachild’smolarswillchewofftheendofastickofcandy.Thuseachnewbookopensupsomenewandhithertounexploredrealmofnature.Thusbooksfulfillforusthelegendofthewondrousglassthatshoweditsownerallthingsdistantandallthingshidden.Throughbooksourworldbecomesas“abudfromthebowerofGod’sbeauty;thesunasasparkfromthelightofHiswisdom;theskyasabubbleontheseaofHisPower.”ThereforeMrs.Browning’swords,“NochildcanbecalledfatherlesswhohasGodandhismother;noyouthcanbecalledfriendlesswhohasGodandthecompanionshipofgoodbooks.”

Booksalsoadvantageusinthattheyexhibittheunityofprogress,thesolidarityoftherace,andthecontinuityofhistory.Authorsleadusbackalongthepathwayoflaw,oflibertyorreligion,andsetusdowninfrontofthegreatmaninwhosebraintheprinciplehaditsrise.AsthediscovererleadsusfromthemouthoftheNilebacktotheheadwatersofNyanza,sobooksexhibitgreatideasandinstitutions,astheymoveforward,everwideninganddeepening,likesomeNilefeedingmanycivilizations.Forallthereformsofto–daygobacktosomereformofyesterday.Man’sartgoesbacktoAthensandThebes.Man’slawsgobacktoBlackstoneandJustinian.Man’sreapersandplowsgobacktothesavagescratchingthegroundwithhisforkedstick,drawnbythewildbullock.Theheroesoflibertymarchforwardinasolidcolumn.LincolngraspsthehandofWashington.WashingtonreceivedhisweaponsatthehandsofHampdenandCromwell.ThegreatPuritanslockhandswithLutherandSavonarola.

TheunbrokenprocessionbringsusatlengthtoHimwhoseSermonontheMountwastheverycharterofliberty.Itputsusunderadivinespelltoperceivethatweareallcoworkerswiththegreatmen,andyetsinglethreadsinthewarpandwoofofcivilization.Andwhenbookshaverelatedustoourownage,andrelatedalltheepochstoGod,whoseprovidenceisthegulfstreamofhistory,theseteachersgoontostimulateustonewandgreaterachievements.Alone,manisanunlightedcandle.Themindneedssomebooktokindleitsfaculties.BeforeByronbegantowriteheusedtogivehalfanhourtoreadingsomefavoritepassage.ThethoughtofsomegreatwriterneverfailedtokindleByronintoacreativeglow,evenasamatchlightsthekindlingsuponthegrate.Intheseburning,luminousmoodsByron’sminddiditsbestwork.Thetruebookstimulatesthemindasnowinecaneverquickentheblood.Itisreadingthatbringsustoourbest,androuseseachfacultytoitsmostvigorouslife.

Werecognizethisaspurecream,andifitseemsatfirsttohaveitssecondarysourceinthefriendlymilkman,letusnotforgetthatthethemeis“TheUsesofBooksandReading.”Dr.Hillisbothseesandthinks.

Itisfashionablejustnowtodecrythevalueofreading.Weread,wearetold,toavoidthenecessityofthinkingforourselves.Booksareforthementallylazy.

Thoughthisisonlyahalf–truth,theelementoftruthitcontainsislargeenoughtomakeuspause.PutyourselfthroughagoodoldPresbyteriansoul–searchingself–examination,andifreading–from–thought–lazinessisoneofyoursins,confessit.Noonecanshriveyouofit—butyourself.Dopenanceforitbyusingyourownbrains,foritisatransgressionthatdwarfsthegrowthofthoughtanddestroysmentalfreedom.Atfirstthepenancewillbetrying—butatthelastyouwillbegladinit.

Readingshouldentertain,giveinformation,orstimulatethought.Here,however,wearechieflyconcernedwithinformation,andstimulationofthought.

WhatshallIreadforinformation?

Theamplepageofknowledge,asGreytellsus,is“richwiththespoilsoftime,”andtheseareoursforthepriceofatheatreticket.YoumaycommandSocratesandMarcusAureliustositbesideyouanddiscourseoftheirchoicest,hearLincolnatGettysburgandPericlesatAthens,stormtheBastilewithHugo,andwanderthroughParadisewithDante.YoumayexploredarkestAfricawithStanley,penetratethehumanheartwithShakespeare,chatwithCarlyleaboutheroes,anddelvewiththeApostlePaulintothemysteriesoffaith.Thegeneralknowledgeandtheinspiringideasthatmenhavecollectedthroughagesoftoilandexperimentareyoursfortheasking.TheSageofChelseawasright:“Thetrueuniversityofthesedaysisacollectionofbooks.”

Tomasteraworth–whilebookistomastermuchelsebesides;fewofus,however,makeperfectconquestofavolumewithoutfirstowningitphysically.Toreadaborrowedbookmaybeajoy,buttoassignyourownbookaplaceofitsownonyourownshelves—betheyfewormany—tolovethebookandfeelofitsworncover,tothumbitoverslowly,pagebypage,topencilitsmarginsinagreementorinprotest,tosmileorthrillwithitsrememberedpungencies—nomerebookborrowercouldeversenseallthatdelight.

Thereaderwhopossessesbooksinthisdoublesensefindsalsothathisbookspossesshim,andthevolumeswhichmostfirmlygriphislifearelikelytobethoseithascosthimsomesacrificetoown.Theselightly–come–bytitles,whichMr.Fatpurseselects,perhapsbyproxy,canscarcelyplaytheguide,philosopherandfriendincrucialmomentsasdothebooks—longcoveted,joyouslyattained—thatarewelcomedintothelives,andnotmerelythelibraries,ofusotherswhoareatoncepoorerandricher.

Soitisscarcelytoomuchtosaythatofallthemanywaysinwhichanowned—amastered—bookisliketoahumanfriend,thetruestwaysarethese:Afriendisworthmakingsacrificesfor,bothtogainandtokeep;andourlovesgooutmostdearlytothoseintowhoseinmostliveswehavesincerelyentered.

Whenyouhavenottheadvantageofthetestoftimebywhichtojudgebooks,investigateasthoroughlyaspossibletheauthorityofthebooksyouread.Muchthatisprintedandpassescurrentiscounterfeit.“Ireaditinabook”istomanyasufficientwarrantyoftruth,butnottothethinker.“Whatbook?”asksthecarefulmind.“Whowroteit?Whatdoesheknowaboutthesubjectandwhatrighthashetospeakonit?Whorecognizeshimasauthority?Withwhatotherrecognizedauthoritiesdoesheagreeordisagree?”Beingcaughttryingtopasscounterfeitmoney,evenunintentionally,isanunpleasantsituation.Bewarelestyoucirculatespuriouscoin.

Aboveall,seekreadingthatmakesyouuseyourownbrains.Suchreadingmustbealive

withfreshpointsofview,packedwithspecialknowledge,anddealwithsubjectsofvitalinterest.Donotconfineyourreadingtowhatyoualreadyknowyouwillagreewith.Oppositionwakesoneup.Theotherroadmaybethebetter,butyouwillneverknowitunlessyou“giveittheonceover.”Donotdoallyourthinkingandinvestigatinginfrontofgiven“Q.E.D.‘s;”merelyassemblingreasonstofillinbetweenyourtheoremandwhatyouwanttoprovewillgetyounowhere.Approacheachsubjectwithanopenmindand—oncesurethatyouhavethoughtitoutthoroughlyandhonestly—havethecouragetoabidebythedecisionofyourownthought.Butdon’tbragaboutitafterward.

Nobookonpublicspeakingwillenableyoutodiscourseonthetariffifyouknownothingaboutthetariff.Knowingmoreaboutitthantheothermanwillbeyouronlyhopeformakingtheothermanlistentoyou.

Takeagroupofmendiscussingagovernmentalpolicyofwhichsomeonesays:“Itissocialistic.”ThatwillcommendthepolicytoMr.A.,whobelievesinsocialism,butcondemnittoMr.B.,whodoesnot.Itmaybethatneitherhadconsideredthepolicybeyondnoticingthatitssurface–colorwassocialistic.Thechancesare,furthermore,thatneitherMr.A.norMr.B.hasadefiniteideaofwhatsocialismreallyis,forasRobertLouisStevensonsays,“Manlivesnotbybreadalonebutchieflybycatchwords.”Ifyouareofthisgroupofmen,andhaveobservedthisproposedgovernmentpolicy,andinvestigatedit,andthoughtaboutit,whatyouhavetosaycannotfailtocommandtheirrespectandapproval,foryouwillhaveshownthemthatyoupossessagraspofyoursubjectand—toadoptanexceedinglyexpressivebitofslang—thensome.


1.RobertHoudintrainedhissontogiveoneswiftglanceatashopwindowinpassingandbeabletoreportaccuratelyasurprisingnumberofitscontents.Trythisseveraltimesondifferentwindowsandreporttheresult.

2.Whateffectdoesreservepowerhaveonanaudience?

3.Whatarethebestmethodsforacquiringreservepower?

4.Whatisthedangeroftoomuchreading?

5.Analyzesomespeechthatyouhavereadorheardandnoticehowmuchrealinformationthereisinit.CompareitwithDr.Hillis’sspeechon“BraveLittleBelgium,”page394.

6.Writeoutathree–minutespeechonanysubjectyouchoose.Howmuchinformation,andwhatnewideas,doesitcontain?Compareyourspeechwiththeextractonpage191fromDr.Hillis’s“TheUsesofBooksandReading.”

7.Haveyoueverreadabookonthepractiseofthinking?Ifso,giveyourimpressionsofitsvalue.

NOTE:Thereareanumberofexcellentbooksonthesubjectofthoughtandthemanagementofthought.Thefollowingarerecommendedasbeingespeciallyhelpful:“ThinkingandLearningtoThink,”NathanC.Schaeffer;“TalkstoStudentsontheArtofStudy,”Cramer;“AsaManThinketh,”Allen.

8.Define(a)logic;(b)mentalphilosophy(ormentalscience);(c)psychology;(d)

abstract.

[8]HowtoAttractandHoldanAudience,J.BergEsenwein.[9]Usedbypermission.

CHAPTERXVIIISubjectandPreparation

Suityourtopicstoyourstrength,Andponderwellyoursubject,anditslength;Norliftyourload,beforeyou’requiteawareWhatweightyourshoulderswill,orwillnot,bear.

—BYRON,HintsfromHorace.

Looktothisday,foritislife—theverylifeoflife.Initsbriefcourseliealltheveritiesandrealitiesofyourexistence:theblissofgrowth,thegloryofaction,thesplendorofbeauty.Foryesterdayisalreadyadreamandtomorrowisonlyavision;buttoday,welllived,makeseveryyesterdayadreamofhappinessandeverytomorrowavisionofhope.Lookwell,therefore,tothisday.Suchisthesalutationofthedawn.

—FromtheSanskrit.

Inthechapterprecedingwehaveseentheinfluenceof“ThoughtandReservePower”ongeneralpreparednessforpublicspeech.Butpreparationconsistsinsomethingmoredefinitethanthecultivationofthought–power,whetherfromoriginalorfromborrowedsources—itinvolvesaspecificallyacquisitiveattitudeofthewholelife.Ifyouwouldbecomeafullsoulyoumustconstantlytakeinandassimilate,forinthatwayonlymayyouhopetogiveoutthatwhichisworththehearing;butdonotconfusetheacquisitionofgeneralinformationwiththemasteryofspecificknowledge.Informationconsistsofafactoragroupoffacts;knowledgeisorganizedinformation—knowledgeknowsafactinrelationtootherfacts.

Nowtheimportantthinghereisthatyoushouldsetallyourfacultiestotakeinthethingsaboutyouwiththeparticularobjectofcorrelatingthemandstoringthemforuseinpublicspeech.Youmusthearwiththespeaker’sear,seewiththespeaker’seye,andchoosebooksandcompanionsandsightsandsoundswiththespeaker’spurposeinview.Atthesametime,bereadytoreceiveunplanned–forknowledge.Oneofthefascinatingelementsinyourlifeasapublicspeakerwillbetheconsciousgrowthinpowerthatcasualdailyexperiencesbring.Ifyoureyesarealertyouwillbeconstantlydiscoveringfacts,illustrations,andideaswithouthavingsetoutinsearchofthem.Theseallmaybeturnedtoaccountontheplatform;eventheleadeneventsofhum–drumdailylifemaybemeltedintobulletsforfuturebattles.

ConservationofTimeinPreparation

But,yousay,Ihavesolittletimeforpreparation—mymindmustbeabsorbedbyothermatters.DanielWebsterneverletanopportunitypasstogathermaterialforhisspeeches.

Whenhewasaboyworkinginasawmillhereadoutofabookinonehandandbusiedhimselfatsomemechanicaltaskwiththeother.InyouthPatrickHenryroamedthefieldsandwoodsinsolitudefordaysatatimeunconsciouslygatheringmaterialandimpressionsforhislaterserviceasaspeaker.Dr.RussellH.Conwell,themanwho,thelateCharlesA.Danasaid,hadaddressedmorehearersthananylivingman,usedtomemorizelongpassagesfromMiltonwhiletendingtheboilingsyrup–pansinthesilentNewEnglandwoodsatnight.ThemodernemployerwoulddischargeaWebsteroftodayforinattentiontoduty,anddoubtlesshewouldbejustified,andPatrickHenryseemedonlyanidlechapeveninthoseeasy–goingdays;butthetruthremains:thosewhotakeinpowerandhavethepurposetouseitefficientlywillsomedaywintotheplaceinwhichthatstored–uppowerwillrevolvegreatwheelsofinfluence.

Napoleonsaidthatquarterhoursdecidethedestiniesofnations.Howmanyquarterhoursdoweletdriftbyaimlessly!RobertLouisStevensonconservedallhistime;everyexperiencebecamecapitalforhiswork—forcapitalmaybedefinedas“theresultsoflaborstoreduptoassistfutureproduction.”Hecontinuallytriedtoputintosuitablelanguagethescenesandactionsthatwereinevidenceabouthim.Emersonsays:“Tomorrowwillbeliketoday.Lifewastesitselfwhilstwearepreparingtolive.”

Whywaitforamoreconvenientseasonforthisbroad,generalpreparation?Thefifteenminutesthatwespendonthecarcouldbeprofitablyturnedintospeech–capital.

Procureacheapeditionofmodernspeeches,andbycuttingoutafewpageseachday,andreadingthemduringtheidleminutehereandthere,notehowsoonyoucanmakeyourselffamiliarwiththeworld’sbestspeeches.Ifyoudonotwishtomutilateyourbook,takeitwithyou—mostoftheepoch–makingbooksarenowprintedinsmallvolumes.ThedailywasteofnaturalgasintheOklahomafieldsisequaltotenthousandtonsofcoal.Onlyaboutthreepercentofthepowerofthecoalthatentersthefurnaceeverdiffusesitselffromyourelectricbulbaslight—theotherninety–sevenpercentiswasted.Yetthesewastesarenolarger,normoretobelamentedthanthetremendouswasteoftimewhich,ifconservedwouldincreasethespeaker’spowerstotheirnthdegree.Scientistsaremakingthreeearsofcorngrowwhereonegrewbefore;efficiencyengineersareeliminatinguselessmotionsandproductsfromourfactories:catchthespiritoftheageandapplyefficiencytotheuseofthemostvaluableassetyoupossess—time.Whatdoyoudomentallywiththetimeyouspendindressingorinshaving?Takesomesubjectandconcentrateyourenergiesonitforaweekbyutilizingjustthesparemomentsthatwouldotherwisebewasted.Youwillbeamazedattheresult.OnepassageadayfromtheBookofBooks,onegoldeningotfromsomemastermind,onefully–possessedthoughtofyourownmightthusbeaddedtothetreasuryofyourlife.Donotwasteyourtimeinwaysthatprofityounothing.Fill“theunforgivingminute”with“sixtyseconds’worthofdistancerun”andontheplatformyouwillbeimmeasurablythegainer.

Letnowordofthis,however,seemtodecrythevalueofrecreation.Nothingismorevitaltoaworkerthanrest—yetnothingissovitiatingtotheshirker.Besurethatyourrecreationre–creates.Apauseinthemidstoflaborsgathersstrengthforneweffort.Themistakeistopausetoolong,ortofillyourpauseswithideasthatmakelifeflabby.

ChoosingaSubject

Subjectandmaterialstremendouslyinfluenceeachother.

“Thisarisesfromthefactthattherearetwodistinctwaysinwhichasubjectmaybechosen:byarbitrarychoice,orbydevelopmentfromthoughtandreading.

“Arbitrarychoice…ofonesubjectfromamonganumberinvolvessomanyimportantconsiderationsthatnospeakereverfailstoappreciatethetoneofsatisfactioninhimwhotriumphantlyannounces:‘Ihaveasubject!’

“‘Dogivemeasubject!’Howoftenthewearyschoolteacherhearsthatcry.Thenalistofthemesissuggested,goneover,considered,and,inmostinstances,rejected,becausetheteachercanknowbutimperfectlywhatisinthepupil’smind.Tosuggestasubjectinthiswayisliketryingtodiscoverthestreetonwhichalostchildlives,bynamingoveranumberofstreetsuntilonestrikesthelittleone’searassoundingfamiliar.

“Choicebydevelopmentisaverydifferentprocess.Itdoesnotask,WhatshallIsay?Itturnsthemindinuponitselfandasks,WhatdoIthink?Thus,thesubjectmaybesaidtochooseitself,forintheprocessofthoughtorofreadingonethemerisesintoprominenceandbecomesalivinggerm,soontogrowintothediscourse.Hewhohasnotlearnedtoreflectisnotreallyacquaintedwithhisownthoughts;hence,histhoughtsarenotproductive.Habitsofreadingandreflectionwillsupplythespeaker’smindwithanabundanceofsubjectsofwhichhealreadyknowssomethingfromtheveryreadingandreflectionwhichgavebirthtohistheme.Thisisnotaparadox,butsobertruth.

“Itmustbealreadyapparentthatthechoiceofasubjectbydevelopmentsavorsmoreofcollectionthanofconsciousselection.Thesubject‘popsintothemind.’…Intheintellectofthetrainedthinkeritconcentrates—byaprocesswhichwehaveseentobeinduction—thefactsandtruthsofwhichhehasbeenreadingandthinking.Thisismostoftenagradualprocess.Thescatteredideasmaybebutvaguelyconnectedatfirst,butmoreandmoretheyconcentrateandtakeonasingleformuntilatlengthonestrongideaseemstograspthesoulwithirresistibleforce,andtocryaloud,‘Arise,Iamyourtheme!Henceforth,untilyoutransmutemebythealchemyofyourinwardfireintovitalspeech,youshallknownorest!’Happy,then,isthatspeaker,forhehasfoundasubjectthatgripshim.

“Ofcourse,experiencedspeakersusebothmethodsofselection.EvenareadingandreflectivemanissometimescompelledtohuntforathemefromDantoBeersheba,andthenthetaskofgatheringmaterialsbecomesaseriousone.Buteveninsuchacasethereisasenseinwhichtheselectioncomesbydevelopment,becausenocarefulspeakersettlesuponathemewhichdoesnotrepresentatleastsomematuredthought.”[10]

DecidingontheSubjectMatter

Evenwhenyourthemehasbeenchosenforyoubysomeoneelse,thereremainstoyouaconsiderablefieldforchoiceofsubjectmatter.Thesameconsiderations,infact,thatwouldgovernyouinchoosingathememustguideintheselectionofthematerial.Askyourself—orsomeoneelse—suchquestionsasthese:

Whatistheprecisenatureoftheoccasion?Howlargeanaudiencemaybeexpected?Fromwhatwalksoflifedotheycome?Whatistheirprobableattitudetowardthetheme?Whoelsewillspeak?DoIspeakfirst,last,orwhere,ontheprogram?Whataretheother

speakersgoingtotalkabout?Whatisthenatureoftheauditorium?Isthereadesk?Couldthesubjectbemoreeffectivelyhandledifsomewhatmodified?PreciselyhowmuchtimeamItofill?

Itisevidentthatmanyspeech–misfitsofsubject,speaker,occasionandplaceareduetofailuretoaskjustsuchpertinentquestions.Whatshouldbesaid,bywhom,andinwhatcircumstances,constituteninetypercentofefficiencyinpublicaddress.Nomatterwhoasksyou,refusetobeasquarepeginaroundhole.

QuestionsofProportion

Proportioninaspeechisattainedbyaniceadjustmentoftime.Howfullyyoumaytreatyoursubjectitisnotalwaysforyoutosay.Lettenminutesmeanneitherninenoreleven—thoughbetterninethaneleven,atallevents.Youwouldn’tstealaman’swatch;nomoreshouldyoustealthetimeofthesucceedingspeaker,orthatoftheaudience.Thereisnoneedtooversteptime–limitsifyoumakeyourpreparationadequateanddivideyoursubjectsoastogiveeachthoughtitsdueproportionofattention—andnomore.Blessedisthemanthatmakethshortspeeches,forheshallbeinvitedtospeakagain.

Anothermatterofprimeimportanceis,whatpartofyouraddressdemandsthemostemphasis.Thisoncedecided,youwillknowwheretoplacethatpivotalsectionsoastogiveitthegreateststrategicvalue,andwhatdegreeofpreparationmustbegiventothatcentralthoughtsothatthevitalpartmaynotbesubmergedbynon–essentials.Manyaspeakerhasawakenedtofindthathehasburntupeightminutesofaten–minutespeechinmerelygettingupsteam.Thatislikespendingeightypercentofyourbuilding–moneyonthevestibuleofthehouse.

Thesamesenseofproportionmusttellyoutostoppreciselywhenyouarethrough—anditistobehopedthatyouwilldiscoverthearrivalofthatperiodbeforeyouraudiencedoes.

TappingOriginalSources

Thesurestwaytogivelifetospeech–materialistogatheryourfactsatfirsthand.Yourwordscomewiththeweightofauthoritywhenyoucansay,“Ihaveexaminedtheemploymentrollsofeverymillinthisdistrictandfindthatthirty–twopercentofthechildrenemployedareunderthelegalage.”Nocitationofauthoritiescanequalthat.Youmustadoptthemethodsofthereporterandfindoutthefactsunderlyingyourargumentorappeal.Todosomayprovelaborious,butitshouldnotbeirksome,forthegreatworldoffactteemswithinterest,andoverandaboveallisthesenseofpowerthatwillcometoyoufromoriginalinvestigation.Toseeandfeelthefactsyouarediscussingwillreactuponyoumuchmorepowerfullythanifyouweretosecurethefactsatsecondhand.

Liveanactivelifeamongpeoplewhoaredoingworth–whilethings,keepeyesandearsandmindandheartopentoabsorbtruth,andthentellofthethingsyouknow,asifyouknowthem.Theworldwilllisten,fortheworldlovesnothingsomuchasreallife.

HowtoUseaLibrary

Unsuspectedtreasureslieinthesmallestlibrary.Evenwhentheownerhasreadeverylastpageofhisbooksitisonlyinrareinstancesthathehasfullindexestoallofthem,eitherinhismindoronpaper,soastomakeavailablethevastnumberofvariedsubjectstoucheduponortreatedinvolumeswhosetitleswouldneversuggestsuchtopics.

Forthisreasonitisagoodthingtotakeanoddhournowandthentobrowse.Takedownonevolumeafteranotherandlookoveritstableofcontentsanditsindex.(Itisareproachtoanyauthorofaseriousbooknottohaveprovidedafullindex,withcrossreferences.)Thenglanceoverthepages,makingnotes,mentalorphysical,ofmaterialthatlooksinterestingandusable.Mostlibrariescontainvolumesthattheowneris“goingtoreadsomeday.”Afamiliaritywitheventhecontentsofsuchbooksonyourownshelveswillenableyoutorefertothemwhenyouwanthelp.Writingsreadlongagoshouldbetreatedinthesameway—ineverychaptersomesurpriselurkstodelightyou.

Inlookingupasubjectdonotbediscouragedifyoudonotfinditindexedoroutlinedinthetableofcontents—youareprettysuretodiscoversomematerialunderarelatedtitle.

Supposeyousettoworksomewhatinthiswaytogatherreferenceson“Thinking:”Firstyoulookoveryourbooktitles,andthereisSchaeffer’s“ThinkingandLearningtoThink.”NearitisKramer’s“TalkstoStudentsontheArtofStudy”—thatseemslikelytoprovidesomematerial,anditdoes.Naturallyyouthinknextofyourbookonpsychology,andthereishelpthere.Ifyouhaveavolumeonthehumanintellectyouwillhavealreadyturnedtoit.Suddenlyyourememberyourencyclopediaandyourdictionaryofquotations—andnowmaterialfairlyrainsuponyou;theproblemiswhatnottouse.Intheencyclopediayouturntoeveryreferencethatincludesortouchesorevensuggests“thinking;”andinthedictionaryofquotationsyoudothesame.Thelattervolumeyoufindpeculiarlyhelpfulbecauseitsuggestsseveralvolumestoyouthatareonyourownshelves—youneverwouldhavethoughttolookinthemforreferencesonthissubject.Evenfictionwillsupplyhelp,butespeciallybooksofessaysandbiography.Beawareofyourownresources.

Tomakeageneralindextoyourlibrarydoesawaywiththenecessityforindexingindividualvolumesthatarenotalreadyindexed.

Tobeginwith,keepanote–bookbyyou;orsmallcardsandpapercuttingsinyourpocketandonyourdeskwillserveaswell.Thesamenote–bookthatrecordstheimpressionsofyourownexperiencesandthoughtswillbeenrichedbytheideasofothers.

Tobesure,thisnote–bookhabitmeanslabor,butrememberthatmorespeecheshavebeenspoiledbyhalf–heartedpreparationthanbylackoftalent.Lazinessisanown–brothertoOver–confidence,andbothareyourinveterateenemies,thoughtheypretendtobesoothingfriends.

Conserveyourmaterialbyindexingeverygoodideaoncards,thus:

[HW:

Socialism

ProgressofS.,Env.16S.afallacy,96/210GeneralarticleonS.,Howells’,Dec.1913“SocialismandtheFranchise,”Forbes“SocialisminAncientLife,”OriginalMs.,Env.102

]

Onthecardillustratedabove,clippingsareindexedbygivingthenumberoftheenvelopeinwhichtheyarefiled.Theenvelopesmaybeofanysizedesiredandkeptinany

convenientreceptacle.Ontheforegoingexample,“ProgressofS.,Envelope16,”willrepresentaclipping,filedinEnvelope16,whichis,ofcourse,numberedarbitrarily.

Thefractionsrefertobooksinyourlibrary—thenumeratorbeingthebook–number,thedenominatorreferringtothepage.Thus,“S.afallacy,96/210,”referstopage210ofvolume96inyourlibrary.Bysomearbitrarysign—sayredink—youmayevenindexareferenceinapubliclibrarybook.

Ifyoupreserveyourmagazines,importantarticlesmaybeindexedbymonthandyear.Anentirevolumeonasubjectmaybeindicatedliketheimaginarybookby“Forbes.”Ifyouclipthearticles,itisbettertoindexthemaccordingtotheenvelopesystem.

Yourownwritingsandnotesmaybefiledinenvelopeswiththeclippingsorinaseparateseries.

Anothergoodindexingsystemcombinesthelibraryindexwiththe“scrap,”orclipping,systembymakingtheoutsideoftheenvelopeservethesamepurposeasthecardfortheindexingofbooks,magazines,clippingsandmanuscripts,thelattertwoclassesofmaterialbeingenclosedintheenvelopesthatindexthem,andallfiledalphabetically.

Whenyourcardsaccumulatesoastomakereadyreferencedifficultunderasinglealphabet,youmaysubdivideeachletterbysubordinateguidecardsmarkedbythevowels,A,E,I,O,U.Thus,“Antiquities”wouldbefiledunderiinA,becauseAbeginstheword,andthesecondletter,n,comesafterthevoweliinthealphabet,butbeforeo.Inthesamemanner,“Beecher”wouldbefiledundereinB;and“Hydrogen”wouldcomeunderuinH.

OutliningtheAddress

Noonecanadviseyouhowtopreparethenotesforanaddress.Somespeakersgetthebestresultswhilewalkingoutandruminating,jottingdownnotesastheypauseintheirwalk.Othersneverputpentopaperuntilthewholespeechhasbeenthoughtout.Thegreatmajority,however,willtakenotes,classifytheirnotes,writeahastyfirstdraft,andthenrevisethespeech.Tryeachofthesemethodsandchoosetheonethatisbest—foryou.Donotallowanymantoforceyoutoworkinhisway;butdonotneglecttoconsiderhisway,foritmaybebetterthanyourown.

Forthosewhomakenotesandwiththeiraidwriteoutthespeech,thesesuggestionsmayprovehelpful:

Afterhavingreadandthoughtenough,classifyyournotesbysettingdownthebig,centralthoughtsofyourmaterialonseparatecardsorslipsofpaper.Thesewillstandinthesamerelationtoyoursubjectaschaptersdotoabook.

Thenarrangethesemainideasorheadsinsuchanorderthattheywillleadeffectivelytotheresultyouhaveinmind,sothatthespeechmayriseinargument,ininterest,inpower,bypilingonefactorappealuponanotheruntiltheclimax—thehighestpointofinfluenceonyouraudience—hasbeenreached.

Nextgroupallyourideas,facts,anecdotes,andillustrationsundertheforegoingmainheads,eachwhereitnaturallybelongs.

Younowhaveaskeletonoroutlineofyouraddressthatinitspolishedformmightserve

eitherasthebrief,ormanuscriptnotes,forthespeechorastheguide–outlinewhichyouwillexpandintothewrittenaddress,ifwrittenitistobe.

Imagineeachofthemainideasinthebriefonpage213asbeingseparate;thenpictureyourmindassortingthemoutandplacingtheminorder;finally,conceiveofhowyouwouldfillinthefactsandexamplesundereachhead,givingspecialprominencetothoseyouwishtoemphasizeandsubduingthoseoflessmoment.Intheend,youhavetheoutlinecomplete.Thesimplestformofoutline—notverysuitableforuseontheplatform,however—isthefollowing:

WHYPROSPERITYISCOMING

Whatprosperitymeans.—Therealtestsofprosperity.—Itsbasisinthesoil.—Americanagriculturalprogress.—Newinterestinfarming.—Enormousvalueofouragriculturalproducts.—Reciprocaleffectontrade.—Foreigncountriesaffected.—Effectsofournewinternaleconomy—theregulationofbankingand“bigbusiness”—onprosperity.—Effectsofourrevisedattitudetowardforeignmarkets,includingourmerchantmarine.—Summary.

Obviously,thisverysimpleoutlineiscapableofconsiderableexpansionundereachheadbytheadditionoffacts,arguments,inferencesandexamples.

Hereisanoutlinearrangedwithmoreregardforargument:

FOREIGNIMMIGRATIONSHOULDBERESTRICTED[11]

I.FACTASCAUSE:Manyimmigrantsarepracticallypaupers.(Proofsinvolvingstatisticsorstatementsofauthorities.)

II.FACTASEFFECT:Theysoonerorlaterfillouralms–housesandbecomepubliccharges.(Proofsinvolvingstatisticsorstatementsofauthorities.)

III.FACTASCAUSE:Someofthemarecriminals.(Examplesofrecentcases.)

IV.FACTASEFFECT:Theyreënforcethecriminalclasses.(Effectsonourciviclife.)

V.FACTASCAUSE:Manyofthemknownothingofthedutiesoffreecitizenship.(Examples.)

VI.FACTASEFFECT:Suchimmigrantsrecruittheworstelementinourpolitics.(Proofs.)

Amorehighlyorderedgroupingoftopicsandsubtopicsisshowninthefollowing:

OURSACHRISTIANNATION

I.INTRODUCTION:Whythesubjectistimely.Influencesoperativeagainstthiscontentiontoday.

II.CHRISTIANITYPRESIDEDOVERTHEEARLYHISTORYOFAMERICA.

1.FirstpracticaldiscoverybyaChristianexplorer.ColumbusworshipedGodonthenewsoil.

2.TheCavaliers.

3.TheFrenchCatholicsettlers.

4.TheHuguenots.

5.ThePuritans.

III.THEBIRTHOFOURNATIONWASUNDERCHRISTIANAUSPICES.

1.ChristiancharacterofWashington.

2.OtherChristianpatriots.

3.TheChurchinourRevolutionarystruggle.Muhlenberg.

IV.OURLATERHISTORYHASONLYEMPHASIZEDOURNATIONALATTITUDE.ExamplesofdealingswithforeignnationsshowChristianmagnanimity.ReturningtheChineseIndemnity;fosteringtheRedCross;attitudetowardBelgium.

V.OURGOVERNMENTALFORMSANDMANYOFOURLAWSAREOFACHRISTIANTEMPER.

1.TheuseoftheBibleinpublicways,oaths,etc.

2.TheBibleinourschools.

3.Christianchaplainsministertoourlaw–makingbodies,toourarmy,andtoournavy.

4.TheChristianSabbathisofficiallyandgenerallyrecognized.

5.TheChristianfamilyandtheChristiansystemofmoralityareatthebasisofourlaws.

VI.THELIFEOFTHEPEOPLETESTIFIESOFTHEPOWEROFCHRISTIANITY.Charities,education,etc.,haveChristiantone.

VII.OTHERNATIONSREGARDUSASACHRISTIANPEOPLE.

VIII.CONCLUSION:TheattitudewhichmayreasonablybeexpectedofallgoodcitizenstowardquestionstouchingthepreservationofourstandingasaChristiannation.

WritingandRevision

Aftertheoutlinehasbeenperfectedcomesthetimetowritethespeech,ifwriteityoumust.Then,whateveryoudo,writeitatwhiteheat,withnottoomuchthoughtofanything

butthestrong,appealingexpressionofyourideas.

Thefinalstageistheparingdown,there–vision—theseeingagain,asthewordimplies—whenallthepartsofthespeechmustbeimpartiallyscrutinizedforclearness,precision,force,effectiveness,suitability,proportion,logicalclimax;andinallthisyoumustimagineyourselftobebeforeyouraudience,foraspeechisnotanessayandwhatwillconvinceandarouseintheonewillnotprevailintheother.

TheTitle

Oftenlastofallwillcomethatwhichinasenseisfirstofall—thetitle,thenamebywhichthespeechisknown.Sometimesitwillbethesimplethemeoftheaddress,as“TheNewAmericanism,”byHenryWatterson;oritmaybeabitofsymbolismtypifyingthespiritoftheaddress,as“AcresofDiamonds,”byRussellH.Conwell;oritmaybeafinephrasetakenfromthebodyoftheaddress,as“PassProsperityAround,”byAlbertJ.Beveridge.Allinall,fromwhatevermotiveitbechosen,letthetitlebefresh,short,suitedtothesubject,andlikelytoexciteinterest.


1.Define(a)introduction;(b)climax;(c)peroration.

2.Ifathirty–minutespeechwouldrequirethreehoursforspecificpreparation,wouldyouexpecttobeabletodoequaljusticetoaspeechone–thirdaslonginone–thirdthetimeforpreparation?Givereasons.

3.Relatebrieflyanypersonalexperienceyoumayhavehadinconservingtimeforreadingandthought.

4.Inthemannerofareporterorinvestigator,gooutandgetfirst–handinformationonsomesubjectofinteresttothepublic.Arrangetheresultsofyourresearchintheformofanoutline,orbrief.

5.Fromaprivateorapubliclibrarygatherenoughauthoritativematerialononeofthefollowingquestionstobuildanoutlineforatwenty–minuteaddress.Takeonedefinitesideofthequestion,(a)“TheHousingofthePoor;”(b)“TheCommissionFormofGovernmentforCitiesasaRemedyforPoliticalGraft;”(c)“TheTestofWoman’sSuffrageintheWest;”(d)“PresentTrendsofPublicTasteinReading;”(e)“MunicipalArt;”(f)“IstheTheatreBecomingmoreElevatedinTone?”(g)“TheEffectsoftheMagazineonLiterature;”(h)“DoesModernLifeDestroyIdeals?”(i)“IsCompetition‘theLifeofTrade?’”(j)“BaseballistooAbsorbingtobeaWholesomeNationalGame;”(k)“SummerBaseballandAmateurStanding;”(l)“DoesCollegeTrainingUnfitaWomanforDomesticLife?”(m)“DoesWoman’sCompetitionwithManinBusinessDulltheSpiritofChivalry?”(n)“AreElectiveStudiesSuitedtoHighSchoolCourses?”(o)“DoestheModernCollegePrepareMenforPreeminentLeadership?”(p)“TheY.M.C.A.inItsRelationtotheLaborProblem;”(q)“PublicSpeakingasTraininginCitizenship.”

6.Constructtheoutline,examiningitcarefullyforinterest,convincingcharacter,proportion,andclimaxofarrangement.

NOTE:—Thisexerciseshouldberepeateduntilthestudentshowsfacilityinsyntheticarrangement.

7.Delivertheaddress,ifpossiblebeforeanaudience.

8.Makeathree–hundredwordreportontheresults,asbestyouareabletoestimatethem.

9.Tellsomethingofthebenefitsofusingaperiodical(orcumulative)index.

10.Giveanumberofquotations,suitableforaspeaker’suse,thatyouhavememorizedinoffmoments.

11.Inthemanneroftheoutlineonpage213,analyzetheaddressonpages78–79,“TheHistoryofLiberty.”

12.Giveanoutlineanalysis,fromnotesormemory,ofanaddressorsermontowhichyouhavelistenedforthispurpose.

13.Criticisetheaddressfromastructuralpointofview.

14.InventtitlesforanyfiveofthethemesinExercise5.

15.Criticisethetitlesofanyfivechaptersofthisbook,suggestingbetterones.

16.Criticisethetitleofanylectureoraddressofwhichyouknow.

[10]HowtoAttractandHoldanAudience,J.BergEsenwein.[11]AdaptedfromCompetition–Rhetoric,ScottandDenny,p.241.

CHAPTERXIXInfluencingbyExposition

Speaknotatall,inanywise,tillyouhavesomewhattospeak;carenotfortherewardofyourspeaking,butsimplyandwithundividedmindforthetruthofyourspeaking.

—THOMASCARLYLE,EssayonBiography.

Acompletediscussionoftherhetoricalstructureofpublicspeechesrequiresafullertreatisethancanbeundertakeninaworkofthisnature,yetinthischapter,andinthesucceedingoneson“Description,”“Narration,”“Argument,”and“Pleading,”theunderlyingprinciplesaregivenandexplainedasfullyasneedbeforaworkingknowledge,andadequatebookreferencesaregivenforthosewhowouldperfectthemselvesinrhetoricalart.

TheNatureofExposition

Intheword“expose”—tolaybare,touncover,toshowthetrueinwardnessof—weseethefoundation–ideaof“Exposition.”Itistheclearandprecisesettingforthofwhatthesubjectreallyis—itisexplanation.

Expositiondoesnotdrawapicture,forthatwouldbedescription.Totellinexacttermswhattheautomobileis,tonameitscharacteristicpartsandexplaintheirworkings,wouldbeexposition;sowouldanexplanationofthenatureof“fear.”Buttocreateamentalimageofaparticularautomobile,withitsglisteningbody,gracefullines,andgreatspeed,wouldbedescription;andsowouldapicturingoffearactingontheemotionsofachildatnight.Expositionanddescriptionoftenintermingleandoverlap,butfundamentallytheyaredistinct.Theirdifferenceswillbetoucheduponagaininthechapteron“Description.”

Expositionfurthermoredoesnotincludeanaccountofhoweventshappened—thatisnarration.WhenPearylecturedonhispolardiscoveriesheexplainedtheinstrumentsusedfordetermininglatitudeandlongitude—thatwasexposition.Inpicturinghisequipmentheuseddescription.Intellingofhisadventuresdaybydayheemployednarration.Insupportingsomeofhiscontentionsheusedargument.Yethemingledalltheseformsthroughoutthelecture.

Neitherdoesexpositiondealwithreasonsandinferences—thatisthefieldofargument.Aseriesofconnectedstatementsintendedtoconvinceaprospectivebuyerthatoneautomobileisbetterthananother,orproofsthattheappealtofearisawrongmethodofdiscipline,wouldnotbeexposition.Theplainfactsassetforthinexpositoryspeakingorwritingarenearlyalwaysthebasisofargument,yettheprocessesarenotone.True,thestatementofasinglesignificantfactwithouttheadditionofoneotherwordmaybeconvincing,butamoment’sthoughtwillshowthattheinference,whichcompletesachainofreasoning,ismadeinthemindofthehearerandpresupposesotherfactsheldinconsideration.[12]

Inlikemanner,itisobviousthatthefieldofpersuasionisnotopentoexposition,forexpositionisentirelyanintellectualprocess,withnoemotionalelement.

TheImportanceofExposition

Theimportanceofexpositioninpublicspeechispreciselytheimportanceofsettingforthamattersoplainlythatitcannotbemisunderstood.

“Tomastertheprocessofexpositionistobecomeaclearthinker.‘Iknow,whenyoudonotaskme,’[13]repliedagentlemanuponbeingrequestedtodefineahighlycomplexidea.Nowsomelargeconceptsdefyexplicitdefinition;butnomindshouldtakerefugebehindsuchexceptions,forwheredefinitionfails,otherformssucceed.Sometimeswefeelconfidentthatwehaveperfectmasteryofanidea,butwhenthetimecomestoexpressit,theclearnessbecomesahaze.Exposition,then,isthetestofclearunderstanding.Tospeakeffectivelyyoumustbeabletoseeyoursubjectclearlyandcomprehensively,andtomakeyouraudienceseeitasyoudo.”[14]

Therearepitfallsonbothsidesofthispath.Toexplaintoolittlewillleaveyouraudienceindoubtastowhatyoumean.Itisuselesstoargueaquestionifitisnotperfectlyclearjustwhatismeantbythequestion.Haveyounevercometoablindlaneinconversationbyfindingthatyouweretalkingofoneaspectofamatterwhileyourfriendwasthinkingofanother?IftwodonotagreeintheirdefinitionsofaMusician,itisuselesstodisputeoveracertainman’srighttoclaimthetitle.

Ontheothersideofthepathliestheabyssoftediouslyexplainingtoomuch.Thatoffendsbecauseitimpressesthehearersthatyoueitherdonotrespecttheirintelligenceoraretryingtoblowabreezeintoatornado.Carefullyestimatetheprobableknowledgeofyouraudience,bothingeneralandoftheparticularpointyouareexplaining.Intryingtosimplify,itisfatalto“sillify.”Toexplainmorethanisneededforthepurposesofyourargumentorappealistowasteenergyallaround.Inyoureffortstobeexplicitdonotpressexpositiontotheextentofdulness—theconfinesarenotfardistantandyoumayarrivebeforeyouknowit.

SomePurposesofExposition

Fromwhathasbeensaiditoughttobeclearthat,primarily,expositionweavesacordofunderstandingbetweenyouandyouraudience.Itlays,furthermore,afoundationoffactonwhichtobuildlaterstatements,arguments,andappeals.Inscientificandpurely“information”speechesexpositionmayexistbyitselfandforitself,asinalectureonbiology,oronpsychology;butinthevastmajorityofcasesitisusedtoaccompanyandpreparethewayfortheotherformsofdiscourse.

Clearness,precision,accuracy,unity,truth,andnecessity—thesemustbetheconstantstandardsbywhichyoutesttheefficiencyofyourexpositions,and,indeed,thatofeveryexplanatorystatement.Thisdictumshouldbewrittenonyourbraininlettersmostplain.Andletthisapplynotalonetothepurposesofexpositionbutinequalmeasuretoyouruseofthe

MethodsofExposition

Thevariouswaysalongwhichaspeakermayproceedinexpositionarelikelytotouch

eachothernowandthen,andevenwhentheydonotmeetandactuallyoverlaptheyrunsonearlyparallelthattheroadsaresometimesdistinctratherintheorythaninanymorepracticalrespect.

=Definition=,theprimaryexpositorymethod,isastatementofpreciselimits.[15]Obviously,herethegreatestcaremustbeexercisedthatthetermsofdefinitionshouldnotthemselvesdemandtoomuchdefinition;thatthelanguageshouldbeconciseandclear;andthatthedefinitionshouldneitherexcludenorincludetoomuch.Thefollowingisasimpleexample:

Toexpoundistosetforththenature,thesignificance,thecharacteristics,andthebearingofanideaoragroupofideas.

—ARLOBATES,TalksonWritingEnglish.

=ContrastandAntithesis=areoftenusedeffectivelytoamplifydefinition,asinthissentence,whichimmediatelyfollowstheabove–citeddefinition:

ExpositionthereforediffersfromDescriptioninthatitdealsdirectlywiththemeaningorintentofitssubjectinsteadofwithitsappearance.

Thisantithesisformsanexpansionofthedefinition,andassuchitmighthavebeenstillfurtherextended.Infact,thisisafrequentpractiseinpublicspeech,wherethemindsofthehearersoftenaskforreiterationandexpandedstatementtohelpthemgraspasubjectinitsseveralaspects.Thisistheveryheartofexposition—toamplifyandclarifyallthetermsbywhichamatterisdefined.

=Example=isanothermethodofamplifyingadefinitionorofexpoundinganideamorefully.ThefollowingsentencesimmediatelysucceedMr.Bates’sdefinitionandcontrastjustquoted:

Agooddealwhichweareaccustomedinexactlytocalldescriptionisreallyexposition.Supposethatyoursmallboywishestoknowhowanengineworks,andshouldsay:“Pleasedescribethesteam–enginetome.”Ifyouinsistontakinghiswordsliterally—andarewillingtoruntheriskofhisindignationatbeingwilfullymisunderstood—youwilltothebestofyourabilitypicturetohimthisfamiliarlywonderfulmachine.Ifyouexplainittohim,youarenotdescribingbutexpoundingit.

Thechiefvalueofexampleisthatitmakescleartheunknownbyreferringthemindtotheknown.Readinessofmindtomakeilluminating,aptcomparisonsforthesakeofclearnessisoneofthespeaker’schiefresourcesontheplatform—itisthegreatestofallteachinggifts.Itisagift,moreover,thatrespondstocultivation.ReadthethreeextractsfromArloBatesastheirauthordeliveredthem,asonepassage,andseehowtheymeltintoone,eachpartsupplementingtheothermosthelpfully.

=Analogy=,whichcallsattentiontosimilarrelationshipsinobjectsnototherwisesimilar,isoneofthemostusefulmethodsofexposition.ThefollowingstrikingspecimenisfromBeecher’sLiverpoolspeech:

Asavageisamanofonestory,andthatonestoryacellar.Whenamanbeginstobecivilizedheraisesanotherstory.Whenyouchristianizeandcivilizetheman,youputstoryuponstory,foryoudevelopfacultyafterfaculty;andyouhavetosupplyeverystorywithyourproductions.

=Discarding=isalesscommonformofplatformexplanation.Itconsistsinclearingawayassociatedideassothattheattentionmaybecenteredonthemainthoughttobediscussed.Really,itisanegativefactorinexpositionthoughamostimportantone,foritisfundamentaltotheconsiderationofanintricatelyrelatedmatterthatsubordinateandsidequestionsshouldbesetasideinordertobringoutthemainissue.Hereisanexampleofthemethod:

Icannotallowmyselftobeledasidefromtheonlyissuebeforethisjury.Itisnotpertinenttoconsiderthatthisprisoneristhehusbandofaheartbrokenwomanandthathisbabeswillgothroughtheworldundertheshadowofthelaw’sextremestpenaltyworkedupontheirfather.WemustforgetthevenerablefatherandthemotherwhomHeaveninpitytookbeforeshelearnedofherson’sdisgrace.Whathavethesemattersofheart,whathavetheblenchedfacesofhisfriends,whathavetheprisoner’slongandhonorablecareertosaybeforethisbarwhenyouaresworntoweighonlythedirectevidencebeforeyou?Theoneandonlyquestionforyoutodecideontheevidenceiswhetherthismandidwithrevengefulintentcommitthemurderthateveryimpartialwitnesshassolemnlylaidathisdoor.

=Classification=assignsasubjecttoitsclass.Byanallowableextensionofthedefinitionitmaybesaidtoassignitalsotoitsorder,genus,andspecies.Classificationisusefulinpublicspeechinnarrowingtheissuetoadesiredphase.Itisequallyvaluableforshowingathinginitsrelationtootherthings,orincorrelation.ClassificationiscloselyakintoDefinitionandDivision.

Thisquestionoftheliquortraffic,sirs,takesitsplacebesidethegravemoralissuesofalltimes.Whateverbeitseconomicsignificance—andwhoistheretoquestionit—whatevervitalbearingithasuponourpoliticalsystem—andisthereonewhowilldenyit?—thequestionofthelicensedsaloonmustquicklybesettledastheworldinitsadvancementhassettledthequestionsofconstitutionalgovernmentforthemasses,oftheopiumtraffic,oftheserf,andoftheslave—notasmattersofeconomicandpoliticalexpediencybutasquestionsofrightandwrong.

=Analysis=separatesasubjectintoitsessentialparts.Thisitmaydobyvariousprinciples;forexample,analysismayfollowtheorderoftime(geologiceras),orderofplace(geographicfacts),logicalorder(asermonoutline),orderofincreasinginterest,orprocessiontoaclimax(alectureon20thcenturypoets);andsoon.Aclassicexampleofanalyticalexpositionisthefollowing:

InphilosophythecontemplationsofmandoeitherpenetrateuntoGod,orarecircumferredtonature,orarereflectedorreverteduponhimself.Outofwhichseveralinquiriestheredoarisethreeknowledges:divinephilosophy,naturalphilosophy,andhumanphilosophyorhumanity.Forallthingsaremarkedand

stampedwiththistriplecharacter,ofthepowerofGod,thedifferenceofnature,andtheuseofman.

—LORDBACON,TheAdvancementofLearning.[16]

=Division=differsonlyfromanalysisinthatanalysisfollowstheinherentdivisionsofasubject,asillustratedintheforegoingpassage,whiledivisionarbitrarilyseparatesthesubjectforconvenienceoftreatment,asinthefollowingnone–too–logicalexample:

Forcivilhistory,itisofthreekinds;notunfitlytobecomparedwiththethreekindsofpicturesorimages.Forofpicturesorimages,weseesomeareunfinished,someareperfect,andsomearedefaced.Soofhistorieswemayfindthreekinds,memorials,perfecthistories,andantiquities;formemorialsarehistoryunfinished,orthefirstorroughdraftsofhistory;andantiquitiesarehistorydefaced,orsomeremnantsofhistorywhichhavecasuallyescapedtheshipwreckoftime.

—LORDBACON,TheAdvancementofLearning.[16A]

=Generalization=statesabroadprinciple,orageneraltruth,derivedfromexaminationofaconsiderablenumberofindividualfacts.Thissyntheticexpositionisnotthesameasargumentativegeneralization,whichsupportsageneralcontentionbycitinginstancesinproof.ObservehowHolmesbeginswithonefact,andbyaddinganotherandanotherreachesacompletewhole.Thisisoneofthemosteffectivedevicesinthepublicspeaker’srepertory.

Takeahollowcylinder,thebottomclosedwhilethetopremainsopen,andpourinwatertotheheightofafewinches.Nextcoverthewaterwithaflatplateorpiston,whichfitstheinteriorofthecylinderperfectly;thenapplyheattothewater,andweshallwitnessthefollowingphenomena.Afterthelapseofsomeminutesthewaterwillbegintoboil,andthesteamaccumulatingattheuppersurfacewillmakeroomforitselfbyraisingthepistonslightly.Astheboilingcontinues,moreandmoresteamwillbeformed,andraisethepistonhigherandhigher,tillallthewaterisboiledaway,andnothingbutsteamisleftinthecylinder.Nowthismachine,consistingofcylinder,piston,water,andfire,isthesteam–engineinitsmostelementaryform.Forasteam–enginemaybedefinedasanapparatusfordoingworkbymeansofheatappliedtowater;andsinceraisingsuchaweightasthepistonisaformofdoingwork,thisapparatus,clumsyandinconvenientthoughitmaybe,answersthedefinitionprecisely.[17]

=ReferencetoExperience=isoneofthemostvitalprinciplesinexposition—asineveryotherformofdiscourse.

“Referencetoexperience,ashereused,meansreferencetotheknown.Theknownisthatwhichthelistenerhasseen,heard,read,felt,believedordone,andwhichstillexistsinhisconsciousness—hisstockofknowledge.Itembracesallthosethoughts,feelingsandhappeningswhicharetohimreal.ReferencetoExperience,then,meanscomingintothelistener’slife.[18]

Thevastresultsobtainedbysciencearewonbynomysticalfaculties,bynomentalprocesses,otherthanthosewhicharepractisedbyeveryoneofusinthehumblestandmeanestaffairsoflife.Adetectivepolicemandiscoversaburglarfromthemarksmadebyhisshoe,byamentalprocessidenticalwiththatbywhichCuvierrestoredtheextinctanimalsofMontmartrefromfragmentsoftheirbones.Nordoesthatprocessofinductionanddeductionbywhichalady,findingastainofaparticularkinduponherdress,concludesthatsomebodyhasupsettheinkstandthereon,differinanywayfromthatbywhichAdamsandLeverrierdiscoveredanewplanet.Themanofscience,infact,simplyuseswithscrupulousexactnessthemethodswhichweallhabitually,andateverymoment,usecarelessly.

—THOMASHENRYHUXLEY,LaySermons.

Doyousetdownyournameinthescrollofyouth,thatarewrittendownoldwithallthecharactersofage?Haveyounotamoisteye?adryhand?ayellowcheek?awhitebeard?adecreasingleg?anincreasingbelly?isnotyourvoicebroken?yourwindshort?yourchindouble?yourwitsingle?andeverypartaboutyoublastedwithantiquity?andwillyouyetcallyourselfyoung?Fie,fie,fie,SirJohn!

—SHAKESPEARE,TheMerryWivesofWindsor.

Finally,inpreparingexpositorymaterialaskyourselfthesequestionsregardingyoursubject:

Whatisit,andwhatisitnot?Whatisitlike,andunlike?Whatareitscauses,andeffects?Howshallitbedivided?Withwhatsubjectsisitcorrelated?Whatexperiencesdoesitrecall?Whatexamplesillustrateit?


1.Whatwouldbetheeffectofadheringtoanyoneoftheformsofdiscourseinapublicaddress?

2.Haveyoueverheardsuchanaddress?

3.Inventaseriesofexamplesillustrativeofthedistinctionsmadeonpages232and233.

4.Makealistoftensubjectsthatmightbetreatedlargely,ifnotentirely,byexposition.

5.Namethesixstandardsbywhichexpositorywritingshouldbetried.

6.Defineanyoneofthefollowing:(a)storagebattery;(b)“afreehand;”(c)sailboat;(d)“TheBigStick;”(e)nonsense;(f)“agoodsport;”(g)short–story;(h)novel;(i)newspaper;(j)politician;(k)jealousy;(l)truth;(m)matinéegirl;(n)collegehonorsystem;(o)modish;(p)slum;(q)settlementwork;(r)forensic.

7.Amplifythedefinitionbyantithesis.

8.Inventtwoexamplestoillustratethedefinition(question6).

9.Inventtwoanalogiesforthesamesubject(question6).

10.Makeashortspeechbasedononeofthefollowing:(a)wagesandsalary;(b)master

andman;(c)warandpeace;(d)homeandtheboardinghouse;(e)struggleandvictory;(f)ignoranceandambition.

11.Makeaten–minutespeechonanyofthetopicsnamedinquestion6,usingallthemethodsofexpositionalreadynamed.

12.Explainwhatismeantbydiscardingtopicscollateralandsubordinatetoasubject.

13.Rewritethejury–speechonpage224.

14.Definecorrelation.

15.Writeanexampleof“classification,”onanypolitical,social,economic,ormoralissueoftheday.

16.MakeabriefanalyticalstatementofHenryW.Grady’s“TheRaceProblem,”page36.

17.Bywhatanalyticalprincipledidyouproceed?(Seepage225.)

18.Writeashort,carefullygeneralizedspeechfromalargeamountofdataononeofthefollowingsubjects:(a)Theservantgirlproblem;(b)cats;(c)thebaseballcraze;(d)reformadministrations;(e)sewingsocieties;(f)coeducation;(g)thetravelingsalesman.

19.ObservethispassagefromNewton’s“EffectiveSpeaking:”

“Thatmanisacynic.Heseesgoodnessnowhere.Hesneersatvirtue,sneersatlove;tohimthemaidenplightinghertrothisanartfulschemer,andheseeseveninthemother’skissnothingbutanemptyconventionality.”

Write,commitanddelivertwosimilarpassagesbasedonyourchoicefromthislist:(a)“theegotist;”(b)“thesensualist;”(c)“thehypocrite;”(d)“thetimidman;”(e)“thejoker;”(f)“theflirt;”(g)“theungratefulwoman;”(h)“themournfulman.”Inbothcasesusetheprincipleof“ReferencetoExperience.”

20.WriteapassageonanyoftheforegoingcharactersinimitationofthestyleofShakespeare’scharacterizationofSirJohnFalstaff,page227.

[Footnote16A:QuotedinTheWorkingPrinciplesofRhetoric,J.F.Genung.]

[12]Argumentationwillbeoutlinedfullyinsubsequentchapter.[13]TheWorkingPrinciplesofRhetoric,J.F.Genung.[14]HowtoAttractandHoldanAudience,J.BergEsenwein.[15]OnthevarioustypesofdefinitionseeanycollegemanualofRhetoric.[16]QuotedinTheWorkingPrinciplesofRhetoric,J.F.Genung.[17]G.C.V.Holmes,quotedinSpecimensofExposition,H.Lamont.[18]EffectiveSpeaking,ArthurEdwardPhillips.Thisworkcoversthepreparationofpublicspeechinaveryhelpfulway.

CHAPTERXXInfluencingbyDescription

ThegrovesofEdenvanish’dnowsolong,Liveindescription,andlookgreeninsong.

—ALEXANDERPOPE,WindsorForest.

Themomentourdiscourserisesabovetheground–lineoffamiliarfacts,andisinflamedwithpassionorexaltedthought,itclothesitselfinimages.Amanconversinginearnest,ifhewatchhisintellectualprocesses,willfindthatalwaysamaterialimage,moreorlessluminous,arisesinhismind,contemporaneouswitheverythought,whichfurnishesthevestmentofthethought….Thisimageryisspontaneous.Itistheblendingofexperiencewiththepresentactionofthemind.Itispropercreation.

—RALPHWALDOEMERSON,Nature.

Likeothervaluableresourcesinpublicspeaking,descriptionlosesitspowerwhencarriedtoanextreme.Over–ornamentationmakesthesubjectridiculous.Adust–clothisaveryusefulthing,butwhyembroiderit?Whetherdescriptionshallberestrainedwithinitsproperandimportantlimits,orbeencouragedtorunriot,isthepersonalchoicethatcomesbeforeeveryspeaker,forman’searliestliterarytendencyistodepict.

TheNatureofDescription

Todescribeistocallupapictureinthemindofthehearer.“Intalkingofdescriptionwenaturallyspeakofportraying,delineating,coloring,andallthedevicesofthepicturepainter.Todescribeistovisualize,hencewemustlookatdescriptionasapictorialprocess,whetherthewriterdealswithmaterialorwithspiritualobjects.”[19]

Ifyouwereaskedtodescribetherapid–firegunyoumightgoaboutitineitheroftwoways:giveacoldtechnicalaccountofitsmechanism,inwholeandindetail,orelsedescribeitasaterribleengineofslaughter,dwellinguponitseffectsratherthanuponitsstructure.

Theformeroftheseprocessesisexposition,thelatteristruedescription.Expositiondealsmorewiththegeneral,whiledescriptionmustdealwiththeparticular.Expositionelucidatesideas,descriptiontreatsofthings.Expositiondealswiththeabstract,descriptionwiththeconcrete.Expositionisconcernedwiththeinternal,descriptionwiththeexternal.Expositionisenumerative,descriptionliterary.Expositionisintellectual,descriptionsensory.Expositionisimpersonal,descriptionpersonal.

Ifdescriptionisavisualizingprocessforthehearer,itisfirstofallsuchforthespeaker—hecannotdescribewhathehasneverseen,eitherphysicallyorinfancy.Itisthispersonal

quality—thisquestionofthepersonaleyewhichseesthethingslatertobedescribed—thatmakesdescriptionsointerestinginpublicspeech.Givenaspeakerofpersonality,andweareinterestedinhispersonalview—hisviewaddstothenaturalinterestofthescene,andmayevenbethesolesourceofthatinteresttohisauditors.

Theseeingeyehasbeenpraisedinanearlierchapter(on“SubjectandPreparation”)andtheimaginationwillbetreatedinasubsequentone(on“RidingtheWingedHorse”),butherewemustconsiderthepicturingmind:themindthatformsthedoublehabitofseeingthingsclearly—forweseemorewiththemindthanwedowiththephysicaleye—andthenofre–imagingthesethingsforthepurposeofgettingthembeforetheminds’eyesofthehearers.Nohabitismoreusefulthanthatofvisualizingclearlytheobject,thescene,thesituation,theaction,theperson,abouttobedescribed.Unlessthatprimaryprocessiscarriedoutclearly,thepicturewillbeblurredforthehearer–beholder.

Inaworkofthisnatureweareconcernedwiththerhetoricalanalysisofdescription,andwithitsmethods,onlysofarasmaybeneededforthepracticalpurposesofthespeaker.[20]Thefollowinggrouping,therefore,willnotberegardedascomplete,norwillitherebenecessarytoaddmorethanawordofexplanation:

DescriptionforPublicSpeakers

Objects{Still””{Inmotion

Scenes{Still””{Includingaction

Situations{Precedingchange””{Duringchange””{Afterchange

Actions{Mental””{Physical

Persons{Internal””{External

Someoftheforegoingprocesseswilloverlap,incertaininstances,andallaremorelikelytobefoundincombinationthansingly.

Whendescriptionisintendedsolelytogiveaccurateinformation—astodelineatetheappearance,notthetechnicalconstruction,ofthelatestZeppelinairship—itiscalled“scientificdescription,”andisakintoexposition.Whenitisintendedtopresentafreepictureforthepurposeofmakingavividimpression,itiscalled“artisticdescription.”Withbothofthesethepublicspeakerhastodeal,butmorefrequentlywiththelatterform.Rhetoriciansmakestillfurtherdistinctions.

MethodsofDescription

Inpublicspeaking,descriptionshouldbemainlybysuggestion,notonlybecausesuggestivedescriptionissomuchmorecompactandtime–savingbutbecauseitissovivid.Suggestiveexpressionsconnotemorethantheyliterallysay—theysuggestideasandpicturestothemindofthehearerwhichsupplementthedirectwordsofthespeaker.WhenDickens,inhis“ChristmasCarol,”says:“IncameMrs.Fezziwig,onevastsubstantialsmile,”ourmindscompletethepicturesodeftlybegun—amuchmoreeffectiveprocessthanthatofaminutelydetaileddescriptionbecauseitleavesaunified,vividimpression,andthatiswhatweneed.Hereisapresent–daybitofsuggestion:“GeneralTrinklewasagnarlyoakofaman—rough,solid,andsafe;youalwaysknewwheretofindhim.”DickenspresentsMissPeecheras:“Alittlepin–cushion,alittle

housewife,alittlebook,alittlework–box,alittlesetoftablesandweightsandmeasures,andalittlewomanallinone.”Inhis“Knickerbocker’s”“HistoryofNewYork,”IrvingportraysWoutervanTwilleras“arobustiousbeer–barrel,standingonskids.”

Whateverformsofdescriptionyouneglect,besuretomastertheartofsuggestion.

Descriptionmaybebysimplehint.LowellnotesahappyinstanceofthissortofpicturingbyintimationwhenhesaysofChaucer:“Sometimeshedescribesamplybythemeresthint,aswheretheFriar,beforesettinghimselfdown,drivesawaythecat.Weknowwithoutneedofmorewordsthathehaschosenthesnuggestcorner.”

Descriptionmaydepictathingbyitseffects.“Whenthespectator’seyeisdazzled,andheshadesit,”saysMozleyinhis“Essays,”“weformtheideaofasplendidobject;whenhisfaceturnspale,ofahorribleone;fromhisquickwonderandadmirationweformtheideaofgreatbeauty;fromhissilentawe,ofgreatmajesty.”

Briefdescriptionmaybebyepithet.“Blue–eyed,”“white–armed,”“laughter–loving,”arenowconventionalcompounds,buttheywerefreshenoughwhenHomerfirstconjoinedthem.Thecenturieshavenotyetimprovedupon“Wheelsround,brazen,eight–spoked,”or“Shieldssmooth,beautiful,brazen,well–hammered.”ObservetheeffectiveuseofepithetinWillLevingtonComfort’s“TheFightingDeath,”whenhespeaksofsoldiersinaPhilippineskirmishasbeing“leechedagainstarock.”

Descriptionusesfiguresofspeech.Anyadvancedrhetoricwilldiscusstheirformsandgiveexamplesforguidance.[21]Thismatterismostimportant,beassured.Abrilliantyetcarefullyrestrainedfigurativestyle,astylemarkedbybrief,pungent,witty,andhumorouscomparisonsandcharacterizations,isawonderfulresourceforallkindsofplatformwork.

Descriptionmaybedirect.Thisstatementisplainenoughwithoutexposition.Useyourownjudgmentastowhetherinpicturingyouhadbetterproceedfromageneralviewtothedetails,orfirstgivethedetailsandthusbuildupthegeneralpicture,butbyallmeansBEBRIEF.

NotethevividcompactnessofthesedelineationsfromWashingtonIrving’s“Knickerbocker:”

Hewasashort,square,brawnyoldgentleman,withadoublechin,amastiffmouth,andabroadcoppernose,whichwassupposedinthosedaystohaveacquireditsfieryhuefromtheconstantneighborhoodofhistobaccopipe.

Hewasexactlyfivefeetsixinchesinheight,andsixfeetfiveinchesincircumference.Hisheadwasaperfectsphere,andofsuchstupendousdimensions,thatDameNature,withallhersex’singenuity,wouldhavebeenpuzzledtoconstructaneckcapableofsupportingit;whereforeshewiselydeclinedtheattempt,andsettleditfirmlyonthetopofhisbackbone,justbetweentheshoulders.Hisbodywasofanoblongform,particularlycapaciousatbottom;whichwaswiselyorderedbyProvidence,seeingthathewasamanofsedentaryhabits,andveryaversetotheidlelaborofwalking.

Theforegoingistoolongfortheplatform,butitissogood–humored,sofullofdelightful

exaggeration,thatitmaywellserveasamodelofhumorouscharacterpicturing,forhereoneinevitablyseestheinnermanintheouter.

Directdescriptionforplatformusemaybemadevividbythesparinguseofthe“historicalpresent.”Thefollowingdramaticpassage,accompaniedbythemostlivelyaction,haslingeredinthemindforthirtyyearsafterhearingDr.T.DeWittTalmagelectureon“BigBlunders.”Thecrackofthebatsoundscleareventoday:

Getreadythebatsandtakeyourpositions.Now,giveustheball.Toolow.Don’tstrike.Toohigh.Don’tstrike.Thereitcomeslikelightning.Strike!Awayitsoars!Higher!Higher!Run!Anotherbase!Faster!Faster!Good!Allaroundatonestroke!

Observetheremarkablewayinwhichthelecturerfusedspeaker,audience,spectators,andplayersintooneexcited,ecstaticwhole—justasyouhavefoundyourselfstartingforwardinyourseatatthedeliveryoftheballwith“threeonandtwodown”intheninthinning.Notice,too,how—perhapsunconsciously—TalmagepaintedthesceneinHomer’scharacteristicstyle:notashavingalreadyhappened,butashappeningbeforeyoureyes.

Ifyouhaveattendedmanytraveltalksyoumusthavebeenimpressedbythepainfulextremestowhichthelecturersgo—withafewnotableexceptions,theirlanguageiseitherover–ornateorcrude.Ifyouwouldlearnthepowerofwordstomakescenery,yes,evenhouses,palpitatewithpoetryandhumanappeal,readLafcadioHearn,RobertLouisStevenson,PierreLoti,andEdmondoDeAmicis.

Blue–distant,amountainofcarvenstoneappearedbeforethem,—theTemple,liftingtoheavenitswildernessofchiseledpinnacles,flingingtotheskythegoldensprayofitsdecoration.

—LAFCADIOHEARN,ChineseGhosts.

Thestarswereclear,colored,andjewel–like,butnotfrosty.AfaintsilveryvapourstoodfortheMilkyWay.Allaroundmetheblackfir–pointsstooduprightandstock–still.Bythewhitenessofthepack–saddleIcouldseeModestinewalkingroundandroundatthelengthofhertether;Icouldhearhersteadilymunchingatthesward;buttherewasnotanothersoundsavetheindescribablequiettalkoftherunneloverthestones.

—ROBERTLOUISSTEVENSON,TravelswithaDonkey.

Itwasfullautumnnow,lateautumn—withthenightfallsgloomy,andallthingsgrowingdarkearlyintheoldcottage,andalltheBretonlandlookingsombre,too.Theverydaysseemedbuttwilight;immeasurableclouds,slowlypassing,wouldsuddenlybringdarknessatbroadnoon.Thewindmoanedconstantly—itwaslikethesoundofagreatcathedralorganatadistance,butplayingprofaneairs,ordespairingdirges;atothertimesitwouldcomeclosetothedoor,andliftupahowllikewildbeasts.

—PIERRELOTI,AnIcelandFisherman.

Iseethegreatrefectory,[22]whereabattalionmighthavedrilled;Iseethelongtables,thefivehundredheadsbentabovetheplates,therapidmotionoffivehundredforks,ofathousandhands,andsixteenthousandteeth;theswarmofservantsrunninghereandthere,calledto,scolded,hurried,oneverysideatonce;Iheartheclatterofdishes,thedeafeningnoise,thevoiceschokedwithfoodcryingout:“Bread—bread!”andIfeeloncemoretheformidableappetite,theherculeanstrengthofjaw,theexuberantlifeandspiritsofthosefar–offdays.[23]

—EDMONDODEAMICIS,CollegeFriends.

SuggestionsfortheUseofDescription

Decide,onbeginningadescription,whatpointofviewyouwishyourhearerstotake.Onecannotseeeitheramountainoramanonallsidesatonce.Establishaview–point,anddonotshiftwithoutgivingnotice.

Chooseanattitudetowardyoursubject—shallitbeidealized?caricatured?ridiculed?exaggerated?defended?ordescribedimpartially?

Besureofyourmood,too,foritwillcolorthesubjecttobedescribed.Melancholywillmakearose–gardenlookgray.

Adoptanorderinwhichyouwillproceed—donotshiftbackwardandforwardfromneartofar,remotetocloseintime,generaltoparticular,largetosmall,importanttounimportant,concretetoabstract,physicaltomental;butfollowyourchosenorder.Scatteredandshiftingobservationsproducehazyimpressionsjustasamovingcameraspoilsthetime–exposure.

Donotgointoneedlessminutiæ.Somedetailsidentifyathingwithitsclass,whileotherdetailsdifferentiateitfromitsclass.Chooseonlythesignificant,suggestivecharacteristicsandbringthoseoutwithtersevividness.Learnalessonfromthefewstrokesusedbytheposterartist.

Indeterminingwhattodescribeandwhatmerelytoname,seektoreadtheknowledgeofyouraudience.Thedifferencetothembetweentheunknownandtheknownisavitalonealsotoyou.

Relentlesslycutoutallideasandwordsnotnecessarytoproducetheeffectyoudesire.Eachelementinamentalpictureeitherhelpsorhinders.Besuretheydonothinder,fortheycannotbepassivelypresentinanydiscourse.

Interruptionsofthedescriptiontomakeside–remarksareaspowerfultodestroyunityasarescattereddescriptivephrases.Theonlyvisualimpressionthatcanbeeffectiveisonethatisunified.

Indescribing,trytocalluptheemotionsyoufeltwhenfirstyousawthescene,andthentrytoreproducethoseemotionsinyourhearers.Descriptionisprimarilyemotionalinitsappeal;nothingcanbemoredeadlydullthanacold,unemotionaloutline,whilenothingleavesawarmerimpressionthanaglowing,spiriteddescription.

Giveaswiftandvividgeneralviewatthecloseoftheportrayal.Firstandfinalimpressionsremainthelongest.Themindmaybetrainedtotakeinthecharacteristic

pointsofasubject,soastoviewinasinglescene,action,experience,orcharacter,aunifiedimpressionofthewhole.Todescribeathingasawholeyoumustfirstseeitasawhole.Masterthatartandyouhavemastereddescriptiontothelastdegree.


THEHOMESOFTHEPEOPLE

IwenttoWashingtontheotherday,andIstoodontheCapitolHill;myheartbeatquickasIlookedatthetoweringmarbleofmycountry’sCapitolandthemistgatheredinmyeyesasIthoughtofitstremendoussignificance,andthearmiesandthetreasury,andthejudgesandthePresident,andtheCongressandthecourts,andallthatwasgatheredthere.AndIfeltthatthesuninallitscoursecouldnotlookdownonabettersightthanthatmajestichomeofarepublicthathadtaughttheworlditsbestlessonsofliberty.AndIfeltthatifhonorandwisdomandjusticeabidedtherein,theworldwouldatlastowetothatgreathouseinwhichthearkofthecovenantofmycountryislodged,itsfinalupliftinganditsregeneration.

Twodaysafterward,Iwenttovisitafriendinthecountry,amodestman,withaquietcountryhome.Itwasjustasimple,unpretentioushouse,setaboutwithbigtrees,encircledinmeadowandfieldrichwiththepromiseofharvest.Thefragranceofthepinkandhollyhockinthefrontyardwasmingledwiththearomaoftheorchardandofthegardens,andresonantwiththecluckofpoultryandthehumofbees.

Insidewasquiet,cleanliness,thrift,andcomfort.Therewastheoldclockthathadwelcomed,insteadymeasure,everynewcomertothefamily,thathadtickedthesolemnrequiemofthedead,andhadkeptcompanywiththewatcheratthebedside.Therewerethebig,restfulbedsandtheold,openfireplace,andtheoldfamilyBible,thumbedwiththefingersofhandslongsincestill,andwetwiththetearsofeyeslongsinceclosed,holdingthesimpleannalsofthefamilyandtheheartandtheconscienceofthehome.

Outside,therestoodmyfriend,themaster,asimple,uprightman,withnomortgageonhisroof,nolienonhisgrowingcrops,masterofhislandandmasterofhimself.Therewashisoldfather,anaged,tremblingman,buthappyintheheartandhomeofhisson.Andastheystartedtotheirhome,thehandsoftheoldmanwentdownontheyoungman’sshoulder,layingtheretheunspeakableblessingofthehonoredandgratefulfatherandennoblingitwiththeknighthoodofthefifthcommandment.

Andastheyreachedthedoortheoldmothercamewiththesunsetfallingfaironherface,andlightingupherdeep,patienteyes,whileherlips,tremblingwiththerichmusicofherheart,badeherhusbandandsonwelcometotheirhome.Beyondwasthehousewife,busywithherhouseholdcares,cleanofheartandconscience,thebucklerandhelpmeetofherhusband.Downthelanecamethechildren,troopinghomeafterthecows,seekingastruantbirdsdothequietoftheirhomenest.

AndIsawthenightcomedownonthathouse,fallinggentlyasthewingsoftheunseendove.Andtheoldman—whileastartledbirdcalledfromtheforest,andthe

treeswereshrillwiththecricket’scry,andthestarswereswarminginthesky—gotthefamilyaroundhim,and,takingtheoldBiblefromthetable,calledthemtotheirknees,thelittlebabyhidinginthefoldsofitsmother’sdress,whileheclosedtherecordofthatsimpledaybycallingdownGod’sbenedictiononthatfamilyandthathome.AndwhileIgazed,thevisionofthatmarbleCapitolfaded.ForgottenwereitstreasuresanditsmajestyandIsaid,“Oh,surelyhereinthehomesofthepeoplearelodgedatlastthestrengthandtheresponsibilityofthisgovernment,thehopeandthepromiseofthisrepublic.”

—HENRYW.GRADY.

SUGGESTIVESCENES

Onethinginlifecallsforanother;thereisafitnessineventsandplaces.Thesightofapleasantarborputsitinourmindtositthere.Oneplacesuggestswork,anotheridleness,athirdearlyrisingandlongramblesinthedew.Theeffectofnight,ofanyflowingwater,oflightedcities,ofthepeepofday,ofships,oftheopenocean,callsupinthemindanarmyofanonymousdesiresandpleasures.Something,wefeel,shouldhappen;weknownotwhat,yetweproceedinquestofit.Andmanyofthehappiesthoursinlifefleetbyusinthisvainattendanceonthegeniusoftheplaceandmoment.Itisthusthattractsofyoungfir,andlowrocksthatreachintodeepsoundings,particularlydelightandtortureme.Somethingmusthavehappenedinsuchplaces,andperhapsagesback,tomembersofmyrace;andwhenIwasachildItriedtoinventappropriategamesforthem,asIstilltry,justasvainly,tofitthemwiththeproperstory.Someplacesspeakdistinctly.Certaindankgardenscryaloudforamurder;certainoldhousesdemandtobehaunted;certaincoastsaresetasideforshipwreck.Otherspotsagainseemtoabidetheirdestiny,suggestiveandimpenetrable,“michingmallecho.”TheinnatBurfordBridge,withitsarboursandgreengardenandsilent,eddyingriver—thoughitisknownalreadyastheplacewhereKeatswrotesomeofhisEndymionandNelsonpartedfromhisEmma—stillseemstowaitthecomingoftheappropriatelegend.Withintheseiviedwalls,behindtheseoldgreenshutters,somefurtherbusinesssmoulders,waitingforitshour.TheoldHawesInnattheQueen’sferrymakesasimilarcalluponmyfancy.Thereitstands,apartfromthetown,besidethepier,inaclimateofitsown,halfinland,halfmarine—infront,theferrybubblingwiththetideandtheguard–shipswingingtoheranchor;behind,theoldgardenwiththetrees.AmericansseekitalreadyforthesakeofLovelandOldbuck,whodinedthereatthebeginningoftheAntiquary.Butyouneednottellme—thatisnotall;thereissomestory,unrecordedornotyetcomplete,whichmustexpressthemeaningofthatinnmorefully….IhavelivedbothattheHawesandBurfordinaperpetualflutter,ontheheel,asitseemed,ofsomeadventurethatshouldjustifytheplace;butthoughthefeelinghadmetobedatnightandcalledmeagainatmorninginoneunbrokenroundofpleasureandsuspense,nothingbefellmeineitherworthremark.Themanorthehourhadnotyetcome;butsomeday,Ithink,aboatshallputofffromtheQueen’sferry,fraughtwithadearcargo,andsomefrostynightahorseman,onatragicerrand,rattlewithhiswhipuponthegreenshuttersattheinnatBurford.

—R.L.STEVENSON,AGossiponRomance.

FROM“MIDNIGHTINLONDON”

Clang!Clang!Clang!thefire–bells!Bing!Bing!Bing!thealarm!Inaninstantquietturnstouproar—anoutburstofnoise,excitement,clamor—bedlambrokeloose;Bing!Bing!Bing!Rattle,clashandclatter.Openflythedoors;bravemenmounttheirboxes.Bing!Bing!Bing!They’reoff!Thehorsesteardownthestreetlikemad.Bing!Bing!Bing!goesthegong!

“Getoutofthetrack!Theenginesarecoming!ForGod’ssake,snatchthatchildfromtheroad!”

On,on,wildly,resolutely,madlyflythesteeds.Bing!Bing!thegong.Awaydashthehorsesonthewingsoffeveredfury.Onwhirlsthemachine,downstreets,aroundcorners,upthisavenueandacrossthatone,outintotheverybowelsofdarkness,whiffing,wheezing,shootingamillionsparksfromthestack,pavingthepathofstartlednightwithagalaxyofstars.Overthehouse–topstothenorth,avolcanicburstofflameshootsout,belchingwithblindingeffect.Theskyisablaze.Atenementhouseisburning.Fivehundredsoulsareinperil.MercifulHeaven!Sparethevictims!Aretheenginescoming?Yes,heretheyare,dashingdownthestreet.Look!thehorsesrideuponthewind;eyesbulginglikeballsoffire;nostrilswideopen.Apalpitatingbillowoffire,rolling,plunging,boundingrising,falling,swelling,heaving,andwithmadpassionburstingitsred–hotsidesasunder,reachingoutitsarms,encircling,squeezing,grabbingup,swallowingeverythingbeforeitwiththehot,greedymouthofanappallingmonster.

Howthehorsesdasharoundthecorner!Animalinstinctsayyou?Aye,more.Brutereason.

“Uptheladders,men!”

Thetoweringbuildingisburiedinbloatedbanksofsavage,bitingelements.Forkedtonguesdartoutandin,dodgehereandthere,upanddown,andwindtheircuttingedgesaroundeveryobject.Acrash,adull,explosivesound,andapuffofsmokeleapsout.Atthehighestpointupontheroofstandsadarkfigureinadesperatestrait,thehandsmakingfranticgestures,thearmsswingingwildly—andthenthebodyshootsoffintofrightfulspace,plunginguponthepavementwitharevoltingthud.Theman’sarmstrikesabystanderashedartsdown.Thecrowdshudders,sways,anduttersalowmurmurofpityandhorror.Thefaint–heartedlookers–onhidetheirfaces.Onewomanswoonsaway.

“Poorfellow!Dead!”exclaimsalaborer,ashelooksupontheman’sbody.

“Aye,Joe,andIknewhimwell,too!Helivednextdoortome,fiveflightsback.Heleavesawidowedmotherandtwoweebitsoforphans.Ihelpedhimburyhiswifeafortnightago.Ah,Joe!butit’shardlinesfortheorphans.”

Aghastlyhourmoveson,draggingitsregimentofpanicinitstrailandleavingcrimsonblotchesofcrueltyalongthepathofnight.

“Aretheyallout,firemen?”

“Aye,aye,sir!”

“No,they’renot!There’sawomaninthetopwindowholdingachildinherarms—overyonderintheright–handcorner!Theladders,there!Ahundredpoundstothemanwhomakestherescue!”

Adozenstart.Onemanmoresupplethantheothers,andrecklessinhisbravery,clamberstothetoprungoftheladder.

“Tooshort!”hecries.“Hoistanother!”

Upitgoes.Hemountstothewindow,fastenstherope,lashesmotherandbabe,swingsthemoffintouglyemptiness,andletsthemdowntoberescuedbyhiscomrades.

“Bravo,fireman!”shoutsthecrowd.

Acrashbreaksthroughtheuproarofcracklingtimbers.

“Lookalive,upthere!GreatGod!Theroofhasfallen!”

Thewallssway,rock,andtumbleinwithadeafeningroar.Thespectatorsceasetobreathe.Thecoldtruthrevealsitself.Thefiremanhasbeencarriedintotheseethingfurnace.Anoldwoman,bentwiththeweightofage,rushesthroughthefireline,shrieking,raving,andwringingherhandsandopeningherheartofgrief.

“PoorJohn!HewasallIhad!Andabraveladhewas,too!Buthe’sgonenow.Helosthisownlifeinsavin’twomore,andnow—nowhe’sthere,awayinthere!”sherepeats,pointingtothecrueloven.

Theenginesdotheirwork.Theflamesdieout.Aneeriegloomhangsovertheruinslikeaformidable,blackenedpall.

Andthenoonofnightispassed.

—ARDENNESJONES–FOSTER.

QUESTIONSANDANSWERS

1.Writetwoparagraphsononeofthese:theracehorse,themotorboat,golfing,tennis;letthefirstbepureexpositionandthesecondpuredescription.

2.Selectyourownthemeanddothesameintwoshortextemporaneousspeeches.

3.Deliverashortoriginaladdressintheover–ornamentedstyle.

4.(a)Pointoutitsdefects;(b)recastitinamoreeffectivestyle;(c)showhowtheonesurpassestheother.

5.Makealistoftensubjectswhichlendthemselvestodescriptioninthestyleyouprefer.

6.Deliveratwo–minutespeechonanyoneofthem,usingchiefly,butnotsolely,description.

7.Foroneminute,lookatanyobject,scene,action,picture,orpersonyouchoose,taketwominutestoarrangeyourthoughts,andthendeliverashortdescription—allwithoutmakingwrittennotes.

8.Inwhatsenseisdescriptionmorepersonalthanexposition?

9.Explainthedifferencebetweenascientificandanartisticdescription.

10.InthestyleofDickensandIrving(pages234,235),writefiveseparatesentencesdescribingfivecharactersbymeansofsuggestion—onesentencetoeach.

11.Describeacharacterbymeansofahint,afterthemannerofChaucer(p.235).

12.Readaloudthefollowingwithspecialattentiontogesture:

Hisverythroatwasmoral.Yousawagooddealofit.Youlookedoveraverylowfenceofwhitecravat(whereofnomanhadeverbeheldthetie,forhefasteneditbehind),andthereitlay,avalleybetweentwojuttingheightsofcollar,sereneandwhiskerlessbeforeyou.Itseemedtosay,onthepartofMr.Pecksniff,“Thereisnodeception,ladiesandgentlemen,allispeace,aholycalmpervadesme.”Sodidhishair,justgrizzledwithanirongray,whichwasallbrushedoffhisforehead,andstoodboltupright,orslightlydroopedinkindredactionwithhisheavyeyelids.Sodidhisperson,whichwassleekthoughfreefromcorpulency.Sodidhismanner,whichwassoftandoily.Inaword,evenhisplainblacksuit,andstateofwidower,anddanglingdoubleeye–glass,alltendedtothesamepurpose,andcriedaloud,“BeholdthemoralPecksniff!”

—CHARLESDICKENS,MartinChuzzlewit.

13.Whichofthefollowingdoyouprefer,andwhy?

Shewasabloominglassoffresheighteen,plumpasapartridge,ripeandmeltingandrosy–cheekedasoneofherfather’speaches.

—IRVING.

Shewasasplendidlyfemininegirl,aswholesomeasaNovemberpippin,andnomoremysteriousthanawindow–pane.

—O.HENRY.

Small,shining,neat,methodical,andbuxomwasMissPeecher;cherry–cheekedandtunefulofvoice.

—DICKENS.

14.Inventfiveepithets,andapplythemasyouchoose(p.235).

15.(a)Makealistoffivefiguresofspeech;(b)definethem;(c)giveanexample—preferablyoriginal—undereach.

16.PickoutthefiguresofspeechintheaddressbyGrady,onpage240.

17.InventanoriginalfiguretotaketheplaceofanyoneinGrady’sspeech.

18.WhatsortoffiguresdoyoufindintheselectionfromStevenson,onpage242?

19.Whatmethodsofdescriptiondoesheseemtoprefer?

20.Writeanddeliver,withoutnotesandwithdescriptivegestures,adescriptioninimitationofanyoftheauthorsquotedinthischapter.

21.Reëxamineoneofyourpastspeechesandimprovethedescriptivework.Reportonwhatfaultsyoufoundtoexist.

22.Deliveranextemporaneousspeechdescribinganydramaticsceneinthestyleof“MidnightinLondon.”

23.DescribeaneventinyourfavoritesportinthestyleofDr.Talmage.Becarefultomakethedeliveryeffective.

24.Criticise,favorablyorunfavorably,thedescriptionsofanytraveltalkyoumayhaveheardrecently.

25.Deliverabrieforiginaltraveltalk,asthoughyouwereshowingpictures.

26.Recastthetalkanddeliverit“withoutpictures.”

[19]WritingtheShort–Story,J.BergEsenwein.[20]ForfullertreatmentofDescriptionseeGenung’sWorkingPrinciplesofRhetoric,Albright’sDescriptiveWriting,Bates’TalksonWritingEnglish,firstandsecondseries,andanyadvancedrhetoric.[21]SeealsoTheArtofVersification,J.BergEsenweinandMaryEleanorRoberts,pp.28–35;andWritingtheShort–Story,J.BergEsenwein,pp.152–162;231–240.[22]IntheMilitaryCollegeofModena.[23]Thisfigureofspeechisknownas“Vision.”

CHAPTERXXIInfluencingbyNarration

Theartofnarrationistheartofwritinginhooksandeyes.Theprincipleconsistsinmakingtheappropriatethoughtfollowtheappropriatethought,theproperfacttheproperfact;infirstpreparingthemindforwhatistocome,andthenlettingitcome.

—WALTERBAGEHOT,LiteraryStudies.

Ourveryspeechiscuriouslyhistorical.Mostmen,youmayobserve,speakonlytonarrate;notinimpartingwhattheyhavethought,whichindeedwereoftenaverysmallmatter,butinexhibitingwhattheyhaveundergoneorseen,whichisaquiteunlimitedone,dotalkersdilate.CutusofffromNarrative,howwouldthestreamofconversation,evenamongthewisest,languishintodetachedhandfuls,andamongthefoolishutterlyevaporate!Thus,aswedonothingbutenactHistory,wesaylittlebutreciteit.

—THOMASCARLYLE,OnHistory.

Onlyasmallsegmentofthegreatfieldofnarrationoffersitsresourcestothepublicspeaker,andthatincludestheanecdote,biographicalfacts,andthenarrationofeventsingeneral.

Narration—moreeasilydefinedthanmastered—istherecitalofanincident,oragroupoffactsandoccurrences,insuchamannerastoproduceadesiredeffect.

Thelawsofnarrationarefew,butitssuccessfulpractiseinvolvesmoreofartthanwouldatfirstappear—somuch,indeed,thatwecannoteventouchuponitstechniquehere,butmustcontentourselveswithanexaminationofafewexamplesofnarrationasusedinpublicspeech.

Inapreliminaryway,noticehowradicallythepublicspeaker’suseofnarrativediffersfromthatofthestory–writerinthemorelimitedscope,absenceofextendeddialogueandcharacterdrawing,andfreedomfromelaborationofdetail,whichcharacterizeplatformnarrative.Ontheotherhand,thereareseveralsimilaritiesofmethod:thefrequentcombinationofnarrationwithexposition,description,argumentation,andpleading;thecareexercisedinthearrangementofmaterialsoastoproduceastrongeffectattheclose(climax);theverygeneralpractiseofconcealingthe“point”(dénouement)ofastoryuntiltheeffectivemoment;andthecarefulsuppressionofneedless,andthereforehurtful,details.

Soweseethat,whetherformagazineorplatform,theartofnarrationinvolvesfarmorethantherecitalofannals;thesuccessionofeventsrecordedrequiresaplaninordertobringthemoutwithrealeffect.

Itwillbenoticed,too,thattheliterarystyleinplatformnarrationislikelytobeeitherless

polishedandmorevigorouslydramaticthaninthatintendedforpublication,orelsemorefervidandelevatedintone.Inthislatterrespect,however,thebestplatformspeakingoftodaydiffersfromthemodelsoftheprecedinggeneration,whereinahighlydignified,andsometimespompous,stylewasthoughttheonlyfittingdressforapublicdeliverance.Great,nobleandstirringastheseoldermasterswereintheirloftyandimpassionedeloquence,wearesometimesoppressedwhenwereadtheirsoundingperiodsforanygreatlengthoftime—evenallowingforallthatwelosebymissingthespeaker’spresence,voice,andfire.Soletusmodelourplatformnarration,asourotherformsofspeech,upontheeffectiveaddressesofthemoderns,withoutlesseningouradmirationfortheolderschool.

TheAnecdote

Ananecdoteisashortnarrativeofasingleevent,toldasbeingstrikingenoughtobringoutapoint.Thekeenerthepoint,themorecondensedtheform,andthemoresuddenlytheapplicationstrikesthehearer,thebetterthestory.

Toregardananecdoteasanillustration—aninterpretivepicture—willhelptoholdustoitstruepurpose,forapurposelessstoryisofalloffensesontheplatformthemostasinine.Aperfectlycapitaljokewillfallflatwhenitisdraggedinbythenapewithoutevidentbearingonthesubjectunderdiscussion.Ontheotherhand,anappositeanecdotehassavedmanyaspeechfromfailure.

“Thereisnofineropportunityforthedisplayoftactthanintheintroductionofwittyorhumorousstoriesintoadiscourse.Witiskeenandlikearapier,piercingdeeply,sometimeseventotheheart.Humorisgood–natured,anddoesnotwound.Witisfoundeduponthesuddendiscoveryofanunsuspectedrelationexistingbetweentwoideas.Humordealswiththingsoutofrelation—withtheincongruous.ItwaswitinDouglassJerroldtoretortuponthescowlofastrangerwhoseshoulderhehadfamiliarlyslapped,mistakinghimforafriend:‘Ibegyourpardon,IthoughtIknewyou—butI’mgladIdon’t.’ItwashumorintheSouthernorator,JohnWise,tolikenthepleasureofspendinganeveningwithaPuritangirltothatofsittingonablockoficeinwinter,crackinghailstonesbetweenhisteeth.”[24]

Theforegoingquotationhasbeenintroducedchieflytoillustratethefirstandsimplestformofanecdote—thesinglesentenceembodyingapungentsaying.

Anothersimpleformisthatwhichconveysitsmeaningwithoutneedof“application,”astheoldpreachersusedtosay.GeorgeAdehasquotedthisoneasthebestjokeheeverheard:

Twosolemn–lookinggentlemenwereridingtogetherinarailwaycarriage.Onegentlemansaidtotheother:“Isyourwifeentertainingthissummer?”Whereupontheothergentlemanreplied:“Notvery.”

Otheranecdotesneedharnessingtotheparticulartruththespeakerwishestocarryalonginhistalk.Sometimestheapplicationismadebeforethestoryistoldandtheaudienceispreparedtomakethecomparison,pointbypoint,astheillustrationistold.HenryW.Gradyusedthismethodinoneoftheanecdoteshetoldwhiledeliveringhisgreatextemporaneousaddress,“TheNewSouth.”

Agedoesnotendowallthingswithstrengthandvirtue,norareallnewthingstobedespised.Theshoemakerwhoputoverhisdoor,“JohnSmith’sshop,founded1760,”wasmorethanmatchedbyhisyoungrivalacrossthestreetwhohungoutthissign:“BillJones.Established1886.Nooldstockkeptinthisshop.”

Intwoanecdotes,toldalsoin“TheNewSouth,”Mr.Gradyillustratedanotherwayofenforcingtheapplication:inbothinstanceshesplittheideahewishedtodrivehome,bringinginpartbeforeandpartaftertherecitalofthestory.ThefactthatthespeakermisquotedthewordsofGenesisinwhichtheArkisdescribeddidnotseemtodetractfromtheburlesquehumorofthestory.

Ibespeaktheutmoststretchofyourcourtesytonight.IamnottroubledaboutthosefromwhomIcome.Yourememberthemanwhosewifesenthimtoaneighborwithapitcherofmilk,who,trippingonthetopstep,fell,withsuchcasualinterruptionsasthelandingsafforded,intothebasement,and,whilepickinghimselfup,hadthepleasureofhearinghiswifecallout:

“John,didyoubreakthepitcher?

“No,Ididn’t,”saidJohn,“butIbedingedifIdon’t.”

So,whilethosewhocalltomefrombehindmayinspiremewithenergy,ifnotwithcourage,Iaskanindulgenthearingfromyou.IbegthatyouwillbringyourfullfaithinAmericanfairnessandfranknesstojudgmentuponwhatIshallsay.TherewasanoldpreacheroncewhotoldsomeboysoftheBiblelessonhewasgoingtoreadinthemorning.Theboys,findingtheplace,gluedtogethertheconnectingpages.Thenextmorninghereadonthebottomofonepage:“WhenNoahwasonehundredandtwentyyearsoldhetookuntohimselfawife,whowas”—thenturningthepage—“onehundredandfortycubitslong,fortycubitswide,builtofgopherwood,andcoveredwithpitchinsideandout.”Hewasnaturallypuzzledatthis.Hereaditagain,verifiedit,andthensaid,“Myfriends,thisisthefirsttimeIevermetthisintheBible,butIacceptitasanevidenceoftheassertionthatwearefearfullyandwonderfullymade.”IfIcouldgetyoutoholdsuchfaithto–night,IcouldproceedcheerfullytothetaskIotherwiseapproachwithasenseofconsecration.

Nowandthenaspeakerwillplungewithoutintroductionintoananecdote,leavingtheapplicationtofollow.Thefollowingillustratesthismethod:

Alarge,slew–footeddarkywasleaningagainstthecorneroftherailroadstationinaTexastownwhenthenoonwhistleinthecanningfactoryblewandthehandshurriedout,bearingtheirgrubbuckets.Thedarkylistened,withhisheadononesideuntiltherocketingechohadquitediedaway.Thenheheavedadeepsighandremarkedtohimself:

“Darshego.Dinnertimeforsomefolks—butjes’12o’clockfurme!”

ThatisthesituationinthousandsofAmericanfactories,largeandsmall,today.And

why?etc.,etc.

Doubtlessthemostfrequentplatformuseoftheanecdoteisinthepulpit.Thesermon“illustration,”however,isnotalwaysstrictlynarrativeinform,buttendstoextendedcomparison,asthefollowingfromDr.AlexanderMaclaren:

MenwillstandasIndianfakirsdo,withtheirarmsabovetheirheadsuntiltheystiffenthere.TheywillperchthemselvesuponpillarslikeSimeonStylites,foryears,tillthebirdsbuildtheirnestsintheirhair.TheywillmeasureallthedistancefromCapeComorintoJuggernaut’stemplewiththeirbodiesalongthedustyroad.Theywillwearhairshirtsandscourgethemselves.Theywillfastanddenythemselves.Theywillbuildcathedralsandendowchurches.Theywilldoasmanyofyoudo,laborbyfitsandstartsallthruyourlivesattheendlesstaskofmakingyourselvesreadyforheaven,andwinningitbyobedienceandbyrighteousness.Theywilldoallthesethingsanddothemgladly,ratherthanlistentothehumblingmessagethatsays,“Youdonotneedtodoanything—wash.”Isityourwashing,orthewater,thatwillcleanyou?Washandbeclean!Naaman’scleaningwasonlyatestofhisobedience,andatokenthatitwasGodwhocleansedhim.TherewasnopowerinJordan’swaterstotakeawaythetaintofleprosy.OurcleansingisinthatbloodofJesusChristthathasthepowertotakeawayallsin,andtomakethefoulestamongstuspureandclean.

Onefinalwordmustbesaidabouttheintroductiontotheanecdote.Aclumsy,inappropriateintroductionisfatal,whereasasingleaptorwittysentencewillkindleinterestandprepareafavorablehearing.Thefollowingextremeillustration,bytheEnglishhumorist,CaptainHarryGraham,wellsatirizesthestumblingmanner:

ThebeststorythatIeverheardwasonethatIwastoldonceinthefallof1905(oritmayhavebeen1906),whenIwasvisitingBoston—atleast,IthinkitwasBoston;itmayhavebeenWashington(mymemoryissobad).

IhappenedtorunacrossamostamusingmanwhosenameIforget—WilliamsorWilsonorWilkins;somenamelikethat—andhetoldmethisstorywhilewewerewaitingforatrolleycar.

IcanstillrememberhowheartilyIlaughedatthetime;andagain,thatevening,afterIhadgonetobed,howIlaughedmyselftosleeprecallingthehumorofthisincrediblyhumorousstory.Itwasreallyquiteextraordinarilyfunny.Infact,IcantruthfullyaffirmthatitisquitethemostamusingstoryIhaveeverhadtheprivilegeofhearing.Unfortunately,I’veforgottenit.

BiographicalFacts

Publicspeakinghasmuchtodowithpersonalities;naturally,therefore,thenarrationofaseriesofbiographicaldetails,includinganecdotesamongtherecitalofinterestingfacts,playsalargepartintheeulogy,thememorialaddress,thepoliticalspeech,thesermon,thelecture,andotherplatformdeliverances.Wholeaddressesmaybemadeupofsuchbiographicaldetails,suchasasermonon“Moses,”oralectureon“Lee.”

Thefollowingexampleisinitselfanexpandedanecdote,formingalinkinachain:

MARIUSINPRISON

ThepeculiarsublimityoftheRomanminddoesnotexpressitself,norisitatalltobesought,intheirpoetry.Poetry,accordingtotheRomanidealofit,wasnotanadequateorganforthegrandermovementsofthenationalmind.RomansublimitymustbelookedforinRomanacts,andinRomansayings.Where,again,willyoufindamoreadequateexpressionoftheRomanmajesty,thaninthesayingofTrajan—Imperatoremoporterestantemmori—thatCæsaroughttodiestanding;aspeechofimperatorialgrandeur!Implyingthathe,whowas“theforemostmanofallthisworld,”—and,inregardtoallothernations,therepresentativeofhisown,—shouldexpressitscharacteristicvirtueinhisfarewellact—shoulddieinprocinctu—andshouldmeetthelastenemyasthefirst,withaRomancountenanceandinasoldier’sattitude.Ifthishadanimperatorial—whatfollowshadaconsularmajesty,andisalmostthegrandeststoryuponrecord.

Marius,themanwhorosetobeseventimesconsul,wasinadungeon,andaslavewassentinwithcommissiontoputhimtodeath.Thesewerethepersons,—thetwoextremitiesofexaltedandforlornhumanity,itsvanwardanditsrearwardman,aRomanconsulandanabjectslave.Buttheirnaturalrelationstoeachotherwere,bythecapriceoffortune,monstrouslyinverted:theconsulwasinchains;theslavewasforamomentthearbiterofhisfate.Bywhatspells,whatmagic,didMariusreinstatehimselfinhisnaturalprerogatives?Bywhatmarvelsdrawnfromheavenorfromearth,didhe,inthetwinklingofaneye,againinvesthimselfwiththepurple,andplacebetweenhimselfandhisassassinahostofshadowylictors?Bythemereblanksupremacyofgreatmindsoverweakones.Hefascinatedtheslave,asarattlesnakedoesabird.Standing“likeTeneriffe,”hesmotehimwithhiseye,andsaid,“Tune,homo,audesoccidereC.Marium?“—“Dostthou,fellow,presumetokillCaiusMarius?”Whereat,thereptile,quakingunderthevoice,nordaringtoaffronttheconsulareye,sankgentlytotheground—turnedrounduponhishandsandfeet—and,crawlingoutoftheprisonlikeanyothervermin,leftMariusstandinginsolitudeassteadfastandimmovableasthecapitol.

—THOMASDEQUINCY.

Hereisasimilarexample,prefacedbyageneralhistoricalstatementandconcludingwithautobiographicaldetails:

AREMINISCENCEOFLEXINGTON

Onerawmorninginspring—itwillbeeightyyearsthe19thdayofthismonth—HancockandAdams,theMosesandAaronofthatGreatDeliverance,werebothatLexington;theyalsohad“obstructedanofficer”withbravewords.Britishsoldiers,athousandstrong,cametoseizethemandcarrythemoverseafortrial,andsonipthebudofFreedomauspiciouslyopeninginthatearlyspring.Thetownmilitiacametogetherbeforedaylight,“fortraining.”Agreat,tallman,withalargeheadanda

high,widebrow,theircaptain,—onewhohad“seenservice,”—marshalledthemintoline,numberingbutseventy,andbade“everymanloadhispiecewithpowderandball.Iwillorderthefirstmanshotthatrunsaway,”saidhe,whensomefaltered.“Don’tfireunlessfiredupon,butiftheywanttohaveawar,letitbeginhere.”

Gentlemen,youknowwhatfollowed;thosefarmersandmechanics“firedtheshotheardroundtheworld.”AlittlemonumentcoversthebonesofsuchasbeforehadpledgedtheirfortuneandtheirsacredhonortotheFreedomofAmerica,andthatdaygaveitalsotheirlives.Iwasborninthatlittletown,andbredupamidthememoriesofthatday.Whenaboy,mymotherliftedmeup,oneSunday,inherreligious,patrioticarms,andheldmewhileIreadthefirstmonumentallineIeversaw—“SacredtoLibertyandtheRightsofMankind.”

SincethenIhavestudiedthememorialmarblesofGreeceandRome,inmanyanancienttown;nay,onEgyptianobeliskshavereadwhatwaswrittenbeforetheEternalraisedupMosestoleadIsraeloutofEgypt;butnochiseledstonehaseverstirredmetosuchemotionastheserusticnamesofmenwhofell“IntheSacredCauseofGodandtheirCountry.”

Gentlemen,theSpiritofLiberty,theLoveofJustice,wereearlyfannedintoaflameinmyboyishheart.Thatmonumentcoversthebonesofmyownkinsfolk;itwastheirbloodwhichreddenedthelong,greengrassatLexington.Itwasmyownnamewhichstandschiseledonthatstone;thetallcaptainwhomarshalledhisfellowfarmersandmechanicsintosternarray,andspokesuchbraveanddangerouswordsasopenedthewarofAmericanIndependence,—thelasttoleavethefield,—wasmyfather’sfather.IlearnedtoreadoutofhisBible,andwithamuskethethatdaycapturedfromthefoe,Ilearnedanotherreligiouslesson,that“RebelliontoTyrantsisObediencetoGod.”Ikeepthemboth“SacredtoLibertyandtheRightsofMankind,”tousethemboth“IntheSacredCauseofGodandmyCountry.”

—THEODOREPARKER.

NarrationofEventsinGeneral

Inthiswider,emancipatednarrationwefindmuchminglingofotherformsofdiscourse,greatlytotheadvantageofthespeech,forthistruthcannotbetoostronglyemphasized:Theefficientspeakercutsloosefromformforthesakeofabig,freeeffect.Thepresentanalysesarefornootherpurposethantoacquaintyouwithform—donotallowanysuchmodelstohangasaweightaboutyourneck.

Thefollowingpurenarrationofevents,fromGeorgeWilliamCurtis’s“PaulRevere’sRide,”variesthebiographicalrecitalinotherpartsofhisfamousoration:

Thatevening,atteno’clock,eighthundredBritishtroops,underLieutenant–ColonelSmith,tookboatatthefootoftheCommonandcrossedtotheCambridgeshore.Gagethoughthissecrethadbeenkept,butLordPercy,whohadheardthepeoplesayontheCommonthatthetroopswouldmisstheiraim,undeceivedhim.Gageinstantlyorderedthatnooneshouldleavethetown.Butasthetroopscrossedtheriver,

EbenezerDorr,withamessagetoHancockandAdams,wasridingovertheNecktoRoxbury,andPaulReverewasrowingovertherivertoCharlestown,havingagreedwithhisfriend,RobertNewman,toshowlanternsfromthebelfryoftheOldNorthChurch—“Oneifbyland,andtwoifbysea”—asasignalofthemarchoftheBritish.

Thefollowing,fromthesameoration,beautifullyminglesdescriptionwithnarration:

Itwasabrilliantnight.Thewinterhadbeenunusuallymild,andthespringveryforward.Thehillswerealreadygreen.Theearlygrainwavedinthefields,andtheairwassweetwiththeblossomingorchards.Alreadytherobinswhistled,thebluebirdssang,andthebenedictionofpeaceresteduponthelandscape.Underthecloudlessmoonthesoldierssilentlymarched,andPaulRevereswiftlyrode,gallopingthroughMedfordandWestCambridge,rousingeveryhouseashewentspurringforLexingtonandHancockandAdams,andevadingtheBritishpatrolswhohadbeensentouttostopthenews.

InthesucceedingextractfromanotherofMr.Curtis’saddresses,wehaveafreeuseofallegoryasillustration:

THELEADERSHIPOFEDUCATEDMEN

ThereisamodernEnglishpicturewhichthegeniusofHawthornemighthaveinspired.Thepaintercallsit,“Howtheymetthemselves.”Amanandawoman,haggardandweary,wanderinglostinasomberwood,suddenlymeettheshadowyfiguresofayouthandamaid.Somemysteriousfascinationfixesthegazeandstillstheheartsofthewanderers,andtheiramazementdeepensintoaweastheygraduallyrecognizethemselvesasoncetheywere;thesoftbloomofyouthupontheirroundedcheeks,thedewylightofhopeintheirtrustingeyes,exultingconfidenceintheirspringingstep,themselvesblitheandradiantwiththegloryofthedawn.Today,andhere,wemeetourselves.Nottothesefamiliarscenesalone—yondercollege–greenwithitsreverendtraditions;thehalcyoncoveoftheSeekonk,uponwhichthememoryofRogerWilliamsbroodslikeabirdofcalm;thehistoricbay,beatingforeverwiththemuffledoarsofBartonandofAbrahamWhipple;here,thehummingcityoftheliving;there,thepeacefulcityofthedead;—nottotheseonlyorchieflydowereturn,buttoourselvesasweoncewere.Itisnotthesmilingfreshmenoftheyear,itisyourownbeardlessandunwrinkledfaces,thatarelookingfromthewindowsofUniversityHallandofHopeCollege.Underthetreesuponthehillitisyourselveswhomyouseewalking,fullofhopesanddreams,glowingwithconsciouspower,and“nourishingayouthsublime;”andinthisfamiliartemple,whichsurelyhasneverechoedwitheloquencesofervidandinspiringasthatofyourcommencementorations,itisnotyonderyouthsinthegallerieswho,astheyfondlybelieve,arewhisperingtoyondermaids;itisyouryoungerselveswho,inthedaysthatarenomore,aremurmuringtothefairestmothersandgrandmothersofthosemaids.

Happythewornandwearymanandwomaninthepicturecouldtheyhavefelttheiroldereyesstillglisteningwiththatearlierlight,andtheirheartsyetbeatingwith

undiminishedsympathyandaspiration.Happywe,brethren,whatevermayhavebeenachieved,whateverleftundone,if,returningtothehomeofourearlieryears,webringwithustheillimitablehope,theunchilledresolution,theinextinguishablefaithofyouth.

—GEORGEWILLIAMCURTIS.


1.Clipfromanysourcetenanecdotesandstatewhattruthstheymaybeusedtoillustrate.

2.Deliverfiveoftheseinyourownlanguage,withoutmakinganyapplication.

3.Fromtheten,deliveronesoastomaketheapplicationbeforetellingtheanecdote.

4.Deliveranothersoastosplittheapplication.

5.Deliveranothersoastomaketheapplicationafterthenarration.

6.Deliveranotherinsuchawayastomakeaspecificapplicationneedless.

7.Givethreewaysofintroducingananecdote,bysayingwhereyouheardit,etc.

8.Deliveranillustrationthatisnotstrictlyananecdote,inthestyleofCurtis’sspeechonpage259.

9.Deliveranaddressonanypubliccharacter,usingtheformsillustratedinthischapter.

10.Deliveranaddressonsomehistoricaleventinthesamemanner.

11.Explainhowthesympathiesandviewpointofthespeakerwillcolorananecdote,abiography,orahistoricalaccount.

12.Illustratehowthesameanecdote,orasectionofahistoricaladdress,maybegiventwodifferenteffectsbypersonalprejudice.

13.Whatwouldbetheeffectofshiftingtheviewpointinthemidstofanarration?

14.Whatisthedangerofusingtoomuchhumorinanaddress?Toomuchpathos?

[24]HowtoAttractandHoldanAudience,J.BergEsenwein.

CHAPTERXXIIInfluencingbySuggestion

Sometimesthefeelingthatagivenwayoflookingatthingsisundoubtedlycorrectpreventsthemindfromthinkingatall….Inviewofthehindranceswhichcertainkindsordegreesoffeelingthrowintothewayofthinking,itmightbeinferredthatthethinkermustsuppresstheelementoffeelingintheinnerlife.Nogreatermistakecouldbemade.IftheCreatorendowedmanwiththepowertothink,tofeel,andtowill,theseseveralactivitiesofthemindarenotdesignedtobeinconflict,andsolongasanyoneofthemisnotpervertedorallowedtoruntoexcess,itnecessarilyaidsandstrengthenstheothersintheirnormalfunctions.

—NATHANC.SCHAEFFER,ThinkingandLearningtoThink.

Whenweweigh,compare,anddecideuponthevalueofanygivenideas,wereason;whenanideaproducesinusanopinionoranaction,withoutfirstbeingsubjectedtodeliberation,wearemovedbysuggestion.

Manwasformerlythoughttobeareasoninganimal,basinghisactionsontheconclusionsofnaturallogic.Itwassupposedthatbeforeforminganopinionordecidingonacourseofconductheweighedatleastsomeofthereasonsforandagainstthematter,andperformedamoreorlesssimpleprocessofreasoning.Butmodernresearchhasshownthatquitetheoppositeistrue.Mostofouropinionsandactionsarenotbaseduponconsciousreasoning,butaretheresultofsuggestion.Infact,someauthoritiesdeclarethatanactofpurereasoningisveryrareintheaveragemind.Momentousdecisionsaremade,far–reachingactionsaredeterminedupon,primarilybytheforceofsuggestion.

Noticethatword“primarily,”forsimplethought,andevenmaturereasoning,oftenfollowsasuggestionacceptedinthemind,andthethinkerfondlysupposesthathisconclusionisfromfirsttolastbasedoncoldlogic.

TheBasisofSuggestion

Wemustthinkofsuggestionbothasaneffectandasacause.Consideredasaneffect,orobjectively,theremustbesomethinginthehearerthatpredisposeshimtoreceivesuggestion;consideredasacause,orsubjectively,theremustbesomemethodsbywhichthespeakercanmoveuponthatparticularlysusceptibleattitudeofthehearer.Howtodothishonestlyandfairlyisourproblem—todoitdishonestlyandtrickily,tousesuggestiontobringaboutconvictionandactionwithoutabasisofrightandtruthandinabadcause,istoassumetheterribleresponsibilitythatmustfallonthechampionoferror.Jesusscornednottousesuggestionsothathemightmovementotheirbenefit,buteveryvicioustricksterhasadoptedthesamemeanstoreachbaseends.Thereforehonestmenwillexaminewellintotheirmotivesandintothetruthoftheircause,beforeseekingtoinfluencemenbysuggestion.

Threefundamentalconditionsmakeusallsusceptivetosuggestion:

Wenaturallyrespectauthority.Ineverymindthisisonlyaquestionofdegree,rangingfromthesubjectwhoiseasilyhypnotizedtothestubbornmindthatfortifiesitselfthemorestronglywitheveryassaultuponitsopinion.Thelattertypeisalmostimmunetosuggestion.

Oneofthesingularthingsaboutsuggestionisthatitisrarelyafixedquantity.Themindthatisreceptivetotheauthorityofacertainpersonmayproveinflexibletoanother;moodsandenvironmentsthatproducehypnosisreadilyinoneinstancemaybeentirelyinoperativeinanother;andsomemindscanscarcelyeverbethusmoved.Wedoknow,however,thatthefeelingofthesubjectthatauthority—influence,power,domination,control,whateveryouwishtocallit—liesinthepersonofthesuggester,isthebasisofallsuggestion.

Theextremeforceofthisinfluenceisdemonstratedinhypnotism.Thehypnoticsubjectistoldthatheisinthewater;heacceptsthestatementastrueandmakesswimmingmotions.Heistoldthatabandismarchingdownthestreet,playing“TheStarSpangledBanner;”hedeclareshehearsthemusic,arisesandstandswithheadbared.

Inthesamewaysomespeakersareabletoachieveamodifiedhypnoticeffectupontheiraudiences.Thehearerswillapplaudmeasuresandideaswhich,afterindividualreflection,theywillrepudiateunlesssuchreflectionbringstheconvictionthatthefirstimpressioniscorrect.

Asecondimportantprincipleisthatourfeelings,thoughtsandwillstendtofollowthelineofleastresistance.Onceopenthemindtotheswayofonefeelinganditrequiresagreaterpoweroffeeling,thought,orwill—orevenallthree—tounseatit.Ourfeelingsinfluenceourjudgmentsandvolitionsmuchmorethanwecaretoadmit.Sotrueisthisthatitisasuperhumantasktogetanaudiencetoreasonfairlyonasubjectonwhichitfeelsdeeply,andwhenthisresultisaccomplishedthesuccessbecomesnoteworthy,asinthecaseofHenryWardBeecher’sLiverpoolspeech.Emotionalideasonceacceptedaresooncherished,andfinallybecomeourveryinmostselves.Attitudesbasedonfeelingsaloneareprejudices.

Whatistrueofourfeelings,inthisrespect,appliestoourideas:Allthoughtsthatenterthemindtendtobeacceptedastruthunlessastrongerandcontradictorythoughtarises.

Thespeakerskilledinmovingmentoactionmanagestodominatethemindsofhisaudiencewithhisthoughtsbysubtlyprohibitingtheentertainingofideashostiletohisown.Mostofusarecapturedbythelateststrongattack,andifwecanbeinducedtoactwhileunderthestressofthatlastinsistentthought,welosesightofcounterinfluences.Thefactisthatalmostallourdecisions—iftheyinvolvethoughtatall—areofthissort:Atthemomentofdecisionthecourseofactionthenundercontemplationusurpstheattention,andconflictingideasaredroppedoutofconsideration.

Theheadofalargepublishinghouseremarkedonlyrecentlythatninetypercentofthepeoplewhoboughtbooksbysubscriptionneverreadthem.Theybuybecausethesalesmanpresentshiswaressoskillfullythateveryconsiderationbuttheattractivenessofthebookdropsoutofthemind,andthatthoughtpromptsaction.Everyideathatentersthemindwillresultinactionunlessacontradictorythoughtarisestoprohibitit.Thinkofsingingthemusicalscaleanditwillresultinyoursingingitunlessthecounter–thoughtof

itsfutilityorabsurdityinhibitsyouraction.Ifyoubandageand“doctor”ahorse’sfoot,hewillgolame.Youcannotthinkofswallowing,withoutthemusclesusedinthatprocessbeingaffected.Youcannotthinkofsaying“hello,”withoutaslightmovementofthemusclesofspeech.Towarnchildrenthattheyshouldnotputbeansuptheirnosesisthesurestmethodofgettingthemtodoit.Everythoughtcalledupinthemindofyouraudiencewillworkeitherfororagainstyou.Thoughtsarenotdeadmatter;theyradiatedynamicenergy—thethoughtsalltendtopassintoaction.“Thoughtisanothernameforfate.”Dominateyourhearers’thoughts,allayallcontradictoryideas,andyouwillswaythemasyouwish.

Volitionsaswellasfeelingsandthoughtstendtofollowthelineofleastresistance.Thatiswhatmakeshabit.Suggesttoamanthatitisimpossibletochangehismindandinmostcasesitbecomesmoredifficulttodoso—theexceptionisthemanwhonaturallyjumpstothecontrary.Countersuggestionistheonlywaytoreachhim.Suggestsubtlyandpersistentlythattheopinionsofthoseintheaudiencewhoareopposedtoyourviewsarechanging,anditrequiresaneffortofthewill—infact,asummoningoftheforcesoffeeling,thoughtandwill—tostemthetideofchangethathassubconsciouslysetin.

But,notonlyarewemovedbyauthority,andtendtowardchannelsofleastresistance:Weareallinfluencedbyourenvironments.Itisdifficulttoriseabovetheswayofacrowd—itsenthusiasmsanditsfearsarecontagiousbecausetheyaresuggestive.Whatsomanyfeel,wesaytoourselves,musthavesomebasisintruth.Tentimestenmakesmorethanonehundred.Settenmentospeakingtotenaudiencesoftenmeneach,andcomparetheaggregatepowerofthosetenspeakerswiththatofonemanaddressingonehundredmen.Thetenspeakersmaybemorelogicallyconvincingthanthesingleorator,butthechancesarestronglyinfavoroftheoneman’sreachingagreatertotaleffect,forthehundredmenwillradiateconvictionandresolutionastensmallgroupscouldnot.Weallknowthetruismabouttheenthusiasmofnumbers.(Seethechapteron“InfluencingtheCrowd.”)

Environmentcontrolsusunlessthecontraryisstronglysuggested.Agloomyday,inadrabroom,sparselytenantedbylisteners,invitesplatformdisaster.Everyonefeelsitintheair.Butletthespeakerwalksquarelyuptotheissueandsuggestbyallhisfeeling,mannerandwordsthatthisisgoingtobeagreatgatheringineveryvitalsense,andseehowthesuggestivepowerofenvironmentrecedesbeforetheadvanceofamorepotentsuggestion—ifsuchthespeakerisabletomakeit.

Nowthesethreefactors—respectforauthority,tendencytofollowlinesofleastresistance,andsusceptibilitytoenvironment—allhelptobringtheauditorintoastateofmindfavorabletosuggestiveinfluences,buttheyalsoreactonthespeaker,andnowwemustconsiderthosepersonallycausative,orsubjective,forceswhichenablehimtousesuggestioneffectively.

HowtheSpeakerCanMakeSuggestionEffective

Wehaveseenthatundertheinfluenceofauthoritativesuggestiontheaudienceisinclinedtoacceptthespeaker’sassertionwithoutargumentandcriticism.Buttheaudienceisnotinthisstateofmindunlessithasimplicitconfidenceinthespeaker.Iftheylackfaithinhim,questionhismotivesorknowledge,orevenobjecttohismannertheywillnotbemovedbyhismostlogicalconclusionandwillfailtogivehimajusthearing.Itisallamatterof

theirconfidenceinhim.Whetherthespeakerfindsitalreadyinthewarm,expectantlookofhishearers,ormustwintoitagainstoppositionorcoldness,hemustgainthatonegreatvantagepointbeforehissuggestionstakeonpowerintheheartsofhislisteners.ConfidenceisthemotherofConviction.

NoteintheopeningofHenryW.Grady’safter–dinnerspeechhowheattemptedtosecuretheconfidenceofhisaudience.Hecreatedareceptiveatmospherebyahumorousstory;expressedhisdesiretospeakwithearnestnessandsincerity;acknowledged“thevastinterestsinvolved;”deprecatedhis“untriedarm,”andprofessedhishumility.Wouldnotsuchanintroductiongiveyouconfidenceinthespeaker,unlessyouwerestronglyopposedtohim?Andeventhen,woulditnotpartlydisarmyourantagonism?

Mr.President:—Biddenbyyourinvitationtoadiscussionoftheraceproblem—forbiddenbyoccasiontomakeapoliticalspeech—Iappreciate,intryingtoreconcileorderswithpropriety,theperplexityofthelittlemaid,who,biddentolearntoswim,wasyetadjured,“Now,go,mydarling;hangyourclothesonahickorylimb,anddon’tgonearthewater.”

ThestoutestapostleoftheChurch,theysay,isthemissionary,andthemissionary,whereverheunfurlshisflag,willneverfindhimselfindeeperneedofunctionandaddressthanI,biddentonighttoplantthestandardofaSouthernDemocratinBoston’sbanquethall,andtodiscusstheproblemoftheracesinthehomeofPhillipsandofSumner.But,Mr.President,ifapurposetospeakinperfectfranknessandsincerity;ifearnestunderstandingofthevastinterestsinvolved;ifaconsecratingsenseofwhatdisastermayfollowfurthermisunderstandingandestrangement;ifthesemaybecountedtosteadyundisciplinedspeechandtostrengthenanuntriedarm—then,sir,Ishallfindthecouragetoproceed.

NotealsoMr.Bryan’sattempttosecuretheconfidenceofhisaudienceinthefollowingintroductiontohis“CrossofGold”speechdeliveredbeforetheNationalDemocraticConventioninChicago,1896.Heassertshisowninabilitytoopposethe“distinguishedgentleman;”hemaintainstheholinessofhiscause;andhedeclaresthathewillspeakintheinterestofhumanity—wellknowingthathumanityislikelytohaveconfidenceinthechampionoftheirrights.Thisintroductioncompletelydominatedtheaudience,andthespeechmadeMr.Bryanfamous.

Mr.ChairmanandGentlemenoftheConvention:Iwouldbepresumptuousindeedtopresentmyselfagainstthedistinguishedgentlementowhomyouhavelistenedifthiswereameremeasuringofabilities;butthisisnotacontestbetweenpersons.Thehumblestcitizeninalltheland,whencladinthearmorofarighteouscause,isstrongerthanallthehostsoferror.Icometospeaktoyouindefenseofacauseasholyasthecauseofliberty—thecauseofhumanity.

Somespeakersareabletobegetconfidencebytheirverymanner,whileotherscannot.

Tosecureconfidence,beconfident.Howcanyouexpectotherstoacceptamessageinwhichyoulack,orseemtolack,faithyourself?Confidenceisascontagiousasdisease.Napoleonrebukedanofficerforusingtheword“impossible”inhispresence.Thespeaker

whowillentertainnoideaofdefeatbegetsinhishearerstheideaofhisvictory.LadyMacbethwassoconfidentofsuccessthatMacbethchangedhismindaboutundertakingtheassassination.ColumbuswassocertaininhismissionthatQueenIsabellapawnedherjewelstofinancehisexpedition.Assertyourmessagewithimplicitassurance,andyourownbeliefwillactassomuchgunpowdertodriveithome.

Advertisershavelongutilizedthisprinciple.“Themachineyouwilleventuallybuy,”“Askthemanwhoownsone,”“HasthestrengthofGibraltar,”arepublicitysloganssofullofconfidencethattheygivebirthtoconfidenceinthemindofthereader.

Itshould—butmaynot!—gowithoutsayingthatconfidencemusthaveasolidgroundofmeritortherewillbearidiculouscrash.Itisallverywellforthe“spellbinder”toclaimalltheprecincts—theofficialcountisjustahead.Thereactionagainstover–confidenceandover–suggestionoughttowarnthosewhosechiefassetismerebluff.

Ashorttimeagoaspeakeraroseinapublic–speakingclubandassertedthatgrasswouldspringfromwood–ashessprinkledoverthesoil,withouttheaidofseed.Thisideawasgreetedwithalaugh,butthespeakerwassosureofhispositionthathereiteratedthestatementforcefullyseveraltimesandcitedhisownpersonalexperienceasproof.Oneofthemostintelligentmenintheaudience,whoatfirsthadderidedtheidea,atlengthcametobelieveinit.Whenaskedthereasonforhissuddenchangeofattitude,hereplied:“Becausethespeakerissoconfident.”Infact,hewassoconfidentthatittookaletterfromtheU.S.DepartmentofAgriculturetodislodgehiserror.

Ifbyaspeaker’sconfidence,intelligentmencanbemadetobelievesuchpreposteroustheoriesasthiswherewillthepowerofself–relianceceasewhenplausiblepropositionsareunderconsideration,advancedwithallthepowerofconvincingspeech?

Notetheutterassuranceintheseselections:

Iknownotwhatcourseothersmaytake,butasformegivemelibertyorgivemedeath.

—PATRICKHENRY.

Ine’erwillaskyequarter,andIne’erwillbeyourslave;ButI’llswimtheseaofslaughter,tillIsinkbeneathitswave.

—PATTEN.

Comeone,comeall.ThisrockshallflyFromitsfirmbaseassoonasI.

—SIRWALTERSCOTT.

INVICTUS

Outofthenightthatcoversme,Blackasthepitfrompoletopole,

IthankwhateverGodsmaybeFormyunconquerablesoul.

InthefellclutchofcircumstanceIhavenotwincednorcriedaloud;UnderthebludgeoningsofchanceMyheadisbloody,butunbowed.

BeyondthisplaceofwrathandtearsLoomsbuttheHorroroftheshade,AndyetthemenaceoftheyearsFindsandshallfindmeunafraid.

Itmattersnothowstraitthegate,Howchargedwithpunishmentsthescroll,Iamthemasterofmyfate;Iamthecaptainofmysoul.

—WILLIAMERNESTHENLEY.

Authorityisafactorinsuggestion.Wegenerallyacceptastruth,andwithoutcriticism,thewordsofanauthority.Whenhespeaks,contradictoryideasrarelyariseinthemindtoinhibittheactionhesuggests.AjudgeoftheSupremeCourthasthepowerofhiswordsmultipliedbythevirtueofhisposition.TheideasoftheU.S.CommissionerofImmigrationonhissubjectaremuchmoreeffectiveandpowerfulthanthoseofasoapmanufacturer,thoughthelattermaybeanableeconomist.

Thisprinciplealsohasbeenusedinadvertising.WearetoldthatthephysicianstotwoKingshaverecommendedSanatogen.WeareinformedthatthelargestbankinAmerica,TiffanyandCo.,andTheState,War,andNavyDepartments,allusetheEncyclopediaBritannica.Theshrewdpromotergivesstockinhiscompanytoinfluentialbankersorbusinessmeninthecommunityinorderthathemayusetheirexamplesasasellingargument.

Ifyouwishtoinfluenceyouraudiencethroughsuggestion,ifyouwouldhaveyourstatementsacceptedwithoutcriticismorargument,youshouldappearinthelightofanauthority—andbeone.Ignoranceandcredulitywillremainunchangedunlessthesuggestionofauthoritybefollowedpromptlybyfacts.Don’tclaimauthorityunlessyoucarryyourlicenseinyourpocket.Letreasonsupportthepositionthatsuggestionhasassumed.

Advertisingwillhelptoestablishyourreputation—itis“uptoyou”tomaintainit.Onespeakerfoundthathisreputationasamagazinewriterwasasplendidassetasaspeaker.Mr.Bryan’spublicity,gainedbythreenominationsforthepresidencyandhispositionasSecretaryofState,helpshimtocommandlargesumsasaspeaker.But—backofitall,heisagreatspeaker.Newspaperannouncements,allkindsofadvertising,formality,impressiveintroductions,allhaveacapitaleffectontheattitudeoftheaudience.Buthow

ridiculousarealltheseifatoypistolisadvertisedasasixteen–inchgun!

Notehowauthorityisusedinthefollowingtosupportthestrengthofthespeaker’sappeal:

ProfessorAlfredRussellWallacehasjustcelebratedhis90thbirthday.SharingwithCharlesDarwinthehonorofdiscoveringevolution,ProfessorWallacehaslatelyreceivedmanyandsignalhonorsfromscientificsocieties.AtthedinnergivenhiminLondonhisaddresswaslargelymadeupofreminiscences.HereviewedtheprogressofcivilizationduringthelastcenturyandmadeaseriesofbrilliantandstartlingcontrastsbetweentheEnglandof1813andtheworldof1913.Heaffirmedthatourprogressisonlyseemingandnotreal.ProfessorWallaceinsiststhatthepainters,thesculptors,thearchitectsofAthensandRomeweresosuperiortothemodernmenthattheveryfragmentsoftheirmarblesandtemplesarethedespairofthepresentdayartists.Hetellsusthatmanhasimprovedhistelescopeandspectacles,butthatheislosinghiseyesight;thatmanisimprovinghislooms,butstiffeninghisfingers;improvinghisautomobileandhislocomotive,butlosinghislegs;improvinghisfoods,butlosinghisdigestion.Headdsthatthemodernwhiteslavetraffic,orphanasylums,andtenementhouselifeinfactorytowns,makeablackpageinthehistoryofthetwentiethcentury.

ProfessorWallace’sviewsarereinforcedbythereportofthecommissionofParliamentonthecausesofthedeteriorationofthefactory–classpeople.InourowncountryProfessorJordanwarnsusagainstwar,intemperance,overworking,underfeedingofpoorchildren,anddisturbsourcontentmentwithhis“HarvestofBlood.”ProfessorJenksismorepessimistic.Hethinksthatthepace,theclimate,andthestressofcitylife,havebrokendownthePuritanstock,thatinanothercenturyouroldfamilieswillbeextinct,andthatthefloodofimmigrationmeansaNiagaraofmuddywatersfoulingthepurespringsofAmericanlife.InhisaddressinNewHavenProfessorKelloggcallstherollofthesignsofracedegeneracyandtellsusthatthisdeteriorationevenindicatesatrendtowardraceextinction.

—NEWELLDWIGHTHILLIS.

FromeverysidecomewarningstotheAmericanpeople.Ourmedicaljournalsarefilledwithdangersignals;newbooksandmagazines,freshfromthepress,tellusplainlythatourpeoplearefrontingasocialcrisis.Mr.Jefferson,whowasonceregardedasgoodDemocraticauthority,seemstohavedifferedinopinionfromthegentlemanwhohasaddressedusonthepartoftheminority.Thosewhoareopposedtothispropositiontellusthattheissueofpapermoneyisafunctionofthebank,andthatthegovernmentoughttogooutofthebankingbusiness.IstandwithJeffersonratherthanwiththem,andtellthem,ashedid,thattheissueofmoneyisafunctionofgovernment,andthatthebanksoughttogooutofthegoverningbusiness.

—WILLIAMJENNINGSBRYAN.

Authorityisthegreatweaponagainstdoubt,butevenitsforcecanrarelyprevailagainstprejudiceandpersistentwrong–headedness.Ifanyspeakerhasbeenabletoforgeasword

thatiswarrantedtopiecesucharmor,lethimblesshumanitybysharinghissecretwithhisplatformbrethreneverywhere,forthusfarheisaloneinhisglory.

Thereisamiddle–groundbetweenthesuggestionofauthorityandtheconfessionofweaknessthatoffersawiderangefortactinthespeaker.Noonecanadviseyouwhentothrowyour“hatinthering”andsaydefiantlyattheoutstart,“Gentlemen,Iamheretofight!”TheodoreRooseveltcandothat—BeecherwouldhavebeenmobbedifhehadbeguninthatstyleatLiverpool.ItisforyourowntacttodecidewhetheryouwillusethedisarminggraceofHenryW.Grady’sintroductionjustquoted(eventhetime–wornjokewasingenuousandseemedtosay,“Gentlemen,Icometoyouwithnocarefully–palmedcoins”),orwhetherthesolemngravityofMr.BryanbeforetheConventionwillprovetobemoreeffective.Onlybesurethatyouropeningattitudeiswellthoughtout,andifitchangeasyouwarmuptoyoursubject,letnotthechangelayyouopentoarevulsionoffeelinginyouraudience.

Exampleisapowerfulmeansofsuggestion.Aswesawwhilethinkingofenvironmentinitseffectsonanaudience,wedo,withouttheusualamountofhesitationandcriticism,whatothersaredoing.Pariswearscertainhatsandgowns;therestoftheworldimitates.Thechildmimicstheactions,accentsandintonationsoftheparent.Wereachildnevertohearanyonespeak,hewouldneveracquirethepowerofspeech,unlessundermostarduoustraining,andeventhenonlyimperfectly.OneofthebiggestdepartmentstoresintheUnitedStatesspendsfortunesononeadvertisingslogan:“Everybodyisgoingtothebigstore.”Thatmakeseverybodywanttogo.

Youcanreinforcethepowerofyourmessagebyshowingthatithasbeenwidelyaccepted.Politicalorganizationssubsidizeapplausetocreatetheimpressionthattheirspeakers’ideasarewarmlyreceivedandapprovedbytheaudience.Theadvocatesofthecommission–formofgovernmentofcities,thechampionsofvotesforwomen,reserveastheirstrongestargumentsthefactthatanumberofcitiesandstateshavealreadysuccessfullyacceptedtheirplans.Advertisementsusethetestimonialforitspowerofsuggestion.

Observehowthisprinciplehasbeenappliedinthefollowingselections,andutilizeitoneveryoccasionpossibleinyourattemptstoinfluencethroughsuggestion:

Thewarisactuallybegun.ThenextgalethatsweepsfromtheNorthwillbringtoourearstheclashofresoundingarms.Ourbrethrenarealreadyinthefield.Whystandyehereidle?

—PATRICKHENRY.

WithazealapproachingthezealwhichinspiredtheCrusaderswhofollowedPetertheHermit,oursilverDemocratswentforthfromvictoryuntovictoryuntiltheyarenowassembled,nottodiscuss,nottodebate,buttoenterupthejudgmentalreadyrenderedbytheplainpeopleofthiscountry.Inthiscontestbrotherhasbeenarrayedagainstbrother,fatheragainstson.Thewarmesttiesoflove,acquaintance,andassociationhavebeendisregarded;oldleadershavebeencastasidewhentheyrefusedtogiveexpressiontothesentimentsofthosewhomtheywouldlead,andnewleadershavesprunguptogivedirectiontothiscauseoftruth.Thushasthecontest

beenwaged,andwehaveassembledhereunderasbindingandsolemninstructionsaswereeverimposeduponrepresentativesofthepeople.

—WILLIAMJENNINGSBRYAN.

Figurativeandindirectlanguagehassuggestiveforce,becauseitdoesnotmakestatementsthatcanbedirectlydisputed.Itarousesnocontradictoryideasinthemindsoftheaudience,therebyfulfillingoneofthebasicrequisitesofsuggestion.Byimplyingaconclusioninindirectorfigurativelanguageitisoftenassertedmostforcefully.

NotethatinthefollowingMr.BryandidnotsaythatMr.McKinleywouldbedefeated.Heimplieditinamuchmoreeffectivemanner:

Mr.McKinleywasnominatedatSt.Louisuponaplatformwhichdeclaredforthemaintenanceofthegoldstandarduntilitcanbechangedintobimetallismbyinternationalagreement.Mr.McKinleywasthemostpopularmanamongtheRepublicans,andthreemonthsagoeverybodyintheRepublicanpartyprophesiedhiselection.Howisittoday?Why,themanwhowasoncepleasedtothinkthathelookedlikeNapoleon—thatmanshudderstodaywhenheremembersthathewasnominatedontheanniversaryofthebattleofWaterloo.Notonlythat,butashelistenshecanhearwithever–increasingdistinctnessthesoundofthewavesastheybeatuponthelonelyshoresofSt.Helena.

HadThomasCarlylesaid:“Afalsemancannotfoundareligion,”hiswordswouldhavebeenneithersosuggestivenorsopowerful,norsolongrememberedashisimplicationinthesestrikingwords:

Afalsemanfoundareligion?Why,afalsemancannotbuildabrickhouse!Ifhedoesnotknowandfollowtrulythepropertiesofmortar,burntclay,andwhatelseheworksin,itisnohousethathemakes,butarubbishheap.Itwillnotstandfortwelvecenturies,tolodgeahundredandeightymillions;itwillfallstraightway.AmanmustconformhimselftoNature’slaws,beverilyincommunionwithNatureandthetruthofthings,orNaturewillanswerhim,No,notatall!

ObservehowthepicturethatWebsterdrawshereismuchmoreemphaticandforcefulthananymereassertioncouldbe:

Sir,Iknownothowothersmayfeel,butasformyselfwhenIseemyalmamatersurrounded,likeCæsarinthesenatehouse,bythosewhoarereiteratingstabafterstab,Iwouldnotforthisrighthandhaveherturntomeandsay,“Andthou,too,myson!”

—WEBSTER.

Aspeechshouldbebuiltonsoundlogicalfoundations,andnomanshoulddaretospeakinbehalfofafallacy.Arguingasubject,however,willnecessarilyarousecontradictoryideasinthemindofyouraudience.Whenimmediateactionorpersuasionisdesired,suggestionismoreefficaciousthanargument—whenbotharejudiciouslymixed,theeffectis

irresistible.


1.Makeanoutline,orbrief,ofthecontentsofthischapter.

2.Revisetheintroductiontoanyofyourwrittenaddresses,withtheteachingsofthischapterinmind.

3.Givetwooriginalexamplesofthepowerofsuggestionasyouhaveobserveditineachofthesefields:(a)advertising;(=b=)politics;(c)publicsentiment.

4.Giveoriginalexamplesofsuggestivespeech,illustratingtwooftheprinciplessetforthinthischapter.

5.Whatreasonscanyougivethatdisprovethegeneralcontentionofthischapter?

6.Whatreasonsnotalreadygivenseemtoyoutosupportit?

7.Whateffectdohisownsuggestionshaveonthespeakerhimself?

8.Cansuggestionarisefromtheaudience?Ifso,showhow.

9.SelecttwoinstancesofsuggestioninthespeechesfoundintheAppendix.

10.Changeanytwopassagesinthesame,orother,speechessoastousesuggestionmoreeffectively.

11.Deliverthosepassagesintherevisedform.

12.Choosingyourownsubject,prepareanddeliverashortspeechlargelyinthesuggestivestyle.

CHAPTERXXIIIInfluencingbyArgument

Commonsenseisthecommonsenseofmankind.Itistheproductofcommonobservationandexperience.Itismodest,plain,andunsophisticated.Itseeswitheverybody’seyes,andhearswitheverybody’sears.Ithasnocapriciousdistinctions,noperplexities,andnomysteries.Itneverequivocates,andnevertrifles.Itslanguageisalwaysintelligible.Itisknownbyclearnessofspeechandsinglenessofpurpose.

—GEORGEJACOBHOLYOAKE,PublicSpeakingandDebate.

Theverynameoflogicisawesometomostyoungspeakers,butsosoonastheycometorealizethatitsprocesses,evenwhenmostintricate,aremerelytechnicalstatementsofthetruthsenforcedbycommonsense,itwillloseitsterrors.Infact,logic[25]isafascinatingsubject,wellworththepublicspeaker’sstudy,foritexplainstheprinciplesthatgoverntheuseofargumentandproof.

Argumentationistheprocessofproducingconvictionbymeansofreasoning.Otherwaysofproducingconvictionthereare,notablysuggestion,aswehavejustshown,butnomeansissohigh,soworthyofrespect,astheadducingofsoundreasonsinsupportofacontention.

Sincemorethanonesideofasubjectmustbeconsideredbeforewecanclaimtohavedeliberateduponitfairly,weoughttothinkofargumentationundertwoaspects:buildingupanargument,andtearingdownanargument;thatis,youmustnotonlyexamineintothestabilityofyourstructureofargumentsothatitmaybothsupportthepropositionyouintendtoprobeandyetbesosoundthatitcannotbeoverthrownbyopponents,butyoumustalsobesokeentodetectdefectsinargumentthatyouwillbeabletodemolishtheweakerargumentsofthosewhoargueagainstyou.

Wecanconsiderargumentationonlygenerally,leavingminuteandtechnicaldiscussionstosuchexcellentworksasGeorgeP.Baker’s“ThePrinciplesofArgumentation,”andGeorgeJacobHolyoake’s“PublicSpeakingandDebate.”Anygoodcollegerhetoricalsowillgivehelponthesubject,especiallytheworksofJohnFranklinGenungandAdamsShermanHill.Thestudentisurgedtofamiliarizehimselfwithatleastoneofthesetexts.

Thefollowingseriesofquestionswill,itishoped,serveatriplepurpose:thatofsuggestingtheformsofprooftogetherwiththewaysinwhichtheymaybeused;thatofhelpingthespeakertotestthestrengthofhisarguments;andthatofenablingthespeakertoattackhisopponent’sargumentswithbothkeennessandjustice.

TESTINGANARGUMENT

I.THEQUESTIONUNDERDISCUSSION

1.Isitclearlystated?

(a)Dothetermsofstatementmeanthesametoeachdisputant?(Forexample,themeaningoftheterm“gentleman”maynotbemutuallyagreedupon.)

(b)Isconfusionlikelytoariseastoitspurpose?

2.Isitfairlystated?

(a)Doesitincludeenough?

(b)Doesitincludetoomuch?

(c)Isitstatedsoastocontainatrap?

3.Isitadebatablequestion?

4.Whatisthepivotalpointinthewholequestion?

5.Whatarethesubordinatepoints?

II.THEEVIDENCE

1.Thewitnessesastofacts

(a)Iseachwitnessimpartial?Whatishisrelationtothesubjectatissue?

(b)Ishementallycompetent?

(c)Ishemorallycredible?

(d)Isheinapositiontoknowthefacts?Isheaneye–witness?

(e)Isheawillingwitness?

(f)Ishistestimonycontradicted?

(g)Ishistestimonycorroborated?

(h)Ishistestimonycontrarytowell–knownfactsorgeneralprinciples?

(i)Isitprobable?

2.Theauthoritiescitedasevidence

(a)Istheauthoritywell–recognizedassuch?

(b)Whatconstituteshimanauthority?

(c)Ishisinterestinthecaseanimpartialone?

(d)Doeshestatehisopinionpositivelyandclearly?

(e)Arethenon–personalauthoritiescited(books,etc.)reliableandunprejudiced?

3.Thefactsadducedasevidence

(a)Aretheysufficientinnumbertoconstituteproof?

(b)Aretheyweightyenoughincharacter?

(c)Aretheyinharmonywithreason?

(d)Aretheymutuallyharmoniousorcontradictory?

(e)Aretheyadmitted,doubted,ordisputed?

4.Theprinciplesadducedasevidence

(a)Aretheyaxiomatic?

(b)Aretheytruthsofgeneralexperience?

(c)Aretheytruthsofspecialexperience?

(d)Aretheytruthsarrivedatbyexperiment?Weresuchexperimentsspecialorgeneral?Weretheexperimentsauthoritativeandconclusive?

III.THEREASONING

1.Inductions

(a)Arethefactsnumerousenoughtowarrantacceptingthegeneralizationasbeingconclusive?

(b)Dothefactsagreeonlywhenconsideredinthelightofthisexplanationasaconclusion?

(c)Haveyouoverlookedanycontradictoryfacts?

(d)Arethecontradictoryfactssufficientlyexplainedwhenthisinferenceisacceptedastrue?

(e)Areallcontrarypositionsshowntoberelativelyuntenable?

(f)Haveyouacceptedmereopinionsasfacts?

2.Deductions

(a)Isthelaworgeneralprincipleawell–establishedone?

(b)Doesthelaworprincipleclearlyincludethefactyouwishtodeducefromit,orhaveyoustrainedtheinference?

(c)Doestheimportanceofthelaworprinciplewarrantsoimportantaninference?

(d)Canthedeductionbeshowntoprovetoomuch?

3.Parallelcases

(a)Arethecasesparallelatenoughpointstowarrantaninferenceofsimilarcauseoreffect?

(b)Arethecasesparallelatthevitalpointatissue?

(c)Hastheparallelismbeenstrained?

(d)Aretherenootherparallelsthatwouldpointtoastrongercontraryconclusion?

4.Inferences

(a)Aretheantecedentconditionssuchaswouldmaketheallegationprobable?(Characterandopportunitiesoftheaccused,forexample.)

(b)Arethesignsthatpointtotheinferenceeitherclearornumerousenoughtowarrantitsacceptanceasfact?

(c)Arethesignscumulative,andagreeableonewiththeother?

(d)Couldthesignsbemadetopointtoacontraryconclusion?

5.Syllogisms

(a)Haveanystepsbeenomittedinthesyllogisms?(Suchasinasyllogisminenthymeme.)Ifso,testanysuchbyfillingoutthesyllogisms.

(b)Haveyoubeenguiltyofstatingaconclusionthatreallydoesnotfollow?(Anonsequitur.)

(c)Canyoursyllogismbereducedtoanabsurdity?(Reductioadabsurdum.)


1.Showwhyanunsupportedassertionisnotanargument.

2.Illustratehowanirrelevantfactmaybemadetoseemtosupportanargument.

3.Whatinferencesmayjustlybemadefromthefollowing?

DuringtheBoerWaritwasfoundthattheaverageEnglishmandidnotmeasureuptothestandardsofrecruitingandtheaveragesoldierinthefieldmanifestedalowplaneofvitalityandendurance.Parliament,alarmedbythedisastrousconsequences,institutedaninvestigation.Thecommissionappointedbroughtinafindingthatalcoholicpoisoningwasthegreatcauseofthenationaldegeneracy.Theinvestigationsofthecommissionhavebeensupplementedbyinvestigationsofscientificbodiesandindividualscientists,allarrivingatthesameconclusion.Asaconsequence,theBritishGovernmenthasplacardedthestreetsofahundredcitieswithbillboardssettingforththedestructiveanddegeneratingnatureofalcoholandappealingtothepeopleinthenameofthenationtodesistfromdrinkingalcoholic

beverages.UndereffortsdirectedbytheGovernmenttheBritishArmyisfastbecominganarmyoftotalabstainers.

TheGovernmentsofcontinentalEuropefollowedtheleadoftheBritishGovernment.TheFrenchGovernmenthasplacardedFrancewithappealstothepeople,attributingthedeclineofthebirthrateandincreaseinthedeathratetothewidespreaduseofalcoholicbeverages.TheexperienceoftheGermanGovernmenthasbeenthesame.TheGermanEmperorhasclearlystatedthatleadershipinwarandinpeacewillbeheldbythenationthatrootsoutalcohol.Hehasundertakentoeliminateeventhedrinkingofbeer,sofaraspossible,fromtheGermanArmyandNavy.

—RICHMONDPEARSONHOBSON,BeforetheU.S.Congress.

4.Sincetheburdenofproofliesonhimwhoattacksaposition,orarguesforachangeinaffairs,howwouldhisopponentbelikelytoconducthisownpartofadebate?

5.Define(a)syllogism;(b)rebuttal;(c)“beggingthequestion;”(d)premise;(e)rejoinder;(f)sur–rejoinder;(g)dilemma;(h)induction;(i)deduction;(j)apriori;(k)aposteriori;(l)inference.

6.Criticisethisreasoning:

Menoughtnottosmoketobacco,becausetodosoiscontrarytobestmedicalopinion.Myphysicianhasexpresslycondemnedthepractise,andisamedicalauthorityinthiscountry.

7.Criticisethisreasoning:

Menoughtnottoswearprofanely,becauseitiswrong.ItiswrongforthereasonthatitiscontrarytotheMoralLaw,anditiscontrarytotheMoralLawbecauseitiscontrarytotheScriptures.ItiscontrarytotheScripturesbecauseitiscontrarytothewillofGod,andweknowitiscontrarytoGod’swillbecauseitiswrong.

8.Criticisethissyllogism:

MAJORPREMISE:Allmenwhohavenocaresarehappy.MINORPREMISE:Slovenlymenarecareless.CONCLUSION:Therefore,slovenlymenarehappy.

9.Criticisethefollowingmajor,orfoundation,premises:

Allisnotgoldthatglitters.

Allcoldmaybeexpelledbyfire.

10.Criticisethefollowingfallacy(nonsequitur):

MAJORPREMISE:Allstrongmenadmirestrength.MINORPREMISE:Thismanisnotstrong.

CONCLUSION:Thereforethismandoesnotadmirestrength.

11.Criticisethesestatements:

Sleepisbeneficialonaccountofitssoporificqualities.

Fiske’shistoriesareauthenticbecausetheycontainaccurateaccountsofAmericanhistory,andweknowthattheyaretrueaccountsforotherwisetheywouldnotbecontainedintheseauthenticworks.

12.Whatdoyouunderstandfromtheterms“reasoningfromeffecttocause”and“fromcausetoeffect?”Giveexamples.

13.WhatprincipledidRichmondPearsonHobsonemployinthefollowing?

WhatisthepolicepoweroftheStates?ThepolicepoweroftheFederalGovernmentortheState—anysovereignState—hasbeendefined.TakethedefinitiongivenbyBlackstone,whichis:

ThedueregulationanddomesticorderoftheKingdom,wherebytheinhabitantsofaState,likemembersofawell–governedfamily,areboundtoconformtheirgeneralbehaviortotherulesofpropriety,ofneighborhoodandgoodmanners,andtobedecent,industrious,andinoffensiveintheirrespectivestations.

WouldthisamendmentinterferewithanyStatecarryingonthepromotionofitsdomesticorder?

Oryoucantakethedefinitioninanotherform,inwhichitisgivenbyMr.Tiedeman,whenhesays:

Theobjectofgovernmentistoimposethatdegreeofrestraintuponhumanactionswhichisnecessarytoauniform,reasonableenjoymentofprivaterights.Thepowerofthegovernmenttoimposethisrestraintiscalledthepolicepower.

JudgeCooleysaysoftheliquortraffic:

Thebusinessofmanufacturingandsellingliquorisonethataffectsthepublicinterestsinmanywaysandleadstomanydisorders.Ithasatendencytoincreasepauperismandcrime.Itrendersalargeforceofpeaceofficersessential,anditaddstotheexpenseofthecourtsandofnearlyallbranchesofciviladministration.

JusticeBradley,oftheUnitedStatesSupremeCourt,says:

Licensesmaybeproperlyrequiredinthepursuitofmanyprofessionsandavocations,whichrequirepeculiarskillandtrainingorsupervisionforthepublicwelfare.Theprofessionoravocationisopentoallalikewhowillpreparethemselveswiththerequisitequalificationsorgivetherequisitesecurityforpreservingpublicorder.Thisisinharmonywiththegeneralpropositionthattheordinarypursuitsoflife,forming

thegreaterpercentoftheindustrialpursuits,areandoughttobefreeandopentoall,subjectonlytosuchgeneralregulations,applyingequallytoall,asthegeneralgoodmaydemand.

Allsuchregulationsareentirelycompetentforthelegislaturetomakeandareinnosenseanabridgmentoftheequalrightsofcitizens.Butalicensetodothatwhichisodiousandagainstcommonrightisnecessarilyanoutrageupontheequalrightsofcitizens.

14.WhatmethoddidJesusemployinthefollowing:

Yearethesaltoftheearth;butifthesalthavelosthissavour,wherewithshallitbesalted?Itisthenceforthgoodfornothingbuttobecastout,andtobetroddenunderfootofmen.

Beholdthefowlsoftheair;fortheysownot,neitherdotheyreapnorgatherintobarns;yetyourheavenlyFatherfeedeththem.Areyenotmuchbetterthanthey?

Andwhytakeyethoughtforraiment?Considertheliliesofthefield;howtheygrow;theytoilnot,neitherdotheyspin;AndyetIsayuntoyou,thatevenSolomoninallhisglorywasnotarrayedlikeoneofthese.Wherefore,ifGodsoclothethegrassofthefield,whichtodayis,andtomorrowiscastintotheoven,shallhenotmuchmoreclotheyou,Oyeoflittlefaith?

Orwhatmanisthereofyou,whomifhissonaskbread,willhegivehimastone?Orifheaskafish,willhegivehimaserpent?Ifyethen,beingevil,knowhowtogivegoodgiftsuntoyourchildren,howmuchmoreshallyourFatherwhichisinheavengivegoodthingstothemthataskhim?

15.Makefiveoriginalsyllogisms[26]onthefollowingmodels:

MAJORPREMISE:Hewhoadministersarsenicgivespoison.MINORPREMISE:Theprisoneradministeredarsenictothevictim.CONCLUSION:Thereforetheprisonerisapoisoner.

MAJORPREMISE:Alldogsarequadrupeds.MINORPREMISE:Thisanimalisabiped.CONCLUSION:Thereforethisanimalisnotadog.

16.Prepareeitherthepositiveorthenegativesideofthefollowingquestionfordebate:Therecallofjudgesshouldbeadoptedasanationalprinciple.

17.Isthisquestiondebatable?BenedictArnoldwasagentleman.Givereasonsforyouranswer.

18.Criticiseanystreetordinner–tableargumentyouhaveheardrecently.

19.Testthereasoningofanyofthespeechesgiveninthisvolume.

20.Makeashortspeecharguinginfavorofinstructioninpublicspeakinginthepubliceveningschools.

21.(a)Clipanewspapereditorialinwhichthereasoningisweak.(b)Criticiseit.(c)Correctit.

22.Makealistofthreesubjectsfordebate,selectedfromthemonthlymagazines.

23.Dothesamefromthenewspapers.

24.Choosingyourownquestionandside,prepareabriefsuitableforaten–minutedebatingargument.Thefollowingmodelsofbriefsmayhelpyou:

DEBATE

RESOLVED:Thatarmedinterventionisnotjustifiableonthepartofanynationtocollect,onbehalfofprivateindividuals,financialclaimsagainstanyAmericannation.[27]

BRIEFOFAFFIRMATIVEARGUMENT

Firstspeaker—Chafee

ArmedinterventionforcollectionofprivateclaimsfromanyAmericannationisnotjustifiable,for

1.Itiswronginprinciple,because

(a)Itviolatesthefundamentalprinciplesofinternationallawforaveryslightcause

(b)ItiscontrarytotheproperfunctionoftheState,and

(c)Itiscontrarytojustice,sinceclaimsareexaggerated.

Secondspeaker—Hurley

2.Itisdisastrousinitsresults,because

(a)Itincursdangerofgraveinternationalcomplications

(b)IttendstoincreasetheburdenofdebtintheSouthAmericanrepublics

(c)Itencouragesawasteoftheworld’scapital,and

(d)ItdisturbspeaceandstabilityinSouthAmerica.

Thirdspeaker—Bruce

3.Itisunnecessarytocollectinthisway,because

(a)Peacefulmethodshavesucceeded

(b)Iftheseshouldfail,claimsshouldbesettledbyTheHagueTribunal

(c)ThefaulthasalwaysbeenwithEuropeanStateswhenforcehasbeenused,and

(d)Inanycase,forceshouldnotbeused,foritcounteractsthemovementtowardspeace.

BRIEFOFNEGATIVEARGUMENT

Firstspeaker—Branch

ArmedinterventionforthecollectionofprivatefinancialclaimsagainstsomeAmericanStatesisjustifiable,for

1.Whenothermeansofcollectionhavefailed,armedinterventionagainstanynationisessentiallyproper,because

(a)Justiceshouldalwaysbesecured

(b)Non–enforcementofpaymentputsapremiumondishonesty

(c)Interventionforthispurposeissanctionedbythebestinternationalauthority

(d)DangerofunduecollectionisslightandcanbeavoidedentirelybysubmissionofclaimstoTheHagueTribunalbeforeintervening.

Secondspeaker—Stone

2.ArmedinterventionisnecessarytosecurejusticeintropicalAmerica,for

(a)Thegovernmentsofthissectionconstantlyrepudiatejustdebts

(b)Theyinsistthatthefinaldecisionaboutclaimsshallrestwiththeirowncorruptcourts

(c)Theyrefusetoarbitratesometimes.

Thirdspeaker—Dennett

3.Armedinterventionisbeneficialinitsresults,because

(a)Itinspiresresponsibility

(b)Inadministeringcustomhousesitremovestemptationtorevolutions

(c)Itgivesconfidencetodesirablecapital.

Amongothers,thefollowingbookswereusedinthepreparationofthearguments:

N.“TheMonroeDoctrine,”byT.B.Edgington.Chapters22–28.

“DigestofInternationalLaw,”byJ.B.Moore.ReportofPenfieldofproceedingsbeforeHagueTribunalin1903.

“Statesman’sYearBook”(forstatistics).

A.MinisterDrago’sappealtotheUnitedStates,inForeignRelationsofUnitedStates,1903.

PresidentRoosevelt’sMessage,1905,pp.33–37.

Andarticlesinthefollowingmagazines(amongmanyothers):

“JournalofPoliticalEconomy,”December,1906.

“AtlanticMonthly,”October,1906.

“NorthAmericanReview,”Vol.183,p.602.

Allofthesecontainmaterialvaluableforbothsides,exceptthosemarked“N”and“A,”whichareusefulonlyforthenegativeandaffirmative,respectively.

NOTE:—Practiseindebatingismosthelpfultothepublicspeaker,butifpossibleeachdebateshouldbeunderthesupervisionofsomepersonwhosewordwillberespected,sothatthedebatersmightshowregardforcourtesy,accuracy,effectivereasoning,andthenecessityforcarefulpreparation.TheAppendixcontainsalistofquestionsfordebate.

25.Arethefollowingpointswellconsidered?

THEINHERITANCETAXISNOTAGOODSOCIALREFORMMEASURE

A.Doesnotstrikeattherootoftheevil

1.FortunesnotamenaceinthemselvesAfortuneof$500,000maybeagreatersocialevilthanoneof$500,000,000

2.Dangerofwealthdependsonitswrongaccumulationanduse

3.Inheritancetaxwillnotpreventrebates,monopoly,discrimination,bribery,etc.

4.Lawsaimedatunjustaccumulationanduseofwealthfurnishthetrueremedy.

B.Itwouldbeevaded

1.Lowratesareevaded

2.Ratemustbehightoresultindistributionofgreatfortunes.

26.Classexercises:MockTrialfor(a)someseriouspoliticaloffense;(b)aburlesqueoffense.

[25]McCosh’sLogicisahelpfulvolume,andnottootechnicalforthebeginner.AbriefdigestoflogicalprinciplesasappliedtopublicspeakingiscontainedinHowtoAttractandHoldanAudience,byJ.BergEsenwein.[26]Forthosewhowouldmakeafurtherstudyofthesyllogismthefollowingrulesaregiven:1.Inasyllogismthereshouldbeonlythreeterms.2.Ofthesethreeonlyonecanbethemiddleterm.3.Onepremisemustbeaffirmative.4.Theconclusionmustbenegative

ifeitherpremiseisnegative.5.Toproveanegative,oneofthepremisesmustbenegative.

SummaryofRegulatingPrinciples:1.Termswhichagreewiththesamethingagreewitheachother;andwhenonlyoneoftwotermsagreeswithathirdterm,thetwotermsdisagreewitheachother.2.“Whateverisaffirmedofaclassmaybeaffirmedofallthemembersofthatclass,”and“Whateverisdeniedofaclassmaybedeniedofallthemembersofthatclass.”[27]AllthespeakerswerefromBrownUniversity.TheaffirmativebriefswereusedindebatewiththeDartmouthCollegeteam,andthenegativebriefswereusedindebatewiththeWilliamsCollegeteam.FromTheSpeaker,bypermission.

CHAPTERXXIVInfluencingbyPersuasion

ShehathprosperousartWhenshewillplaywithreasonanddiscourse,Andwellshecanpersuade.

—SHAKESPEARE,MeasureforMeasure.

Himwecallanartistwhoshallplayonanassemblyofmenasamasteronthekeysofapiano,—whoseeingthepeoplefurious,shallsoftenandcomposethem,shalldrawthem,whenhewill,tolaughterandtotears.Bringhimtohisaudience,and,betheywhotheymay,—coarseorrefined,pleasedordispleased,sulkyorsavage,withtheiropinionsinthekeepingofaconfessororwiththeiropinionsintheirbanksafes,—hewillhavethempleasedandhumoredashechooses;andtheyshallcarryandexecutewhathebidsthem.

—RALPHWALDOEMERSON,EssayonEloquence.

Moregoodandmoreillhavebeeneffectedbypersuasionthanbyanyotherformofspeech.Itisanattempttoinfluencebymeansofappealtosomeparticularinterestheldimportantbythehearer.Itsmotivemaybehighorlow,fairorunfair,honestordishonest,calmorpassionate,andhenceitsscopeisunparalleledinpublicspeaking.

This“instilmentofconviction,”touseMatthewArnold’sexpression,isnaturallyacomplexprocessinthatitusuallyincludesargumentationandoftenemployssuggestion,asthenextchapterwillillustrate.Infact,thereislittlepublicspeakingworthyofthenamethatisnotinsomepartpersuasive,formenrarelyspeaksolelytoaltermen’sopinions—theulteriorpurposeisalmostalwaysaction.

Thenatureofpersuasionisnotsolelyintellectual,butislargelyemotional.Ituseseveryprincipleofpublicspeaking,andevery“formofdiscourse,”tousearhetorician’sexpression,butargumentsupplementedbyspecialappealisitspeculiarquality.Thiswemaybestseebyexamining

TheMethodsofPersuasion

High–mindedspeakersoftenseektomovetheirhearerstoactionbyanappealtotheirhighestmotives,suchasloveofliberty.SenatorHoar,inpleadingforactiononthePhilippinequestion,usedthismethod:

Whathasbeenthepracticalstatesmanshipwhichcomesfromyouridealsandyoursentimentalities?Youhavewastednearlysixhundredmillionsoftreasure.YouhavesacrificednearlytenthousandAmericanlives—theflowerofouryouth.Youhavedevastatedprovinces.Youhaveslainuncountedthousandsofthepeopleyoudesireto

benefit.Youhaveestablishedreconcentrationcamps.Yourgeneralsarecominghomefromtheirharvestbringingsheaveswiththem,intheshapeofotherthousandsofsickandwoundedandinsanetodragoutmiserablelives,wreckedinbodyandmind.YoumaketheAmericanflagintheeyesofanumerouspeopletheemblemofsacrilegeinChristianchurches,andoftheburningofhumandwellings,andofthehorrorofthewatertorture.YourpracticalstatesmanshipwhichdisdainstotakeGeorgeWashingtonandAbrahamLincolnorthesoldiersoftheRevolutionoroftheCivilWarasmodels,haslookedinsomecasestoSpainforyourexample.Ibelieve—nay,Iknow—thatingeneralourofficersandsoldiersarehumane.ButinsomecasestheyhavecarriedonyourwarfarewithamixtureofAmericaningenuityandCastiliancruelty.

YourpracticalstatesmanshiphassucceededinconvertingapeoplewhothreeyearsagowerereadytokissthehemofthegarmentoftheAmericanandtowelcomehimasaliberator,whothrongedafteryourmen,whentheylandedonthoseislands,withbenedictionandgratitude,intosullenandirreconcilableenemies,possessedofahatredwhichcenturiescannoteradicate.

Mr.President,thisistheeternallawofhumannature.Youmaystruggleagainstit,youmaytrytoescapeit,youmaypersuadeyourselfthatyourintentionsarebenevolent,thatyouryokewillbeeasyandyourburdenwillbelight,butitwillassertitselfagain.Governmentwithouttheconsentofthegoverned—authoritywhichheavennevergave—canonlybesupportedbymeanswhichheavennevercansanction.

TheAmericanpeoplehavegotthisonequestiontoanswer.Theymayansweritnow;theycantaketenyears,ortwentyyears,orageneration,oracenturytothinkofit.Butwillnotdown.Theymustansweritintheend:Canyoulawfullybuywithmoney,orgetbybruteforceofarms,therighttoholdinsubjugationanunwillingpeople,andtoimposeonthemsuchconstitutionasyou,andnotthey,thinkbestforthem?

SenatorHoarthenwentontomakeanothersortofappeal—theappealtofactandexperience:

Wehaveansweredthisquestionagoodmanytimesinthepast.Thefathersanswereditin1776,andfoundedtheRepublicupontheiranswer,whichhasbeenthecorner–stone.JohnQuincyAdamsandJamesMonroeanswereditagainintheMonroeDoctrine,whichJohnQuincyAdamsdeclaredwasonlythedoctrineoftheconsentofthegoverned.TheRepublicanpartyanswereditwhenittookpossessionoftheforceofgovernmentatthebeginningofthemostbrilliantperiodinalllegislativehistory.AbrahamLincolnanswereditwhen,onthatfataljourneytoWashingtonin1861,heannouncedthatasthedoctrineofhispoliticalcreed,anddeclared,withpropheticvision,thathewasreadytobeassassinatedforitifneedbe.YouanswereditagainyourselveswhenyousaidthatCuba,whohadnomoretitlethanthepeopleofthePhilippineIslandshadtotheirindependence,ofrightoughttobefreeandindependent.

—GEORGEF.HOAR.

Appealtothethingsthatmanholdsdearisanotherpotentformofpersuasion.

JosephStory,inhisgreatSalemspeech(1828)usedthismethodmostdramatically:

Icalluponyou,fathers,bytheshadesofyourancestors—bythedearasheswhichreposeinthisprecioussoil—byallyouare,andallyouhopetobe—resisteveryobjectofdisunion,resisteveryencroachmentuponyourliberties,resisteveryattempttofetteryourconsciences,orsmotheryourpublicschools,orextinguishyoursystemofpublicinstruction.

Icalluponyou,mothers,bythatwhichneverfailsinwoman,theloveofyouroffspring;teachthem,astheyclimbyourknees,orleanonyourbosoms,theblessingsofliberty.Swearthematthealtar,aswiththeirbaptismalvows,tobetruetotheircountry,andnevertoforgetorforsakeher.

Icalluponyou,youngmen,torememberwhosesonsyouare;whoseinheritanceyoupossess.Lifecanneverbetooshort,whichbringsnothingbutdisgraceandoppression.Deathnevercomestoosoon,ifnecessaryindefenceofthelibertiesofyourcountry.

Icalluponyou,oldmen,foryourcounsels,andyourprayers,andyourbenedictions.Maynotyourgrayhairsgodowninsorrowtothegrave,withtherecollectionthatyouhavelivedinvain.Maynotyourlastsunsinkinthewestuponanationofslaves.

No;Ireadinthedestinyofmycountryfarbetterhopes,farbrightervisions.We,whoarenowassembledhere,mustsoonbegatheredtothecongregationofotherdays.Thetimeofourdepartureisathand,tomakewayforourchildrenuponthetheatreoflife.MayGodspeedthemandtheirs.Mayhewho,atthedistanceofanothercentury,shallstandheretocelebratethisday,stilllookrounduponafree,happy,andvirtuouspeople.Mayhehavereasontoexultaswedo.Mayhe,withalltheenthusiasmoftruthaswellasofpoetry,exclaim,thathereisstillhiscountry.

—JOSEPHSTORY.

Theappealtoprejudiceiseffective—thoughnotoften,ifever,justifiable;yetsolongasspecialpleadingenduresthissortofpersuasionwillberesortedto.RudyardKiplingusesthismethod—ashavemanyothersonbothsides—indiscussingthegreatEuropeanwar.Mingledwiththeappealtoprejudice,Mr.Kiplingusestheappealtoself–interest;thoughnotthehighest,itisapowerfulmotiveinallourlives.Noticehowatthelastthepleadersweepsontothehighestgroundhecantake.Thisisanotableexampleofprogressiveappeal,beginningwithalowmotiveandendingwithahighoneinsuchawayastocarryalltheforceofprejudiceyetgainallthevalueofpatrioticfervor.

ThroughnofaultnorwishofoursweareatwarwithGermany,thepowerwhichowesitsexistencetothreewell–thought–outwars;thepowerwhich,forthelasttwentyyears,hasdevoteditselftoorganizingandpreparingforthiswar;thepower

whichisnowfightingtoconquerthecivilizedworld.

ForthelasttwogenerationstheGermansintheirbooks,lectures,speechesandschoolshavebeencarefullytaughtthatnothinglessthanthisworld–conquestwastheobjectoftheirpreparationsandtheirsacrifices.Theyhavepreparedcarefullyandsacrificedgreatly.

Wemusthavemenandmenandmen,ifwe,withourallies,aretochecktheonrushoforganizedbarbarism.

Havenoillusions.Wearedealingwithastrongandmagnificentlyequippedenemy,whoseavowedaimisourcompletedestruction.TheviolationofBelgium,theattackonFranceandthedefenseagainstRussia,areonlystepsbytheway.TheGerman’srealobjective,asshealwayshastoldus,isEngland,andEngland’swealth,tradeandworldwidepossessions.

Ifyouassume,foraninstant,thattheattackwillbesuccessful,Englandwillnotbereduced,assomepeoplesay,totherankofasecondratepower,butweshallceasetoexistasanation.WeshallbecomeanoutlyingprovinceofGermany,tobeadministeredwiththatseverityGermansafetyandinterestrequire.

Weareagainstsuchafate.Weenterintoanewlifeinwhichallthefactsofwarthatwehadputbehindorforgottenforthelasthundredyears,havereturnedtothefrontandtestusastheytestedourfathers.Itwillbealongandahardroad,besetwithdifficultiesanddiscouragements,butwetreadittogetherandwewilltreadittogethertotheend.

Ourpettysocialdivisionsandbarriershavebeensweptawayattheoutsetofourmightystruggle.Alltheinterestsofourlifeofsixweeksagoaredead.Wehavebutoneinterestnow,andthattouchesthenakedheartofeverymaninthisislandandintheempire.

Ifwearetowintherightforourselvesandforfreedomtoexistonearth,everymanmustofferhimselfforthatserviceandthatsacrifice.

Fromtheseexamplesitwillbeseenthattheparticularwayinwhichthespeakersappealedtotheirhearerswasbycomingclosehometotheirinterests,andbythemselvesshowingemotion—twoveryimportantprincipleswhichyoumustkeepconstantlyinmind.

Toaccomplishtheformerrequiresadeepknowledgeofhumanmotiveingeneralandanunderstandingoftheparticularaudienceaddressed.Whatarethemotivesthatarousementoaction?Thinkofthemearnestly,setthemdownonthetabletsofyourmind,studyhowtoappealtothemworthily.Then,whatmotiveswouldbelikelytoappealtoyourhearers?Whataretheiridealsandinterestsinlife?Amistakeinyourestimatemaycostyouyourcase.Toappealtoprideinappearancewouldmakeonesetofmenmerelylaugh—totrytoarousesympathyfortheJewsinPalestinewouldbewastedeffortamongothers.Studyyouraudience,feelyourway,andwhenyouhaveonceraisedaspark,fanitintoaflamebyeveryhonestresourceyoupossess.

Thelargeryouraudiencethemoresureyouaretofindauniversalbasisofappeal.Asmallaudienceofbachelorswillnotgrowexcitedovertheimportanceoffurnitureinsurance;mostmencanberousedtothedefenseofthefreedomofthepress.

Patentmedicineadvertisementusuallybeginsbytalkingaboutyourpains—theybeginonyourinterests.Iftheyfirstdiscussedthesizeandratingoftheirestablishment,ortheefficacyoftheirremedy,youwouldneverreadthe“ad.”Iftheycanmakeyouthinkyouhavenervoustroublesyouwillevenpleadforaremedy—theywillnothavetotrytosellit.

Thepatentmedicinemenarepleading—askingyoutoinvestyourmoneyintheircommodity—yettheydonotappeartobedoingso.Theygetoveronyoursideofthefence,andarouseadesirefortheirnostrumsbyappealingtoyourowninterests.

Recentlyabook–salesmanenteredanattorney’sofficeinNewYorkandinquired:“Doyouwanttobuyabook?”Hadthelawyerwantedabookhewouldprobablyhaveboughtonewithoutwaitingforabook–salesmantocall.Thesolicitormadethesamemistakeastherepresentativewhomadehisapproachwith:“Iwanttosellyouasewingmachine.”Theybothtalkedonlyintermsoftheirowninterests.

Thesuccessfulpleadermustconverthisargumentsintotermsofhishearers’advantage.Mankindarestillselfish,areinterestedinwhatwillservethem.Expungefromyouraddressyourownpersonalconcernandpresentyourappealintermsofthegeneralgood,andtodothisyouneednotbeinsincere,foryouhadbetternotpleadanycausethatisnotforthehearers’good.NoticehowSenatorThurstoninhispleaforinterventioninCubaandMr.Bryaninhis“CrossofGold”speechconstitutedthemselvestheapostlesofhumanity.

Exhortationisahighlyimpassionedformofappealfrequentlyusedbythepulpitineffortstoarousementoasenseofdutyandinducethemtodecidetheirpersonalcourses,andbycounselinseekingtoinfluenceajury.Thegreatpreachers,likethegreatjury–lawyers,havealwaysbeenmastersofpersuasion.

Noticethedifferenceamongthesefourexhortations,andanalyzethemotivesappealedto:

Revenge!About!Seek!Burn!Fire!Kill!Slay!Letnotatraitorlive!

—SHAKESPEARE,JuliusCæsar.

Strike—tillthelastarmedfoeexpires,Strike—foryouraltarsandyourfires,Strike—forthegreengravesofyoursires,God—andyournativeland!

—FITZ–GREENEHALLECK,MarcoBozzaris.

Believe,gentlemen,ifitwerenotforthosechildren,hewouldnotcomehereto–daytoseeksuchremuneration;ifitwerenotthat,byyourverdict,youmaypreventthoselittleinnocentdefraudedwretchesfrombecomingwanderingbeggars,aswellasorphansonthefaceofthisearth.Oh,IknowIneednotaskthisverdictfromyour

mercy;Ineednotextortitfromyourcompassion;Iwillreceiveitfromyourjustice.Idoconjureyou,notasfathers,butashusbands:—notashusbands,butascitizens:—notascitizens,butasmen:—notasmen,butasChristians:—byallyourobligations,public,private,moral,andreligious;bythehearthprofaned;bythehomedesolated;bythecanonsofthelivingGodfoullyspurned;—save,oh:saveyourfiresidesfromthecontagion,yourcountryfromthecrime,andperhapsthousands,yetunborn,fromtheshame,andsin,andsorrowofthisexample!

—CHARLESPHILLIPS,AppealtothejuryinbehalfofGuthrie.

SoIappealfromthemeninsilkenhosewhodancedtomusicmadebyslavesandcalleditfreedom,fromthemeninbell–crownhatswholedHesterPrynnetohershameandcalleditreligion,tothatAmericanismwhichreachesforthitsarmstosmitewrongwithreasonandtruth,secureinthepowerofboth.IappealfromthepatriarchsofNewEnglandtothepoetsofNewEngland;fromEndicotttoLowell;fromWinthroptoLongfellow;fromNortontoHolmes;andIappealinthenameandbytherightsofthatcommoncitizenship—ofthatcommonorigin,backofboththePuritanandtheCavalier,towhichallofusoweourbeing.Letthedeadpast,consecratedbythebloodofitsmartyrs,notbyitssavagehatreds,darkenedalikebykingcraftandpriestcraft—letthedeadpastburyitsdead.Letthepresentandthefutureringwiththesongofthesingers.Blessedbethelessonstheyteach,thelawstheymake.Blessedbetheeyetosee,thelighttoreveal.Blessedbetolerance,sittingeverontherighthandofGodtoguidethewaywithlovingword,asblessedbeallthatbringsusnearerthegoaloftruereligion,truerepublicanism,andtruepatriotism,distrustofwatchwordsandlabels,shamsandheroes,beliefinourcountryandourselves.ItwasnotCottonMather,butJohnGreenleafWhittier,whocried:

DearGodandFatherofusall,Forgiveourfaithincruellies,Forgivetheblindnessthatdenies.

Castdownouridols—overturnOurBloodyaltars—makeusseeThyselfinThyhumanity!

—HENRYWATTERSON,PuritanandCavalier.

Goethe,onbeingreproachedfornothavingwrittenwarsongsagainsttheFrench,replied,“InmypoetryIhavenevershammed.HowcouldIhavewrittensongsofhatewithouthatred?”Neitherisitpossibletopleadwithfullefficiencyforacauseforwhichyoudonotfeeldeeply.Feelingiscontagiousasbeliefiscontagious.Thespeakerwhopleadswithrealfeelingforhisownconvictionswillinstillhisfeelingsintohislisteners.Sincerity,force,enthusiasm,andaboveall,feeling—thesearethequalitiesthatmovemultitudesandmakeappealsirresistible.Theyareoffargreaterimportancethantechnicalprinciplesofdelivery,graceofgesture,orpolishedenunciation—importantasalltheseelementsmustdoubtlessbeconsidered.Baseyourappealonreason,butdonotendinthebasement—let

thebuildingrise,fullofdeepemotionandnoblepersuasion.


1.(a)Whatelementsofappealdoyoufindinthefollowing?(b)Isittooflorid?(c)Isthisstyleequallypowerfultoday?(d)Arethesentencestoolongandinvolvedforclearnessandforce?

Oh,gentlemen,amIthisdayonlythecounselofmyclient?No,no;Iamtheadvocateofhumanity—ofyourselves—yourhomes—yourwives—yourfamilies—yourlittlechildren.Iamgladthatthiscaseexhibitssuchatrocity;unmarkedasitisbyanymitigatoryfeature,itmaystopthefrightfuladvanceofthiscalamity;itwillbemetnow,andmarkedwithvengeance.Ifitbenot,farewelltothevirtuesofyourcountry;farewelltoallconfidencebetweenmanandman;farewelltothatunsuspiciousandreciprocaltenderness,withoutwhichmarriageisbutaconsecratedcurse.Ifoathsaretobeviolated,lawsdisregarded,friendshipbetrayed,humanitytrampled,nationalandindividualhonorstained,andifajuryoffathersandofhusbandswillgivesuchmiscreancyapassporttotheirhomes,andwives,anddaughters,—farewelltoallthatyetremainsofIreland!ButIwillnotcastsuchadoubtuponthecharacterofmycountry.Againstthesneerofthefoe,andtheskepticismoftheforeigner,Iwillstillpointtothedomesticvirtues,thatnoperfidycouldbarter,andnobriberycanpurchase,thatwithaRomanusage,atonceembellishandconsecratehouseholds,givingtothesocietyofthehearthallthepurityofthealtar;thatlingeringalikeinthepalaceandthecottage,arestilltobefoundscatteredoverthisland—therelicofwhatshewas—thesourceperhapsofwhatshemaybe—thelone,thestately,andmagnificentmemorials,thatrearingtheirmajestyamidsurroundingruins,serveatonceasthelandmarksofthedepartedglory,andthemodelsbywhichthefuturemaybeerected.

Preservethosevirtueswithavestalfidelity;markthisday,byyourverdict,yourhorroroftheirprofanation;andbelieveme,whenthehandwhichrecordsthatverdictshallbedust,andthetonguethatasksit,tracelessinthegrave,manyahappyhomewillblessitsconsequences,andmanyamotherteachherlittlechildtohatetheimpioustreasonofadultery.

—CHARLESPHILLIPS.

2.AnalyzeandcriticisetheformsofappealusedintheselectionsfromHoar,Story,andKipling.

3.WhatisthetypeofpersuasionusedbySenatorThurston(page50)?

4.Citetwoexampleseach,fromselectionsinthisvolume,inwhichspeakerssoughttobepersuasivebysecuringthehearers’(a)sympathyforthemselves;(b)sympathywiththeirsubjects;(c)self–pity.

5.Makeashortaddressusingpersuasion.

6.Whatothermethodsofpersuasionthanthoseherementionedcanyouname?

7.Isiteasiertopersuadementochangetheircourseofconductthantopersuadethemto

continueinagivencourse?Giveexamplestosupportyourbelief.

8.Inhowfararewejustifiedinmakinganappealtoself–interestinordertoleadmentoadoptagivencourse?

9.Doesthemeritofthecoursehaveanybearingonthemeritofthemethodsused?

10.Illustrateanunworthymethodofusingpersuasion.

11.Deliverashortspeechonthevalueofskillinpersuasion.

12.Doeseffectivepersuasionalwaysproduceconviction?

13.Doesconvictionalwaysresultinaction?

14.Isitfairforcounseltoappealtotheemotionsofajuryinamurdertrial?

15.Oughtthejudgeusepersuasioninmakinghischarge?

16.Sayhowself–consciousnessmayhinderthepowerofpersuasioninaspeaker.

17.Isemotionwithoutwordseverpersuasive?Ifso,illustrate.

18.Mightgestureswithoutwordsbepersuasive?Ifso,illustrate.

19.Haspostureinaspeakeranythingtodowithpersuasion?Discuss.

20.Hasvoice?Discuss.

21.Hasmanner?Discuss.

22.Whateffectdoespersonalmagnetismhaveinproducingconviction?

23.Discusstherelationofpersuasionto(a)description;(b)narration;(c)exposition;(d)purereason.

24.Whatistheeffectofover–persuasion?

25.Makeashortspeechontheeffectoftheconstantuseofpersuasiononthesincerityofthespeakerhimself.

26.Showbyexamplehowageneralstatementisnotaspersuasiveasaconcreteexampleillustratingthepointbeingdiscussed.

27.Showbyexamplehowbrevityisofvalueinpersuasion.

28.Discusstheimportanceofavoidinganantagonisticattitudeinpersuasion.

29.Whatisthemostpersuasivepassageyouhavefoundintheselectionsofthisvolume.Onwhatdoyoubaseyourdecision?

30.Citeapersuasivepassagefromsomeothersource.Readorreciteitaloud.

31.Makealistoftheemotionalbasesofappeal,gradingthemfromlowtohigh,accordingtoyourestimate.

32.Wouldcircumstancesmakeanydifferenceinsuchgrading?Ifso,giveexamples.

33.Deliverashort,passionateappealtoajury,pleadingforjusticetoapoorwidow.

34.Deliverashortappealtomentogiveupsomeevilway.

35.Criticisethestructureofthesentencebeginningwiththelastlineofpage296.

CHAPTERXXVInfluencingtheCrowd

Successinbusiness,inthelastanalysis,turnsupontouchingtheimaginationofcrowds.Thereasonthatpreachersinthispresentgenerationarelesssuccessfulingettingpeopletowantgoodnessthanbusinessmenareingettingthemtowantmotorcars,hats,andpianolas,isthatbusinessmenasaclassaremorecloseanddesperatestudentsofhumannature,andhaveboneddownhardertotheartoftouchingtheimaginationsofthecrowds.

—GERALDSTANLEYLEE,Crowds.

IntheearlypartofJuly,1914,acollectionofFrenchmeninParis,orGermansinBerlin,wasnotacrowdinapsychologicalsense.Eachindividualhadhisownspecialinterestsandneeds,andtherewasnopowerfulcommonideatounifythem.Agroupthenrepresentedonlyacollectionofindividuals.Amonthlater,anycollectionofFrenchmenorGermansformedacrowd:Patriotism,hate,acommonfear,apervasivegrief,hadunifiedtheindividuals.

Thepsychologyofthecrowdisfardifferentfromthepsychologyofthepersonalmembersthatcomposeit.Thecrowdisadistinctentity.Individualsrestrainandsubduemanyoftheirimpulsesatthedictatesofreason.Thecrowdneverreasons.Itonlyfeels.Aspersonsthereisasenseofresponsibilityattachedtoouractionswhichchecksmanyofourincitements,butthesenseofresponsibilityislostinthecrowdbecauseofitsnumbers.Thecrowdisexceedinglysuggestibleandwillactuponthewildestandmostextremeideas.Thecrowd–mindisprimitiveandwillcheerplansandperformactionswhichitsmemberswouldutterlyrepudiate.

Amobisonlyahighly–wroughtcrowd.Ruskin’sdescriptionisfitting:“Youcantalkamobintoanything;itsfeelingsmaybe—usuallyare—onthewhole,generousandright,butithasnofoundationforthem,noholdofthem.Youmayteaseortickleitintoanythingatyourpleasure.Itthinksbyinfection,forthemostpart,catchinganopinionlikeacold,andthereisnothingsolittlethatitwillnotroaritselfwildabout,whenthefitison,nothingsogreatbutitwillforgetinanhourwhenthefitispast.”[28]

Historywillshowushowthecrowd–mindworks.Themedievalmindwasnotgiventoreasoning;themedievalmanattachedgreatweighttotheutteranceofauthority;hisreligiontouchedchieflytheemotions.Theseconditionsprovidedarichsoilforthepropagationofthecrowd–mindwhen,intheeleventhcentury,flagellation,avoluntaryself–scourging,waspreachedbythemonks.Substitutingflagellationforrecitingpenitentialpsalmswasadvocatedbythereformers.Ascalewasdrawnup,makingonethousandstrokesequivalenttotenpsalms,orfifteenthousandtotheentirepsalter.Thiscrazespreadbyleaps—andcrowds.Flagellantfraternitiessprangup.Priestscarryingbannersledthroughthestreetsgreatprocessionsrecitingprayersandwhippingtheir

bloodybodieswithleathernthongsfittedwithfourironpoints.PopeClementdenouncedthispractiseandseveraloftheleadersoftheseprocessionshadtobeburnedatthestakebeforethefrenzycouldbeuprooted.

AllwesternandcentralEuropewasturnedintoacrowdbythepreachingofthecrusaders,andmillionsofthefollowersofthePrinceofPeacerushedtotheHolyLandtokilltheheathen.EventhechildrenstartedonacrusadeagainsttheSaracens.Themob–spiritwassostrongthathomeaffectionsandpersuasioncouldnotprevailagainstitandthousandsofmerebabesdiedintheirattemptstoreachandredeemtheSacredSepulchre.

IntheearlypartoftheeighteenthcenturytheSouthSeaCompanywasformedinEngland.Britainbecameaspeculativecrowd.StockintheSouthSeaCompanyrosefrom128–1/2pointsinJanuaryto550inMay,andscored1,000inJuly.Fivemillionsharesweresoldatthispremium.Speculationranriot.Hundredsofcompanieswereorganized.Onewasformed“forawheelofperpetualmotion.”Anothernevertroubledtogiveanyreasonatallfortakingthecashofitssubscribers—itmerelyannouncedthatitwasorganized“foradesignwhichwillhereafterbepromulgated.”Ownersbegantosell,themobcaughtthesuggestion,apanicensued,theSouthSeaCompanystockfell800pointsinafewdays,andmorethanabilliondollarsevaporatedinthiseraoffrenziedspeculation.

TheburningofthewitchesatSalem,theKlondikegoldcraze,andtheforty–eightpeoplewhowerekilledbymobsintheUnitedStatesin1913,areexamplesfamiliartousinAmerica.

TheCrowdMustHaveaLeader

Theleaderofthecrowdormobisitsdeterminingfactor.Hebecomesself–hynoptizedwiththeideathatunifiesitsmembers,hisenthusiasmiscontagious—andsoistheirs.Thecrowdactsashesuggests.Thegreatmassofpeopledonothaveanyverysharply–drawnconclusionsonanysubjectoutsideoftheirownlittlespheres,butwhentheybecomeacrowdtheyareperfectlywillingtoacceptready–made,hand–me–downopinions.Theywillfollowaleaderatallcosts—inlabortroublestheyoftenfollowaleaderinpreferencetoobeyingtheirgovernment,inwartheywillthrowself–preservationtothebushesandfollowaleaderinthefaceofgunsthatfirefourteentimesasecond.Themobbecomesshornofwill–powerandblindlyobedienttoitsdictator.TheRussianGovernment,recognizingthemenaceofthecrowd–mindtoitsautocracy,formerlyprohibitedpublicgatherings.Historyisfullofsimilarinstances.

HowtheCrowdisCreated

Todaythecrowdisasrealafactorinoursocializedlifeasaremagnatesandmonopolies.Itistoocomplexaproblemmerelytodamnorpraiseit—itmustbereckonedwith,andmastered.Thepresentproblemishowtogetthemostandthebestoutofthecrowd–spirit,andthepublicspeakerfindsthistobepeculiarlyhisownquestion.Hisinfluenceismultipliedifhecanonlytransmutehisaudienceintoacrowd.Hisaffirmationsmustbetheirconclusions.

Thiscanbeaccomplishedbyunifyingthemindsandneedsoftheaudienceandarousingtheiremotions.Theirfeelings,nottheirreason,mustbeplayedupon—itis“upto”himtodothisnobly.Argumenthasitsplaceontheplatform,butevenitspotenciesmustsubservethespeaker’splanofattacktowinpossessionofhisaudience.

Rereadthechapteron“FeelingandEnthusiasm.”Itisimpossibletomakeanaudienceacrowdwithoutappealingtotheiremotions.CanyouimaginetheaveragegroupbecomingacrowdwhilehearingalectureonDryFlyFishing,oronEgyptianArt?Ontheotherhand,itwouldnothaverequiredworld–famouseloquencetohaveturnedanyaudienceinUlster,in1914,intoacrowdbydiscussingtheHomeRuleAct.Thecrowd–spiritdependslargelyonthesubjectusedtofusetheirindividualitiesintooneglowingwhole.

NotehowAntonyplayeduponthefeelingsofhishearersinthefamousfuneralorationgivenbyShakespearein“JuliusCæsar.”Frommurmuringunitsthemenbecameaunit—amob.

ANTONY’SORATIONOVERCÆSAR’SBODY

Friends,Romans,countrymen!Lendmeyourears;IcometoburyCæsar,nottopraisehim.Theevilthatmendolivesafterthem;Thegoodisoftinterredwiththeirbones:SoletitbewithCæsar!TheNobleBrutusHathtoldyouCæsarwasambitious.Ifitwereso,itwasagrievousfault,AndgrievouslyhathCæsaransweredit.Here,underleaveofBrutus,andtherest—ForBrutusisanhonorableman,Soaretheyall,allhonorablemen—ComeItospeakinCæsar’sfuneral.Hewasmyfriend,faithfulandjusttome:ButBrutussayshewasambitious;AndBrutusisanhonorableman.HehathbroughtmanycaptiveshometoRome,Whoseransomsdidthegeneralcoffersfill:DidthisinCæsarseemambitious?Whenthatthepoorhavecried,Cæsarhathwept;Ambitionshouldbemadeofsternerstuff:YetBrutussays,hewasambitious;AndBrutusisanhonorableman.Youalldidsee,that,ontheLupercal,Ithricepresentedhimakinglycrown,Whichhedidthricerefuse.Wasthisambition?YetBrutussayshewasambitious;Andsure,heisanhonorableman.IspeaknottodisprovewhatBrutusspoke,ButhereIamtospeakwhatIdoknow.Youalldidlovehimonce,notwithoutcause;Whatcausewithholdsyouthentomournforhim?

Oh,judgment,thouartfledtobrutishbeasts,Andmenhavelosttheirreason!—Bearwithme;MyheartisinthecoffintherewithCæsar,AndImustpausetillitcomebacktome.[Weeps.

1Plebeian.Methinksthereismuchreasoninhissayings.

2Ple.Ifthouconsiderrightlyofthematter,Cæsarhashadgreatwrong.

3Ple.Hashe,masters?Ifeartherewillaworsecomeinhisplace.

4Ple.Mark’dyehiswords?Hewouldnottakethecrown;Therefore,‘tiscertain,hewasnotambitious.

1Ple.Ifitbefoundso,somewilldearabideit.

2Ple.Poorsoul,hiseyesareredasfirewithweeping.

3Ple.There’snotanoblermaninRomethanAntony.

4Ple.Nowmarkhim,hebeginsagaintospeak.

Ant.Butyesterday,thewordofCæsarmightHavestoodagainsttheworld:nowlieshethere,Andnonesopoortodohimreverence.Oh,masters!ifIweredispos’dtostirYourheartsandmindstomutinyandrage,IshoulddoBrutuswrong,andCassiuswrong,Who,youallknow,arehonorablemen.Iwillnotdothemwrong;IratherchooseTowrongthedead,towrongmyself,andyou,ThanIwillwrongsuchhonorablemen.Buthere’saparchment,withthesealofCæsar;Ifounditinhiscloset;‘tishiswill:Letbutthecommonshearthistestament—Which,pardonme,Idonotmeantoread—AndtheywouldgoandkissdeadCæsar’swounds,Anddiptheirnapkinsinhissacredblood;Yea,begahairofhimformemory,And,dying,mentionitwithintheirwills,BequeathingitasarichlegacyUntotheirissue.

4Ple.We’llhearthewill:Readit,MarkAntony.

All.Thewill!thewill!wewillhearCæsar’swill.

Ant.Havepatience,gentlefriends:Imustnotreadit;ItisnotmeetyouknowhowCæsarlov’dyou.Youarenotwood,youarenotstones,butmen;And,beingmen,hearingthewillofCæsar,Itwillinflameyou,itwillmakeyoumad:‘Tisgoodyouknownotthatyouarehisheirs;Forifyoushould,oh,whatwouldcomeofit!

4Ple.Readthewill;we’llhearit,Antony!Youshallreadusthewill!Cæsar’swill!

Ant.Willyoubepatient?Willyoustayawhile?Ihaveo’ershotmyself,totellyouofit.IfearIwrongthehonorablemenWhosedaggershavestab’dCæsar;Idofearit.

4Ple.Theyweretraitors:Honorablemen!

All.Thewill!thetestament!

2Ple.Theywerevillains,murtherers!Thewill!Readthewill!

Ant.Youwillcompelmethentoreadthewill?Then,makearingaboutthecorpseofCæsar,Andletmeshewyouhimthatmadethewill.ShallIdescend?Andwillyougivemeleave?

All.Comedown.

2Ple.Descend.[HecomesdownfromtheRostrum.

3Ple.Youshallhaveleave.

4Ple.Aring;standround.

1Ple.Standfromthehearse,standfromthebody.

2Ple.RoomforAntony!—mostnobleAntony!

Ant.Nay,pressnotsouponme;standfaroff.

All.Standback!room!bearback!

Ant.Ifyouhavetears,preparetoshedthemnow;Youalldoknowthismantle:IrememberThefirsttimeeverCæsarputiton;‘Twasonasummer’sevening,inhistent,ThatdayheovercametheNervii.Look,inthisplace,ranCassius’daggerthrough:See,whatarenttheenviousCascamade:Throughthis,thewell–belovedBrutusstab’d;Andashepluck’dhiscursedsteelaway,MarkhowthebloodofCæsarfollow’dit!—Asrushingoutofdoors,toberesolv’dIfBrutussounkindlyknock’d,orno;ForBrutus,asyouknow,wasCæsar’sangel:Judge,OyouGods,howCæsarlov’dhim!Thiswasthemostunkindestcutofall!ForwhenthenobleCæsarsawhimstab,Ingratitude,morestrongthantraitors’arms,Quitevanquish’dhim:thenbursthismightyheart;Andinhismantlemufflinguphisface,EvenatthebaseofPompey’sstatue,Whichallthewhileranblood,greatCæsarfell.Ohwhatafallwasthere,mycountrymen!ThenIandyou,andallofus,felldown,Whilstbloodytreasonflourish’doverus.Oh!nowyouweep;andIperceiveyoufeelThedintofpity;thesearegraciousdrops.Kindsouls!what,weepyou,whenyoubutbeholdOurCæsar’svesturewounded?Lookyouhere!Hereishimself,mar’d,asyousee,bytraitors.

1Ple.Oh,piteousspectacle!

2Ple.Oh,nobleCæsar!

3Ple.Oh,wofulday!

4Ple.Oh,traitors,villains!

1Ple.Oh,mostbloodysight!

2Ple.Wewillbereveng’d!

All.Revenge;about—seek—burn—fire—kill—day!—Letnotatraitorlive!

Ant.Stay,countrymen.

1Ple.Peacethere!HearthenobleAntony.

2Ple.We’llhearhim,we’llfollowhim,we’lldiewithhim.

Ant.Goodfriends,sweetfriends,letmenotstiryouupTosuchasuddenfloodofmutiny:Theythathavedonethisdeedarehonorable:Whatprivategriefstheyhave,alas!Iknownot,Thatmadethemdoit;theyarewise,andhonorable,Andwill,nodoubt,withreasonsansweryou.Icomenot,friends,tostealawayyourhearts;Iamnoorator,asBrutusis;Butasyouknowmeall,aplainbluntman,Thatlovemyfriend,andthattheyknowfullwellThatgavemepublicleavetospeakofhim:ForIhaveneitherwit,norwords,norworth,Action,norutterance,northepowerofspeech,Tostirmen’sblood.Ionlyspeakrighton:Itellyouthatwhichyouyourselvesdoknow;ShowyoursweetCæsar’swounds,poor,poor,dumbmouths,Andbidthemspeakforme.ButwereIBrutus,AndBrutusAntony,therewereanAntonyWouldruffleupyourspirits,andputatongueIneverywoundofCæsar,thatshouldmoveThestonesofRometoriseandmutiny.

All.We’llmutiny!

1Ple.We’llburnthehouseofBrutus.

3Ple.Away,then!Come,seektheconspirators.

Ant.Yethearme,countrymen;yethearmespeak.

All.Peace,ho!HearAntony,mostnobleAntony.

Ant.Why,friends,yougotodoyouknownotwhat.WhereinhathCæsarthusdeserv’dyourloves?Alas!youknownot!—Imusttellyouthen.YouhaveforgotthewillItoldyouof.

Ple.Mosttrue;—thewill!—let’sstay,andhearthewill.

Ant.Hereisthewill,andunderCæsar’sseal.

ToeveryRomancitizenhegives,Toeveryseveralman,seventy–fivedrachmas.

2Ple.MostnobleCæsar!—we’llrevengehisdeath.

3Ple.OroyalCæsar!

Ant.Hearmewithpatience.

All.Peace,ho!

Ant.Moreover,hehathleftyouallhiswalks,Hisprivatearbours,andnew–plantedorchards,OnthissideTiber;hehathleftthemyou,Andtoyourheirsforever,commonpleasures,Towalkabroad,andrecreateyourselves.HerewasaCæsar!Whencomessuchanother?

1Ple.Never,never!—Come,away,away!We’llburnhisbodyintheholyplace,Andwiththebrandsfirethetraitors’houses.Takeupthebody.

2Ple.Go,fetchfire.

3Ple.Pluckdownbenches.

4Ple.Pluckdownforms,windows,anything.[ExeuntCitizens,withthebody.

Ant.Nowletitwork.Mischief,thouartafoot,Takethouwhatcoursethouwilt!

Tounifysingle,auditorsintoacrowd,expresstheircommonneeds,aspirations,dangers,andemotions,deliveryourmessagesothattheinterestsofoneshallappeartobetheinterestsofall.Theconvictionofonemanisintensifiedinproportionashefindsotherssharinghisbelief—andfeeling.AntonydoesnotstopwithtellingtheRomanpopulacethatCæsarfell—hemakesthetragedyuniversal:

ThenI,andyou,andallofusfelldown,Whilstbloodytreasonflourishedoverus.

Applause,generallyasignoffeeling,helpstounifyanaudience.Thenatureofthecrowdisillustratedbythecontagionofapplause.RecentlyathronginaNewYorkmoving–pictureandvaudevillehousehadbeenapplaudingseveralsongs,andwhenanadvertisementfortailoredskirtswasthrownonthescreensomeonestartedtheapplause,

andthecrowd,likesheep,blindlyimitated—untilsomeonesawthejokeandlaughed;thenthecrowdagainfollowedaleaderandlaughedatandapplaudeditsownstupidity.

Actorssometimesstartapplausefortheirlinesbysnappingtheirfingers.Someoneinthefirstfewrowswillmistakeitforfaintapplause,andthewholetheatrewillchimein.

Anobservantauditorwillbeinterestedinnoticingthevariousdevicesamonologistwillusetogetthefirstroundoflaughterandapplause.Heworkssohardbecauseheknowsanaudienceofunitsisanaudienceofindifferentcritics,butoncegetthemtolaughingtogetherandeachsinglelaughersweepsanumberofotherswithhim,untilthewholetheatreisaroarandtheentertainerhasscored.Thesearemeretriciousschemes,tobesure,anddonotsavorintheleastofinspiration,butcrowdshavenotchangedintheirnatureinathousandyearsandtheonelawholdsforthegreatestpreacherandthepettieststump–speaker—youmustfuseyouraudienceortheywillnotwarmtoyourmessage.Thedevicesofthegreatoratormaynotbesoobviousasthoseofthevaudevillemonologist,buttheprincipleisthesame:hetriestostrikesomeuniversalnotethatwillhaveallhishearersfeelingalikeatthesametime.

Theevangelistknowsthiswhenhehasthesoloistsingsometouchingsongjustbeforetheaddress.Orhewillhavetheentirecongregationsing,andthatisthepsychologyof“Noweverybodysing!”forheknowsthattheywhowillnotjoininthesongareasyetoutsidethecrowd.Manyatimehasthepopularevangeliststoppedinthemiddleofhistalk,whenhefeltthathishearerswereunitsinsteadofamoltenmass(andasensitivespeakercanfeelthatconditionmostdepressingly)andsuddenlydemandedthateveryoneariseandsing,orrepeataloudafamiliarpassage,orreadinunison;orperhapshehassubtlyleftthethreadofhisdiscoursetotellastorythat,fromlongexperience,heknewwouldnotfailtobringhishearerstoacommonfeeling.

Thesethingsareimportantresourcesforthespeaker,andhappyishewhousesthemworthilyandnotasadespicablecharlatan.Thedifferencebetweenademagogueandaleaderisnotsomuchamatterofmethodasofprinciple.Eventhemostdignifiedspeakermustrecognizetheeternallawsofhumannature.Youarebynomeansurgedtobecomeatricksterontheplatform—farfromit!—butdon’tkillyourspeechwithdignity.Tobeicilycorrectisassillyastorant.Doneither,butappealtothoseworld–oldelementsinyouraudiencethathavebeenrecognizedbyallgreatspeakersfromDemosthenestoSamSmall,andseetoitthatyouneverdebaseyourpowersbyarousingyourhearersunworthily.

Itisashardtokindleenthusiasminascatteredaudienceastobuildafirewithscatteredsticks.Anaudiencetobeconvertedintoacrowdmustbemadetoappearasacrowd.Thiscannotbedonewhentheyarewidelyscatteredoveralargeseatingspaceorwhenmanyemptybenchesseparatethespeakerfromhishearers.Haveyouraudienceseatedcompactly.HowmanyapreacherhasbemoanedtheenormousedificeoverwhichwhatwouldnormallybealargecongregationhasscatteredinchilledandchillingsolitudeSundayafterSunday!BishopBrookshimselfcouldnothaveinspiredacongregationofonethousandsoulsseatedinthevastnessofSt.Peter’satRome.Inthatcolossalsanctuaryitisonlyongreatoccasionswhichbringoutthemultitudesthattheserviceisbeforethehighaltar—atothertimesthesmallerside–chapelsareused.

Universalideassurchargedwithfeelinghelptocreatethecrowd–atmosphere.Examples:liberty,character,righteousness,courage,fraternity,altruism,country,andnationalheroes.GeorgeCohanwasmakingpsychologypracticalandprofitablewhenheintroducedtheflagandflag–songsintohismusicalcomedies.Cromwell’sregimentsprayedbeforethebattleandwentintothefightsinginghymns.TheFrenchcorps,singingtheMarseillaisein1914,chargedtheGermansasoneman.Suchunifyingdevicesarousethefeelings,makesoldiersfanaticalmobs—and,alas,moreefficientmurderers.

[28]SesameandLilies.

CHAPTERXXVIRidingtheWingedHorse

Tothink,andtofeel,constitutethetwogranddivisionsofmenofgenius—themenofreasoningandthemenofimagination.

—ISAACDISRAELI,LiteraryCharacterofMenofGenius.

AndasimaginationbodiesforthTheformsofthingsunknown,thepoet’spenTurnsthemtoshapesandgivestoairynothingAlocalhabitationandaname.

—SHAKESPEARE,Midsummer–Night’sDream.

Itiscommon,amongthosewhodealchieflywithlife’spracticalities,tothinkofimaginationashavinglittlevalueincomparisonwithdirectthinking.TheysmilewithtolerancewhenEmersonsaysthat“Sciencedoesnotknowitsdebttotheimagination,”forthesearethewordsofaspeculativeessayist,aphilosopher,apoet.ButwhenNapoleon—theindomitablewelderofempires—declaresthat“Thehumanraceisgovernedbyitsimagination,”theauthoritativewordcommandstheirrespect.

Beitremembered,thefacultyofformingmentalimagesisasefficientacogasmaybefoundinthewholemind–machine.True,itmustfitintothatothervitalcog,purethought,butwhenitdoessoitmaybequestionedwhichisthemoreproductiveofimportantresultsforthehappinessandwell–beingofman.Thisshouldbecomemoreapparentaswegoon.

I.WHATISIMAGINATION?

Letusnotseekforadefinition,forascoreofvaryingonesmaybefound,butletusgraspthisfact:Byimaginationwemeaneitherthefacultyortheprocessofformingmentalimages.

Thesubject–matterofimaginationmaybereallyexistentinnature,ornotatallreal,oracombinationofboth;itmaybephysicalorspiritual,orboth—thementalimageisatoncethemostlawlessandthemostlaw–abidingchildthathaseverbeenbornofthemind.

Firstofall,asitsnamesuggests,theprocessofimagination—forwearethinkingofitnowasaprocessratherthanasafaculty—ismemoryatwork.Thereforewemustconsideritprimarilyas

1.ReproductiveImagination

Weseeorhearorfeelortasteorsmellsomethingandthesensationpassesaway.Yetweareconsciousofagreaterorlesserabilitytoreproducesuchfeelingsatwill.Twoconsiderations,ingeneral,willgovernthevividnessoftheimagethusevoked—thestrengthoftheoriginalimpression,andthereproductivepowerofonemindascompared

withanother.Yeteverynormalpersonwillbeabletoevokeimageswithsomedegreeofclearness.

Thefactthatnotallmindspossessthisimagingfacultyinanythinglikeequalmeasurewillhaveanimportantbearingonthepublicspeaker’sstudyofthisquestion.Nomanwhodoesnotfeelatleastsomepoeticimpulsesislikelytoaspireseriouslytobeapoet,yetmanywhoseimagingfacultiesaresodormantastoseemactuallydeaddoaspiretobepublicspeakers.Toallsuchwesaymostearnestly:Awakenyourimage–makinggift,foreveninthemostcoldlylogicaldiscourseitissuretoproveofgreatservice.Itisimportantthatyoufindoutatoncejusthowfullandhowtrustworthyisyourimagination,foritiscapableofcultivation—aswellasofabuse.

FrancisGalton[29]says:“TheFrenchappeartopossessthevisualizingfacultyinahighdegree.Thepeculiarabilitytheyshowinpre–arrangingceremonialsandfêtesofallkindsandtheirundoubtedgeniusfortacticsandstrategyshowthattheyareabletoforeseeeffectswithunusualclearness.Theiringenuityinalltechnicalcontrivancesisanadditionaltestimonyinthesamedirection,andsoistheirsingularclearnessofexpression.Theirphrasefigurez–vous,orpicturetoyourself,seemstoexpresstheirdominantmodeofperception.Ourequivalent,of‘image,’isambiguous.”

Butindividualsdifferinthisrespectjustasmarkedlyas,forinstance,theDutchdofromtheFrench.Andthisistruenotonlyofthosewhoareclassifiedbytheirfriendsasbeingrespectivelyimaginativeorunimaginative,butofthosewhosegiftsorhabitsarenotwellknown.

Letustakeforexperimentsixofthebest–knowntypesofimagingandseeinpractisehowtheyariseinourownminds.

Byalloddsthemostcommontypeis,(a)thevisualimage.Childrenwhomorereadilyrecallthingsseenthanthingsheardarecalledbypsychologists“eye–minded,”andmostofusarebentinthisdirection.Closeyoureyesnowandre–call—thewordthushyphenatedismoresuggestive—thescenearoundthismorning’sbreakfasttable.Possiblytherewasnothingstrikinginthesituationandtheimageisthereforenotstriking.Thenimageanynotabletablesceneinyourexperience—howvividlyitstandsforth,becauseatthetimeyoufelttheimpressionstrongly.Justthenyoumaynothavebeenconsciousofhowstronglythescenewaslayingholduponyou,foroftenwearesointentuponwhatweseethatwegivenoparticularthoughttothefactthatitisimpressingus.Itmaysurpriseyoutolearnhowaccuratelyyouareabletoimageascenewhenalongtimehaselapsedbetweentheconsciousfocussingofyourattentionontheimageandthetimewhenyousawtheoriginal.

(b)Theauditoryimageisprobablythenextmostvividofourrecalledexperiences.Hereassociationispotenttosuggestsimilarities.Closeoutalltheworldbesideandlistentothepeculiarwood–against–woodsoundofthesharpthunderamongrockymountains—thecrashofballagainstten–pinsmaysuggestit.Orimage(thewordisimperfect,foritseemstosuggestonlytheeye)thesoundoftearingropeswhensomepreciousweighthangsindanger.Orrecallthebayofahoundalmostuponyouinpursuit—chooseyourownsound,andseehowpleasantlyorterriblyrealitbecomeswhenimagedinyourbrain.

(c)Themotorimageisaclosecompetitorwiththeauditoryforsecondplace.Haveyou

everawakenedinthenight,everymuscletautandstriving,tofeelyourselfstrainingagainsttheopposingfootballlinethatheldlikeastone–wall—orasfirmlyastheheadboardofyourbed?Orvoluntarilyrecallthemovementoftheboatwhenyoucriedinwardly,“It’sallupwithme!”Theperilouslurchofatrain,thesuddensinkingofanelevator,ortheunexpectedtopplingofarocking–chairmayserveasfurtherexperiments.

(d)Thegustatoryimageiscommonenough,astheideaofeatinglemonswilltestify.Sometimesthepleasurablerecollectionofadelightfuldinnerwillcausethemouthtowateryearsafterward,orthe“image”ofparticularlyatrociousmedicinewillwrinklethenoselongafteritmadeonedayinboyhoodwretched.

(e)Theolfactoryimageisevenmoredelicate.Sometherearewhoareaffectedtoillnessbythememoryofcertainodors,whileothersexperiencethemostdelectablesensationsbytheriseofpleasingolfactoryimages.

(f)Thetactileimage,tonamenoothers,iswellnighaspotent.Doyoushudderatthethoughtofvelvetrubbedbyshort–nailedfingertips?Orwereyouever“burned”bytouchinganice–coldstove?Or,happiermemory,canyoustillfeelthetouchofawell–lovedabsenthand?

Beitrememberedthatfewoftheseimagesarepresentinourmindsexceptincombination—thesightandsoundofthecrashingavalancheareone;soaretheflashandreportofthehuntman’sgunthatcamesonear“doingforus.”

Thus,imaging—especiallyconsciousreproductiveimagination—willbecomeavaluablepartofourmentalprocessesinproportionaswedirectandcontrolit.

2.ProductiveImagination

Alloftheforegoingexamples,anddoubtlessalsomanyoftheexperimentsyouyourselfmayoriginate,aremerelyreproductive.Pleasurableorhorrificasthesemaybe,theyarefarlessimportantthantheimagesevokedbytheproductiveimagination—thoughthatdoesnotinferaseparatefaculty.

Recall,againforexperiment,somescenewhosebeginningyouoncesawenactedonastreetcornerbutpassedbybeforethedénouementwasreadytobedisclosed.Recallitall—thatfartheimageisreproductive.Butwhatfollowed?Letyourfantasyroamatpleasure—thesucceedingscenesareproductive,foryouhavemoreorlessconsciouslyinventedtheunrealonthebasisofthereal.

Andjustherethefictionist,thepoet,andthepublicspeakerwillseethevalueofproductiveimagery.True,thefeetoftheidolyoubuildareontheground,butitsheadpiercestheclouds,itisasonofbothearthandheaven.

Onefactitisimportanttonotehere:Imageryisavaluablementalassetinproportionasitiscontrolledbythehigherintellectualpowerofpurereason.Theuntutoredchildofnaturethinkslargelyinimagesandthereforeattachestothemundueimportance.Hereadilyconfusestherealwiththeunreal—tohimtheyareoflikevalue.Butthemanoftrainingreadilydistinguishestheonefromtheotherandevaluateseachwithsome,ifnotwithperfect,justice.

Soweseethatunrestrainedimagingmayproducearudderlesssteamer,whilethetrained

facultyisthegracefulsloop,skimmingtheseasatherskipper’swill,hercoursesteadiedbythehelmofreasonandherlightsomewingscatchingeveryairofheaven.

Thegameofchess,thewar–lord’stacticalplan,theevolutionofageometricaltheorem,thedevisingofagreatbusinesscampaign,theeliminationofwasteinafactory,thedénouementofapowerfuldrama,theovercomingofaneconomicobstacle,theschemeforasublimepoem,andtheconvincingsiegeofanaudiencemay—nay,indeedmust—eachbeconceivedinanimageandwroughttorealityaccordingtotheplansandspecificationslaiduponthetrestleboardbysomemodernimaginativeHiram.Thefarmerwhowouldbecontentwiththeseedhepossesseswouldhavenoharvest.Donotrestsatisfiedwiththeabilitytorecallimages,butcultivateyourcreativeimaginationbybuilding“whatmightbe”uponthefoundationof“whatis.”

II.THEUSESOFIMAGINGINPUBLICSPEAKING

Bythistimeyouwillhavealreadymadesomegeneralapplicationoftheseideastotheartoftheplatform,buttoseveralspecificuseswemustnowrefer.

1.ImaginginSpeech–Preparation

(a)Settheimageofyouraudiencebeforeyouwhileyouprepare.Disappointmentmaylurkhere,andyoucannotbeforearmedforeveryemergency,butinthemainyoumustmeetyouraudiencebeforeyouactuallydo—imageitsprobablemoodandattitudetowardtheoccasion,thetheme,andthespeaker.

(b)Conceiveyourspeechasawholewhileyouarepreparingitsparts,elsecanyounotsee—image—howitspartsshallbefitlyframedtogether.

(c)Imagethelanguageyouwilluse,sofaraswrittenorextemporaneousspeechmaydictate.Thehabitofimagingwillgiveyouchoiceofvariedfiguresofspeech,forrememberthatanaddresswithoutfreshcomparisonsislikeagardenwithoutblooms.Donotbecontentwiththefirsthackneyedfigurethatcomesflowingtoyourpen–point,butdreamonuntilthestriking,theunusual,yetthevividlyrealcomparisonpointsyourthoughtlikesteeldoesthearrow–tip.

NotethefreshnessandeffectivenessofthefollowingdescriptionfromtheopeningofO.Henry’sstory,“TheHarbinger.”

Longbeforethespringtideisfeltinthedullbosomoftheyokeldoesthecitymanknowthatthegrass–greengoddessisuponherthrone.Hesitsathisbreakfasteggsandtoast,begirtbystonewalls,openshismorningpaperandseesjournalismleavevernalismatthepost.

ForwhereasSpring’scourierswereoncetheevidenceofourfinersenses,nowtheAssociatedPressdoesthetrick.

ThewarbleofthefirstrobininHackensack,thestirringofthemaplesapinBennington,thebuddingofthepussywillowsalongthemainstreetinSyracuse,thefirstchirpofthebluebird,theswansongofthebluepoint,theannualtornadoinSt.Louis,theplaintofthepeachpessimistfromPompton,N.J.,theregularvisitofthetamewildgoosewithabrokenlegtothepondnearBilgewaterJunction,thebase

attemptoftheDrugTrusttoboostthepriceofquininefoiledintheHousebyCongressmanJinks,thefirsttallpoplarstruckbylightningandtheusualstunnedpicknickerswhohadtakenrefuge,thefirstcrackoftheicejambintheAlleghenyRiver,thefindingofavioletinitsmossybedbythecorrespondentatRoundCorners—thesearetheadvancedsignsoftheburgeoningseasonthatarewiredintothewisecity,whilethefarmerseesnothingbutwinteruponhisdrearyfields.

Butthesebemereexternals.Thetrueharbingeristheheart.WhenStrephonseekshisChloeandMikehisMaggie,thenonlyisSpringarrivedandthenewspaperreportofthefivefootrattlerkilledinSquirePettregrew’spastureconfirmed.

Ahackneyedwriterwouldprobablyhavesaidthatthenewspapertoldthecitymanaboutspringbeforethefarmercouldseeanyevidenceofit,butthattherealharbingerofspringwasloveandthat“IntheSpringayoungman’sfancylightlyturnstothoughtsoflove.”

2.ImaginginSpeech–Delivery

Whenoncethepassionofspeechisonyouandyouare“warmedup”—perhapsbystrikingtilltheironishotsothatyoumaynotfailtostrikewhenitishot—yourmoodwillbeoneofvision.

Then(a)Re–imagepastemotion—ofwhichmoreelsewhere.Theactorre–callstheoldfeelingseverytimeherendershistellinglines.

(b)Reconstructinimagethescenesyouaretodescribe.

(c)Imagetheobjectsinnaturewhosetoneyouaredelineating,sothatbearingandvoiceandmovement(gesture)willpictureforththewholeconvincingly.Insteadofmerelystatingthefactthatwhiskeyruinshomes,thetemperancespeakerpaintsadrunkardcominghometoabusehiswifeandstrikehischildren.Itismuchmoreeffectivethantellingthetruthinabstractterms.Todepictthecruelnessofwar,donotassertthefactabstractly—“Wariscruel.”Showthesoldier,anarmsweptawaybyaburstingshell,lyingonthebattlefieldpleadingforwater;showthechildrenwithtear–stainedfacespressedagainstthewindowpaneprayingfortheirdeadfathertoreturn.Avoidgeneralandprosaicterms.Paintpictures.Evolveimagesfortheimaginationofyouraudiencetoconstructintopicturesoftheirown.

III.HOWTOACQUIRETHEIMAGINGHABIT

YouremembertheAmericanstatesmanwhoassertedthat“thewaytoresumeistoresume”?Theapplicationisobvious.Beginningwiththefirstsimpleanalysesofthischapter,testyourownqualitiesofimage–making.Onebyonepractisetheseveralkindsofimages;thenadd—eveninvent—othersincombination,formanyimagescometousincomplexform,likethecombinednoiseandshovingandhotodorofacheeringcrowd.

Afterpractisingonreproductiveimaging,turntotheproductive,beginningwiththereproductiveandaddingproductivefeaturesforthesakeofcultivatinginvention.

Frequently,allowyouroriginatinggiftsfullswingbyweavingcompleteimaginaryfabrics—sights,sounds,scenes;allthefineworldoffantasyliesopentothejourneyingsofyourwingedsteed.

Inlikemannertrainyourselfintheuseoffigurativelanguage.Learnfirsttodistinguishandthentouseitsvariedforms.Whenusedwithrestraint,nothingcanbemoreeffectivethanthetrope;butonceletextravagancecreepinbythewindow,andpowerwillfleebythedoor.

Allinall,masteryourimages—letnotthemmasteryou.


1.Giveoriginalexamplesofeachkindofreproductiveimagination.

2.Buildtwooftheseintoimaginaryincidentsforplatformuse,usingyourproductive,orcreative,imagination.

3.Define(a)phantasy;(b)vision;(c)fantastic;(d)phantasmagoria;(e)transmogrify;(f)recollection.

4.Whatisa“figureofspeech”?

5.Defineandgivetwoexamplesofeachofthefollowingfiguresofspeech[30].Atleastoneoftheexamplesundereachtypewouldbetterbeoriginal.(a)simile;(b)metaphor;(c)metonymy;(d)synecdoche;(e)apostrophe;(f)vision;(g)personification;(h)hyperbole;(i)irony.

6.(a)Whatisanallegory?(b)Nameoneexample.(c)Howcouldashortallegorybeusedaspartofapublicaddress?

7.Writeashortfable[31]foruseinaspeech.Followeithertheancientform(Æsop)orthemodern(GeorgeAde,JosephineDodgeDaskam).

8.Whatdoyouunderstandby“thehistoricalpresent?”Illustratehowitmaybeused(ONLYoccasionally)inapublicaddress.

9.Recallsomedisturbanceonthestreet,(a)Describeitasyouwouldontheplatform;(b)imaginewhatprecededthedisturbance;(c)imaginewhatfollowedit;(d)connectthewholeinaterse,dramaticnarrationfortheplatformanddeliveritwithcarefulattentiontoallthatyouhavelearnedofthepublicspeaker’sart.

10.Dothesamewithotherincidentsyouhaveseenorheardof,orreadofinthenewspapers.

NOTE:Itishopedthatthisexercisewillbevariedandexpandeduntilthepupilhasgainedconsiderablemasteryofimaginativenarration.(Seechapteron“Narration.”)

11.Experimentshaveprovedthatthemajorityofpeoplethinkmostvividlyintermsofvisualimages.However,somethinkmorereadilyintermsofauditoryandmotorimages.Itisagoodplantomixallkindsofimagesinthecourseofyouraddressforyouwilldoubtlesshaveallkindsofhearers.Thisplanwillservetogivevarietyandstrengthenyoureffectsbyappealingtotheseveralsensesofeachhearer,aswellasinterestingmanydifferentauditors.Forexercise,(a)giveseveraloriginalexamplesofcompoundimages,and(b)constructbriefdescriptionsofthescenesimagined.Forexample,thefallingofabridgeinprocessofbuilding.

12.Readthefollowingobservantly:

ThestrikerssufferedbitterpovertylastwinterinNewYork.

LastwinterawomanvisitingtheEastSideofNewYorkCitysawanotherwomancomingoutofatenementhousewringingherhands.Uponinquirythevisitorfoundthatachildhadfaintedinoneoftheapartments.Sheentered,andsawthechildillandinrags,whilethefather,astriker,wastoopoortoprovidemedicalhelp.Aphysicianwascalledandsaidthechildhadfaintedfromlackoffood.Theonlyfoodinthehomewasdriedfish.Thevisitorprovidedgroceriesforthefamilyandorderedthemilkmantoleavemilkforthemdaily.Amonthlatershereturned.Thefatherofthefamilykneltdownbeforeher,andcallingheranangelsaidthatshehadsavedtheirlives,forthemilkshehadprovidedwasallthefoodtheyhadhad.

Inthetwoprecedingparagraphswehavesubstantiallythesamestory,toldtwice.Inthefirstparagraphwehaveafactstatedingeneralterms.Inthesecond,wehaveanoutlinepictureofaspecifichappening.Nowexpandthisoutlineintoadramaticrecital,drawingfreelyuponyourimagination.

[29]InquiriesintoHumanFaculty.[30]Consultanygoodrhetoric.Anunabridgeddictionarywillalsobeofhelp.[31]Forafulldiscussionoftheformsee,TheArtofStory–Writing,byJ.BergEsenweinandMaryD.Chambers.

CHAPTERXXVIIGrowingaVocabulary

Boysflyingkiteshaulintheirwhitewingedbirds;Youcan’tdothatwaywhenyou’reflyingwords.“Carefulwithfire,”isgoodadviceweknow,“Carefulwithwords,”istentimesdoublyso.Thoughtsunexpressedmanysometimesfallbackdead;ButGodHimselfcan’tkillthemwhenthey’resaid.

—WILLCARLETON,TheFirstSettler’sStory.

Theterm“vocabulary”hasaspecialaswellasageneralmeaning.True,allvocabulariesaregroundedintheeverydaywordsofthelanguage,outofwhichgrowthespecialvocabularies,buteachsuchspecializedgrouppossessesanumberofwordsofpeculiarvalueforitsownobjects.Thesewordsmaybeusedinothervocabulariesalso,butthefactthattheyaresuitedtoauniqueorderofexpressionmarksthemasofspecialvaluetoaparticularcraftorcalling.

Inthisrespectthepublicspeakerdiffersnotatallfromthepoet,thenovelist,thescientist,thetraveler.Hemustaddtohiseverydaystock,wordsofvalueforthepublicpresentationofthought.“Astudyofthediscoursesofeffectiveoratorsdisclosesthefactthattheyhaveafondnessforwordssignifyingpower,largeness,speed,action,color,light,andalltheiropposites.Theyfrequentlyemploywordsexpressiveofthevariousemotions.Descriptivewords,adjectivesusedinfreshrelationswithnouns,andaptepithets,arefreelyemployed.Indeed,thenatureofpublicspeechpermitstheuseofmildlyexaggeratedwordswhich,bythetimetheyhavereachedthehearer’sjudgment,willleaveonlyajustimpression.”[32]

FormtheBook–NoteHabit

Topossessawordinvolvesthreethings:Toknowitsspecialandbroadermeanings,toknowitsrelationtootherwords,andtobeabletouseit.Whenyouseeorhearafamiliarwordusedinanunfamiliarsense,jotitdown,lookitup,andmasterit.Wehaveinmindaspeakerofsuperiorattainmentswhoacquiredhisvocabularybynotingallnewwordsheheardorread.Thesehemasteredandputintouse.Soonhisvocabularybecamelarge,varied,andexact.Useanewwordaccuratelyfivetimesanditisyours.ProfessorAlbertE.Hancocksays:“Anauthor’svocabularyisoftwokinds,latentanddynamic:latent—thosewordsheunderstands;dynamic—thosehecanreadilyuse.Everyintelligentmanknowsallthewordsheneeds,buthemaynothavethemallreadyforactiveservice.Theproblemofliterarydictionconsistsinturningthelatentintothedynamic.”Yourdynamicvocabularyistheoneyoumustespeciallycultivate.

Inhisessayon“ACollegeMagazine”inthevolume,MemoriesandPortraits,Stevensonshowshowherosefromimitationtooriginalityintheuseofwords.Hehadparticular

referencetotheformationofhisliterarystyle,butwordsaretherawmaterialsofstyle,andhisexcellentexamplemaywellbefollowedjudiciouslybythepublicspeaker.Wordsintheirrelationsarevastlymoreimportantthanwordsconsideredsingly.

WheneverIreadabookorapassagethatparticularlypleasedme,inwhichathingwassaidoraneffectrenderedwithpropriety,inwhichtherewaseithersomeconspicuousforceorsomehappydistinctioninthestyle,Imustsitdownatonceandsetmyselftoapethatquality.Iwasunsuccessful,andIknewit;andtriedagain,andwasagainunsuccessful,andalwaysunsuccessful;butatleastinthesevainboutsIgotsomepracticeinrhythm,inharmony,inconstructionandcoördinationofparts.

IhavethusplayedthesedulousapetoHazlitt,toLamb,toWordsworth,toSirThomasBrowne,toDefoe,toHawthorne,toMontaigne.

That,likeitornot,isthewaytolearntowrite;whetherIhaveprofitedornot,thatistheway.ItwasthewayKeatslearned,andthereneverwasafinertemperamentforliteraturethanKeats’.

Itisthegreatpointoftheseimitationsthattherestillshinesbeyondthestudent’sreach,hisinimitablemodel.Lethimtryasheplease,heisstillsureoffailure;anditisanoldandverytruesayingthatfailureistheonlyhighroadtosuccess.

FormtheReference–BookHabit

Donotbecontentwithyourgeneralknowledgeofaword—pressyourstudyuntilyouhavemastereditsindividualshadesofmeaningandusage.Merefluencyissuretobecomedespicable,butaccuracynever.Thedictionarycontainsthecrystallizedusageofintellectualgiants.Noonewhowouldwriteeffectivelydaredespiseitsdefinitionsanddiscriminations.Think,forexample,ofthedifferentmeaningsofmantle,ormodel,orquantity.Anylateeditionofanunabridgeddictionaryisgood,andisworthmakingsacrificestoown.

Booksofsynonymsandantonyms—usedcautiously,fortherearefewperfectsynonymsinanylanguage—willbefoundofgreathelp.Considertheshadesofmeaningsamongsuchword–groupsasthief,peculator,defaulter,embezzler,burglar,yeggman,robber,bandit,marauder,pirate,andmanymore;orthedistinctionsamongHebrew,Jew,Israelite,andSemite.Rememberthatnobookofsynonymsistrustworthyunlessusedwithadictionary.“AThesaurusoftheEnglishLanguage,”byDr.FrancisA.March,isexpensive,butfullandauthoritative.Ofsmallerbooksofsynonymsandantonymsthereareplenty.[33]

StudytheconnectivesofEnglishspeech.Fernald’sbookonthistitleisamineofgems.Unsuspectedpitfallslieinthelooseuseofand,or,for,while,andascoreoftrickylittleconnectives.

Wordderivationsarerichinsuggestiveness.OurEnglishowessomuchtoforeigntonguesandhaschangedsomuchwiththecenturiesthatwholeaddressesmaygrowoutofasingleroot–ideahiddenawayinanancientword–origin.Translation,also,isexcellentexercise

inword–masteryandconsortswellwiththestudyofderivations.

Phrasebooksthatshowtheoriginsoffamiliarexpressionswillsurprisemostofusbyshowinghowcarelesslyeverydayspeechisused.Brewer’s“ADictionaryofPhrase,andFable,”Edwards’“Words,Facts,andPhrases,”andThornton’s“AnAmericanGlossary,”areallgood—thelast,anexpensiveworkinthreevolumes.

Aprefixorasuffixmayessentiallychangetheforceofthestem,asinmaster–fulandmaster–ly,contempt–ibleandcontempt–uous,envi–ousandenvi–able.Thustostudywordsingroups,accordingtotheirstems,prefixes,andsuffixesistogainamasteryovertheirshadesofmeaning,andintroduceustootherrelatedwords.

DonotFavoroneSetorKindofWordsmorethanAnother

“Sixtyyearsandmoreago,LordBrougham,addressingthestudentsoftheUniversityofGlasgow,laiddowntherulethatthenative(Anglo–Saxon)partofourvocabularywastobefavoredattheexpenseofthatotherpartwhichhascomefromtheLatinandGreek.Therulewasanimpossibleone,andLordBroughamhimselfnevertriedseriouslytoobserveit;nor,intruth,hasanygreatwritermadetheattempt.Notonlyisourlanguagehighlycomposite,butthecomponentwordshave,inDeQuincey’sphrase,‘happilycoalesced.’Itiseasytojestatwordsin–osityand–ation,as‘dictionary’words,andthelike.ButevenLordBroughamwouldhavefounditdifficulttodispensewithpomposityandimagination.”[34]

Theshort,vigorousAnglo–Saxonwillalwaysbepreferredforpassagesofspecialthrustandforce,justastheLatinwillcontinuetofurnishuswithflowingandsmoothexpressions;tomingleallsorts,however,willgivevariety—andthatismosttobedesired.

DiscussWordsWithThoseWhoKnowThem

Sincethelanguageoftheplatformfollowscloselythedictionofeverydayspeech,manyusefulwordsmaybeacquiredinconversationwithcultivatedmen,andwhensuchdiscussiontakestheformofdisputationastothemeaningsandusagesofwords,itwillprovedoublyvaluable.Thedevelopmentofword–powermarcheswiththegrowthofindividuality.

SearchFaithfullyfortheRightWord

Booksofreferencearetripledinvaluewhentheirownerhasapassionforgettingthekernelsoutoftheirshells.Tenminutesadaywilldowondersforthenut–cracker.“Iamgrowingsopeevishaboutmywriting,”saysFlaubert.“Iamlikeamanwhoseearistrue,butwhoplaysfalselyontheviolin:hisfingersrefusetoreproducepreciselythosesoundsofwhichhehastheinwardsense.Thenthetearscomerollingdownfromthepoorscraper’seyesandthebowfallsfromhishand.”

ThesamebrilliantFrenchmansentthissoundadvicetohispupil,GuydeMaupassant:“Whatevermaybethethingwhichonewishestosay,thereisbutonewordforexpressingit,onlyoneverbtoanimateit,onlyoneadjectivetoqualifyit.Itisessentialtosearchforthisword,forthisverb,forthisadjective,untiltheyarediscovered,andtobesatisfiedwithnothingelse.”

WalterSavageLandoroncewrote:“Ihatefalsewords,andseekwithcare,difficulty,and

morosenessthosethatfitthething.”SodidSentimentalTommy,asrelatedbyJamesM.Barrieinhisnovelbearinghishero’snameasatitle.NowonderT.Sandysbecameanauthorandalion!

Tommy,withanotherlad,iswritinganessayon“ADayinChurch,”incompetitionforauniversityscholarship.Hegetsonfinelyuntilhepausesforlackofaword.Fornearlyanhourhesearchesforthiselusivething,untilsuddenlyheistoldthattheallottedtimeisup,andhehaslost!Barriemaytelltherest:

Essay!Itwasnomoreanessaythanatwigisatree,forthegowkhadstuckinthemiddleofhissecondpage.Yes,stuckistherightexpression,ashischagrinedteacherhadtoadmitwhentheboywascross–examined.Hehadnotbeen“uptosomeofhistricks;”hehadstuck,andhisexplanations,asyouwilladmit,merelyemphasizedhisincapacity.

Hehadbroughthimselftopublicscornforlackofaword.Whatword?theyaskedtestily;butevennowhecouldnottell.HehadwantedaScotchwordthatwouldsignifyhowmanypeoplewereinchurch,anditwasonthetipofhistongue,butwouldcomenofarther.Pucklewasnearlytheword,butitdidnotmeansomanypeopleashemeant.Thehourhadgonebyjustlikewinking;hehadforgottenallabouttimewhilesearchinghismindfortheword.

*****

Theotherfive[examiners]werefurious….“Youlittletattiedoolie,”Cathroroared,“weretherenotadozenwordstowilefromifyouhadanill–willtopuckle?Whatailedyouatmanzy,or—”

“Ithoughtofmanzy,”repliedTommy,woefully,forhewasashamedofhimself,“but—butamanzy’saswarm.Itwouldmeanthatthefolkinthekirkwerebuzzingthegitherlikebees,insteadofsittingstill.”

“Evenifitdoesmeanthat,”saidMr.Duthie,withimpatience,“whatwastheneedofbeingsoparticular?Surelytheartofessay–writingconsistsinusingthefirstwordthatcomesandhurryingon.”

“That’showIdid,”saidtheproudMcLauchlan[Tommy’ssuccessfulcompetitor]….

“Isee,”interposedMr.Gloag,“thatMcLauchlanspeaksoftherebeingamaskofpeopleinthechurch.MaskisafineScotchword.”

“Ithoughtofmask,”whimperedTommy,“butthatwouldmeanthekirkwascrammed,andIjustmeantittobemiddlingfull.”

“Flowwouldhavedone,”suggestedMr.Lonimer.

“Flow’sbutahandful,”saidTommy.

“Curran,then,youjackanapes!”

“Curran’snoenough.”

Mr.Lorrimerflunguphishandsindespair.

“Iwantedsomethingbetweencurranandmask,”saidTommy,doggedly,yetalmostatthecrying.

Mr.Ogilvy,whohadbeenhidinghisadmirationwithdifficulty,spreadanetforhim.“Yousaidyouwantedawordthatmeantmiddlingfull.Well,whydidyounotsaymiddlingfull—orfellmask?”

“Yes,whynot?”demandedtheministers,unconsciouslycaughtinthenet.

“Iwantedoneword,”repliedTommy,unconsciouslyavoidingit.

“Youjewel!”mutteredMr.Ogilvyunderhisbreath,butMr.Cathrowouldhavebangedtheboy’sheadhadnottheministersinterfered.

“Itissoeasy,too,tofindtherightword,”saidMr.Gloag.

“It’sno;it’sdifficultastohitasquirrel,”criedTommy,andagainMr.Ogilvynoddedapproval.

*****

Andthenanoddthinghappened.Astheywerepreparingtoleavetheschool[CathrohavingpreviouslyrunTommyoutbytheneck],thedooropenedalittleandthereappearedintheaperturethefaceofTommy,tear–stainedbutexcited.“Ikenthewordnow,”hecried,“itcametomea’atonce;itishantle!”

Mr.Ogilvy…saidinanecstasytohimself,“Hehadtothinkofittillhegotit—andhegotit.Theladdieisagenius!”


1.Whatisthederivationofthewordvocabulary?

2.Brieflydiscussanycompletespeechgiveninthisvolume,withreferenceto(a)exactness,(b)variety,and(c)charm,intheuseofwords.

3.Giveoriginalexamplesofthekindsofword–studiesreferredtoonpages337and338.

4.Deliverashorttalkonanysubject,usingatleastfivewordswhichhavenotbeenpreviouslyinyour“dynamic”vocabulary.

5.Makealistoftheunfamiliarwordsfoundinanyaddressyoumayselect.

6.Deliverashortextemporaneousspeechgivingyouropinionsonthemeritsanddemeritsoftheuseofunusualwordsinpublicspeaking.

7.Trytofindanexampleoftheover–useofunusualwordsinaspeech.

8.Haveyouusedreferencebooksinwordstudies?Ifso,statewithwhatresult.

9.Findasmanysynonymsandantonymsaspossibleforeachofthefollowingwords:Excess,Rare,Severe,Beautiful,Clear,Happy,Difference,Care,Skillful,Involve,Enmity,Profit,Absurd,Evident,Faint,Friendly,Harmony,Hatred,Honest,Inherent.

[32]HowtoAttractandHoldanAudience,J.BergEsenwein.[33]Abookofsynonymsandantonymsisinpreparationforthisseries,“TheWriter’sLibrary.”[34]CompositionandRhetoric,J.M.Hart.

CHAPTERXXVIIIMemoryTraining

Lulledinthecountlesschambersofthebrain,Ourthoughtsarelinkedbymanyahiddenchain;Awakebutone,andlo!whatmyriadsrise!Eachstampsitsimageastheotherflies!

*****

Hail,memory,hail!inthyexhaustlessmineFromagetoageunnumber’dtreasuresshine!Thoughtandhershadowybroodthycallobey,AndPlaceandTimearesubjecttothysway!

—SAMUELROGERS,PleasuresofMemory.

Manyanorator,likeThackeray,hasmadethebestpartofhisspeechtohimself—onthewayhomefromthelecturehall.Presenceofmind—itremainedforMarkTwaintoobserve—isgreatlypromotedbyabsenceofbody.Aholeinthememoryisnolessacommoncomplaintthanadistressingone.

HenryWardBeecherwasabletodeliveroneoftheworld’sgreatestaddressesatLiverpoolbecauseofhisexcellentmemory.InspeakingoftheoccasionMr.Beechersaidthatalltheevents,argumentsandappealsthathehadeverheardorreadorwrittenseemedtopassbeforehismindasoratoricalweapons,andstandingtherehehadbuttoreachforthhishandand“seizetheweaponsastheywentsmokingby.”BenJonsoncouldrepeatallhehadwritten.ScaligermemorizedtheIliadinthreeweeks.Lockesays:“Withoutmemory,manisaperpetualinfant.”QuintilianandAristotleregardeditasameasureofgenius.

Nowallthisisverygood.Weallagreethatareliablememoryisaninvaluablepossessionforthespeaker.Weneverdissentforamomentwhenwearesolemnlytoldthathismemoryshouldbeastorehousefromwhichatpleasurehecandrawfacts,fancies,andillustrations.Butcanthememorybetrainedtoactasthewarderforallthetruthsthatwehavegainedfromthinking,reading,andexperience?Andifso,how?Letussee.

Twentyyearsagoapoorimmigrantboy,employedasadishwasherinNewYork,wanderedintotheCooperUnionandbegantoreadacopyofHenryGeorge’s“ProgressandPoverty.”Hispassionforknowledgewasawakened,andhebecameahabitualreader.Buthefoundthathewasnotabletorememberwhatheread,sohebegantotrainhisnaturallypoormemoryuntilhebecametheworld’sgreatestmemoryexpert.ThismanwasthelateMr.FelixBerol.Mr.Berolcouldtellthepopulationofanytownintheworld,ofmorethanfivethousandinhabitants.Hecouldrecallthenamesoffortystrangerswhohadjustbeenintroducedtohimandwasabletotellwhichhadbeenpresentedthird,eighth,

seventeenth,orinanyorder.Heknewthedateofeveryimportanteventinhistory,andcouldnotonlyrecallanendlessarrayoffactsbutcouldcorrelatethemperfectly.

TowhatextentMr.Berol’sremarkablememorywasnaturalandrequiredonlyattention,foritsdevelopment,seemsimpossibletodeterminewithexactness,buttheevidenceclearlyindicatesthat,howeveruselessweremanyofhismemoryfeats,ahighlyretentivememorywasdevelopedwherebeforeonly“agoodforgettery”existed.

Thefreakmemoryisnotworthstrivingfor,butagoodworkingmemorydecidedlyis.Yourpowerasaspeakerwilldependtoalargeextentuponyourabilitytoretainimpressionsandcallthemforthwhenoccasiondemands,andthatsortofmemoryislikemuscle—itrespondstotraining.

WhatNottoDo

Itissheermisdirectedefforttobegintomemorizebylearningwordsbyrote,forthatisbeginningtobuildapyramidattheapex.Foryearsourschoolswerecursedbythisvicioussystem—viciousnotonlybecauseitisinefficientbutforthemoreimportantreasonthatithurtsthemind.True,somemindsarenativelyendowedwithawonderfulfacilityinrememberingstringsofwords,facts,andfigures,butsucharerarelygoodreasoningminds;thenormalpersonmustbelaborandforcethememorytoacquireinthisartificialway.

Again,itishurtfultoforcethememoryinhoursofphysicalweaknessormentalweariness.Healthisthebasisofthebestmentalactionandtheoperationofmemoryisnoexception.

Finally,donotbecomeaslavetoasystem.Knowledgeofafewsimplefactsofmindandmemorywillsetyoutoworkattherightendoftheoperation.Usetheseprinciples,whetherincludedinasystemornot,butdonotbindyourselftoamethodthattendstolaymorestressonthewaytorememberthanonthedevelopmentofmemoryitself.Itisnothingshortofridiculoustomemorizetenwordsinordertorememberonefact.

TheNaturalLawsofMemory

Concentratedattentionatthetimewhenyouwishtostorethemindisthefirststepinmemorizing—andthemostimportantonebyfar.Youforgotthefourthofthelistofarticlesyourwifeaskedyoutobringhomechieflybecauseyouallowedyourattentiontowaverforaninstantwhenshewastellingyou.Attentionmaynotbeconcentratedattention.Whenasiphonischargedwithgasitissufficientlyfilledwiththecarbonicacidvaportomakeitsinfluencefelt;amindchargedwithanideaischargedtoadegreesufficienttoholdit.Toomuchchargingwillmakethesiphonburst;toomuchattentiontotriflesleadstoinsanity.Adequateattention,then,isthefundamentalsecretofremembering.

Generallywedonotgiveafactadequateattentionwhenitdoesnotseemimportant.Almosteveryonehasseenhowtheseedsinanapplepoint,andhasmemorizedthedateofWashington’sdeath.Mostofushave—perhapswisely—forgottenboth.Thelittlenickinthebarkofatreeishealedoverandobliteratedinaseason,butthegashesinthetreesaroundGettysburgarestillapparentafterfiftyyears.Impressionsthataregatheredlightlyaresoonobliterated.Onlydeepimpressionscanberecalledatwill.HenryWardBeecher

said:“Oneintensehourwilldomorethandreamyyears.”Tomemorizeideasandwords,concentrateonthemuntiltheyarefixedfirmlyanddeeplyinyourmindandaccordtothemtheirtrueimportance.LISTENwiththemindandyouwillremember.

Howshallyouconcentrate?Howwouldyouincreasethefighting–effectivenessofaman–of–war?Onevitalwaywouldbetoincreasethesizeandnumberofitsguns.Tostrengthenyourmemory,increaseboththenumberandtheforceofyourmentalimpressionsbyattendingtothemintensely.Loose,skimmingreading,anddriftinghabitsofreadingdestroymemorypower.However,asmostbooksandnewspapersdonotwarrantanyotherkindofattention,itwillnotdoaltogethertocondemnthismethodofreading;butavoiditwhenyouaretryingtomemorize.

Environmenthasastronginfluenceuponconcentration,untilyouhavelearnedtobealoneinacrowdandundisturbedbyclamor.Whenyousetouttomemorizeafactoraspeech,youmayfindthetaskeasierawayfromallsoundsandmovingobjects.Allimpressionsforeigntotheoneyoudesiretofixinyourmindmustbeeliminated.

Thenextgreatstepinmemorizingistopickouttheessentialsofthesubject,arrangetheminorder,anddwelluponthemintently.Thinkclearlyofeachessential,oneaftertheother.Thinkingathing—notallowingthemindtowandertonon–essentials—isreallymemorizing.

Associationofideasisuniversallyrecognizedasanessentialinmemorywork;indeed,wholesystemsofmemorytraininghavebeenfoundedonthisprinciple.

Manyspeakersmemorizeonlytheoutlinesoftheiraddresses,fillinginthewordsatthemomentofspeaking.Somehavefoundithelpfultorememberanoutlinebyassociatingthedifferentpointswithobjectsintheroom.Speakingon“Peace,”youmaywishtodwellonthecostthecruelty,andthefailureofwar,andsoleadtothejusticeofarbitration.Beforegoingontheplatformifyouwillassociatefourdivisionsofyouroutlinewithfourobjectsintheroom,thisassociationmayhelpyoutorecallthem.Youmaybepronetoforgetyourthirdpoint,butyourememberthatoncewhenyouwerespeakingtheelectriclightsfailed,soarbitrarilytheelectriclightglobewillhelpyoutoremember“failure.”Suchassociations,beingunique,tendtostickinthemind.Whilerecentlyspeakingonthesixkindsofimaginationthepresentwriterformedthemintoanacrostic—visual,auditory,motor,gustatory,olfactory,andtactile,furnishedthenonsensewordvamgot,butthesixpointswereeasilyremembered.

Inthesamewaythatchildrenaretaughttorememberthespellingofteasingwords—separatecomesfromsepar—andasanautomobiledriverremembersthattwoC’sandthentwoH’sleadhimintoCastorRoad,CottmanStreet,HaynesStreetandHenryStreet,soimportantpointsinyouraddressmaybefixedinmindbyarbitrarysymbolsinventedbyyourself.Theveryworkofdevisingtheschemeisamemoryaction.Thepsychologicalprocessissimple:itisoneofnotingintentlythestepsbywhichafact,oratruth,orevenaword,hascometoyou.Takeadvantageofthistendencyofthemindtorememberbyassociation.

Repetitionisapowerfulaidtomemory.ThurlowWeed,thejournalistandpoliticalleader,wastroubledbecausehesoeasilyforgotthenamesofpersonshemetfromdaytoday.Hecorrectedtheweakness,relatesProfessorWilliamJames,byformingthehabitofattending

carefullytonameshehadheardduringthedayandthenrepeatingthemtohiswifeeveryevening.DoubtlessMrs.Weedwasheroicallylongsuffering,butthedeviceworkedadmirably.

Afterreadingapassageyouwouldremember,closethebook,reflect,andrepeatthecontents—aloud,ifpossible.

Readingthoughtfullyaloudhasbeenfoundbymanytobeahelpfulmemorypractise.

Writewhatyouwishtoremember.Thisissimplyonemorewayofincreasingthenumberandthestrengthofyourmentalimpressionsbyutilizingallyouravenuesofimpression.Itwillhelptofixaspeechinyourmindifyouspeakitaloud,listentoit,writeitout,andlookatitintently.Youhavethenimpresseditonyourmindbymeansofvocal,auditory,muscularandvisualimpressions.

Somefolkhavepeculiarlydistinctauditorymemories;theyareabletorecallthingsheardmuchbetterthanthingsseen.Othershavethevisualmemory;theyarebestabletorecallsight–impressions.Asyourecallawalkyouhavetaken,areyouabletorememberbetterthesightsorthesounds?Findoutwhatkindsofimpressionsyourmemoryretainsbest,andusethemthemost.Tofixanideainmind,useeverypossiblekindofimpression.

Dailyhabitisagreatmemorycultivator.LearnalessonfromtheMarathonrunner.Regularexercise,thoughneversolittledaily,willstrengthenyourmemoryinasurprisingmeasure.Trytodescribeindetailthedress,looksandmannerofthepeopleyoupassonthestreet.Observetheroomyouarein,closeyoureyes,anddescribeitscontents.Viewcloselythelandscape,andwriteoutadetaileddescriptionofit.Howmuchdidyoumiss?Noticethecontentsoftheshowwindowsonthestreet;howmanyfeaturesareyouabletorecall?ContinualpractiseinthisfeatmaydevelopinyouasremarkableproficiencyasitdidinRobertHoudinandhisson.

Thedailymemorizingofabeautifulpassageinliteraturewillnotonlylendstrengthtothememory,butwillstorethemindwithgemsforquotation.Butwhetherbylittleormuchadddailytoyourmemorypowerbypractise.

Memorizeoutofdoors.Thebuoyancyofthewood,theshore,orthestormynightondesertedstreetsmayfreshenyourmindasitdoesthemindsofcountlessothers.

Lastly,castoutfear.Tellyourselfthatyoucanandwillanddoremember.Bypureexerciseofselfismassertyourmastery.Beobsessedwiththefearofforgettingandyoucannotremember.Practisethereverse.Throwasideyourmanuscriptcrutches—youmaytumbleonceortwice,butwhatmattersthat,foryouaregoingtolearntowalkandleapandrun.

MemorizingaSpeech

Nowletustrytoputintopractisetheforegoingsuggestions.First,rereadthischapter,notingtheninewaysbywhichmemorizingmaybehelped.

ThenreadoverthefollowingselectionfromBeecher,applyingsomanyofthesuggestionsasarepracticable.Getthespiritoftheselectionfirmlyinyourmind.Makementalnoteof—writedown,ifyoumust—thesuccessionofideas.Nowmemorizethethought.Thenmemorizetheoutline,theorderinwhichthedifferentideasareexpressed.Finally,

memorizetheexactwording.

No,whenyouhavedoneallthis,withthemostfaithfulattentiontodirections,youwillnotfindmemorizingeasy,unlessyouhavepreviouslytrainedyourmemory,oritisnaturallyretentive.Onlybyconstantpractisewillmemorybecomestrongandonlybycontinuallyobservingthesesameprincipleswillitremainstrong.Youwill,however,havemadeabeginning,andthatisnomeanmatter.

THEREIGNOFTHECOMMONPEOPLE

Idonotsupposethatifyouweretogoandlookupontheexperimentofself–governmentinAmericayouwouldhaveaveryhighopinionofit.Ihavenoteither,ifIjustlookuponthesurfaceofthings.Why,menwillsay:“Itstandstoreasonthat60,000,000ignorantoflaw,ignorantofconstitutionalhistory,ignorantofjurisprudence,offinance,andtaxesandtariffsandformsofcurrency—60,000,000peoplethatneverstudiedthesethings—arenotfittorule.”Yourdiplomacyisascomplicatedasours,anditisthemostcomplicatedonearth,forallthingsgrowincomplexityastheydeveloptowardahighercondition.Whatfitnessisthereinthesepeople?Well,itisnotdemocracymerely;itisarepresentativedemocracy.Ourpeopledonotvoteinmassforanything;theypickoutcaptainsofthought,theypickoutthementhatdoknow,andtheysendthemtotheLegislaturetothinkforthem,andthenthepeopleafterwardratifyordisallowthem.

ButwhenyoucometotheLegislatureIamboundtoconfessthatthethingdoesnotlookverymuchmorecheeringontheoutside.Dotheyreallyselectthebestmen?Yes;intimesofdangertheydoverygenerally,butinordinarytime,“kissinggoesbyfavor.”YouknowwhatthedutyofaregularRepublican–Democraticlegislatoris.Itistogetbackagainnextwinter.Hisseconddutyiswhat?Hisseconddutyistoputhimselfunderthatextraordinaryprovidencethattakescareoflegislators’salaries.Theoldmiracleoftheprophetandthemealandtheoilisoutdoneimmeasurablyinourdays,fortheygotherepooroneyear,andgohomerich;infouryearstheybecomemoneylenders,allbyatrustinthatgraciousprovidencethattakescareoflegislators’salaries.Theirnextdutyafterthatistoservethepartythatsentthemup,andthen,ifthereisanythingleftofthem,itbelongstothecommonwealth.Someonehassaidverywisely,thatifamantravelingwishestorelishhisdinnerhehadbetternotgointothekitchentoseewhereitiscooked;ifamanwishestorespectandobeythelaw,hehadbetternotgototheLegislaturetoseewherethatiscooked.


FromalecturedeliveredinExeterHall,London,1886,whenmakinghislasttourofGreatBritain.

InCaseofTrouble

Butwhatareyoutodoif,notwithstandingallyourefforts,youshouldforgetyourpoints,andyourmind,fortheminute,becomesblank?Thisisadeplorableconditionthatsometimesarisesandmustbedealtwith.Obviously,youcansitdownandadmitdefeat.

Suchaconsummationisdevoutlytobeshunned.

Walkingslowlyacrosstheplatformmaygiveyoutimetogripyourself,composeyourthoughts,andstaveoffdisaster.Perhapsthesurestandmostpracticalmethodistobeginanewsentencewithyourlastimportantword.Thisisnotadvocatedasamethodofcomposingaspeech—itismerelyanextrememeasurewhichmaysaveyouintightcircumstances.Itislikethefiredepartment—thelessyoumustuseitthebetter.IfthismethodisfollowedverylongyouarelikelytofindyourselftalkingaboutplumpuddingorChineseGordoninthemostunexpectedmanner,soofcourseyouwillgetbacktoyourlinestheearliestmomentthatyourfeethavehittheplatform.

Letusseehowthisplanworks—obviously,yourextemporizedwordswilllacksomewhatofpolish,butinsuchapasscrudityisbetterthanfailure.

Nowyouhavecometoadeadwallaftersaying:“JoanofArcfoughtforliberty.”Bythismethodyoumightgetsomethinglikethis:

“Libertyisasacredprivilegeforwhichmankindalwayshadtofight.Thesestruggles[Platitude—butpushon]fillthepagesofhistory.Historyrecordsthegradualtriumphoftheserfoverthelord,theslaveoverthemaster.Themasterhascontinuallytriedtousurpunlimitedpowers.Powerduringthemedievalagesaccruedtotheownerofthelandwithaspearandastrongcastle;butthestrongcastleandspearwereoflittleavailafterthediscoveryofgunpowder.Gunpowderwasthegreatestboonthatlibertyhadeverknown.”

Thusfaryouhavelinkedoneideawithanotherratherobviously,butyouaregettingyoursecondwindnowandmayventuretorelaxyourgriponthetoo–evidentchain;andsoyousay:

“Withgunpowderthehumblestserfinallthelandcouldputanendtothelifeofthetyrannicalbaronbehindthecastlewalls.Thestruggleforliberty,withgunpowderasitsaid,wreckedempires,andbuiltupaneweraforallmankind.”

Inamomentmoreyouhavegottenbacktoyouroutlineandthedayissaved.

Practisingexercisesliketheabovewillnotonlyfortifyyouagainstthedeathofyourspeechwhenyourmemorymissesfire,butitwillalsoprovideanexcellenttrainingforfluencyinspeaking.Stockupwithideas.


1.Pickoutandstatebrieflytheninehelpstomemorizingsuggestedinthischapter.

2.Reportonwhateversuccessyoumayhavehadwithanyoftheplansformemoryculturesuggestedinthischapter.Haveanybeenlesssuccessfulthanothers?

3.Freelycriticiseanyofthesuggestedmethods.

4.Giveanoriginalexampleofmemorybyassociationofideas.

5.Listinorderthechiefideasofanyspeechinthisvolume.

6.Repeatthemfrommemory.

7.Expandthemintoaspeech,usingyourownwords.

8.Illustratepracticallywhatwouldyoudo,ifinthemidstofaspeechonProgress,your

memoryfailedyouandyoustoppedsuddenlyonthefollowingsentence:“Thelastcenturysawmarvelousprogressinvariedlinesofactivity.”

9.Howmanyquotationsthatfitwellinthespeaker’stoolchestcanyourecallfrommemory?

10.Memorizethepoemonpage42.Howmuchtimedoesitrequire?

CHAPTERXXIXRightThinkingandPersonality

Whatevercrushesindividualityisdespotism,bywhatevernameitmaybecalled.

—JOHNSTUARTMILL,OnLiberty.

Rightthinkingfitsforcompletelivingbydevelopingthepowertoappreciatethebeautifulinnatureandart,powertothinkthetrueandtowillthegood,powertolivethelifeofthought,andfaith,andhope,andlove.

—N.C.SCHAEFFER,ThinkingandLearningtoThink.

Thespeaker’smostvaluablepossessionispersonality—thatindefinable,imponderablesomethingwhichsumsupwhatweare,andmakesusdifferentfromothers;thatdistinctiveforceofselfwhichoperatesappreciablyonthosewhoseliveswetouch.Itispersonalityalonethatmakesuslongforhigherthings.Robusofoursenseofindividuallife,withitsgainsandlosses,itsdutiesandjoys,andwegrovel.“Fewhumancreatures,”saysJohnStuartMill,“wouldconsenttobechangedintoanyoftheloweranimalsforapromiseofthefullestallowanceofabeast’spleasures;nointelligenthumanbeingwouldconsenttobeafool,noinstructedpersonwouldbeanignoramus,nopersonoffeelingandconsciencewouldbeselfishandbase,eventhoughheshouldbepersuadedthatthefool,orthedunce,ortherascalisbettersatisfiedwithhislotthantheywiththeirs….Itisbettertobeahumanbeingdissatisfiedthanapigsatisfied,bettertobeaSocratesdissatisfiedthanafoolsatisfied.Andifthefoolorthepigisofadifferentopinion,itisonlybecausetheyknowonlytheirownsideofthequestion.Theotherpartytothecomparisonknowsbothsides.”

NowitispreciselybecausetheSocratestypeofpersonlivesontheplanofrightthinkingandrestrainedfeelingandwillingthatheprefershisstatetothatoftheanimal.Allthatamanis,allhishappiness,hissorrow,hisachievements,hisfailures,hismagnetism,hisweakness,allareinanamazinglylargemeasurethedirectresultsofhisthinking.Thoughtandheartcombinetoproducerightthinking:“Asamanthinkethinhisheartsoishe.”Ashedoesnotthinkinhisheartsohecanneverbecome.

Sincethisistrue,personalitycanbedevelopedanditslatentpowersbroughtoutbycarefulcultivation.Wehavelongsinceceasedtobelievethatwearelivinginarealmofchance.Soclearandexactarenature’slawsthatweforecast,scoresofyearsinadvance,theappearanceofacertaincometandforetelltotheminuteaneclipseoftheSun.Andweunderstandthislawofcauseandeffectinallourmaterialrealms.Wedonotplantpotatoesandexpecttopluckhyacinths.Thelawisuniversal:itappliestoourmentalpowers,tomorality,topersonality,quiteasmuchastotheheavenlybodiesandthegrainofthefields.“Whatsoeveramansoweththatshallhealsoreap,”andnothingelse.

Characterhasalwaysbeenregardedasoneofthechieffactorsofthespeaker’spower.

Catodefinedtheoratorasvirbonusdicendiperitus—agoodmanskilledinspeaking.PhillipsBrookssays:“Nobodycantrulystandasauttererbeforetheworld,unlesshebeprofoundlylivingandearnestlythinking.”“Character,”saysEmerson,“isanaturalpower,likelightandheat,andallnaturecooperateswithit.Thereasonwhywefeeloneman’spresence,anddonotfeelanother’sisassimpleasgravity.Truthisthesummitofbeing:justiceistheapplicationofittoaffairs.Allindividualnaturesstandinascale,accordingtothepurityofthiselementinthem.Thewillofthepurerunsdownintoothernatures,aswaterrunsdownfromahigherintoalowervessel.Thisnaturalforceisnomoretobewithstoodthananyothernaturalforce….Characterisnatureinthehighestform.”

Itisabsolutelyimpossibleforimpure,bestialandselfishthoughtstoblossomintolovingandaltruistichabits.Thistleseedsbringforthonlythethistle.Contrariwise,itisentirelyimpossibleforcontinualaltruistic,sympathetic,andservicefulthoughtstobringforthalowandviciouscharacter.Eitherthoughtsorfeelingsprecedeanddetermineallouractions.Actionsdevelopintohabits,habitsconstitutecharacter,andcharacterdeterminesdestiny.Thereforetoguardourthoughtsandcontrolourfeelingsistoshapeourdestinies.Thesyllogismiscomplete,andoldasitisitisstilltrue.

Since“characterisnatureinthehighestform,”thedevelopmentofcharactermustproceedonnaturallines.Thegardenlefttoitselfwillbringforthweedsandscrawnyplants,buttheflower–bedsnurturedcarefullywillblossomintofragranceandbeauty.

Asthestudententeringcollegelargelydetermineshisvocationbychoosingfromthedifferentcoursesofthecurriculum,sodowechooseourcharactersbychoosingourthoughts.Wearesteadilygoinguptowardthatwhichwemostwishfor,orsteadilysinkingtothelevelofourlowdesires.Whatwesecretlycherishinourheartsisasymbolofwhatweshallreceive.Ourtrainsofthoughtsarehurryingusontoourdestiny.WhenyouseetheflagflutteringtotheSouth,youknowthewindiscomingfromtheNorth.WhenyouseethestrawsandpapersbeingcarriedtotheNorthwardyourealizethewindisblowingoutoftheSouth.Itisjustaseasytoascertainaman’sthoughtsbyobservingthetendencyofhischaracter.

Letitnotbesuspectedforonemomentthatallthisismerelyapreachmentonthequestionofmorals.Itisthat,butmuchmore,forittouchesthewholeman—hisimaginativenature,hisabilitytocontrolhisfeelings,themasteryofhisthinkingfaculties,and—perhapsmostlargely—hispowertowillandtocarryhisvolitionsintoeffectiveaction.

Rightthinkingconstantlyassumesthatthewillsitsenthronedtoexecutethedictatesofmind,conscienceandheart.Nevertolerateforaninstantthesuggestionthatyourwillisnotabsolutelyefficient.Thewaytowillistowill—andtheveryfirsttimeyouaretemptedtobreakaworthyresolution—andyouwillbe,youmaybecertainofthat—makeyourfightthenandthere.Youcannotaffordtolosethatfight.Youmustwinit—don’tswerveforaninstant,butkeepthatresolutionifitkillsyou.Itwillnot,butyoumustfightjustasthoughlifedependedonthevictory;andindeedyourpersonalitymayactuallylieinthebalances!

Yoursuccessorfailureasaspeakerwillbedeterminedverylargelybyyourthoughtsandyourmentalattitude.Thepresentwriterhadastudentoflimitededucationenteroneofhisclassesinpublicspeaking.Heprovedtobeaverypoorspeaker;andtheinstructorcould

conscientiouslydolittlebutpointoutfaults.However,theyoungmanwaswarnednottobediscouraged.Withsorrowinhisvoiceandtheessenceofearnestnessbeamingfromhiseyes,hereplied:“Iwillnotbediscouraged!Iwantsobadlytoknowhowtospeak!”Itwaswarm,human,andfromtheveryheart.Andhedidkeepontrying—anddevelopedintoacreditablespeaker.

Thereisnopowerunderthestarsthatcandefeatamanwiththatattitude.Hewhodowninthedeepsofhisheartearnestlylongstogetfacilityinspeaking,andiswillingtomakethesacrificesnecessary,willreachhisgoal.“Askandyeshallreceive;seekandyeshallfind;knockanditshallbeopeneduntoyou,”isindeedapplicabletothosewhowouldacquirespeech–power.Youwillnotrealizetheprizethatyouwishforlanguidly,butthegoalthatyoustartouttoattainwiththespiritoftheoldguardthatdiesbutneversurrenders,youwillsurelyreach.

Yourbeliefinyourabilityandyourwillingnesstomakesacrificesforthatbelief,arethedoubleindextoyourfutureachievements.Lincolnhadadreamofhispossibilitiesasaspeaker.Hetransmutedthatdreamintolifesolelybecausehewalkedmanymilestoborrowbookswhichhereadbythelog–fireglowatnight.Hesacrificedmuchtorealizehisvision.LivingstonehadagreatfaithinhisabilitytoservethebenightedracesofAfrica.Toactualizethatfaithhegaveupall.LeavingEnglandfortheinterioroftheDarkContinenthestruckthedeathblowtoEurope’sprofitsfromtheslavetrade.JoanofArchadgreatself–confidence,glorifiedbyaninfinitecapacityforsacrifice.ShedrovetheEnglishbeyondtheLoire,andstoodbesideCharleswhilehewascrowned.

Theseallrealizedtheirstrongestdesires.Thelawisuniversal.Desiregreatly,andyoushallachieve;sacrificemuch,andyoushallobtain.

StantonDavisKirkhamhasbeautifullyexpressedthisthought:“Youmaybekeepingaccounts,andpresentlyyoushallwalkoutofthedoorthathasforsolongseemedtoyouthebarrierofyourideals,andshallfindyourselfbeforeanaudience—thepenstillbehindyourear,theinkstainsonyourfingers—andthenandthereshallpouroutthetorrentofyourinspiration.Youmaybedrivingsheep,andyoushallwandertothecity—bucolicandopen–mouthed;shallwanderundertheintrepidguidanceofthespiritintothestudioofthemaster,andafteratimeheshallsay,‘Ihavenothingmoretoteachyou.’Andnowyouhavebecomethemaster,whodidsorecentlydreamofgreatthingswhiledrivingsheep.Youshalllaydownthesawandtheplanetotakeuponyourselftheregenerationoftheworld.”


1.What,inyourownwords,ispersonality?

2.Howdoespersonalityinaspeakeraffectyouasalistener?

3.Inwhatwaysdoespersonalityshowitselfinaspeaker?

4.Deliverashortspeechon“ThePowerofWillinthePublicSpeaker.”

5.Deliverashortaddressbasedonanysentenceyouchoosefromthischapter.

CHAPTERXXXAfter-dinnerandOtherOccasionalSpeaking

Theperceptionoftheludicrousisapledgeofsanity.

—RALPHWALDOEMERSON,Essays.

Andlethimbesuretoleaveothermentheirturnstospeak.

—FRANCISBACON,EssayonCivilandMoralDiscourse.

Perhapsthemostbrilliant,andcertainlythemostentertaining,ofallspeechesarethosedeliveredonafter–dinnerandotherspecialoccasions.Theairofwell–fedcontentintheformer,andofexpectancywellprimedinthelatter,furnishesanaudiencewhich,thoughnotreadilywon,ispreparedforthebest,whilethespeakerhimselfisprettysuretohavebeenchosenforhisgiftsoforatory.

Thefirstessentialofgoodoccasionalspeakingistostudytheoccasion.Preciselywhatistheobjectofthemeeting?Howimportantistheoccasiontotheaudience?Howlargewilltheaudiencebe?Whatsortofpeoplearethey?Howlargeistheauditorium?Whoselectsthespeakers’themes?Whoelseistospeak?Whataretheytospeakabout?PreciselyhowlongamItospeak?WhospeaksbeforeIdoandwhofollows?

Ifyouwanttohitthenailontheheadasksuchquestionsasthese.[35]NooccasionaladdresscansucceedunlessitfitstheoccasiontoaT.Manyprominentmenhavelostprestigebecausetheyweretoocarelessortoobusyortooself–confidenttorespecttheoccasionandtheaudiencebylearningtheexactconditionsunderwhichtheyweretospeak.Leavingtoomuchtothemomentistakingalongchanceandgenerallymeansalesseffectivespeech,ifnotafailure.

Suitabilityisthebigthinginanoccasionalspeech.WhenMarkTwainaddressedtheArmyoftheTennesseeinreunionatChicago,in1877,herespondedtothetoast,“TheBabies.”Twothingsinthatafter–dinnerspeechareremarkable:thebrightintroduction,bywhichhesubtlyclaimedtheinterestofall,andthehumoroususeofmilitarytermsthroughout:

Mr.ChairmanandGentlemen:“TheBabies.”Now,that’ssomethinglike.Wehaven’tallhadthegoodfortunetobeladies;wehavenotallbeengenerals,orpoets,orstatesmen;butwhenthetoastworksdowntothebabies,westandoncommonground—forwe’veallbeenbabies.Itisashamethatforathousandyearstheworld’sbanquetshaveutterlyignoredthebaby,asifhedidn’tamounttoanything!Ifyou,gentlemen,willstopandthinkaminute—ifyouwillgobackfiftyorahundredyears,toyourearlymarriedlife,andrecontemplateyourfirstbaby—youwillrememberthatheamountedtoagooddeal—andevensomethingover.

“Asavesselisknownbythesound,whetheritbecrackedornot,”saidDemosthenes,“so

menareprovedbytheirspeecheswhethertheybewiseorfoolish.”Surelytheoccasionaladdressfurnishesaseveretestofaspeaker’swisdom.Tobetrivialonaseriousoccasion,tobefunerealatabanquet,tobelong–windedever—thesearethemarksofnon–sense.Someimprudentsoulsseemtoselectthemostfriendlyofafter–dinneroccasionsfortheexplosionofabomb–shellofdispute.Aroundthedinnertableitisthecustomofevenpoliticalenemiestoburytheirhatchetsanywhereratherthaninsomeconvenientskull.Itistheheightofbadtastetoraisequestionsthatinhoursconsecratedtogood–willcanonlyirritate.

Occasionalspeechesoffergoodchancesforhumor,particularlythefunnystory,forhumorwithagenuinepointisnottrivial.Butdonotspinawholeskeinofhumorousyarnswithnomoreconnectionthantheinaneandthreadbare“Andthatremindsme.”Ananecdotewithoutbearingmaybefunnybutonelessfunnythatfitsthemeandoccasionisfarpreferable.Thereisnoway,shortofsheerpowerofspeech,thatsosurelyleadstotheheartofanaudienceasrich,appropriatehumor.Thescattereddinersinagreatbanquetinghall,theafter–dinnerlethargy,theanxietyoverapproachinglast–traintime,theover–fulllistofover–fullspeakers—allthrowoutachallengetothespeakertodohisbesttowinaninterestedhearing.Andwhensuccessdoescomeitisusuallyduetoahappymixtureofseriousnessandhumor,forhumoralonerarelyscoressoheavilyasthetwocombined,whiletheutterlygravespeechneverdoesonsuchoccasions.

Ifthereisoneplacemorethananotherwheresecond–handopinionsandplatitudesareunwelcomeitisintheafter–dinnerspeech.Whetheryouaretoast–masterorthelastspeakertotrytoholdthewaningcrowdatmidnight,beasoriginalasyoucan.Howisitpossibletosummarizethequalitiesthatgotomakeupthegoodafter–dinnerspeech,whenweremembertheinimitableserious–drolleryofMarkTwain,thesweetsoutherneloquenceofHenryW.Grady,thefunerealgravityofthehumorousCharlesBattellLoomis,thecharmofHenryVanDyke,thegenialityofF.HopkinsonSmith,andtheall–rounddelightfulnessofChaunceyM.Depew?Americaisliterallyrichinsuchgladsomespeakers,whopunctuaterealsensewithnonsense,andsomakebotheffective.

Commemorativeoccasions,unveilings,commencements,dedications,eulogies,andallthetrainofspecialpublicgatherings,offerrareopportunitiesforthedisplayoftactandgoodsenseinhandlingoccasion,theme,andaudience.Whentobedignifiedandwhencolloquial,whentosoarandwhentoramblearminarmwithyourhearers,whentoflameandwhentosoothe,whentoinstructandwhentoamuse—inaword,thewholematterofAPPROPRIATENESSmustconstantlybeinmindlestyouwriteyourspeechonwater.

Finally,rememberthebeatitude:Blessedisthemanthatmakethshortspeeches,forheshallbeinvitedtospeakagain.

SELECTIONSFORSTUDY

LASTDAYSOFTHECONFEDERACY

(Extract)

TheRapidansuggestsanotherscenetowhichallusionhasoftenbeenmadesincethewar,butwhich,asillustrativealsoofthespiritofbotharmies,Imaybepermittedto

recallinthisconnection.InthemellowtwilightofanAprildaythetwoarmieswereholdingtheirdressparadesontheoppositehillsborderingtheriver.AtthecloseoftheparadeamagnificentbrassbandoftheUnionarmyplayedwithgreatspiritthepatrioticairs,“HailColumbia,”and“YankeeDoodle.”WhereupontheFederaltroopsrespondedwithapatrioticshout.Thesamebandthenplayedthesoul–stirringstrainsof“Dixie,”towhichamightyresponsecamefromtenthousandSoutherntroops.Afewmomentslater,whenthestarshadcomeoutaswitnessesandwhenallnaturewasinharmony,therecamefromthesamebandtheoldmelody,“Home,SweetHome.”Asitsfamiliarandpatheticnotesrolledoverthewaterandthrilledthroughthespiritsofthesoldiers,thehillsreverberatedwithathunderingresponsefromtheunitedvoicesofbotharmies.Whatwasthereinthisold,oldmusic,tosotouchthechordsofsympathy,sothrillthespiritsandcausetheframesofbravementotremblewithemotion?Itwasthethoughtofhome.Tothousands,doubtless,itwasthethoughtofthatEternalHometowhichthenextbattlemightbethegateway.Tothousandsofothersitwasthethoughtoftheirdearearthlyhomes,wherelovedonesatthattwilighthourwerebowingroundthefamilyaltar,andaskingGod’scareovertheabsentsoldierboy.

—GENERALJ.B.GORDON,C.S.A.

WELCOMETOKOSSUTH

(Extract)

Letmeaskyoutoimaginethatthecontest,inwhichtheUnitedStatesassertedtheirindependenceofGreatBritain,hadbeenunsuccessful;thatourarmies,throughtreasonoraleagueoftyrantsagainstus,hadbeenbrokenandscattered;thatthegreatmenwholedthem,andwhoswayedourcouncils—ourWashington,ourFranklin,andthevenerablepresidentoftheAmericanCongress—hadbeendrivenforthasexiles.Iftherehadexistedatthatday,inanypartofthecivilizedworld,apowerfulRepublic,withinstitutionsrestingonthesamefoundationsoflibertywhichourowncountrymensoughttoestablish,wouldtherehavebeeninthatRepublicanyhospitalitytoocordial,anysympathytoodeep,anyzealfortheirgloriousbutunfortunatecause,tooferventortooactivetobeshowntowardtheseillustriousfugitives?Gentlemen,thecaseIhavesupposedisbeforeyou.TheWashingtons,theFranklins,theHancocksofHungary,drivenoutbyafarworsetyrannythanwaseverenduredhere,arewanderersinforeignlands.Someofthemhavesoughtarefugeinourcountry—onesitswiththiscompanyourguestto–night—andwemustmeasurethedutyweowethembythesamestandardwhichwewouldhavehadhistoryapply,ifourancestorshadmetwithafateliketheirs.

—WILLIAMCULLENBRYANT.

THEINFLUENCEOFUNIVERSITIES

(Extract)

Whentheexcitementofpartywarfarepressesdangerouslynearournationalsafeguards,Iwouldhavetheintelligentconservatismofouruniversitiesandcollegeswarnthecontestantsinimpressivetonesagainsttheperilsofabreachimpossibletorepair.

Whenpopulardiscontentandpassionarestimulatedbytheartsofdesigningpartisanstoapitchperilouslyneartoclasshatredorsectionalanger,IwouldhaveouruniversitiesandcollegessoundthealarminthenameofAmericanbrotherhoodandfraternaldependence.

Whentheattemptismadetodeludethepeopleintothebeliefthattheirsuffragescanchangetheoperationofnationallaws,Iwouldhaveouruniversitiesandcollegesproclaimthatthoselawsareinexorableandfarremovedfrompoliticalcontrol.

Whenselfishinterestseeksundueprivatebenefitsthroughgovernmentalaid,andpublicplacesareclaimedasrewardsofpartyservice,Iwouldhaveouruniversitiesandcollegespersuadethepeopletoarelinquishmentofthedemandforpartyspoilsandexhortthemtoadisinterestedandpatrioticloveoftheirgovernment,whoseunpervertedoperationsecurestoeverycitizenhisjustshareofthesafetyandprosperityitholdsinstoreforall.

Iwouldhavetheinfluenceoftheseinstitutionsonthesideofreligionandmorality.IwouldhavethosetheysendoutamongthepeoplenotashamedtoacknowledgeGod,andtoproclaimHisinterpositionintheaffairsofmen,enjoiningsuchobediencetoHislawsasmakesmanifestthepathofnationalperpetuityandprosperity

—GROVERCLEVELAND,deliveredatthePrincetonSesqui–Centennial,1896.

EULOGYOFGARFIELD

(Extract)

Greatinlife,hewassurpassinglygreatindeath.Fornocause,intheveryfrenzyofwantonnessandwickedness,bytheredhandofmurder,hewasthrustfromthefulltideofthisworld’sinterest,fromitshopes,itsaspirations,itsvictories,intothevisiblepresenceofdeath—andhedidnotquail.Notalonefortheoneshortmomentinwhich,stunnedanddazed,hecouldgiveuplife,hardlyawareofitsrelinquishment,butthroughdaysofdeadlylanguor,throughweeksofagony,thatwasnotlessagonybecausesilentlyborne,withclearsightandcalmcourage,helookedintohisopengrave.Whatblightandruinmethisanguishedeyes,whoselipsmaytell—whatbrilliant,brokenplans,whatbaffled,highambitions,whatsunderingofstrong,warm,manhood’sfriendships,whatbitterrendingofsweethouseholdties!Behindhimaproud,expectantnation,agreathostofsustainingfriends,acherishedandhappymother,wearingthefullrichhonorsofherearlytoilandtears;thewifeofhisyouth,whosewholelifelayinhis;thelittleboysnotyetemergedfromchildhood’sdayoffrolic;thefairyoungdaughter;thesturdysonsjustspringinginto

closestcompanionship,claimingeverydayandeverydayrewardingafather’sloveandcare;andinhishearttheeager,rejoicingpowertomeetalldemand.Beforehim,desolationandgreatdarkness!Andhissoulwasnotshaken.Hiscountrymenwerethrilledwithinstant,profoundanduniversalsympathy.Masterfulinhismortalweakness,hebecamethecentreofanation’slove,enshrinedintheprayersofaworld.Butalltheloveandallthesympathycouldnotsharewithhimhissuffering.Hetrodthewinepressalone.Withunfalteringfronthefaceddeath.Withunfailingtendernesshetookleaveoflife.Abovethedemoniachissoftheassassin’sbulletheheardthevoiceofGod.WithsimpleresignationhebowedtotheDivinedecree.

—JAMESG.BLAINE,deliveredatthememorialserviceheldbytheU.S.SenateandHouseofRepresentatives.

EULOGYOFLEE

(Extract)

Atthebottomofalltrueheroismisunselfishness.Itscrowningexpressionissacrifice.Theworldissuspiciousofvauntedheroes.Butwhenthetrueherohascome,andweknowthathereheisinverity,ah!howtheheartsofmenleapforthtogreethim!howworshipfullywewelcomeGod’snoblestwork—thestrong,honest,fearless,uprightman.InRobertLeewassuchaherovouchsafedtousandtomankind,andwhetherwebeholdhimdecliningcommandofthefederalarmytofightthebattlesandsharethemiseriesofhisownpeople;proclaimingontheheightsinfrontofGettysburgthatthefaultofthedisasterwashisown;leadingchargesinthecrisisofcombat;walkingundertheyokeofconquestwithoutamurmurofcomplaint;orrefusingfortunetocomehereandtraintheyouthofhiscountryinthepathsofduty,—heiseverthesamemeek,grand,self–sacrificingspirit.Hereheexhibitedqualitiesnotlessworthyandheroicthanthosedisplayedonthebroadandopentheaterofconflict,whentheeyesofnationswatchedhiseveryaction.Hereinthecalmreposeofcivilanddomesticduties,andinthetryingroutineofincessanttasks,helivedalifeashighaswhen,daybyday,hemarshalledandledhisthinandwastinglines,andsleptbynightuponthefieldthatwastobedrenchedagaininblooduponthemorrow.Andnowhehasvanishedfromusforever.Andisthisallthatisleftofhim—thishandfulofdustbeneaththemarblestone?No!theagesanswerastheyrisefromthegulfsoftime,whereliethewrecksofkingdomsandestates,holdingupintheirhandsastheironlytrophies,thenamesofthosewhohavewroughtformanintheloveandfearofGod,andinlove—unfearingfortheirfellow–men.No!thepresentanswers,bendingbyhistomb.No!thefutureanswersasthebreathofthemorningfansitsradiantbrow,anditssouldrinksinsweetinspirationsfromthelovelylifeofLee.No!methinkstheveryheavensecho,asmeltintotheirdepthsthewordsofreverentlovethatvoicetheheartsofmentothetinglingstars.

Comewethento–dayinloyallovetosanctifyourmemories,topurifyourhopes,tomakestrongallgoodintentbycommunionwiththespiritofhimwho,beingdeadyetspeaketh.Come,child,inthyspotlessinnocence;come,woman,inthypurity;come,youth,inthyprime;come,manhood,inthystrength;come,age,inthyripewisdom;

come,citizen;come,soldier;letusstrewtherosesandliliesofJunearoundhistomb,forhe,likethem,exhaledinhislifeNature’sbeneficence,andthegravehasconsecratedthatlifeandgivenittousall;letuscrownhistombwiththeoak,theemblemofhisstrength,andwiththelaureltheemblemofhisglory,andlettheseguns,whosevoicesheknewofold,awaketheechoesofthemountains,thatnatureherselfmayjoininhissolemnrequiem.Come,forhereherests,and

Onthisgreenbank,bythisfairstream,Wesetto–dayavotivestone,Thatmemorymayhisdeedsredeem?When,likeoursires,oursonsaregone.

—JOHNWARWICKDANIEL,ontheunveilingofLee’sstatueatWashingtonandLeeUniversity,Lexington,Virginia,1883.


1.Whyshouldhumorfindaplaceinafter–dinnerspeaking?

2.Brieflygiveyourimpressionsofanynotableafter–dinneraddressthatyouhaveheard.

3.Brieflyoutlineanimaginaryoccasionofanysortandgivethreesubjectsappropriateforaddresses.

4.Deliveronesuchaddress,nottoexceedtenminutesinlength.

5.Whatproportionofemotionalideasdoyoufindintheextractsgiveninthischapter?

6.Humorwasusedinsomeoftheforegoingaddresses—inwhichotherswouldithavebeeninappropriate?

7.Prepareanddeliveranafter–dinnerspeechsuitedtooneofthefollowingoccasions,andbesuretousehumor:

Alodgebanquet.Apoliticalpartydinner.Achurchmen’sclubdinner.Acivicassociationbanquet.Abanquetinhonorofacelebrity.Awoman’sclubannualdinner.Abusinessmen’sassociationdinner.Amanufacturers’clubdinner.Analumnibanquet.Anoldhomeweekbarbecue.

[35]Seealsopage205.

CHAPTERXXXIMakingConversationEffective

Inconversationavoidtheextremesofforwardnessandreserve.

—CATO.

Conversationisthelaboratoryandworkshopofthestudent.

—EMERSON,Essays:Circles.

ThefatherofW.E.Gladstoneconsideredconversationtobebothanartandanaccomplishment.Aroundthedinnertableinhishomesometopicoflocalornationalinterest,orsomedebatedquestion,wasconstantlybeingdiscussed.Inthiswayafriendlyrivalryforsupremacyinconversationaroseamongthefamily,andanincidentobservedinthestreet,anideagleanedfromabook,adeductionfrompersonalexperience,wascarefullystoredasmaterialforthefamilyexchange.ThushisearlyyearsofpractiseinelegantconversationpreparedtheyoungerGladstoneforhiscareerasaleaderandspeaker.

Thereisasenseinwhichtheabilitytoconverseeffectivelyisefficientpublicspeaking,forourconversationisoftenheardbymany,andoccasionallydecisionsofgreatmomenthingeuponthetoneandqualityofwhatwesayinprivate.

Indeed,conversationintheaggregateprobablywieldsmorepowerthanpressandplatformcombined.Socratestaughthisgreattruths,notfrompublicrostrums,butinpersonalconverse.MenmadepilgrimagestoGoethe’slibraryandColeridge’shometobecharmedandinstructedbytheirspeech,andthecultureofmanynationswasimmeasurablyinfluencedbythethoughtsthatstreamedoutfromthoserichwell–springs.

Mostoftheworld–movingspeechesaremadeinthecourseofconversation.Conferencesofdiplomats,business–gettingarguments,decisionsbyboardsofdirectors,considerationsofcorporatepolicy,allofwhichinfluencethepolitical,mercantileandeconomicmapsoftheworld,areusuallytheresultsofcarefulthoughinformalconversation,andthemanwhoseopinionsweighinsuchcrisesishewhohasfirstcarefullyponderedthewordsofbothantagonistandprotagonist.

Howeverimportantitmaybetoattainself–controlinlightsocialconverse,oraboutthefamilytable,itisundeniablyvitaltohaveoneselfperfectlyinhandwhiletakingpartinamomentousconference.Thenthehintsthatwehavegivenonpoise,alertness,precisionofword,clearnessofstatement,andforceofutterance,withrespecttopublicspeech,areequallyapplicabletoconversation.

Theformofnervousegotism—foritisboth—thatsuddenlyendsinflustersjustwhenthevitalwordsneedtobeuttered,isthesignofcomingdefeat,foraconversationisoftenacontest.Ifyoufeelthistendencyembarrassingyou,besuretolistentoHolmes’sadvice:

Andwhenyoustickonconversationalburs,Don’tstrewyourpathwaywiththosedreadfulurs.

Herebringyourwillintoaction,foryourtroubleisawanderingattention.Youmustforceyourmindtopersistalongthechosenlineofconversationandresolutelyrefusetobedivertedbyanysubjectorhappeningthatmayunexpectedlypopuptodistractyou.Tofailhereistoloseeffectivenessutterly.

Concentrationisthekeynoteofconversationalcharmandefficiency.Thehaphazardhabitofexpressionthatusesbird–shotwhenabulletisneededinsuresmissingthegame,fordiplomacyofallsortsrestsuponthepreciseapplicationofprecisewords,particularly—ifonemayparaphraseTallyrand—inthosecriseswhenlanguageisnolongerusedtoconcealthought.

Wemayfrequentlygainnewlightonoldsubjectsbylookingatword–derivations.Conversationsignifiesintheoriginalaturn–aboutexchangeofideas,yetmostpeopleseemtoregarditasamonologue.BronsonAlcottusedtosaythatmanycouldargue,butfewconverse.Thefirstthingtorememberinconversation,then,isthatlistening—respectful,sympathetic,alertlistening—isnotonlyduetoourfellowconverserbutduetoourselves.Manyareplylosesitspointbecausethespeakerissomuchinterestedinwhatheisabouttosaythatitisreallynoreplyatallbutmerelyanirritatingandhumiliatingirrelevancy.

Self–expressionisexhilarating.Thisexplainstheeternalimpulsetodecoratetotempolesandpaintpictures,writepoetryandexpoundphilosophy.Oneofthechiefdelightsofconversationistheopportunityitaffordsforself–expression.Agoodconversationalistwhomonopolizesalltheconversation,willbevotedaborebecausehedeniesotherstheenjoymentofself–expression,whileamediocretalkerwholistensinterestedlymaybeconsideredagoodconversationalistbecausehepermitshiscompanionstopleasethemselvesthroughself–expression.Theyarepraisedwhoplease:theypleasewholistenwell.

Thefirststepinremedyinghabitsofconfusioninmanner,awkwardbearing,vaguenessinthought,andlackofprecisioninutterance,istorecognizeyourfaults.Ifyouareserenelyunconsciousofthem,noone—leastofallyourself—canhelpyou.Butoncediagnoseyourownweaknesses,andyoucanovercomethembydoingfourthings:

1.WILLtoovercomethem,andkeeponwilling.

2.Holdyourselfinhandbyassuringyourselfthatyouknowpreciselywhatyououghttosay.Ifyoucannotdothat,bequietuntilyouareclearonthisvitalpoint.

3.Havingthusassuredyourself,castoutthefearofthosewholistentoyou—theyareonlyhumanandwillrespectyourwordsifyoureallyhavesomethingtosayandsayitbriefly,simply,andclearly.

4.HavethecouragetostudytheEnglishlanguageuntilyouaremasterofatleastitssimplerforms.

ConversationalHints

Choosesomesubjectthatwillproveofgeneralinteresttothewholegroup.Donotexplain

themechanismofagasengineatanafternoonteaorthecultureofhollyhocksatastagparty.

Itisnotconsideredgoodtasteforamantobarehisarminpublicandshowscarsordeformities.Itisequallybadformforhimtoflaunthisownwoes,orthedeformityofsomeoneelse’scharacter.Thepublicdemandsplaysandstoriesthatendhappily.Alltheworldisseekinghappiness.Theycannotlongbeinterestedinyourillsandtroubles.GeorgeCohanmadehimselfamillionairebeforehewasthirtybywritingcheerfulplays.Oneofhisrulesisgenerallyapplicabletoconversation:“Alwaysleavethemlaughingwhenyousaygoodbye.”

Dynamitethe“I”outofyourconversation.Notonemaninninehundredandsevencantalkabouthimselfwithoutbeingabore.Themanwhocanperformthatfeatcanachievemarvelswithouttalkingabouthimself,sotheeternal“I”isnotpermissibleeveninhistalk.

Ifyouhabituallybuildyourconversationaroundyourowninterestsitmayproveverytiresometoyourlistener.Hemaybethinkingofbirddogsordryflyfishingwhileyouarediscussingthefourthdimension,orthemeritsofacucumberlotion.Thecharmingconversationalistispreparedtotalkintermsofhislistener’sinterest.IfhislistenerspendshissparetimeinvestigatingGuernseycattleoragitatingsocialreforms,thediscriminatingconversationalistshapeshisremarksaccordingly.RichardWashburnChildsaysheknowsamanofmediocreabilitywhocancharmmenmuchablerthanhimselfwhenhediscusseselectriclighting.Thissamemanprobablywouldbore,andbebored,ifhewereforcedtoconverseaboutmusicorMadagascar.

Avoidplatitudesandhackneyedphrases.IfyoumeetafriendfromKeokukonStateStreetoronPike’sPeak,itisnotnecessarytoobserve:“Howsmallthisworldisafterall!”ThisobservationwasdoubtlessmadepriortotheformationofPike’sPeak.“Thisoldworldisgettingbettereveryday.”“Fanner’swivesdonothavetoworkashardasformerly.”“Itisnotsomuchthehighcostoflivingasthecostofhighliving.”Suchobservationsastheseexciteaboutthesamedegreeofadmirationasisdrawnoutbytheappearanceofa1903–modeltouringcar.Ifyouhavenothingfreshorinterestingyoucanalwaysremainsilent.Howwouldyouliketoreadanewspaperthatflashedoutinboldheadlines“NiceWeatherWeAreHaving,”ordailygavecolumnstothesameoldmaterialyouhadbeenreadingweekafterweek?


1.Giveashortspeechdescribingtheconversationalbore.

2.Inafewwordsgiveyourideaofacharmingconverser.

3.Whatqualitiesoftheoratorshouldnotbeusedinconversation.

4.Giveashorthumorousdelineationoftheconversational“oracle.”

5.Giveanaccountofyourfirstdayatobservingconversationaroundyou.

6.Giveanaccountofoneday’sefforttoimproveyourownconversation.

7.Givealistofsubjectsyouhearddiscussedduringanyrecentperiodyoumayselect.

8.Whatismeantby“elastictouch”inconversation?

9.Makealistof“Bromides,”asGellettBurgesscallsthosethreadbareexpressionswhich“boreustoextinction”—itselfaBromide.

10.Whatcausesaphrasetobecomehackneyed?

11.Definethewords,(a)trite;(b)solecism;(c)colloquialism;(d)slang;(e)vulgarism;(f)neologism.

12.Whatconstitutespretentioustalk?

APPENDIXAFiftyQuestionsforDebate

1.HasLaborUnionismjustifieditsexistence?

2.ShouldallchurchprintingbebroughtoutundertheUnionLabel?

3.IstheOpenShopabenefittothecommunity?

4.Shouldarbitrationofindustrialdisputesbemadecompulsory?

5.IsProfit–Sharingasolutionofthewageproblem?

6.Isaminimumwagelawdesirable?

7.Shouldtheeight–hourdaybemadeuniversalinAmerica?

8.Shouldthestatecompensatethosewhosustainirreparablebusinesslossbecauseoftheenactmentoflawsprohibitingthemanufactureandsaleofintoxicatingdrinks?

9.Shouldpublicutilitiesbeownedbythemunicipality?

10.Shouldmarginaltradinginstocksbeprohibited?

11.Shouldthenationalgovernmentestablishacompulsorysystemofold–ageinsurancebytaxingtheincomesofthosetobebenefited?

12.Wouldthetriumphofsocialisticprinciplesresultindeadeningpersonalambition?

13.IsthePresidentialSystemabetterformofgovernmentfortheUnitedStatesthantheParliamentalSystem?

14.Shouldourlegislationbeshapedtowardthegradualabandonmentoftheprotectivetariff?

15.Shouldthegovernmentofthelargercitiesbevestedsolelyinacommissionofnotmorethanninemenelectedbythevotersatlarge?

16.Shouldnationalbanksbepermittedtoissue,subjecttotaxandgovernmentsupervision,notesbasedontheirgeneralassets?

17.Shouldwomanbegiventheballotonthepresentbasisofsuffrageformen?

18.Shouldthepresentbasisofsuffrageberestricted?

19.Isthehopeofpermanentworld–peaceadelusion?

20.ShouldtheUnitedStatessendadiplomaticrepresentativetotheVatican?

21.ShouldthePowersoftheworldsubstituteaninternationalpolicefornationalstandingarmies?

22.ShouldtheUnitedStatesmaintaintheMonroeDoctrine?

23.ShouldtheRecallofJudgesbeadopted?

24.ShouldtheInitiativeandReferendumbeadoptedasanationalprinciple?

25.Isitdesirablethatthenationalgovernmentshouldownallrailroadsoperatingininterstateterritory?

26.Isitdesirablethatthenationalgovernmentshouldowninterstatetelegraphandtelephonesystems?

27.Isthenationalprohibitionoftheliquortrafficaneconomicnecessity?

28.ShouldtheUnitedStatesarmyandnavybegreatlystrengthened?

29.Shouldthesamestandardsofaltruismobtainintherelationsofnationsasinthoseofindividuals?

30.Shouldourgovernmentbemorehighlycentralized?

31.ShouldtheUnitedStatescontinueitspolicyofopposingthecombinationofrailroads?

32.Incaseofpersonalinjurytoaworkmanarisingoutofhisemployment,shouldhisemployerbeliableforadequatecompensationandbeforbiddentosetupasadefenceapleaofcontributorynegligenceonthepartoftheworkman,orthenegligenceofafellowworkman?

33.ShouldallcorporationsdoinganinterstatebusinessberequiredtotakeoutaFederallicense?

34.Shouldtheamountofpropertythatcanbetransferredbyinheritancebelimitedbylaw?

35.Shouldequalcompensationforequallabor,betweenwomenandmen,universallyprevail?

36.Doesequalsuffragetendtolessentheinterestofwomaninherhome?

37.ShouldtheUnitedStatestakeadvantageofthecommercialandindustrialweaknessofforeignnations,broughtaboutbythewar,bytryingtowrestfromthemtheirmarketsinCentralandSouthAmerica?

38.Shouldteachersofsmallchildreninthepublicschoolsbeselectedfromamongmothers?

39.Shouldfootballberestrictedtocolleges,forthesakeofphysicalsafety?

40.Shouldcollegestudentswhoreceivecompensationforplayingsummerbaseballbedebarredfromamateurstanding?

41.Shoulddailyschool–hoursandschoolvacationsbothbeshortened?

42.Shouldhome–studyforpupilsingradeschoolsbeabolishedandlongerschool–hourssubstituted?

43.Shouldthehonorsysteminexaminationsbeadoptedinpublichigh–schools?

44.Shouldallcollegesadopttheself–governmentsystemforitsstudents?

45.Shouldcollegesbeclassifiedbynationallawandsupervision,anduniformentranceandgraduationrequirementsmaintainedbyeachcollegeinaparticularclass?

46.Shouldministersberequiredtospendatermofyearsinsometrade,business,orprofession,beforebecomingpastors?

47.IstheY.M.C.A.losingitsspiritualpower?

48.Isthechurchlosingitsholdonthinkingpeople?

49.ArethepeopleoftheUnitedStatesmoredevotedtoreligionthanever?

50.Doesthereadingofmagazinescontributetointellectualshallowness?

APPENDIXBThirtyThemesforSpeeches

WithSourceReferencesforMaterial.

1.KINSHIP,AFOUNDATIONSTONEOFCIVILIZATION.“TheState,”WoodrowWilson.

2.INITIATIVEANDREFERENDUM.“ThePopularInitiativeandReferendum,”O.M.Barnes.

3.RECIPROCITYWITHCANADA.ArticleinIndependent,53:2874;articleinNorthAmericanReview,178:205.

4.ISMANKINDPROGRESSING?Bookofsametitle,M.M.Ballou.

5.MOSESTHEPEERLESSLEADER.LecturebyJohnLord,in“BeaconLightsofHistory.”NOTE:Thissetofbookscontainsavaststoreofmaterialforspeeches.

6.THESPOILSSYSTEM.SermonbytheRev.Dr.HenryvanDyke,reportedintheNewYorkTribune,February25,1895.

7.THENEGROINBUSINESS.PartIII,AnnualReportoftheSecretaryofInternalAffairs,Pennsylvania,1912.

8.IMMIGRATIONANDDEGRADATION.“AmericansorAliens?”HowardB.Grose.

9.WHATISTHETHEATREDOINGFORAMERICA?“TheDramaToday,”CharltonAndrews.

10.SUPERSTITION.“CuriositiesofPopularCustom,”WilliamS.Walsh.

11.THEPROBLEMOFOLDAGE.“OldAgeDeferred,”ArnoldLorand.

12.WHOISTHETRAMP?ArticleinCentury,28:41.

13.TWOMENINSIDE.“Dr.JekyllandMr.Hyde,”R.L.Stevenson.

14.THEOVERTHROWOFPOVERTY.“ThePanaceaforPoverty,”MadisonPeters.

15.MORALSANDMANNERS.“AChristian’sHabits,”RobertE.Speer.

16.JEWANDCHRISTIAN.“JesustheJew,”HaroldWeinstock.

17.EDUCATIONANDTHEMOVINGPICTURE.ArticlebyJ.BergEsenweinin“TheTheatreofScience,”RobertGrau.

18.BOOKSASFOOD.“BooksandReading,”R.C.GageandAlfredHarcourt.

19.WHATISANOVEL?“TheTechniqueoftheNovel,”CharlesF.Home.

20.MODERNFICTIONANDMODERNLIFE.ArticleinLippincott’s,October,1907.

21.OURPROBLEMINMEXICO.“TheRealMexico,”HamiltonFyfe.

22.THEJOYOFRECEIVING.ArticleinWoman’sHomeCompanion,December,1914.

23.PHYSICALTRAININGVS.COLLEGEATHLETICS.ArticleinLiteraryDigest,November28,1914.

24.CHEERUP.“TheScienceofHappiness,”JeanFinot.

25.THESQUAREPEGINTHEROUNDHOLE.“TheJob,theMan,andtheBoss,”KatherineBlackfordandArthurNewcomb.

26.THEDECAYOFACTING.ArticleinCurrentOpinion,November,1914.

27.THEYOUNGMANANDTHECHURCH.“AYoungman’sReligion,”N.McGeeWaters.

28.INHERITINGSUCCESS.ArticleinCurrentOpinion,November,1914.

29.THEINDIANINOKLAHOMA.ArticleinLiteraryDigest,November28,1914.

30.HATEANDTHENATION.ArticleinLiteraryDigest,November14,1914.

APPENDIXC

SuggestiveSubjectsforSpeeches[36]

WithOccasionalHintsonTreatment

1.MOVIESANDMORALS.

2.THETRUTHABOUTLYING.Theessenceoftruth–tellingandlying.Liesthatarenotsoconsidered.Thesubtletiesofdistinctionsrequired.Examplesofimpliedandactedlies.

3.BENEFITSTHATFOLLOWDISASTERS.Benefitsthathavearisenoutoffloods,fires,earthquakes,wars,etc.

4.HASTEFORLEISURE.Howthespeedmaniaisbornofavaindesiretoenjoyaleisurethatnevercomesor,onthecontrary,howtheseeminghasteoftheworldhasgivenmenshorterhoursofflaborandmoretimeforrest,study,andpleasure.

5.ST.PAUL’SMESSAGETONEWYORK.TruthsfromtheEpistlespertinenttothegreatcitiesoftoday.

6.EDUCATIONANDCRIME.

7.LOSSISTHEMOTHEROFGAIN.Howmanymenhavebeencontentuntil,losingall,theyexertedtheirbesteffortstoregainsuccess,andsucceededmorelargelythanbefore.

8.EGOISMvs.EGOTISM.

9.BLUNDERSOFYOUNGFOGYISM.

10.THEWASTEOFMIDDLE–MENINCHARITYSYSTEMS.Thecostofcollectingfundsfor,andadministeringhelpto,theneedy.Theweaknessoforganizedphilanthropyascomparedwiththegivingthatgivesitself.

11.THEECONOMYOFORGANIZEDCHARITY.Theothersideofthepicture.

12.FREEDOMOFTHEPRESS.Thetrueforcesthathurtfullycontroltoomanynewspapersarenotthoseofarbitrarygovernmentsbutthecorruptinginfluencesofmoneyedandpoliticalinterests,fearoftheliquorpower,andthedesiretopleasesensation–lovingreaders.

13.HELENKELLER:OPTIMIST.

14.BACKTOTHEFARM.Astudyofthereasonsunderlyingthemovement.

15.ITWASEVERTHUS.Inridiculeofthepessimistwhoisneversurprisedatseeingfailure.

16.THEVOCATIONALHIGHSCHOOL.Valueofdirecttrainingcomparedwiththepolicyoflayingbroaderfoundationsforlaterbuilding.Howthetwotheoriesworkoutinpractise.Eachplancanbeespeciallyappliedincasesthatseemtoneedspecialtreatment.

17.ALLKINDSOFTURNINGDONEHERE.Ahumorous,yetserious,discussionoftheflopping,wind–millcharacter.

18.THEEGOISTICALTRUIST.HerbertSpencer’stheoryasdiscussedin“TheDataofEthics.”

19.HOWTHECITYMENACESTHENATION.Economicperilsinmassedpopulation.Showalsotheotherside.Signsoftheproblem’sbeingsolved.

20.THEROBUSTNOTEINMODERNPOETRY.AcomparisonoftheworkofGalsworthy,MasefieldandKiplingwiththatofsomeearlierpoets.

21.THEIDEALSOFSOCIALISM.

22.THEFUTUREOFTHESMALLCITY.Howmenarecomingtoseetheeconomicadvantagesofsmallermunicipalities.

23.CENSORSHIPFORTHETHEATRE.Itsrelationtomoralsandart.Itsdifficultiesanditsbenefits.

24.FORSUCHATIMEASTHIS.Mordecai’sexpressionanditsapplicationtoopportunitiesinmodernwoman’slife.

25.ISTHEPRESSVENAL?

26.SAFETYFIRST.

27.MENESANDEXTREMES.

28.RUBICONSANDPONTOONS.Howgreatmennotonlymademomentousdecisionsbutcreatedmeanstocarrythemout.Aspeechfullofhistoricalexamples.

29.ECONOMYAREVENUE.

30.THEPATRIOTISMOFPROTESTAGAINSTPOPULARIDOLS.

31.SAVONAROLA,THEDIVINEOUTCAST.

32.THETRUEPOLITICIAN.Reverttotheoriginalmeaningoftheword.Buildthespeecharoundonemanasthechiefexample.

33.COLONELSANDSHELLS.Leadershipand“cannonfodder”—aprotestagainstwarinitseffectonthecommonpeople.

34.WHYISAMILITANT?AdispassionateexaminationoftheclaimsoftheBritishmilitantsuffragette.

35.ARTANDMORALS.Thedifferencebetweenthenudeandthenakedinart.

36.CANMYCOUNTRYBEWRONG?Falsepatriotismandtrue,withexamplesofpopularly–hatedpatriots.

37.GOVERNMENTBYPARTY.Ananalysisofourpresentpoliticalsystemandthemovementtowardreform.

38.THEEFFECTSOFFICTIONONHISTORY.

39.THEEFFECTSOFHISTORYONFICTION.

40.THEINFLUENCEOFWARONLITERATURE.

41.CHINESEGORDON.Aeulogy.

42.TAXESANDHIGHEREDUCATION.Shouldallmenbecompelledtocontributetothesupportofuniversitiesandprofessionalschools?

43.PRIZECATTLEVS.PRIZEBABIES.IsEugenicsascience?Andisitpracticable?

44.BENEVOLENTAUTOCRACY.Isastronglypaternalgovernmentbetterforthemassesthanamuchlargerfreedomfortheindividual?

45.SECOND–HANDOPINIONS.Thetendencytoswallowreviewsinsteadofformingone’sownviews.

46.PARENTAGEORPOWER?Astudyofwhichformofaristocracymusteventuallyprevail,thatofbloodorthatoftalent.

47.THEBLESSINGOFDISCONTENT.Basedonmanyexamplesofwhathasbeenaccomplishedbythosewhohavenot“letwell–enoughalone.”

48.“CORRUPTANDCONTENTED.”Astudyoftherelationoftheapatheticvotertoviciousgovernment.

49.THEMOLOCHOFCHILD–LABOR.

50.EVERYMANHASARIGHTTOWORK.

51.CHARITYTHATFOSTERSPAUPERISM.

52.“NOTINOURSTARSBUTINOURSELVES.”Destinyvs.choice.

53.ENVIRONMENTVS.HEREDITY.

54.THEBRAVERYOFDOUBT.Doubtnotmereunbelief.Truegroundsfordoubt.Whatdoubthasledto.Examples.Theweaknessofmeredoubt.Theattitudeofthewholesomedoubterversusthatofthewholesaledoubter.

55.THESPIRITOFMONTICELLO.AmessagefromthelifeofThomasJefferson.

56.NARROWNESSINSPECIALISM.Thedangersofspecializingwithoutfirstpossessingbroadknowledge.Theeyetooclosetooneobject.Balanceisavitalprerequisiteforspecialization.

57.RESPONSIBILITYOFLABORUNIONSTOTHELAW.

58.THEFUTUREOFSOUTHERNLITERATURE.Whatconditionsinthehistory,temperamentandenvironmentofourSouthernpeopleindicateabrightliteraryfuture.

59.WOMANTHEHOPEOFIDEALISMINAMERICA.

60.THEVALUEOFDEBATINGCLUBS.

61.ANARMYOFTHIRTYMILLIONS.InpraiseoftheSunday–school.

62.THEBABY.Howtheever–newbabyholdsmankindinunselfishcoursesandsavesusallfromgoinglastinglywrong.

63.LO,THEPOORCAPITALIST.Histrialsandproblems.

64.HONEYANDSTING.Alessonfromthebee.

65.UNGRATEFULREPUBLICS.Examplesfromhistory.

66.“EVERYMANHASHISPRICE.”HoraceWalpole’scynicalremarkisnottruenow,norwasittrueeveninhisowncorruptera.Ofwhatsortarethemenwhocannotbebought?Examples.

67.THESCHOLARINDIPLOMACY.ExamplesinAmericanlife.

68.LOCKSANDKEYS.Thereisakeyforeverylock.Nodifficultysogreat,notruthsoobscure,noproblemsoinvolved,butthatthereisakeytofitthelock.Thesearchfortherightkey,thestruggletoadjustit,thevigilancetoretainit—thesearesomeoftheproblemsofsuccess.

69.RIGHTMAKESMIGHT.

70.ROOMINGWITHAGHOST.Influenceofthewomangraduateoffiftyyearsbeforeonthecollegegirlwholivesintheroomonceoccupiedbythedistinguished“oldgrad.”

71.NOFACTISASINGLEFACT.Theimportanceofweighingfactsrelatively.

72.ISCLASSICALEDUCATIONDEADTORISENOMORE?

73.INVECTIVEAGAINSTNIETSCHE’SPHILOSOPHY.

74.WHYHAVEWEBOSSES?Afair–mindedexaminationoftheusesandabusesofthepolitical“leader.”

75.APLEAFORSETTLEMENTWORK.

76.CREDULITYVS.FAITH.

77.WHATISHUMOR?

78.USEANDABUSEOFTHECARTOON.

79.THEPULPITINPOLITICS.

80.ARECOLLEGESGROWINGTOOLARGE?

81.THEDOOMOFABSOLUTISM.

82.SHALLWOMANHELPKEEPHOUSEFORTOWN,CITY,STATE,ANDNATION?

83.THEEDUCATIONALTESTFORSUFFRAGE.

84.THEPROPERTYTESTFORSUFFRAGE.

85.THEMENACEOFTHEPLUTOCRAT.

86.THECOSTOFHIGHLIVING.

87.THECOSTOFCONVENIENCES.

88.WASTEINAMERICANLIFE.

89.THEEFFECTOFTHEPHOTOPLAYONTHE“LEGITIMATE”THEATRE.

90.ROOMFORTHEKICKER.

100.THENEEDFORTRAINEDDIPLOMATS.

101.THESHADOWOFTHEIRONCHANCELLOR.

102.THETYRANNYOFTHECROWD.

103.ISOURTRIALBYJURYSATISFACTORY?

104.THEHIGHCOSTOFSECURINGJUSTICE.

105.THENEEDFORSPEEDIERCOURTTRIALS.

106.TRIUMPHSOFTHEAMERICANENGINEER.

107.GOETHALSANDGORGAS.

108.PUBLICEDUCATIONMAKESSERVICETOTHEPUBLICADUTY.

109.MANOWESHISLIFETOTHECOMMONGOOD.

[36]Itmustberememberedthatthephrasingofthesubjectwillnotnecessarilyserveforthetitle.

APPENDIXDSpeechesforStudyandPractise-NewellDwightHillis-BraveLittle

Belgium

DeliveredinPlymouthChurch,Brooklyn,N.Y.,October18,1914.Usedbypermission.

LongagoPlatomadeadistinctionbetweentheoccasionsofwarandthecausesofwar.Theoccasionsofwarlieuponthesurface,andareknownandreadofallmen,whilethecausesofwarareembeddedinracialantagonisms,inpoliticalandeconomiccontroversies.Narrativehistoriansportraytheoccasionsofwar;philosophichistorians,thesecretandhiddencauses.Thusthesparkoffirethatfallsistheoccasionofanexplosion,butthecauseofthehavocistherelationbetweencharcoal,niterandsaltpeter.TheoccasionoftheCivilWarwasthefiringuponFortSumter.ThecausewasthecollisionbetweentheidealsoftheUnionpresentedbyDanielWebsterandthesecessiontaughtbyCalhoun.TheoccasionoftheAmericanRevolutionwastheStampTax;thecausewastheconvictiononthepartofourforefathersthatmenwhohadfreedominworshipcarriedalsothecapacityforself–government.TheoccasionoftheFrenchRevolutionwasthepurchaseofadiamondnecklaceforQueenMarieAntoinetteatatimewhenthetreasurywasexhausted;thecauseoftherevolutionwasfeudalism.Nototherwise,theoccasionofthegreatconflictthatisnowshakingourearthwastheassassinationofanAustrianboyandgirl,butthecauseisembeddedinracialantagonismsandeconomiccompetition.

AsforRussia,thecauseofthewarwasherdesiretoobtaintheBosphorus—andanopenseaport,whichistheprizeofferedforherattackuponGermany.AsforAustria,thecauseofthewarisherfearofthegrowingpoweroftheBalkanStates,andtheprogressiveslicingawayofherterritory.AsforFrance,thecauseofthewaristheinstinctofself–preservation,thatresistsaninvadinghost.AsforGermany,thecauseisherdeep–seatedconvictionthateverycountryhasamoralrighttothemouthofitsgreatestriver;unabletocompetewithEngland,byroundaboutsearoutesandaKielCanal,shewantstousetheroutethatnaturediggedforherthroughthemouthoftheRhine.AsforEngland,themotherlandisfightingtorecoverhersenseofsecurity.DuringtheNapoleonicwarsthesecondWilliamPittexplainedthequadruplingofthetaxes,theincreaseofthenavy,andthesendingofanEnglisharmyagainstFrance,bythestatementthatjustificationofthisproposedwaristhe“PreservationofEngland’ssenseofsecurity.”TenyearsagoEnglandlosthersenseofsecurity.Todaysheisnotseekingtopreserve,buttorecover,thelostsenseofsecurity.SheproposestodothisbydestroyingGermany’sironclads,demobilizingherarmy,wipingoutherforts,andthepartitionofherprovinces.Theoccasionsofthewarvary,withthecolorofthepaper—“white”and“gray”and“blue”—butthecausesofthiswarareembeddedinracialantagonismsandeconomicandpoliticaldifferences.

WHYLITTLEBELGIUMHASTHECENTEROFTHESTAGE

TonightourstudyconcernslittleBelgium,herpeople,andtheirpartinthisconflict.Bethe

reasonswhattheymay,thislittlelandstandsinthecenterofthestageandholdsthelimelight.OncemoreDavid,armedwithasling,hasgoneupagainsttenGoliaths.Itisanamazingspectacle,this,oneofthesmallestoftheStates,battlingwiththelargestofthegiants!Belgiumhasastandingarmyof42,000men,andGermany,withthreereserves,perhaps7,000,000or8,000,000.Withoutwaitingforanyassistance,thislittleBelgiumbandwentupagainst2,000,000.Itisasifahoneybeehaddecidedtoattackaneaglecometolootitshoneycomb.Itisasifanantelopehadturnedagainstalion.Belgiumhasbut11,000squaremilesofland,lessthantheStatesofMassachusetts,RhodeIslandandConnecticut.Herpopulationis7,500,000,lessthanthesingleStateofNewYork.Youcouldputtwenty–twoBelgiumsinoursingleStateofTexas.Muchofhersoilisthin;herhandicapsareheavy,buttheindustryofherpeoplehasturnedthewholelandintoonevastflowerandvegetablegarden.ThesoilofMinnesotaandtheDakotasisnewsoil,andyetourfarmersthereaveragebutfifteenbushelsofwheattotheacre.Belgium’ssoilhasbeenusedforcenturies,butitaveragesthirty–sevenbushelsofwheattotheacre.Ifwegrowtwenty–fourbushelsofbarleyonanacreofground,Belgiumgrowsfifty;sheproduces300bushelsofpotatoes,wheretheMainefarmerharvests90bushels.Belgium’saveragepopulationpersquaremilehasrisento645people.IfAmericanspractisedintensivefarming;ifthepopulationofTexaswereasdenseasitisinBelgium—100,000,000oftheUnitedStates,CanadaandCentralAmericacouldallmovetoTexas,whileifourentirecountrywasasdenselypopulatedasBelgium’s,everybodyintheworldcouldlivecomfortablywithinthelimitsofourcountry.

THELIFEOFTHEPEOPLE

Andyet,littleBelgiumhasnogoldorsilvermines,andallthetreasuresofcopperandzincandleadandanthraciteandoilhavebeendeniedher.Thegoldisintheheartofherpeople.Nootherlandholdsaracemoreprudent,industriousandthrifty!Itisalandwhereeverybodyworks.Inthewinterwhenthesundoesnotriseuntilhalfpastseven,theBelgiancottageshavelightsintheirwindowsatfive,andthepeoplearereadyforaneleven–hourday.Asaruleallchildrenworkafter12yearsofage.TheexquisitepointedlacethathasmadeBelgiumfamous,iswroughtbywomenwhofulfillthetasksofthehouseholdfulfilledbyAmericanwomen,andthenbeginstheirtaskupontheexquisitelacesthathavesenttheirnameandfamethroughouttheworld.Theirwagesarelow,theirworkhard,buttheirlifeissopeacefulandprosperousthatfewBelgianseveremigratetoforeigncountries.Oflatetheyhavemadetheireducationcompulsory,theirschoolsfree.Itisdoubtfulwhetheranyothercountryhasmadeagreatersuccessoftheirsystemoftransportation.Youwillpay50centstojourneysometwentyoddmilesouttoRoslyn,onourLongIslandrailroad,butinBelgiumacommuterjourneystwentymilesintothefactoryandbackagaineverynightandmakesthesixdoubledailyjourneysatanentirecostof37–1/2centsperweek,lessthantheamountthatyoupayforthejourneyonewayforalikedistanceinthiscountry.OutofthishascomeBelgium’sprosperity.Shehasthemoneytobuygoodsfromothercountries,andshehasthepropertytoexporttoforeignlands.LastyeartheUnitedStates,withitshundredmillionsofpeople,importedlessthan$2,000,000,000,andexported$2,500,000,000.IfourpeoplehadbeenasprosperouspercapitaasBelgium,wewouldhavepurchasedfromothercountries$12,000,000,000worthofgoodsandexported$10,000,000,000.

SolargelyhavewebeendependentuponBelgiumthatmanyoftheenginesusedin

diggingthePanamaCanalcamefromtheCockerillworksthatproducetwothousandsoftheseengineseveryyearinLiege.ItisoftensaidthattheBelgianshavethebestcourtsinexistence.TheSupremeCourtofLittleBelgiumhasbutoneJustice.Withoutwaitingforanappeal,justassoonasadecisionhasbeenreachedbyalowerCourt,whilethemattersarestillfreshinmindandallthewitnessesandfactsreadilyobtainable,thisSupremeJusticereviewsalltheobjectionsraisedoneithersideandwithoutamotionfromanyonepassesonthedecisionoftheinferiorcourt.Ontheotherhand,thelowercourtsareopentoanimmediatesettlementofdisputesbetweenthewageearners,andnewsboysandfishermenarealmostdailyseengoingtothejudgeforadecisionregardingadisputeoverfiveortencents.Whenthejudgehascross–questionedbothsides,withoutthepresenceofattorneys,orthenecessityofservingaprocess,orraisingadollarandaquarter,ashere,thepoorestofthepoorhavetheirwrongsrighted.Itissaidthatnotonedecisionoutofonehundredisappealed,thuscallingfortheexistenceofanattorney.

Toallotherinstitutionsorganizedintheinterestofthewageearnerhasbeenaddedthenationalsavingsbanksystem,thatmakesloanstomenofsmallmeans,thatenablesthefarmerandtheworkingmantobuyalittlegardenandbuildahouse,whileatthesametimeinsuringtheworkingmanagainstaccidentandsickness.Belgiumisapoorman’scountry,ithasbeensaid,becauseinstitutionshavebeenadministeredintheinterestofthemenofsmallaffairs.

THEGREATBELGIUMPLAININHISTORY

ButtheinstitutionsofBelgiumandtheindustrialprosperityofherpeoplealonearenotequaltotheexplanationofheruniqueheroism.Longago,inhisCommentaries,JuliusCæsarsaidthatGaulwasinhabitedbythreetribes,theBelgæ,theAquitani,theCelts,“ofwhomtheBelgæwerethebravest.”HistorywillshowthatBelgianshavecourageastheirnativeright,foronlythebravecouldhavesurvived.ThesoutheasternpartofBelgiumisaseriesofrockplains,andiftheseplainshavebeenhergoodfortuneintimesofpeace,theyhavefurnishedthebattlefieldsofWesternEuropefortwothousandyears.NorthernFranceandWesternGermanyarerough,jaggedandwooded,buttheBelgianplainswereidealbattlefields.ForthisreasonthegeneralsofGermanyandofFrancehaveusuallymetandstruggledforthemasteryonthesewideBelgianplains.OnoneofthesegroundsJuliusCæsarwonthefirstbattlethatisrecorded.ThencameKingClovisandtheFrench,withtheircampaigns;towardtheseplainsalsotheSaracenswerehurryingwhenassaultedbyCharlesMartel.OntheBelgianplainstheDutchburghersandtheSpanisharmies,ledbyBloodyAlva,foughtouttheirbattle.Hither,too,cameNapoleon,andthegreatmoundofWaterlooisthemonumenttotheDukeofWellington’svictory.ItwastotheBelgianplains,also,thattheGermangeneral,lastAugust,rushedhistroops.Everycollegeandeverycitysearchesforsomelevelspotoflandwherethecontestbetweenopposingteamsmaybeheld,andformorethantwothousandyearstheBelgianplainhasbeenthesceneofthegreatbattlesbetweenthewarringnationsofWesternEurope.

Now,outofallthesecollisionstherehascomeahardyrace,inuredtoperil,richinfortitude,loyalty,patience,thrift,self–relianceandperseveringfaith.ForfivehundredyearstheBelgianchildrenandyouthhavebeenbroughtupuponthedeedsofnoblerenown,achievedbytheirancestors.IfJuliusCæsarwereheretodayhewouldwearBelgium’sbraverylikeabrightsword,girdedtohisthigh.Andwhenthisbravelittle

people,withastandingarmyofforty–twothousandmen,single–handeddefiedtwomillionsofGermans,ittellsusthatAjaxhascomebackoncemoretodefythegodoflightnings.

ATHRILLINGCHAPTERFROMBELGIUM’SHISTORY

PerhapsoneortwochapterstornfromthepagesofBelgiumhistorywillenableustounderstandherpresent–dayheroism,justasonegoldenboughpluckedfromtheforestwillexplaintherichnessoftheautumn.YourememberthatVenicewasoncethefinancialcenteroftheworld.ThenwhenthebankerslostconfidenceinthenavyofVenicetheyputtheirjewelsandgoldintosaddlebagsandmovedthefinancialcenteroftheworldtoNuremburg,becauseitswallsweresevenfeetthickandtwentyfeethigh.Later,about1500A.D.,thediscoveryoftheNewWorldturnedallthepeoplesintoracesofsea–goingfolk,andtheEnglishandDutchcaptainsviedwiththesailorsofSpainandPortugal.NocaptainsweremoreprosperousthanthemarinersofAntwerp.In1568therewere500marblemansionsinthiscityontheMeuse.Belgiumbecameacasketfilledwithjewels.ThenitwasthatSpainturnedcovetouseyesnorthward.Satedwithhispleasures,brokenbyindulgenceandpassion,theEmperorCharlestheFifthresignedhisgoldandthronetohisson,KingPhilip.Findinghiscoffersdepleted,PhilipsenttheDukeofAlva,with10,000Spanishsoldiers,outonalootingexpedition.TheirapproachfilledAntwerpwithconsternation,forhermerchantswerebusywithcommerceandnotwithwar.ThesackofAntwerpbytheSpaniardsmakesuparevoltingpageinhistory.Withinthreedays8,000men,womenandchildrenweremassacred,andtheSpanishsoldiers,drunkwithwineandblood,hacked,drownedandburnedlikefiendsthattheywere.TheBelgianhistoriantellsusthat500marbleresidenceswerereducedtoblackenedruins.Oneincidentwillmaketheeventstandout.WhentheSpaniardsapproachedthecityawealthyburgherhastenedthedayofhisson’smarriage.Duringtheceremonythesoldiersbrokedownthegateofthecityandcrossedthethresholdoftherichman’shouse.Whentheyhadstrippedtheguestsoftheirpursesandgems,unsatisfied,theykilledthebridegroom,slewthemen,andcarriedthebrideoutintothenight.Thenextmorningayoungwoman,crazedandhalfclad,wasfoundinthestreet,searchingamongthedeadbodies.Atlastshefoundayouth,whoseheadshelifteduponherknees,overwhichshecroonedhersongs,asayoungmothersoothesherbabe.ASpanishofficerpassingby,humiliatedbythespectacle,orderedasoldiertousehisdaggerandputthegirloutofhermisery.

THEHORRORSOFTHEINQUISITION

HavinglootedAntwerp,thetreasurechestofBelgium,theSpaniardssetuptheInquisitionasanorganizedmeansofsecuringproperty.ItisastrangefactthattheSpaniardhasexcelledincrueltyasothernationshaveexcelledinartorscienceorinvention.Spain’scrueltytotheMoorsandtherichJewsformsoneoftheblackestchaptersinhistory.Inquisitorsbecamefiends.Moorswerestarved,tortured,burned,flunginwells,Jewishbankershadtheirtonguesthrustthroughlittleironrings;thentheendofthetonguewassearedthatitmightswell,andthebankerwasledbyastringintheringthroughthestreetsofthecity.ThewomenandthechildrenwereputonraftsthatwerepushedoutintotheMediterraneanSea.Whentheswollencorpsesdriftedashore,theplaguebrokeout,andwhenthatblackplaguespreadoverSpainitseemedlikethejusticeofoutragednature.TheexpulsionoftheMoorswasoneofthedeadliestblowseverstruckatscience,

commerce,artandliterature.ThehistoriantracksSpainacrossthecontinentsbyatrailofblood.WhereverSpain’shandhasfallenithasparalyzed.FromthedaysofCortez,whereverhercaptainshavegivenapledge,thetonguethatspakehasbeenmildewedwithliesandtreachery.Thewildestbeastsarenotinthejungle;manisthelionthatrends,manistheleopardthattears,man’shateistheserpentthatpoisons,andtheSpaniardenteredBelgiumtoturnagardenintoawilderness.Withinoneyear,1568,Antwerp,thatbeganwith125,000people,endeditwith50,000.Manymultitudeswereputtodeathbytheswordandstake,butmany,manythousandsfledtoEngland,tobeginanewtheirlivesasmanufacturersandmariners;andforyearsBelgiumwasonequakingperil,aninferno,whosetorturerswereSpaniards.ThevisitorinAntwerpisstillshowntherackuponwhichtheystretchedthemerchantsthattheymightyielduptheirhiddengold.ThePaintedLadymaybeseen.Openingherarms,sheembracesthevictim.TheSpaniard,withhisspear,forcedthemerchantintothedeadlyembrace.Astheironarmsconcealedinvelvetfoldedtogether,onespikepassedthrougheacheye,anotherthroughthemouth,anotherthroughtheheart.ThePaintedLady’slipswerepoisoned,sothatakisswasfatal.Thedungeonwhosesideswereforcedtogetherbyscrews,sothateachdaythevictimsawhiscellgrowinglessandless,andknewthatsoonhewouldbecrushedtodeath,wasanotherinstrumentoftorture.Literallythousandsofinnocentmenandwomenwereburnedaliveinthemarketplace.

Thereisnomorepiteoustragedyinhistorythanthestoryofthedeclineandruinofthissuperblyprosperous,literaryandartisticcountry,andyetoutoftheashescamenewcourage.Burned,broken,theBelgiansandtheDutchwerenotbeaten.PushedatlastintoHolland,wheretheyunitedtheirfortuneswiththeDutch,theycutthedykesofHolland,andletintheocean,andclingingtothedykeswiththeirfingertips,foughttheirwaybacktotheland;butnosoonerhadthelastoftheSpaniardsgonethanoutoftheirragsandpovertytheyfoundedauniversityasamonumenttotheprovidenceofGodindeliveringthemoutofthehandsoftheirenemies.For,theSixteenthCentury,intheformofabraveknight,wearslittleBelgiumandHollandlikearedroseuponhisheart.

THEDEATHOFEGMONT

ButsomeofyouwillsaythattheBelgianpeoplemusthavebeenrebelsandguiltyofsomeexcess,andthathadtheyremainedquiescent,andnotfomentedtreason,thatnosuchfatecouldhaveovertakenthematthehandsofSpain.Verywell.Iwilltakeayouthwho,atthebeginning,believedinCharlestheFifth,amanwhowasastruetohisidealsastheneedletothepole.Onedaythe“BloodyCouncil”decreedthedeathofEgmontandHorn.Immediatelyafterward,theDukeofAlvasentaninvitationtoEgmonttobetheguestofhonoratabanquetinhisownhouse.AservantfromthepalacethatnightdeliveredtotheCountaslipofpaper,containingawarningtotakethefleetesthorseandfleethecity,andfromthatmomentnottoeatorsleepwithoutpistolsathishand.ToallthisEgmontrespondedthatnomonstereverlivedwhocould,withaninvitationofhospitality,trickapatriot.Likeabraveman,theCountwenttotheDuke’spalace.Hefoundtheguestsassembled,butwhenhehadhandedhishatandcloaktotheservant,Alvagaveasign,andfrombehindthecurtainscameSpanishmusqueteers,whodemandedhissword.Forinsteadofabanquethall,theCountwastakentoacellar,fittedupasadungeon.AlreadyEgmonthadallbutdiedforhiscountry.Hehadusedhisships,histrade,hisgold,forrightingthepeople’swrongs.Hewasamanofalargefamily—awifeandelevenchildren

—andpeoplelovedhimastoidolatry.ButAlvawasinexorable.Hehadmadeuphismindthatthemerchantsandburghershadstillmuchhiddengold,andifhekilledtheirbravestandbest,terrorwouldfalluponallalike,andthatthegoldheneededwouldbeforthcoming.Thatallthepeoplemightwitnessthescene,hetookhisprisonerstoBrusselsanddecidedtobeheadtheminthepublicsquare.IntheeveningEgmontreceivedthenoticethathisheadwouldbechoppedoffthenextday.Ascaffoldwaserectedinthepublicsquare.Thateveninghewrotealetterthatisamarvelofrestraint.

“Sire—Ihavelearnedthiseveningthesentencewhichyourmajestyhasbeenpleasedtopronounceuponme.AlthoughIhaveneverhadathought,andbelievemyselfnevertohavedoneadeed,whichwouldtendtotheprejudiceofyourservice,ortothedetrimentoftruereligion,neverthelessItakepatiencetobearthatwhichithaspleasedthegoodGodtopermit.Therefore,Iprayyourmajestytohavecompassiononmypoorwife,mychildrenandmyservants,havingregardtomypastservice.InwhichhopeInowcommendmyselftothemercyofGod.FromBrussels,readytodie,this5thofJune,1568.

“LAMORALD’EGMONT.”

ThusdiedamanwhodidasmuchprobablyforHollandasJohnEliotforEngland,orLafayetteforFrance,orSamuelAdamsforthisyoungrepublic.

THEWOEOFBELGIUM

AndnowoutofallthisgloriouspastcomesthewoeofBelgium.Desolationhascomelikethewhirlwind,anddestructionlikeatornado.ButninetydaysagoandBelgiumwasahiveofindustry,andinthefieldswereheardtheharvestsongs.Suddenly,GermanystruckBelgium.Thewholeworldhasbutonevoice,“Belgiumhasinnocenthands.”Shewasledlikealambtotheslaughter.WhentheloverofGermanyisaskedtoexplainGermany’sbreakingofhersolemntreatyupontheneutralityofBelgium,theGermanstandsdumbandspeechless.Merchantshonortheirwrittenobligations.Truecitizensconsidertheirwordasgoodastheirbond;Germanygavetreaty,andinthepresenceofGodandthecivilizedworld,enteredintoasolemncovenantwithBelgium.Totheendoftime,theGermanmustexpectthistaunt,“asworthlessasaGermantreaty.”ScarcelylessblackthetwoorthreeknownexamplesofcrueltywroughtuponnonresistingBelgians.InBrooklynlivesaBelgianwoman.SheplannedtoreturnhomeinlateJulytovisitafatherwhohadsufferedparalysis,anagedmotherandasisterwhonursedboth.WhentheGermansdecidedtoburnthatvillageinEasternBelgium,theydidnotwishtoburnalivethisoldandhelplessman,sotheybayonettedtodeaththeoldmanandwoman,andthedaughterthatnursedthem.

Letusjudgenot,thatwebenotjudged.ThisistheoneexampleofatrocitythatyouandImightbeablepersonallytoprove.ButeveryloyalGermaninthecountrycanmakeanswer:“Thesesoldiersweredrunkwithwineandblood.SuchanatrocitymisrepresentsGermanyandhersoldiers.ThebreakingofGermany’streatywithBelgiumrepresentsthedishonorofamilitaryring,andnottheperfidyof68,000,000ofpeople.Weaskthatjudgmentbepostponeduntilallthefactsarein.”But,meanwhile,themanwholoveshisfellows,atmidnightinhisdreamswalksacrossthefieldsofbrokenBelgium.AllthroughthenightairtherecomesthesobofRachel,weepingforherchildren,becausetheyarenot.Inmoodsofbitterness,ofdoubtanddespairtheheartcriesout,“HowcouldajustGod

permitsuchcrueltyuponinnocentBelgium?”Nomanknows.“CloudsanddarknessareroundaboutGod’sthrone.”Thespiritofevilcausedthiswar,buttheSpiritofGodmaybringgoodoutofit,justasthesummercanrepairtheravagesofwinter.MeanwhiletheheartbleedsforBelgium.ForBrussels,thethirdmostbeautifulcityinEurope!ForLouvain,oncerichwithitslibraries,cathedrals,statues,paintings,missals,manuscripts—nowaruin.Alas!fortheruinedharvestsandthesmokingvillages!Alas,fortheCathedralthatisaheap,andthelibrarythatisaruin.WheretheangelofhappinesswastherestalkFamineandDeath.Gone,theLandofGrotius!PerishedthepaintingsofRubens!RuinedisLouvain.Wherethewheatwaved,nowthehillsidesarebillowywithgraves.ButletusbelievethatGodreigns.PerchanceBelgiumisslainliketheSaviour,thatmilitarismmaydielikeSatan.Withoutsheddingofinnocentbloodthereisnoremissionofsinsthroughtyrannyandgreed.Thereisnowinewithoutthecrushingofthegrapesfromthetreeoflife.SoonLiberty,God’sdearchild,willstandwithinthesceneandcomfortthedesolate.Fallinguponthegreatworld’saltarstairs,inthishourwhenwisdomisignorance,andthestrongestmanclutchesatdustandstraw,letusbelievewithfaithvictoriousovertears,thatsometimeGodwillgatherbroken–heartedlittleBelgiumintoHisarmsandcomfortherasaFathercomfortethhiswell–belovedchild.

HENRYWATTERSON

THENEWAMERICANISM

(Abridged)

Eightyearsagotonight,therestoodwhereIamstandingnowayoungGeorgian,who,notwithoutreason,recognizedthe“significance”ofhispresencehere,and,inwordswhoseeloquenceIcannothopetorecall,appealedfromtheNewSouthtoNewEnglandforaunitedcountry.

Heisgonenow.But,shortashislifewas,itsheaven–bornmissionwasfulfilled;thedreamofhischildhoodwasrealized;forhehadbeenappointedbyGodtocarryamessageofpeaceonearth,goodwilltomen,and,thisdone,hevanishedfromthesightofmortaleyes,evenasthedovefromtheark.

Gradytoldus,andtoldustruly,ofthattypicalAmericanwho,inDr.Talmage’smind’seye,wascoming,butwho,inAbrahamLincoln’sactuality,hadalreadycome.Insomerecentstudiesintothecareerofthatman,Ihaveencounteredmanystartlingconfirmationsofthisjudgment;andfromthatruggedtrunk,drawingitssustenancefromgnarledroots,interlockedwithCavalierspraysandPuritanbranchesdeepbeneaththesoil,shallspring,isspringing,ashapelytree—symmetricinallitsparts—underwhoseshelteringboughsthisnationshallhavethenewbirthoffreedomLincolnpromisedit,andmankindtherefugewhichwassoughtbytheforefatherswhentheyfledfromoppression.ThankGod,theax,thegibbet,andthestakehavehadtheirday.Theyhavegone,letushope,tokeepcompanywiththelostarts.Ithasbeendemonstratedthatgreatwrongsmayberedressedandgreatreformsbeachievedwithoutthesheddingofonedropofhumanblood;thatvengeancedoesnotpurify,butbrutalizes;andthattolerance,whichinprivatetransactionsisreckonedavirtue,becomesinpublicaffairsadogmaofthemostfar–seeingstatesmanship.

SoIappealfromthemeninsilkenhosewhodancedtomusicmadebyslaves—andcalled

itfreedom—fromthemeninbell–crownedhats,wholedHesterPrynnetohershame—andcalleditreligion—tothatAmericanismwhichreachesforthitsarmstosmitewrongwithreasonandtruth,secureinthepowerofboth.IappealfromthepatriarchsofNewEnglandtothepoetsofNewEngland;fromEndicotttoLowell;fromWinthroptoLongfellow;fromNortontoHolmes;andIappealinthenameandbytherightsofthatcommoncitizenship—ofthatcommonorigin—backofboththePuritanandtheCavalier—towhichallofusoweourbeing.Letthedeadpast,consecratedbythebloodofitsmartyrs,notbyitssavagehatreds—darkenedalikebykingcraftandpriestcraft—letthedeadpastburyitsdead.Letthepresentandthefutureringwiththesongofthesingers.Blessedbethelessonstheyteach,thelawstheymake.Blessedbetheeyetosee,thelighttoreveal.BlessedbeTolerance,sittingeverontherighthandofGodtoguidethewaywithlovingword,asblessedbeallthatbringsusnearerthegoaloftruereligion,trueRepublicanism,andtruepatriotism,distrustofwatchwordsandlabels,shamsandheroes,beliefinourcountryandourselves.ItwasnotCottonMather,butJohnGreenleafWhittier,whocried:—

“DearGodandFatherofusall,Forgiveourfaithincruellies,Forgivetheblindnessthatdenies.

“Castdownouridols—overturnOurbloodyaltars—makeusseeThyselfinThyhumanity!”

JOHNMORLEY

FOUNDER’SDAYADDRESS

(Abridged)

CarnegieInstitute,Pittsburgh,Pa.,November3,1904.

Whatissohardasajustestimateoftheeventsofourowntime?Itisonlynow,acenturyandahalflater,thatwereallyperceivethatawriterhassomethingtosayforhimselfwhenhecallsWolfe’sexploitatQuebectheturningpointinmodernhistory.Andto–dayitishardtoimagineanyrationalstandardthatwouldnotmaketheAmericanRevolution—aninsurrectionofthirteenlittlecolonies,withapopulationof3,000,000scatteredinadistantwildernessamongsavages—amightiereventinmanyofitsaspectsthanthevolcanicconvulsioninFrance.Again,theupbuildingofyourgreatWestonthiscontinentisreckonedbysomethemostimportantworldmovementofthelasthundredyears.Butisitmoreimportantthantheamazing,imposingandperhapsdisquietingapparitionofJapan?OneauthorityinsiststhatwhenRussiadescendedintotheFarEastandpushedherfrontieronthePacifictotheforty–thirddegreeoflatitudethatwasoneofthemostfar–reachingfactsofmodernhistory,thoitalmostescapedtheeyesofEurope—allherperceptionsthenmonopolizedbyaffairsintheLevant.Whocansay?ManycoursesofthesunwereneededbeforemencouldtakethefullhistoricmeasuresofLuther,Calvin,Knox;themeasureofLoyola,theCouncilofTrent,andallthecounter–reformation.Thecenterofgravityisforevershifting,thepoliticalaxisoftheworldperpetuallychanging.Butwearenowfar

enoughofftodiscernhowstupendousathingwasdonewhen,aftertwocyclesofbitterwar,oneforeign,theothercivilandintestine,PittandWashington,withinaspanoflessthanascoreofyears,plantedthefoundationsoftheAmericanRepublic.

WhatForbes’sstockadeatFortPitthasgrowntobeyouknowbetterthanI.ThehugetriumphsofPittsburginmaterialproduction—iron,steel,coke,glass,andalltherestofit—canonlybetoldincolossalfiguresthatarealmostashardtorealizeinourmindsasthefiguresofastronomicaldistanceorgeologictime.ItisnotquiteclearthatallthefoundersoftheCommonwealthwouldhavesurveyedthewonderfulscenewiththesameexultationastheirdescendants.SomeofthemwouldhavedeniedthatthesegreatcentersofindustrialdemocracyeitherintheOldWorldorintheNewalwaysstandforprogress.Jeffersonsaid,“Iviewgreatcitiesaspestilentialtothemorals,thehealth,andthelibertiesofman.Iconsidertheclassofartificers,”hewenton,“asthepandersofvice,andtheinstrumentbywhichthelibertiesofacountryaregenerallyoverthrown.”InEnglandtheyreckon70percent.ofourpopulationasdwellersintowns.Withyou,Ireadthatonly25percent.ofthepopulationliveingroupssolargeas4,000persons.IfJeffersonwasrightouroutlookwouldbedark.Letushopethathewaswrong,andinfacttowardtheendofhistimequalifiedhisearlyview.Franklin,atanyrate,would,Ifeelsure,havereveledinitall.

Thatgreatman—anameintheforefrontamongthepracticalintelligencesofhumanhistory—oncetoldafriendthatwhenhedweltupontherapidprogressthatmankindwasmakinginpolitics,morals,andtheartsofliving,andwhenheconsideredthateachoneimprovementalwaysbegetsanother,hefeltassuredthatthefutureprogressoftheracewaslikelytobequickerthanithadeverbeen.Hewasneverweariedofforetellinginventionsyettocome,andhewishedhecouldrevisittheearthattheendofacenturytoseehowmankindwasgettingon.WithallmyheartIsharehiswish.OfallthemenwhohavebuiltupgreatStates,Idobelievethereisnotonewhosealacrityofsoundsenseandsingle–eyedbeneficenceofaimcouldbemoresafelytrustedthanFranklintodrawlightfromthecloudsandpiercetheeconomicandpoliticalconfusionsofourtime.Wecanimaginetheamazementandcomplacencyofthatshrewdbenignantmindifhecouldwatchallthegiantmarvelsofyourmillsandfurnaces,andalltheapparatusdevisedbythewondrousinventivefacultiesofman;ifhecouldhaveforeseenthathisexperimentswiththekiteinhisgardenatPhiladelphia,histubes,hisLeydenjarswouldendintheelectricappliancesofto–day—thelargestelectricplantinalltheworldonthesiteofFortDuquesne;ifhecouldhaveheardof5,000,000,000ofpassengerscarriedintheUnitedStatesbyelectricmotorpowerinayear;ifhecouldhaverealizedalltherestofthemagician’staleofourtime.

Stillmorewouldhehavebeenastoundedandelatedcouldhehaveforeseen,beyondalladvancesinmaterialproduction,theunbrokenstrengthofthatpoliticalstructurewhichhehadsograndashareinrearing.Intothisveryregionwherewearethisafternoon,sweptwaveafterwaveofimmigration;EnglishfromVirginiaflowedovertheborder,bringingEnglishtraits,literature,habitsofmind;Scots,orScots–Irish,originallyfromUlster,flowedinfromCentralPennsylvania;CatholicsfromSouthernIreland;newhostsfromSouthernandEastCentralEurope.ThisisnottheFourthofJuly.Butpeopleofeveryschoolwouldagreethatitisnoexuberanceofrhetoric,itisonlysobertruthtosaythattheperseveringabsorptionandincorporationofallthisceaselesstorrentofheterogenous

elementsintooneunited,stable,industrious,andpacificStateisanachievementthatneithertheRomanEmpirenortheRomanChurch,neitherByzantineEmpirenorRussian,notCharlestheGreatnorCharlestheFifthnorNapoleoneverrivaledorapproached.

WeareusuallyapttoexcusetheslowerrateofliberalprogressinourOldWorldbycontrastingtheobstructivebarriersofprejudice,survival,solecism,anachronism,convention,institution,allsoobstinatelyrooted,evenwhenthebranchesseembareandbroken,inanoldworld,withtheopenanddisengagedgroundofthenew.Yetinfactyourdifficultieswereatleastasformidableasthoseoftheoldercivilizationsintowhosefruitfulheritageyouhaveentered.Uniquewasthenecessityofthisgigantictaskofincorporation,theassimilationofpeopleofdiversfaithsandrace.Aseconddifficultywasmoreformidablestill—howtoerectandworkapowerfulandwealthyStateonsuchasystemastocombinethecentralizedconcertofafederalsystemwithlocalindependence,andtounitecollectiveenergywiththeencouragementofindividualfreedom.

Thislastdifficultythatyouhavesosuccessfullyuptonowsurmounted,atthepresenthourconfrontsthemothercountryanddeeplyperplexesherstatesmen.LibertyandunionhavebeencalledthetwinideasofAmerica.So,too,theyarethetwinidealsofallresponsiblemeninGreatBritain;althoresponsiblemendifferamongthemselvesastothesafestpathonwhichtotraveltowardthecommongoal,andthothedividingocean,inotherwayssomuchourfriend,interposes,forourcaseofanislandState,orratherforagroupofislandStates,obstaclesfromwhichacontinentalStatelikeyoursishappilyaltogetherfree.

Nobodybelievesthatnodifficultiesremain.Someofthemareobvious.Butthecommon–sense,themixtureofpatienceanddeterminationthathasconqueredrisksandmischiefsinthepast,maybetrustedwiththefuture.

Strangeanddeviousarethepathsofhistory.Broadandshiningchannelsgetmysteriouslysiltedup.Howmanyatimewhatseemedaglorioushighroadprovesnomorethanamuletrackormerecul–de–sac.ThinkofCanning’sflashingboast,whenheinsistedontherecognitionoftheSpanishrepublicsinSouthAmerica—thathehadcalledanewworldintoexistencetoredressthebalanceoftheold.Thisisoneofthesayings—ofwhichsortmanyanothermightbefound—thatmakethefortuneofarhetorician,yetstandillthewearandtearoftimeandcircumstance.ThenewworldthatCanningcalledintoexistencehassofarturnedoutasceneofsingulardisenchantment.

Thonotwithoutglimpsesonoccasionofthatheroismandcourageandevenwisdomthataretheattributesofmanalmostattheworst,thetalehasbeentoomuchataleofanarchyanddisaster,stillleavingahostofperplexitiesforstatesmenbothinAmericaandEurope.Ithasleftalsotostudentsofaphilosophicturnofmindoneofthemostinterestingofalltheproblemstobefoundinthewholefieldofsocial,ecclesiastical,religious,andracialmovement.Whyisitthatwedonotfindinthesouthaswefindinthenorthofthishemisphereapowerfulfederation—agreatSpanish–AmericanpeoplestretchingfromtheRioGrandetoCapeHorn?ToanswerthatquestionwouldbetoshedafloodoflightuponmanydeephistoricforcesintheOldWorld,ofwhich,afterall,thesemovementsoftheNewarebutaprolongationandmoremanifestextension.

WhatmoreimposingphenomenondoeshistorypresenttousthantheriseofSpanish

powertothepinnacleofgreatnessandgloryinthesixteenthcentury?TheMohammedans,aftercenturiesoffierceandstubbornwar,drivenback;thewholepeninsulabroughtunderasinglerulewithasinglecreed;enormousacquisitionsfromtheNetherlandsofNaples,Sicily,theCanaries;Francehumbled,Englandmenaced,settlementsmadeinAsiaandNorthernAfrica—SpaininAmericabecomepossessedofavastcontinentandofmorethanonearchipelagoofsplendidislands.YetbeforeacenturywasoverthesovereignmajestyofSpainunderwentahugedeclension,theterritoryunderherswaywascontracted,thefabulouswealthoftheminesoftheNewWorldhadbeenwasted,agricultureandindustrywereruined,hercommercepassedintothehandsofherrivals.

Letmedigressonefurthermoment.WehaveaverysensiblehabitintheislandwhenceIcome,whenourcountrymissesfire,tosayaslittleaswecan,andsinkthethinginpatrioticoblivion.ItisratherstartlingtorecallthatlessthanacenturyagoEnglandtwicesentamilitaryforcetoseizewhatisnowArgentina.Prideofraceandhostilecreedvehementlyresisting,provedtoomuchforus.Thetwoexpeditionsendedinfailure,andnothingremainsforthehistorianofto–daybuttowonderwhatadifferenceitmighthavemadetothetemperateregionofSouthAmericaifthefortuneofwarhadgonetheotherway,iftheregionofthePlatahadbecomeBritish,andalargeBritishimmigrationhadfollowed.DonotthinkmeguiltyoftheheinouscrimeofforgettingtheMonroeDoctrine.ThatmomentousdeclarationwasnotmadeforagoodmanyyearsafterourGen.WhitelockewasrepulsedatBuenosAyres,thoMr.SumnerandotherpeoplehavealwaysheldthatitwasCanningwhoreallyfirststartedtheMonroeDoctrine,whenheinvitedtheUnitedStatestojoinhimagainstEuropeaninterventioninSouthAmericanaffairs.

Thedayisathand,wearetold,whenfour–fifthsofthehumanracewilltracetheirpedigreetoEnglishforefathers,asfour–fifthsofthewhitepeopleintheUnitedStatestracetheirpedigreeto–day.Bytheendofthiscentury,theysay,suchnationsasFranceandGermany,assumingthattheystandapartfromfreshconsolidations,willonlybeabletoclaimthesamerelativepositioninthepoliticalworldasHollandandSwitzerland.Thesemusingsofthemoondonottakeusfar.Theimportantthing,asweallknow,isnottheexactfractionofthehumanracethatwillspeakEnglish.TheimportantthingisthatthosewhospeakEnglish,whetherinoldlandsornew,shallstriveinlofty,generousandnever–ceasingemulationwithpeoplesofothertonguesandotherstockforthepolitical,social,andintellectualprimacyamongmankind.Inthisnoblestrifefortheserviceofourraceweneedneverfearthatclaimantsfortheprizewillbetoolargeamultitude.

Asanablescholarofyourownhassaid,JeffersonwashereusingtheoldvernacularofEnglishaspirationsafterafree,manly,andwell–orderedpoliticallife—avernacularrichinstatelytraditionandnoblephrase,tobefoundinascoreofathousandofchampionsinmanycamps—inBuchanan,Milton,Hooker,Locke,JeremyTaylor,RogerWilliams,andmanyanotherhumblerbutnotlessstrenuouspioneerandconfessoroffreedom.Ah,donotfailtocountup,andcountupoften,whatadifferentworlditwouldhavebeenbutforthatislandinthedistantnorthernsea!Thesewerethetributaryfountains,that,astimewenton,swelledintothebroadconfluenceofmoderntime.Whatwasnewin1776wasthetransformationofthoughtintoactualpolity.

Whatisprogress?Itisbesttobeslowinthecomplexartsofpoliticsintheirwidestsense,andnottohurrytodefine.Ifyouwantaplatitude,thereisnothingforsupplyingitlikea

definition.Orshallwesaythatmostdefinitionshangbetweenplatitudeandparadox?Therearesaid,thoIhavenevercounted,tobe10,000definitionsofreligion.Theremustbeaboutasmanyofpoetry.Therecanhardlybefewerofliberty,orevenofhappiness.

Iamnotboldenoughtotryadefinition.Iwillnottrytogaugehowfartheadvanceofmoralforceshaskeptpacewiththatextensionofmaterialforcesintheworldofwhichthiscontinent,conspicuousbeforeallothers,bearssuchastoundingevidence.This,ofcourse,isthequestionofquestions,becauseasanillustriousEnglishwriter—towhom,bytheway,Iowemyfriendshipwithyourfoundermanylongyearsago—asMatthewArnoldsaidinAmericahere,itismoralideasthatatbottomdecidethestandingorfallingofstatesandnations.Withoutopeningthisvastdiscussionatlarge,manyasignofprogressisbeyondmistake.Thepractiseofassociatedaction—oneofthemasterkeysofprogress—isanewforceinahundredfields,andwithimmeasurablediversityofforms.Thereislessacquiescenceintriumphantwrong.Tolerationinreligionhasbeencalledthebestfruitofthelastfourcenturies,andinspiteofafewbigotedsurvivals,eveninourUnitedKingdom,andsomesavageoutbreaksofhatred,halfreligious,halfracial,ontheContinentofEurope,thisgloriousgainoftimemaynowbetakenassecured.PerhapsofallthecontributionsofAmericatohumancivilizationthisisgreatest.Thereignofforceisnotyetover,andatintervalsithasitstriumphanthours,butreason,justice,humanityfightwithsuccesstheirlongandsteadybattleforawidersway.

Ofallthepointsofsocialadvance,inmycountryatleast,duringthelastgenerationnoneismoremarkedthanthechangeinthepositionofwomen,inrespectofrightsofproperty,ofeducation,ofaccesstonewcallings.Asfortheimprovementofmaterialwell–being,anditsdiffusionamongthosewhoselaborisaprimefactorinitscreation,wemightgrowsatedwiththejubilantmonotonyofitsfigures,ifwedidnottakegoodcaretoremember,intheexcellentwordsofthePresidentofHarvard,thatthosegains,liketheprosperousworkingofyourinstitutionsandtheprinciplesbywhichtheyaresustained,areinessencemoralcontributions,“beingprinciplesofreason,enterprise,courage,faith,andjustice,overpassion,selfishness,inertness,timidity,anddistrust.”Itisthemoralimpulsesthatmatter.Wheretheyaresafe,allissafe.

Whenthisandthelikeissaid,nobodysupposesthatthelastwordhasbeenspokenastotheconditionofthepeopleeitherinAmericaorEurope.Republicanismisnotitselfapanaceaforeconomicdifficulties.Ofselfitcanneitherstiflenorappeasetheaccentsofsocialdiscontent.Solongasithasnorootinsurveyedenvy,thisdiscontentitselfisatokenofprogress.

What,criestheskeptic,whathasbecomeofallthehopesofthetimewhenFrancestooduponthetopofgoldenhours?Donotletusfearthechallenge.Muchhascomeofthem.Andovertheoldhopestimehasbroughtastratumofnew.

Liberalismissometimessuspectedofbeingcoldtothesenewhopes,andyoumayoftenhearitsaidthatLiberalismisalreadysupersededbySocialism.ThatachangeispassingoverpartynamesinEuropeisplain,butyoumaybesurethatnochangeinnamewillextinguishtheseprinciplesofsocietywhicharerootedinthenatureofthings,andareaccreditedbytheirsuccess.TwiceAmericahassavedliberalisminGreatBritain.TheWarforIndependenceintheeighteenthcenturywasthedefeatofusurpingpowernolessinEnglandthanhere.TheWarforUnioninthenineteenthcenturygavethedecisiveimpulse

toacriticalextensionofsuffrage,andaneraofpopularreforminthemothercountry.AnymiscarriageofdemocracyherereactsagainstprogressinGreatBritain.

Ifyouseektherealmeaningofmostmoderndisparagementofpopularorparliamentarygovernment,itisnomorethanthis,thatnopoliticswillsufficeofthemselvestomakeanation’ssoul.Whatcouldbemoretrue?Whosaysitwill?Butwemaydependuponitthatthesoulwillbebestkeptaliveinanationwherethereisthehighestproportionofthosewho,inthephraseofanoldworthyoftheseventeenthcentury,thinkitapartofaman’sreligiontoseetoitthathiscountrybewellgoverned.

Democracy,theytellus,isafflictedbymediocrityandbysterility.Buthasnotdemocracyinmycountry,asinyours,shownbeforenowthatitwellknowshowtochooserulersneithermediocrenorsterile;menmorethantheequalsinunselfishness,inrectitude,inclearsight,inforce,ofanyabsolutiststatesman,thateverintimespastborethescepter?IfIliveafewmonths,oritmaybeevenafewweekslonger,Ihopetohaveseensomethingofthreeelections—oneinCanada,oneintheUnitedKingdom,andtheotherhere.Withus,inrespectofleadership,andapartfromheightofsocialprestige,thepersonagecorrespondingtothepresidentis,asyouknow,theprimeminister.Ourgeneralelectionthistime,owingtopersonalaccidentofthepassinghour,maynotdeterminequiteexactlywhoshallbetheprimeminister,butitwilldeterminethepartyfromwhichtheprimeministershallbetaken.Onnormaloccasionsourelectionofaprimeministerisasdirectandpersonalasyours,andinchoosingamemberofParliamentpeoplewerereallyforawholegenerationchoosingwhetherDisraeliorGladstoneorSalisburyshouldbeheadofthegovernment.

TheonecentraldifferencebetweenyoursystemandoursisthattheAmericanpresidentisinforafixedtime,whereastheBritishprimeministerdependsuponthesupportoftheHouseofCommons.Ifhelosesthat,hispowermaynotendureatwelvemonth;ifontheotherhand,hekeepsit,hemayholdofficeforadozenyears.Therearenotmanymoreinterestingorimportantquestionsinpoliticaldiscussionthanthequestionwhetherourcabinetgovernmentoryourpresidentialsystemofgovernmentisthebetter.Thisisnottheplacetoargueit.

Between1868andnow—aperiodofthirty–sixyears—wehavehadeightministries.Thiswouldgiveanaveragelifeoffourandahalfyears.Oftheseeightgovernmentsfivelastedoverfiveyears.Broadlyspeaking,then,ourexecutivegovernmentshavelastedaboutthelengthofyourfixedterm.Asforministerssweptawaybyagustofpassion,IcanonlyrecalltheoverthrowofLordPalmerstonin1858forbeingthoughttoosubservienttoFrance.Formyownpart,Ihavealwaysthoughtthatbyitsfreeplay,itscomparativefluidity,itsrapidflexibilityofadaptation,ourcabinetsystemhasmosttosayforitself.

Whetherdemocracywillmakeforpeace,weallhaveyettosee.SofardemocracyhasdonelittleinEuropetoprotectusagainsttheturbidwhirlpoolsofamilitaryage.Whentheevilsofrivalstates,antagonisticraces,territorialclaims,andalltheotherformulasofinternationalconflictarefelttobeunbearableandthecursebecomestoogreattobeanylongerborne,aschoolofteacherswillperhapsarisetopickupagainthethreadofthebestwritersandwisestrulersontheeveoftherevolution.Movementinthisregionofhumanthingshasnotallbeenprogressive.IfwesurveytheEuropeancourtsfromtheendoftheSevenYears’WardowntotheFrenchRevolution,wenotethemarkedgrowthofa

distinctlyinternationalandpacificspirit.Atnoeraintheworld’shistorycanwefindsomanyEuropeanstatesmenafterpeaceandthegoodgovernmentofwhichpeaceisthebestally.ThatsentimentcametoviolentendwhenNapoleonarosetoscourgetheworld.

ROBERTTOOMBS

ONRESIGNINGFROMTHESENATE,1861

(Abridged)

ThesuccessoftheAbolitionistsandtheirallies,underthenameoftheRepublicanparty,hasproduceditslogicalresultsalready.Theyhaveforlongyearsbeensowingdragons’teethandhavefinallygotacropofarmedmen.TheUnion,sir,isdissolved.Thatisanaccomplishedfactinthepathofthisdiscussionthatmenmayaswellheed.Oneofyourconfederateshasalreadywisely,bravely,boldlyconfrontedpublicdanger,andsheisonlyaheadofmanyofhersistersbecauseofhergreaterfacilityforspeedyaction.ThegreatermajorityofthosesisterStates,underlikecircumstances,considerhercauseastheircause;andIchargeyouintheirnameto–day:“TouchnotSaguntum.”[37]Itisnotonlytheircause,butitisacausewhichreceivesthesympathyandwillreceivethesupportoftensandhundredsofhonestpatriotmeninthenonslaveholdingStates,whohavehithertomaintainedconstitutionalrights,andwhorespecttheiroaths,abidebycompacts,andlovejustice.

AndwhilethisCongress,thisSenate,andthisHouseofRepresentativesaredebatingtheconstitutionalityandtheexpediencyofsecedingfromtheUnion,andwhiletheperfidiousauthorsofthismischiefareshoweringdowndenunciationsuponalargeportionofthepatrioticmenofthiscountry,thosebravemenarecoollyandcalmlyvotingwhatyoucallrevolution—aye,sir,doingbetterthanthat:armingtodefendit.TheyappealedtotheConstitution,theyappealedtojustice,theyappealedtofraternity,untiltheConstitution,justice,andfraternitywerenolongerlistenedtointhelegislativehallsoftheircountry,andthen,sir,theypreparedforthearbitramentofthesword;andnowyouseetheglitteringbayonet,andyouhearthetrampofarmedmenfromyourcapitoltotheRioGrande.Itisasightthatgladdenstheeyesandcheerstheheartsofothermillionsreadytosecondthem.Inasmuch,sir,asIhavelaboredearnestly,honestly,sincerely,withthesementoavertthisnecessitysolongasIdeemeditpossible,andinasmuchasIheartilyapprovetheirpresentconductofresistance,IdeemitmydutytostatetheircasetotheSenate,tothecountry,andtothecivilizedworld.

Senators,mycountrymenhavedemandednonewgovernment;theyhavedemandednonewConstitution.Looktotheirrecordsathomeandherefromthebeginningofthisnationalstrifeuntilitsconsummationinthedisruptionoftheempire,andtheyhavenotdemandedasinglethingexceptthatyoushallabidebytheConstitutionoftheUnitedStates;thatconstitutionalrightsshallberespected,andthatjusticeshallbedone.Sirs,theyhavestoodbyyourConstitution;theyhavestoodbyallitsrequirements,theyhaveperformedallitsdutiesunselfishly,uncalculatingly,disinterestedly,untilapartysprangupinthiscountrywhichendangeredtheirsocialsystem—apartywhichtheyarraign,andwhichtheychargebeforetheAmericanpeopleandallmankindwithhavingmadeproclamationofoutlawryagainstfourthousandmillionsoftheirpropertyintheTerritoriesoftheUnitedStates;withhavingputthemunderthebanoftheempireinalltheStatesin

whichtheirinstitutionsexistoutsidetheprotectionoffederallaws;withhavingaidedandabettedinsurrectionfromwithinandinvasionfromwithoutwiththeviewofsubvertingthoseinstitutions,anddesolatingtheirhomesandtheirfiresides.Forthesecausestheyhavetakenuparms.

IhavestatedthatthediscontentedStatesofthisUnionhavedemandednothingbutclear,distinct,unequivocal,well–acknowledgedconstitutionalrights—rightsaffirmedbythehighestjudicialtribunalsoftheircountry;rightsolderthantheConstitution;rightswhichareplantedupontheimmutableprinciplesofnaturaljustice;rightswhichhavebeenaffirmedbythegoodandthewiseofallcountries,andofallcenturies.Wedemandnopowertoinjureanyman.WedemandnorighttoinjureourconfederateStates.Wedemandnorighttointerferewiththeirinstitutions,eitherbywordordeed.Wehavenorighttodisturbtheirpeace,theirtranquillity,theirsecurity.Wehavedemandedofthemsimply,solely—nothingelse—togiveusequality,securityandtranquillity.Giveusthese,andpeacerestoresitself.Refusethem,andtakewhatyoucanget.

Whatdotherebelsdemand?First,“thatthepeopleoftheUnitedStatesshallhaveanequalrighttoemigrateandsettleinthepresentoranyfutureacquiredTerritories,withwhateverpropertytheymaypossess(includingslaves),andbesecurelyprotectedinitspeaceableenjoymentuntilsuchTerritorymaybeadmittedasaStateintotheUnion,withorwithoutslavery,asshemaydetermine,onanequalitywithallexistingStates.”ThatisourTerritorialdemand.WehavefoughtforthisTerritorywhenbloodwasitsprice.Wehavepaidforitwhengoldwasitsprice.Wehavenotproposedtoexcludeyou,thoyouhavecontributedverylittleofbloodormoney.IreferespeciallytoNewEngland.WedemandonlytogointothoseTerritoriesupontermsofequalitywithyou,asequalsinthisgreatConfederacy,toenjoythecommonpropertyofthewholeUnion,andreceivetheprotectionofthecommongovernment,untiltheTerritoryiscapableofcomingintotheUnionasasovereignState,whenitmayfixitsowninstitutionstosuititself.

Thesecondpropositionis,“thatpropertyinslavesshallbeentitledtothesameprotectionfromthegovernmentoftheUnitedStates,inallofitsdepartments,everywhere,whichtheConstitutionconfersthepoweruponittoextendtoanyotherproperty,providednothinghereincontainedshallbeconstruedtolimitorrestraintherightnowbelongingtoeveryStatetoprohibit,abolish,orestablishandprotectslaverywithinitslimits.”Wedemandofthecommongovernmenttouseitsgrantedpowerstoprotectourpropertyaswellasyours.Forthisprotectionwepayasmuchasyoudo.Thisverypropertyissubjecttotaxation.Ithasbeentaxedbyyouandsoldbyyoufortaxes.

ThetitletothousandsandtensofthousandsofslavesisderivedfromtheUnitedStates.Weclaimthatthegovernment,whiletheConstitutionrecognizesourpropertyforthepurposesoftaxation,shallgiveitthesameprotectionthatitgivesyours.

Oughtitnottobeso?Yousayno.Everyoneofyouuponthecommitteesaidno.Yoursenatorssayno.YourHouseofRepresentativessaysno.ThroughoutthelengthandbreadthofyourconspiracyagainsttheConstitutionthereisbutoneshoutofno!Thisrecognitionofthisrightisthepriceofmyallegiance.Withholdit,andyoudonotgetmyobedience.Thisisthephilosophyofthearmedmenwhohavesprungupinthiscountry.Doyouaskmetosupportagovernmentthatwilltaxmyproperty:thatwillplunderme;thatwilldemandmyblood,andwillnotprotectme?Iwouldratherseethepopulationof

mynativeStatelaidsixfeetbeneathhersodthantheyshouldsupportforonehoursuchagovernment.Protectionisthepriceofobedienceeverywhere,inallcountries.Itistheonlythingthatmakesgovernmentrespectable.Denyitandyoucannothavefreesubjectsorcitizens;youmayhaveslaves.

Wedemand,inthenextplace,“thatpersonscommittingcrimesagainstslavepropertyinoneState,andfleeingtoanother,shallbedeliveredupinthesamemanneraspersonscommittingcrimesagainstotherproperty,andthatthelawsoftheStatefromwhichsuchpersonsfleeshallbethetestofcriminality.”Thatisanotheroneofthedemandsofanextremistandarebel.

ButthenonslaveholdingStates,treacheroustotheiroathsandcompacts,havesteadilyrefused,ifthecriminalonlystoleanegroandthatnegrowasaslave,todeliverhimup.ItwasrefusedtwiceontherequisitionofmyownStateaslongastwenty–twoyearsago.ItwasrefusedbyKentandbyFairfield,governorsofMaine,andrepresenting,Ibelieve,eachofthethenfederalparties.Weappealedthentofraternity,butwesubmitted;andthisconstitutionalrighthasbeenpracticallyadeadletterfromthatdaytothis.ThenextcasecameupbetweenusandtheStateofNewYork,whenthepresentseniorsenator[Mr.Seward]wasthegovernorofthatState;andherefusedit.Why?HesaiditwasnotagainstthelawsofNewYorktostealanegro,andthereforehewouldnotcomplywiththedemand.HemadeasimilarrefusaltoVirginia.Yettheseareourconfederates;theseareoursisterStates!Thereisthebargain;thereisthecompact.Youhavesworntoit.Boththesegovernorssworetoit.ThesenatorfromNewYorksworetoit.ThegovernorofOhiosworetoitwhenhewasinaugurated.Youcannotbindthembyoaths.Yettheytalktousoftreason;andIsupposetheyexpecttowhipfreemenintolovingsuchbrethren!Theywillhaveagoodtimeindoingit!

ItisnaturalweshouldwantthisprovisionoftheConstitutioncarriedout.TheConstitutionsaysslavesareproperty;theSupremeCourtsaysso;theConstitutionsaysso.Thetheftofslavesisacrime;theyareasubject–matteroffeloniousasportation.BythetextandletteroftheConstitutionyouagreedtogivethemup.Youhavesworntodoit,andyouhavebrokenyouroaths.Ofcourse,thosewhohavedonesolookoutforpretexts.Nobodyexpectedthemtodootherwise.IdonotthinkIeversawaperjurer,howeverbaldandnaked,whocouldnotinventsomepretexttopalliatehiscrime,orwhocouldnot,forfifteenshillings,hireanOldBaileylawyertoinventsomeforhim.YetthisrequirementoftheConstitutionisanotheroneoftheextremedemandsofanextremistandarebel.

ThenextstipulationisthatfugitiveslavesshallbesurrenderedundertheprovisionsoftheFugitiveSlaveActof1850,withoutbeingentitledeithertoawritofhabeascorpus,ortrialbyjury,orothersimilarobstructionsoflegislation,intheStatetowhichhemayflee.HereistheConstitution:

“NopersonheldtoserviceorlaborinoneState,underthelawsthereof,escapingintoanother,shall,inconsequenceofanylaworregulationtherein,bedischargedfromsuchserviceorlabor,butshallbedelivereduponclaimofthepartytowhomsuchserviceorlabormaybedue.”

Thislanguageisplain,andeverybodyunderstooditthesamewayforthefirstfortyyearsofyourgovernment.In1793,inWashington’stime,anactwaspassedtocarryoutthis

provision.ItwasadoptedunanimouslyintheSenateoftheUnitedStates,andnearlysointheHouseofRepresentatives.NobodythenhadinventedpretextstoshowthattheConstitutiondidnotmeananegroslave.Itwasclear;itwasplain.Notonlythefederalcourts,butallthelocalcourtsinalltheStates,decidedthatthiswasaconstitutionalobligation.Howisitnow?TheNorthsoughttoevadeit;followingtheinstinctsoftheirnaturalcharacter,theycommencedwiththefraudulentfictionthatfugitiveswereentitledtohabeascorpus,entitledtotrialbyjuryintheStatetowhichtheyfled.Theypretendedtobelievethatourfugitiveslaveswereentitledtomorerightsthantheirwhitecitizens;perhapstheywereright,theyknowoneanotherbetterthanIdo.Youmaychargeawhitemanwithtreason,orfelony,orothercrime,andyoudonotrequireanytrialbyjurybeforeheisgivenup;thereisnothingtodeterminebutthatheislegallychargedwithacrimeandthathefled,andthenheistobedeliveredupupondemand.Whitepeoplearedeliveredupeverydayinthisway;butnotslaves.Slaves,blackpeople,yousay,areentitledtotrialbyjury;andinthiswayschemeshavebeeninventedtodefeatyourplainconstitutionalobligations.

Senators,theConstitutionisacompact.Itcontainsallourobligationsandthedutiesofthefederalgovernment.Iamcontentandhaveeverbeencontenttosustainit.WhileIdoubtitsperfection,whileIdonotbelieveitwasagoodcompact,andwhileIneversawthedaythatIwouldhavevotedforitasapropositiondenovo,yetIamboundtoitbyoathandbythatcommonprudencewhichwouldinducementoabidebyestablishedformsratherthantorushintounknowndangers.Ihavegiventoit,andintendtogivetoit,unfalteringsupportandallegiance,butIchoosetoputthatallegianceonthetrueground,notonthefalseideathatanybody’sbloodwasshedforit.IsaythattheConstitutionisthewholecompact.Alltheobligations,allthechainsthatfetterthelimbsofmypeople,arenominatedinthebond,andtheywiselyexcludedanyconclusionagainstthem,bydeclaringthat“thepowersnotgrantedbytheConstitutiontotheUnitedStates,orforbiddenbyittotheStates,belongedtotheStatesrespectivelyorthepeople.”

NowIwilltryitbythatstandard;Iwillsubjectittothattest.Thelawofnature,thelawofjustice,wouldsay—anditissoexpoundedbythepublicists—thatequalrightsinthecommonpropertyshallbeenjoyed.Eveninamonarchythekingcannotpreventthesubjectsfromenjoyingequalityinthedispositionofthepublicproperty.Eveninadespoticgovernmentthisprincipleisrecognized.Itwasthebloodandthemoneyofthewholepeople(saysthelearnedGrotius,andsayallthepublicists)whichacquiredthepublicproperty,andthereforeitisnotthepropertyofthesovereign.Thisrightofequalitybeing,then,accordingtojusticeandnaturalequity,arightbelongingtoallStates,whendidwegiveitup?YousayCongresshasarighttopassrulesandregulationsconcerningtheTerritoryandotherpropertyoftheUnitedStates.Verywell.Doesthatexcludethosewhosebloodandmoneypaidforit?Does“disposeof”meantorobtherightfulowners?Youmustshowabettertitlethanthat,orabetterswordthanwehave.

What,then,willyoutake?Youwilltakenothingbutyourownjudgment;thatis,youwillnotonlyjudgeforyourselves,notonlydiscardthecourt,discardourconstruction,discardthepractiseofthegovernment,butyouwilldriveusout,simplybecauseyouwillit.Comeanddoit!Youhavesappedthefoundationsofsociety;youhavedestroyedalmostallhopeofpeace.Inacompactwherethereisnocommonarbiter,wherethepartiesfinallydecideforthemselves,theswordaloneatlastbecomesthereal,ifnottheconstitutional,arbiter.

YourpartysaysthatyouwillnottakethedecisionoftheSupremeCourt.YousaidsoatChicago;yousaidsoincommittee;everymanofyouinbothHousessaysso.Whatareyougoingtodo?Yousayweshallsubmittoyourconstruction.Weshalldoit,ifyoucanmakeus;butnototherwise,orinanyothermanner.Thatissettled.Youmaycallitsecession,oryoumaycallitrevolution;butthereisabigfactstandingbeforeyou,readytoopposeyou—thatfactis,freemenwitharmsintheirhands.

THEODOREROOSEVELT

INAUGURALADDRESS

(1905)

MYFELLOWCITIZENS:—Nopeopleonearthhavemorecausetobethankfulthanours,andthisissaidreverently,innospiritofboastfulnessinourownstrength,butwithgratitudetotheGiverofGood,Whohasblesseduswiththeconditionswhichhaveenabledustoachievesolargeameasureofwell–beingandhappiness.

Tousasapeopleithasbeengrantedtolaythefoundationsofournationallifeinanewcontinent.Wearetheheirsoftheages,andyetwehavehadtopayfewofthepenaltieswhichinoldcountriesareexactedbythedeadhandofabygonecivilization.Wehavenotbeenobligedtofightforourexistenceagainstanyalienrace;andyetourlifehascalledforthevigorandeffortwithoutwhichthemanlierandhardiervirtueswitheraway.

Undersuchconditionsitwouldbeourownfaultifwefailed,andthesuccesswhichwehavehadinthepast,thesuccesswhichweconfidentlybelievethefuturewillbring,shouldcauseinusnofeelingofvainglory,butratheradeepandabidingrealizationofallthatlifehasofferedus;afullacknowledgmentoftheresponsibilitywhichisours;andafixeddeterminationtoshowthatunderafreegovernmentamightypeoplecanthrivebest,alikeasregardthethingsofthebodyandthethingsofthesoul.

Muchhasbeengiventous,andmuchwillrightfullybeexpectedfromus.Wehavedutiestoothersanddutiestoourselves—andwecanshirkneither.Wehavebecomeagreatnation,forcedbythefactofitsgreatnessintorelationtotheothernationsoftheearth,andwemustbehaveasbeseemsapeoplewithsuchresponsibilities.

Towardallothernations,largeandsmall,ourattitudemustbeoneofcordialandsincerefriendship.Wemustshownotonlyinourwordsbutinourdeedsthatweareearnestlydesirousofsecuringtheirgoodwillbyactingtowardtheminaspiritofjustandgenerousrecognitionofalltheirrights.

Butjusticeandgenerosityinanation,asinanindividual,countmostwhenshownnotbytheweakbutbythestrong.Whileevercarefultorefrainfromwrongingothers,wemustbenolessinsistentthatwearenotwrongedourselves.Wewishpeace;butwewishthepeaceofjustice,thepeaceofrighteousness.Wewishitbecausewethinkitisright,andnotbecauseweareafraid.Noweaknationthatactsrightlyandjustlyshouldeverhavecausetofear,andnostrongpowershouldeverbeabletosingleusoutasasubjectforinsolentaggression.

Ourrelationswiththeotherpowersoftheworldareimportant;butstillmoreimportantareourrelationsamongourselves.Suchgrowthinwealth,inpopulation,andinpower,asanationhasseenduringacenturyandaquarterofitsnationallife,isinevitably

accompaniedbyalikegrowthintheproblemswhichareeverbeforeeverynationthatrisestogreatness.Powerinvariablymeansbothresponsibilityanddanger.Ourforefathersfacedcertainperilswhichwehaveoutgrown.Wenowfaceotherperilstheveryexistenceofwhichitwasimpossiblethattheyshouldforesee.

Modernlifeisbothcomplexandintense,andthetremendouschangeswroughtbytheextraordinaryindustrialdevelopmentofthehalfcenturyarefeltineveryfiberofoursocialandpoliticalbeing.Neverbeforehavementriedsovastandformidableanexperimentasthatofadministeringtheaffairsofacontinentundertheformsofademocraticrepublic.Theconditionswhichhavetoldforourmarvelousmaterialwell–being,whichhavedevelopedtoaveryhighdegreeourenergy,self–reliance,andindividualinitiative,alsohavebroughtthecareandanxietyinseparablefromtheaccumulationofgreatwealthinindustrialcenters.

Uponthesuccessofourexperimentmuchdepends—notonlyasregardsourownwelfare,butasregardsthewelfareofmankind.Ifwefail,thecauseoffreeself–governmentthroughouttheworldwillrocktoitsfoundations,andthereforeourresponsibilityisheavy,toourselves,totheworldasitisto–day,andtothegenerationsyetunborn.

Thereisnogoodreasonwhyweshouldfearthefuture,butthereiseveryreasonwhyweshouldfaceitseriously,neitherhidingfromourselvesthegravityoftheproblemsbeforeus,norfearingtoapproachtheseproblemswiththeunbending,unflinchingpurposetosolvethemaright.

Yetafterall,thotheproblemsarenew,thothetaskssetbeforeusdifferfromthetaskssetbeforeourfathers,whofoundedandpreservedthisRepublic,thespiritinwhichthesetasksmustbeundertakenandtheseproblemsfaced,ifourdutyistobewelldone,remainsessentiallyunchanged.Weknowthatself–governmentisdifficult.Weknowthatnopeopleneedssuchhightraitsofcharacterasthatpeoplewhichseekstogovernitsaffairsarightthroughthefreelyexpressedwillofthefreemenwhocomposeit.

Butwehavefaiththatweshallnotprovefalsetomemoriesofthemenofthemightypast.Theydidtheirwork;theyleftusthesplendidheritagewenowenjoy.Weinourturnhaveanassuredconfidencethatweshallbeabletoleavethisheritageunwastedandenlargedtoourchildren’schildren.

Todoso,wemustshow,notmerelyingreatcrises,butintheeverydayaffairsoflife,thequalitiesofpracticalintelligence,ofcourage,ofhardihood,andendurance,and,aboveall,thepowerofdevotiontoaloftyideal,whichmadegreatthemenwhofoundedthisRepublicinthedaysofWashington;whichmadegreatthemenwhopreservedthisRepublicinthedaysofAbrahamLincoln.

ONAMERICANMOTHERHOOD[38]

(1905)

Inourmodernindustrialcivilizationtherearemanyandgravedangerstocounterbalancethesplendorsandthetriumphs.Itisnotagoodthingtoseecitiesgrowatdisproportionatespeedrelativelytothecountry;forthesmalllandowners,themenwhoowntheirlittlehomes,andthereforetoaverylargeextentthemenwhotillfarms,themenofthesoil,havehithertomadethefoundationoflastingnationallifeineveryState;and,ifthe

foundationbecomeseithertooweakortoonarrow,thesuperstructure,nomatterhowattractive,isinimminentdangeroffalling.

Butfarmoreimportantthanthequestionoftheoccupationofourcitizensisthequestionofhowtheirfamilylifeisconducted.Nomatterwhatthatoccupationmaybe,aslongasthereisarealhomeandaslongasthosewhomakeupthathomedotheirdutytooneanother,totheirneighborsandtotheState,itisofminorconsequencewhethertheman’stradeispliedinthecountryorinthecity,whetheritcallsfortheworkofthehandsorfortheworkofthehead.

Nopiled–upwealth,nosplendorofmaterialgrowth,nobrillianceofartisticdevelopment,willpermanentlyavailanypeopleunlessitshomelifeishealthy,unlesstheaveragemanpossesseshonesty,courage,commonsense,anddecency,unlessheworkshardandiswillingatneedtofighthard;andunlesstheaveragewomanisagoodwife,agoodmother,ableandwillingtoperformthefirstandgreatestdutyofwomanhood,ableandwillingtobear,andtobringupastheyshouldbebroughtup,healthychildren,soundinbody,mind,andcharacter,andnumerousenoughsothattheraceshallincreaseandnotdecrease.

Therearecertainoldtruthswhichwillbetrueaslongasthisworldendures,andwhichnoamountofprogresscanalter.Oneoftheseisthetruththattheprimarydutyofthehusbandistobethehome–maker,thebreadwinnerforhiswifeandchildren,andthattheprimarydutyofthewomanistobethehelpmate,thehousewife,andmother.Thewomanshouldhaveampleeducationaladvantages;butsaveinexceptionalcasesthemanmustbe,andsheneednotbe,andgenerallyoughtnottobe,trainedforalifelongcareerasthefamilybreadwinner;and,therefore,afteracertainpoint,thetrainingofthetwomustnormallybedifferentbecausethedutiesofthetwoarenormallydifferent.Thisdoesnotmeaninequalityoffunction,butitdoesmeanthatnormallytheremustbedissimilarityoffunction.Onthewhole,Ithinkthedutyofthewomanthemoreimportant,themoredifficult,andthemorehonorableofthetwo;onthewholeIrespectthewomanwhodoesherdutyevenmorethanIrespectthemanwhodoeshis.

Noordinaryworkdonebyamaniseitherashardorasresponsibleastheworkofawomanwhoisbringingupafamilyofsmallchildren;foruponhertimeandstrengthdemandsaremadenotonlyeveryhourofthedaybutofteneveryhourofthenight.Shemayhavetogetupnightafternighttotakecareofasickchild,andyetmustbydaycontinuetodoallherhouseholddutiesaswell;andifthefamilymeansarescantshemustusuallyenjoyevenherrareholidaystakingherwholebroodofchildrenwithher.Thebirthpangsmakeallmenthedebtorsofallwomen.AbovealloursympathyandregardareduetothestrugglingwivesamongthosewhomAbrahamLincolncalledtheplainpeople,andwhomhesolovedandtrusted;forthelivesofthesewomenareoftenledonthelonelyheightsofquiet,self–sacrificingheroism.

Justasthehappiestandmosthonorableandmostusefultaskthatcanbesetanymanistoearnenoughforthesupportofhiswifeandfamily,forthebringingupandstartinginlifeofhischildren,sothemostimportant,themosthonorableanddesirabletaskwhichcanbesetanywomanistobeagoodandwisemotherinahomemarkedbyself–respectandmutualforbearance,bywillingnesstoperformduty,andbyrefusaltosinkintoself–indulgenceoravoidthatwhichentailseffortandself–sacrifice.Ofcoursethereareexceptionalmenandexceptionalwomenwhocandoandoughttodomuchmorethan

this,whocanleadandoughttoleadgreatcareersofoutsideusefulnessinadditionto—notassubstitutesfor—theirhomework;butIamnotspeakingofexceptions;Iamspeakingoftheprimaryduties,Iamspeakingoftheaveragecitizens,theaveragemenandwomenwhomakeupthenation.

InasmuchasIamspeakingtoanassemblageofmothers,Ishallhavenothingwhatevertosayinpraiseofaneasylife.Yoursistheworkwhichisneverended.Nomotherhasaneasytime,themostmothershaveveryhardtimes;andyetwhattruemotherwouldbarterherexperienceofjoyandsorrowinexchangeforalifeofcoldselfishness,whichinsistsuponperpetualamusementandtheavoidanceofcare,andwhichoftenfindsitsfitdwellingplaceinsomeflatdesignedtofurnishwiththeleastpossibleexpenditureofeffortthemaximumofcomfortandofluxury,butinwhichthereisliterallynoplaceforchildren?

Thewomanwhoisagoodwife,agoodmother,isentitledtoourrespectasisnooneelse;butsheisentitledtoitonlybecause,andsolongas,sheisworthyofit.Effortandself–sacrificearethelawofworthylifeforthemanasforthewoman;thoneithertheeffortnortheself–sacrificemaybethesamefortheoneasfortheother.IdonotintheleastbelieveinthepatientGriseldatypeofwoman,inthewomanwhosubmitstogrossandlongcontinuedilltreatment,anymorethanIbelieveinamanwhotamelysubmitstowrongfulaggression.Nowrong–doingissoabhorrentaswrong–doingbyamantowardthewifeandthechildrenwhoshouldarouseeverytenderfeelinginhisnature.Selfishnesstowardthem,lackoftendernesstowardthem,lackofconsiderationforthem,aboveall,brutalityinanyformtowardthem,shouldarousetheheartiestscornandindignationineveryuprightsoul.

Ibelieveinthewomankeepingherself–respectjustasIbelieveinthemandoingso.IbelieveinherrightsjustasmuchasIbelieveintheman’s,andindeedalittlemore;andIregardmarriageasapartnership,inwhicheachpartnerisinhonorboundtothinkoftherightsoftheotheraswellasofhisorherown.ButIthinkthatthedutiesareevenmoreimportantthantherights;andinthelongrunIthinkthattherewardisamplerandgreaterfordutywelldone,thanfortheinsistenceuponindividualrights,necessarythothis,too,mustoftenbe.Yourdutyishard,yourresponsibilitygreat;butgreatestofallisyourreward.Idonotpityyouintheleast.Onthecontrary,Ifeelrespectandadmirationforyou.

Intothewoman’skeepingiscommittedthedestinyofthegenerationstocomeafterus.Inbringingupyourchildrenyoumothersmustrememberthatwhileitisessentialtobelovingandtenderitisnolessessentialtobewiseandfirm.Foolishnessandaffectionmustnotbetreatedasinterchangeableterms;andbesidestrainingyoursonsanddaughtersinthesofterandmildervirtues,youmustseektogivethemthosesternandhardyqualitieswhichinafterlifetheywillsurelyneed.Somechildrenwillgowronginspiteofthebesttraining;andsomewillgorightevenwhentheirsurroundingsaremostunfortunate;neverthelessanimmenseamountdependsuponthefamilytraining.Ifyoumothersthroughweaknessbringupyoursonstobeselfishandtothinkonlyofthemselves,youwillberesponsibleformuchsadnessamongthewomenwhoaretobetheirwivesinthefuture.Ifyouletyourdaughtersgrowupidle,perhapsunderthemistakenimpressionthatasyouyourselveshavehadtoworkhardtheyshallknowonlyenjoyment,youare

preparingthemtobeuselesstoothersandburdenstothemselves.Teachboysandgirlsalikethattheyarenottolookforwardtolivesspentinavoidingdifficulties,buttolivesspentinovercomingdifficulties.Teachthemthatwork,forthemselvesandalsoforothers,isnotcursebutablessing;seektomakethemhappy,tomakethemenjoylife,butseekalsotomakethemfacelifewiththesteadfastresolutiontowrestsuccessfromlaborandadversity,andtodotheirwholedutybeforeGodandtoman.Surelyshewhocanthustrainhersonsandherdaughtersisthricefortunateamongwomen.

Therearemanygoodpeoplewhoaredeniedthesupremeblessingofchildren,andforthesewehavetherespectandsympathyalwaysduetothosewho,fromnofaultoftheirown,aredeniedanyoftheothergreatblessingsoflife.Butthemanorwomanwhodeliberatelyforegoestheseblessings,whetherfromviciousness,coldness,shallow–heartedness,self–indulgence,ormerefailuretoappreciatearightthedifferencebetweentheall–importantandtheunimportant,—why,suchacreaturemeritscontemptasheartyasanyvisiteduponthesoldierwhorunsawayinbattle,oruponthemanwhorefusestoworkforthesupportofthosedependentuponhim,andwhothoable–bodiedisyetcontenttoeatinidlenessthebreadwhichothersprovide.

Theexistenceofwomenofthistypeformsoneofthemostunpleasantandunwholesomefeaturesofmodernlife.IfanyoneissodimofvisionastofailtoseewhatathoroughlyunlovelycreaturesuchawomanisIwishtheywouldreadJudgeRobertGrant’snovel“UnleavenedBread,”ponderseriouslythecharacterofSelma,andthinkofthefatethatwouldsurelyovercomeanynationwhichdevelopeditsaverageandtypicalwomanalongsuchlines.UnfortunatelyitwouldbeuntruetosaythatthistypeexistsonlyinAmericannovels.ThatitalsoexistsinAmericanlifeismadeunpleasantlyevidentbythestatisticsastothedwindlingfamiliesinsomelocalities.Itismadeevidentinequallysinisterfashionbythecensusstatisticsastodivorce,whicharefairlyappalling;foreasydivorceisnowasiteverhasbeen,abanetoanynation,acursetosociety,amenacetothehome,anincitementtomarriedunhappinessandtoimmorality,anevilthingformenandastillmorehideousevilforwomen.TheseunpleasanttendenciesinourAmericanlifearemadeevidentbyarticlessuchasthosewhichIactuallyreadnotlongagoinacertainpaper,whereaclergymanwasquoted,seeminglywithapproval,asexpressingthegeneralAmericanattitudewhenhesaidthattheambitionofanysaveaveryrichmanshouldbetoreartwochildrenonly,soastogivehischildrenanopportunity“totasteafewofthegoodthingsoflife.”

Thisman,whoseprofessionandcallingshouldhavemadehimamoralteacher,actuallysetbeforeotherstheideal,notoftrainingchildrentodotheirduty,notofsendingthemforthwithstoutheartsandreadymindstowintriumphsforthemselvesandtheircountry,notofallowingthemtheopportunity,andgivingthemtheprivilegeofmakingtheirownplaceintheworld,but,forsooth,ofkeepingthenumberofchildrensolimitedthattheymight“tasteafewgoodthings!”Thewaytogiveachildafairchanceinlifeisnottobringitupinluxury,buttoseethatithasthekindoftrainingthatwillgiveitstrengthofcharacter.Evenapartfromthevitalquestionofnationallife,andregardingonlytheindividualinterestofthechildrenthemselves,happinessinthetruesenseisahundredfoldmoreapttocometoanygivenmemberofahealthyfamilyofhealthy–mindedchildren,wellbroughtup,welleducated,buttaughtthattheymustshiftforthemselves,mustwintheirownway,andbytheirownexertionsmaketheirownpositionsofusefulness,thanit

isapttocometothosewhoseparentsthemselveshaveactedonandhavetrainedtheirchildrentoacton,theselfishandsordidtheorythatthewholeendoflifeisto“tasteafewgoodthings.”

Theintelligenceoftheremarkisonaparwithitsmorality;forthemostrudimentarymentalprocesswouldhaveshownthespeakerthatiftheaveragefamilyinwhichtherearechildrencontainedbuttwochildrenthenationasawholewoulddecreaseinpopulationsorapidlythatintwoorthreegenerationsitwouldverydeservedlybeonthepointofextinction,sothatthepeoplewhohadactedonthisbaseandselfishdoctrinewouldbegivingplacetootherswithbraverandmorerobustideals.Norwouldsucharesultbeinanywayregrettable;foraracethatpractisedsuchdoctrine—thatis,aracethatpractisedracesuicide—wouldtherebyconclusivelyshowthatitwasunfittoexist,andthatithadbettergiveplacetopeoplewhohadnotforgottentheprimarylawsoftheirbeing.

Tosumup,then,thewholematterissimpleenough.Ifeitheraraceoranindividualprefersthepleasureofmoreeffortlessease,ofself–indulgence,totheinfinitelydeeper,theinfinitelyhigherpleasuresthatcometothosewhoknowthetoilandtheweariness,butalsothejoy,ofharddutywelldone,why,thatraceorthatindividualmustinevitablyintheendpaythepenaltyofleadingalifebothvapidandignoble.Nomanandnowomanreallyworthyofthenamecancareforthelifespentsolelyorchieflyintheavoidanceofriskandtroubleandlabor.Saveinexceptionalcasestheprizesworthhavinginlifemustbepaidfor,andthelifeworthlivingmustbealifeofworkforaworthyend,andordinarilyofworkmoreforothersthanforone’sself.

Thewoman’staskisnoteasy—notaskworthdoingiseasy—butindoingit,andwhenshehasdoneit,thereshallcometoherthehighestandholiestjoyknowntomankind;andhavingdoneit,sheshallhavetherewardprophesiedinScripture;forherhusbandandherchildren,yes,andallpeoplewhorealizethatherworkliesatthefoundationofallnationalhappinessandgreatness,shallriseupandcallherblessed.

ALTONB.PARKER

THECALLTODEMOCRATS

FromaspeechopeningtheNationalDemocraticConventionatBaltimore,Md.,June,1912.

ItisnotthewildandcruelmethodsofrevolutionandviolencethatareneededtocorrecttheabusesincidenttoourGovernmentastoallthingshuman.Neithermaterialnormoralprogressliesthatway.WehavemadeourGovernmentandourcomplicatedinstitutionsbyappealstoreason,seekingtoeducateallourpeoplethat,dayafterday,yearafteryear,centuryaftercentury,theymayseemoreclearly,actmorejustly,becomemoreandmoreattachedtothefundamentalideasthatunderlieoursociety.Ifwearetopreserveundiminishedtheheritagebequeathedus,andaddtoitthoseaccretionswithoutwhichsocietywouldperish,weshallneedallthepowersthattheschool,thechurch,thecourt,thedeliberativeassembly,andthequietthoughtofourpeoplecanbringtobear.

WearecalledupontodobattleagainsttheunfaithfulguardiansofourConstitutionandlibertiesandthehordesofignorancewhicharepushingforwardonlytotheruinofoursocialandgovernmentalfabric.

Toolonghasthecountryenduredtheoffensesoftheleadersofapartywhichonceknewgreatness.Toolonghavewebeenblindtothebacchanalofcorruption.Toolonghavewelistlesslywatchedtheassemblingoftheforcesthatthreatenourcountryandourfiresides.

Thetimehascomewhenthesalvationofthecountrydemandstherestorationtoplaceandpowerofmenofhighidealswhowillwageunceasingwaragainstcorruptioninpolitics,whowillenforcethelawagainstbothrichandpoor,andwhowilltreatguiltaspersonalandpunishitaccordingly.

Whatisourduty?Tothinkalikeastomenandmeasures?Impossible!Evenforourgreatparty!Thereisnotareactionaryamongus.AllDemocratsareProgressives.Butitisinevitablyhumanthatweshallnotallagreethatinasinglehighwayisfoundtheonlyroadtoprogress,oreachmakethesamemanofallourworthycandidateshisfirstchoice.

Itisimpossible,however,anditisourdutytoputasideallselfishness,toconsentcheerfullythatthemajorityshallspeakforeachofus,andtomarchoutofthisconventionshouldertoshoulder,intoningthepraisesofourchosenleader—andthatwillbehisdue,whicheverofthehonorableandablemennowclaimingourattentionshallbechosen.

JOHNW.WESCOTT

NOMINATINGWOODROWWILSON

AttheNationalDemocraticConvention,Baltimore,Maryland,June,1912.

TheNewJerseydelegationiscommissionedtorepresentthegreatcauseofDemocracyandtoofferyouasitsmilitantandtriumphantleaderascholar,notacharlatan;astatesman,notadoctrinaire;aprofoundlawyer,notasplitteroflegalhairs;apoliticaleconomist,notanegotisticaltheorist;apracticalpolitician,whoconstructs,modifies,restrains,withoutdisturbanceanddestruction;aresistlessdebaterandconsummatemasterofstatement,notameresophist;ahumanitarian,notadefamerofcharactersandlives;amanwhosemindisatoncecosmopolitanandcompositeofAmerica;agentlemanofunpretentioushabits,withthefearofGodinhisheartandtheloveofmankindexhibitedineveryactofhislife;aboveallapublicservantwhohasbeentriedtotheuttermostandneverfoundwanting—matchless,unconquerable,theultimateDemocrat,WoodrowWilson.

NewJerseyhasreasonsforhercourse.Letusnotbedeceivedinourpremises.Campaignsofvilification,corruptionandfalsepretencehavelosttheirusefulness.Theevolutionofnationalenergyistowardsamoreintelligentmoralityinpoliticsandinallotherrelations.Thesituationadmitsofnocompromise.ThetemperandpurposeoftheAmericanpublicwilltoleratenootherview.TheindifferenceoftheAmericanpeopletopoliticshasdisappeared.Anyplatformandanycandidatenotconformingtothisvastsocialandcommercialbehestwillgodowntoignominiousdefeatatthepolls.

Menareknownbywhattheysayanddo.Theyareknownbythosewhohateandopposethem.ManyyearsagoWoodrowWilsonsaid,“Nomanisgreatwhothinkshimselfso,andnomanisgoodwhodoesnottrytosecurethehappinessandcomfortofothers.”Thisisthesecretofhislife.Thedeedsofthismoralandintellectualgiantareknowntoallmen.Theyaccord,notwiththeshamsandfalsepretencesofpolitics,butmakenationalharmonywiththemillionsofpatriotsdeterminedtocorrectthewrongsofplutocracyand

reestablishthemaximsofAmericanlibertyinalltheirregnantbeautyandpracticaleffectiveness.NewJerseylovesWoodrowWilsonnotfortheenemieshehasmade.NewJerseyloveshimforwhatheis.NewJerseyarguesthatWoodrowWilsonistheonlycandidatewhocannotonlymakeDemocraticsuccessacertainty,butsecuretheelectoralvoteofalmosteveryStateintheUnion.

NewJerseywillindorsehisnominationbyamajorityof100,000ofherliberatedcitizens.Wearenotbuildingforaday,orevenageneration,butforalltime.NewJerseybelievesthatthereisanomniscienceinnationalinstinct.ThatinstinctcentersinWoodrowWilson.Hehasbeeninpoliticallifelessthantwoyears.Hehashadnoorganization;onlyapracticalideal—thereestablishmentofequalopportunity.Nothisdeedsalone,nothisimmortalwordsalone,nothispersonalityalone,nothismatchlesspowersalone,butallcombinedcompelnationalfaithandconfidenceinhim.Everycrisisevolvesitsmaster.TimeandcircumstancehaveevolvedWoodrowWilson.TheNorth,theSouth,theEast,andtheWestuniteinhim.NewJerseyappealstothisconventiontogivethenationWoodrowWilson,thathemayopenthegatesofopportunitytoeveryman,woman,andchildunderourflag,byreformingabuses,andtherebyteachingthem,inhismatchlesswords,“toreleasetheirenergiesintelligently,thatpeace,justiceandprosperitymayreign.”NewJerseyrejoices,throughherfreelychosenrepresentatives,tonameforthepresidencyoftheUnitedStatesthePrincetonschoolmaster,WoodrowWilson.

HENRYW.GRADY

THERACEPROBLEM

DeliveredattheannualbanquetoftheBostonMerchants’Association,atBoston,Mass.,December12,1889.

MR.PRESIDENT:—Biddenbyyourinvitationtoadiscussionoftheraceproblem—forbiddenbyoccasiontomakeapoliticalspeech—Iappreciate,intryingtoreconcileorderswithpropriety,theperplexityofthelittlemaid,who,biddentolearntoswim,wasyetadjured,“Now,go,mydarling;hangyourclothesonahickorylimb,anddon’tgonearthewater.”

ThestoutestapostleoftheChurch,theysay,isthemissionary,andthemissionary,whereverheunfurlshisflag,willneverfindhimselfindeeperneedofunctionandaddressthanI,biddento–nighttoplantthestandardofaSouthernDemocratinBoston’sbanquethall,andtodiscusstheproblemoftheracesinthehomeofPhillipsandofSumner.But,Mr.President,ifapurposetospeakinperfectfranknessandsincerity;ifearnestunderstandingofthevastinterestsinvolved;ifaconsecratingsenseofwhatdisastermayfollowfurthermisunderstandingandestrangement;ifthesemaybecountedupontosteadyundisciplinedspeechandtostrengthenanuntriedarm—then,sir,Ishallfindthecouragetoproceed.

HappyamIthatthismissionhasbroughtmyfeetatlasttopressNewEngland’shistoricsoilandmyeyestotheknowledgeofherbeautyandherthrift.HerewithintouchofPlymouthRockandBunkerHill—whereWebsterthunderedandLongfellowsang,EmersonthoughtandChanningpreached—here,inthecradleofAmericanlettersandalmostofAmericanliberty,IhastentomaketheobeisancethateveryAmericanowesNewEnglandwhenfirsthestandsuncoveredinhermightypresence.Strangeapparition!This

sternanduniquefigure—carvedfromtheoceanandthewilderness—itsmajestykindlingandgrowingamidthestormsofwinterandofwars—untilatlastthegloomwasbroken,itsbeautydisclosedinthesunshine,andtheheroicworkersrestedatitsbase—whilestartledkingsandemperorsgazedandmarveledthatfromtherudetouchofthishandfulcastonableakandunknownshoreshouldhavecometheembodiedgeniusofhumangovernmentandtheperfectedmodelofhumanliberty!Godblessthememoryofthoseimmortalworkers,andprosperthefortunesoftheirlivingsons—andperpetuatetheinspirationoftheirhandiwork.

Twoyearsago,sir,IspokesomewordsinNewYorkthatcaughttheattentionoftheNorth.AsIstandheretoreiterate,asIhavedoneeverywhere,everywordIthenuttered—todeclarethatthesentimentsIthenavowedwereuniversallyapprovedintheSouth—Irealizethattheconfidencebegottenbythatspeechislargelyresponsibleformypresencehereto–night.IshoulddishonormyselfifIbetrayedthatconfidencebyutteringoneinsincereword,orbywithholdingoneessentialelementofthetruth.Aproposofthislast,letmeconfess,Mr.President,beforethepraiseofNewEnglandhasdiedonmylips,thatIbelievethebestproductofherpresentlifeistheprocessionofseventeenthousandVermontDemocratsthatfortwenty–twoyears,undiminishedbydeath,unrecruitedbybirthorconversion,havemarchedovertheirruggedhills,casttheirDemocraticballotsandgonebackhometoprayfortheirunregenerateneighbors,andawaketoreadtherecordoftwenty–sixthousandRepublicanmajority.MaytheGodofthehelplessandtheheroichelpthem,andmaytheirsturdytribeincrease.

FartotheSouth,Mr.President,separatedfromthissectionbyaline—oncedefinedinirrepressibledifference,oncetracedinfratricidalblood,andnow,thankGod,butavanishingshadow—liesthefairestandrichestdomainofthisearth.Itisthehomeofabraveandhospitablepeople.Thereiscenteredallthatcanpleaseorprosperhumankind.Aperfectclimateaboveafertilesoilyieldstothehusbandmaneveryproductofthetemperatezone.There,bynightthecottonwhitensbeneaththestars,andbydaythewheatlocksthesunshineinitsbeardedsheaf.Inthesamefieldthecloverstealsthefragranceofthewind,andtobaccocatchesthequickaromaoftherains.Therearemountainsstoredwithexhaustlesstreasures;forests—vastandprimeval;andriversthat,tumblingorloitering,runwantontothesea.Ofthethreeessentialitemsofallindustries—cotton,ironandwood—thatregionhaseasycontrol.Incotton,afixedmonopoly—iniron,provensupremacy—intimber,thereservesupplyoftheRepublic.Fromthisassuredandpermanentadvantage,againstwhichartificialconditionscannotmuchlongerprevail,hasgrownanamazingsystemofindustries.Notmaintainedbyhumancontrivanceoftarifforcapital,afarofffromthefullestandcheapestsourceofsupply,butrestingindivineassurance,withintouchoffieldandmineandforest—notsetamidcostlyfarmsfromwhichcompetitionhasdriventhefarmerindespair,butamidcheapandsunnylands,richwithagriculture,towhichneitherseasonnorsoilhassetalimit—thissystemofindustriesismountingtoasplendorthatshalldazzleandilluminetheworld.That,sir,isthepictureandthepromiseofmyhome—alandbetterandfairerthanIhavetoldyou,andyetbutfitsettinginitsmaterialexcellencefortheloyalandgentlequalityofitscitizenship.Againstthat,sir,wehaveNewEngland,recruitingtheRepublicfromitssturdyloins,shakingfromitsovercrowdedhivesnewswarmsofworkers,andtouchingthislandalloverwithitsenergyanditscourage.Andyet—whileintheEldoradoofwhichIhavetoldyoubut

fifteenpercentofitslandsarecultivated,itsminesscarcelytouched,anditspopulationsoscantthat,wereitsetequidistant,thesoundofthehumanvoicecouldnotbeheardfromVirginiatoTexas—whileonthethresholdofnearlyeveryhouseinNewEnglandstandsason,seeking,withtroubledeyes,somenewlandinwhichtocarryhismodestpatrimony,thestrangefactremainsthatin1880theSouthhadfewernorthern–borncitizensthanshehadin1870—fewerin‘70thanin‘60.Whyisthis?Whyisit,sir,thoughthesectionlinebenowbutamistthatthebreathmaydispel,fewermenoftheNorthhavecrosseditovertotheSouth,thanwhenitwascrimsonwiththebestbloodoftheRepublic,orevenwhentheslaveholderstoodguardeveryinchofitsway?

Therecanbebutoneanswer.Itistheveryproblemwearenowtoconsider.ThekeythatopensthatproblemwillunlocktotheworldthefairesthalfofthisRepublic,andfreethehaltedfeetofthousandswhoseeyesarealreadykindlingwithitsbeauty.Betterthanthis,itwillopentheheartsofbrothersforthirtyyearsestranged,andclaspinlastingcomradeshipamillionhandsnowwithheldindoubt.Nothing,sir,butthisproblemandthesuspicionsitbreeds,hindersaclearunderstandingandaperfectunion.NothingelsestandsbetweenusandsuchloveasboundGeorgiaandMassachusettsatValleyForgeandYorktown,chastenedbythesacrificesofManassasandGettysburg,andilluminedwiththecomingofbetterworkandanoblerdestinythanwaseverwroughtwiththeswordorsoughtatthecannon’smouth.

Ifthisdoesnotinviteyourpatienthearingto–night—hearonethingmore.Mypeople,yourbrothersintheSouth—brothersinblood,indestiny,inallthatisbestinourpastandfuture—aresobesetwiththisproblemthattheirveryexistencedependsonitsrightsolution.Noraretheywhollytoblameforitspresence.Theslave–shipsoftheRepublicsailedfromyourports,theslavesworkedinourfields.Youwillnotdefendthetraffic,norItheinstitution.ButIdoheredeclarethatinitswiseandhumaneadministrationinliftingtheslavetoheightsofwhichhehadnotdreamedinhissavagehome,andgivinghimahappinesshehasnotyetfoundinfreedom,ourfatherslefttheirsonsasavingandexcellentheritage.Inthestormofwarthisinstitutionwaslost.IthankGodasheartilyasyoudothathumanslaveryisgoneforeverfromAmericansoil.Butthefreedmanremains.Withhim,aproblemwithoutprecedentorparallel.Noteitsappallingconditions.Twoutterlydissimilarracesonthesamesoil—withequalpoliticalandcivilrights—almostequalinnumbers,butterriblyunequalinintelligenceandresponsibility—eachpledgedagainstfusion—oneforacenturyinservitudetotheother,andfreedatlastbyadesolatingwar,theexperimentsoughtbyneitherbutapproachedbybothwithdoubt—thesearetheconditions.Underthese,adverseateverypoint,wearerequiredtocarrythesetworacesinpeaceandhonortotheend.

Never,sir,hassuchataskbeengiventomortalstewardship.NeverbeforeinthisRepublichasthewhiteracedividedontherightsofanalienrace.TheredmanwascutdownasaweedbecausehehinderedthewayoftheAmericancitizen.TheyellowmanwasshutoutofthisRepublicbecauseheisanalien,andinferior.Theredmanwasowneroftheland—theyellowmanwashighlycivilizedandassimilable—buttheyhinderedbothsectionsandaregone!Buttheblackman,affectingbutonesection,isclothedwitheveryprivilegeofgovernmentandpinnedtothesoil,andmypeoplecommandedtomakegoodatanyhazard,andatanycost,hisfullandequalheirshipofAmericanprivilegeandprosperity.Itmattersnotthateveryotherracehasbeenroutedorexcludedwithoutrhymeorreason.It

mattersnotthatwhereverthewhitesandtheblackshavetouched,inanyeraorinanyclime,therehasbeenanirreconcilableviolence.Itmattersnotthatnotworaces,howeversimilar,havelivedanywhere,atanytime,onthesamesoilwithequalrightsinpeace!InspiteofthesethingswearecommandedtomakegoodthischangeofAmericanpolicywhichhasnotperhapschangedAmericanprejudice—tomakecertainherewhathaselsewherebeenimpossiblebetweenwhitesandblacks—andtoreverse,undertheveryworstconditions,theuniversalverdictofracialhistory.Anddriven,sir,tothissuperhumantaskwithanimpatiencethatbrooksnodelay—arigorthatacceptsnoexcuse—andasuspicionthatdiscouragesfranknessandsincerity.Wedonotshrinkfromthistrial.Itissointerwovenwithourindustrialfabricthatwecannotdisentangleitifwewould—soboundupinourhonorableobligationtotheworld,thatwewouldnotifwecould.Canwesolveit?TheGodwhogaveitintoourhands,Healonecanknow.Butthistheweakestandwisestofusdoknow:wecannotsolveitwithlessthanyourtolerantandpatientsympathy—withlessthantheknowledgethatthebloodthatrunsinyourveinsisourblood—andthat,whenwehavedoneourbest,whethertheissuebelostorwon,weshallfeelyourstrongarmsaboutusandhearthebeatingofyourapprovinghearts!

Theresolute,clear–headed,broad–mindedmenoftheSouth—themenwhosegeniusmadegloriouseverypageofthefirstseventyyearsofAmericanhistory—whosecourageandfortitudeyoutestedinfiveyearsofthefiercestwar—whoseenergyhasmadebrickswithoutstrawandspreadsplendoramidtheashesoftheirwar–wastedhomes—thesemenwearthisproblemintheirheartsandbrains,bydayandbynight.Theyrealize,asyoucannot,whatthisproblemmeans—whattheyowetothiskindlyanddependentrace—themeasureoftheirdebttotheworldinwhosedespitetheydefendedandmaintainedslavery.Andthoughtheirfeetarehinderedinitsundergrowth,andtheirmarchcumberedwithitsburdens,theyhavelostneitherthepatiencefromwhichcomesclearness,northefaithfromwhichcomescourage.Nor,sir,wheninpassionatemomentsisdisclosedtothemthatvagueandawfulshadow,withitsluridabyssesanditscrimsonstains,intowhichIprayGodtheymaynevergo,aretheystruckwithmoreofapprehensionthanisneededtocompletetheirconsecration!

Suchisthetemperofmypeople.Butwhatoftheproblemitself?Mr.President,weneednotgoonestepfurtherunlessyouconcederightherethatthepeopleIspeakforareashonest,assensibleandasjustasyourpeople,seekingasearnestlyasyouwouldintheirplacetorightlysolvetheproblemthattouchesthemateveryvitalpoint.Ifyouinsistthattheyareruffians,blindlystrivingwithbludgeonandshotguntoplunderandoppressarace,thenIshallsacrificemyself–respectandtaxyourpatienceinvain.Butadmitthattheyaremenofcommonsenseandcommonhonesty,wiselymodifyinganenvironmenttheycannotwhollydisregard—guidingandcontrollingasbesttheycantheviciousandirresponsibleofeitherrace—compensatingerrorwithfrankness,andretrievinginpatiencewhattheylostinpassion—andconsciousallthetimethatwrongmeansruin—admitthis,andwemayreachanunderstandingto–night.

ThePresidentoftheUnitedStates,inhislatemessagetoCongress,discussingthepleathattheSouthshouldbelefttosolvethisproblem,asks:“Aretheyatworkuponit?Whatsolutiondotheyoffer?Whenwilltheblackmancastafreeballot?Whenwillhehavethecivilrightsthatarehis?”Ishallnothereprotestagainstapartisanrythat,forthefirsttimeinourhistory,intimeofpeace,hasstampedwiththegreatsealofourgovernmenta

stigmauponthepeopleofagreatandloyalsection;thoughIgratefullyrememberthatthegreatdeadsoldier,whoheldthehelmofStatefortheeightstormiestyearsofreconstruction,neverfoundneedforsuchastep;andthoughthereisnopersonalsacrificeIwouldnotmaketoremovethiscruelandunjustimputationonmypeoplefromthearchivesofmycountry!But,sir,backedbyarecord,oneverypageofwhichisprogress,Iventuretomakeearnestandrespectfulanswertothequestionsthatareasked.Wegivetotheworldthisyearacropof7,500,000balesofcotton,worth$450,000,000,anditscashequivalentingrain,grassesandfruit.Thisenormouscropcouldnothavecomefromthehandsofsullenanddiscontentedlabor.Itcomesfrompeacefulfields,inwhichlaughterandgossipriseabovethehumofindustry,andcontentmentrunswiththesingingplough.Itisclaimedthatthisignorantlaborisdefraudedofitsjusthire,IpresentthetaxbooksofGeorgia,whichshowthatthenegrotwenty–fiveyearsagoaslave,hasinGeorgiaalone$10,000,000ofassessedproperty,worthtwicethatmuch.Doesnotthatrecordhonorhimandvindicatehisneighbors?

Whatpeople,penniless,illiterate,hasdonesowell?ForeveryAfro–Americanagitator,stirringthestrifeinwhichaloneheprospers,Icanshowyouathousandnegroes,happyintheircabinhomes,tillingtheirownlandbyday,andatnighttakingfromthelipsoftheirchildrenthehelpfulmessagetheirStatesendsthemfromtheschoolhousedoor.Andtheschoolhouseitselfbearstestimony.InGeorgiaweaddedlastyear$250,000totheschoolfund,makingatotalofmorethan$1,000,000—andthisinthefaceofprejudicenotyetconquered—ofthefactthatthewhitesareassessedfor$368,000,000,theblacksfor$10,000,000,andyetforty–ninepercentofthebeneficiariesareblackchildren;andinthedoubtofmanywisemenifeducationhelps,orcanhelp,ourproblem.Charleston,withhertaxablevaluescuthalfintwosince1860,paysmoreinproportionforpublicschoolsthanBoston.Althoughitiseasiertogivemuchoutofmuchthanlittleoutoflittle,theSouth,withone–seventhofthetaxablepropertyofthecountry,withrelativelylargerdebt,havingreceivedonlyone–twelfthasmuchofpubliclands,andhavingbackofitstaxbooksnoneofthe$500,000,000ofbondsthatenrichtheNorth—andthoughitpaysannually$26,000,000toyoursectionaspensions—yetgivesnearlyone–sixthtothepublicschoolfund.TheSouthsince1865hasspent$122,000,000ineducation,andthisyearispledgedto$32,000,000moreforStateandcityschools,althoughtheblacks,payingone–thirtiethofthetaxes,getnearlyone–halfofthefund.Gointoourfieldsandseewhitesandblacksworkingsidebyside.Onourbuildingsinthesamesquad.Inourshopsatthesameforge.Oftentheblackscrowdthewhitesfromwork,orlowerwagesbytheirgreaterneedandsimplerhabits,andyetarepermitted,becausewewanttobarthemfromnoavenueinwhichtheirfeetarefittedtotread.Theycouldnottherebeelectedoratorsofwhiteuniversities,astheyhavebeenhere,buttheydoenterthereahundredusefultradesthatareclosedagainstthemhere.Weholditbetterandwisertotendtheweedsinthegardenthantowatertheexoticinthewindow.

IntheSouththerearenegrolawyers,teachers,editors,dentists,doctors,preachers,multiplyingwiththeincreasingabilityoftheirracetosupportthem.InvillagesandtownstheyhavetheirmilitarycompaniesequippedfromthearmoriesoftheState,theirchurchesandsocietiesbuiltandsupportedlargelybytheirneighbors.Whatisthetestimonyofthecourts?Inpenallegislationwehavesteadilyreducedfeloniestomisdemeanors,andhaveledtheworldinmitigatingpunishmentforcrime,thatwemightsave,asfaraspossible,

thisdependentracefromitsownweakness.Inourpenitentiaryrecordsixtypercentoftheprosecutorsarenegroes,andineverycourtthenegrocriminalstrikesthecoloredjuror,thatwhitemenmayjudgehiscase.

IntheNorth,onenegroinevery185isinjail—intheSouth,onlyonein446.IntheNorththepercentageofnegroprisonersissixtimesasgreatasthatofnativewhites;intheSouth,onlyfourtimesasgreat.IfprejudicewrongshiminSoutherncourts,therecordshowsittobedeeperinNortherncourts.Iasserthere,andabarasintelligentanduprightasthebarofMassachusettswillsolemnlyindorsemyassertion,thatintheSoutherncourts,fromhighesttolowest,pleadingforlife,libertyorproperty,thenegrohasdistinctadvantagebecauseheisanegro,apttobeoverreached,oppressed—andthatthisadvantagereachesfromthejurorinmakinghisverdicttothejudgeinmeasuringhissentence.

Now,Mr.President,canitbeseriouslymaintainedthatweareterrorizingthepeoplefromwhosewillinghandscomeseveryyear$1,000,000,000offarmcrops?Orhaverobbedapeoplewho,twenty–fiveyearsfromunrewardedslavery,haveamassedinoneState$20,000,000ofproperty?Orthatweintendtooppressthepeoplewearearmingeveryday?Ordeceivethem,whenweareeducatingthemtotheutmostlimitofourability?Oroutlawthem,whenweworksidebysidewiththem?Orre–enslavethemunderlegalforms,whenfortheirbenefitwehaveevenimprudentlynarrowedthelimitoffeloniesandmitigatedtheseverityoflaw?Myfellow–countrymen,asyouyourselvesmaysometimeshavetoappealatthebarofhumanjudgmentforjusticeandforright,givetomypeopleto–nightthefairandunanswerableconclusionoftheseincontestablefacts.

Butitisclaimedthatunderthisfairseemingthereisdisorderandviolence.ThisIadmit.Andtherewillbeuntilthereisoneidealcommunityonearthafterwhichwemaypattern.Buthowwidelyisitmisjudged!Itishardtomeasurewithexactnesswhatevertouchesthenegro.Hishelplessness,hisisolation,hiscenturyofservitude,—thesedisposeustoemphasizeandmagnifyhiswrongs.Thisdisposition,inflamedbyprejudiceandpartisanry,hasledtoinjusticeanddelusion.LawlessmenmayravageacountyinIowaanditisacceptedasanincident—intheSouth,adrunkenrowisdeclaredtobethefixedhabitofthecommunity.RegulatorsmaywhipvagabondsinIndianabyplatoonsanditscarcelyarrestsattention—achancecollisionintheSouthamongrelativelythesameclassesisgravelyacceptedasevidencethatoneraceisdestroyingtheother.WemightaswellclaimthattheUnionwasungratefultothecoloredsoldierwhofolloweditsflagbecauseaGrandArmypostinConnecticutcloseditsdoorstoanegroveteranasforyoutogiveracialsignificancetoeveryincidentintheSouth,ortoacceptexceptionalgroundsastheruleofoursociety.IamnotoneofthosewhobecloudAmericanhonorwiththeparadeoftheoutragesofeithersection,andbelieAmericancharacterbydeclaringthemtobesignificantandrepresentative.Iprefertomaintainthattheyareneither,andstandfornothingbutthepassionandsinofourpoorfallenhumanity.Ifsociety,likeamachine,werenostrongerthanitsweakestpart,Ishoulddespairofbothsections.But,knowingthatsociety,sentientandresponsibleineveryfiber,canmendandrepairuntilthewholehasthestrengthofthebest,Idespairofneither.Thesegentlemenwhocomewithmehere,knitintoGeorgia’sbusylifeastheyare,neversaw,Idareassert,anoutragecommittedonanegro!Andiftheydid,nooneofyouwouldbeswiftertopreventorpunish.Itisthroughthem,andthemenandwomenwhothinkwiththem—makingnine–tenthsofevery

Southerncommunity—thatthesetworaceshavebeencarriedthusfarwithlessofviolencethanwouldhavebeenpossibleanywhereelseonearth.Andintheirfairnessandcourageandsteadfastness—morethaninallthelawsthatcanbepassed,orallthebayonetsthatcanbemustered—isthehopeofourfuture.

Whenwilltheblackscastafreeballot?Whenignoranceanywhereisnotdominatedbythewilloftheintelligent;whenthelaboreranywherecastsavoteunhinderedbyhisboss;whenthevoteofthepooranywhereisnotinfluencedbythepoweroftherich;whenthestrongandthesteadfastdonoteverywherecontrolthesuffrageoftheweakandshiftless—then,andnottillthen,willtheballotofthenegrobefree.ThewhitepeopleoftheSoutharebanded,Mr.President,notinprejudiceagainsttheblacks—notinsectionalestrangement—notinthehopeofpoliticaldominion—butinadeepandabidingnecessity.Hereisthisvastignorantandpurchasablevote—clannish,credulous,impulsive,andpassionate—temptingeveryartofthedemagogue,butinsensibletotheappealofthestateman.Wronglystarted,inthatitwasledintoalienationfromitsneighborandtaughttorelyontheprotectionofanoutsideforce,itcannotbemergedandlostinthetwogreatpartiesthroughlogicalcurrents,foritlackspoliticalconvictionandeventhatinformationonwhichconvictionmustbebased.Itmustremainafaction—strongenoughineverycommunitytocontrolontheslightestdivisionofthewhites.Underthatdivisionitbecomesthepreyofthecunningandunscrupulousofbothparties.Itscredulityisimposedupon,itspatienceinflamed,itscupiditytempted,itsimpulsesmisdirected—andevenitssuperstitionmadetoplayitspartinacampaigninwhicheveryinterestofsocietyisjeopardizedandeveryapproachtotheballot–boxdebauched.Itisagainstsuchcampaignsasthis—thefollyandthebitternessandthedangerofwhicheverySoutherncommunityhasdrunkdeeply—thatthewhitepeopleoftheSoutharebandedtogether.JustasyouinMassachusettswouldbebandedif300,000men,notoneinahundredabletoreadhisballot—bandedinraceinstinct,holdingagainstyouthememoryofacenturyofslavery,taughtbyyourlateconquerorstodistrustandopposeyou,hadalreadytravestiedlegislationfromyourStateHouse,andineveryspeciesoffollyorvillainyhadwastedyoursubstanceandexhaustedyourcredit.

Butadmittingtherightofthewhitestouniteagainstthistremendousmenace,wearechallengedwiththesmallnessofourvote.Thishaslongbeenflippantlychargedtobeevidenceandhasnowbeensolemnlyandofficiallydeclaredtobeproofofpoliticalturpitudeandbasenessonourpart.Letussee.Virginia—astatenowunderfierceassaultforthisallegedcrime—castin1888seventy–fivepercentofhervote;Massachusetts,theStateinwhichIspeak,sixtypercentofhervote.WasitsuppressioninVirginiaandnaturalcausesinMassachusetts?LastmonthVirginiacastsixty–ninepercentofhervote;andMassachusetts,fightingineverydistrict,castonlyforty–ninepercentofhers.IfVirginiaiscondemnedbecausethirty–onepercentofhervotewassilent,howshallthisStateescape,inwhichfifty–onepercentwasdumb?Letusenlargethiscomparison.ThesixteenSouthernStatesin‘88castsixty–sevenpercentoftheirtotalvote—thesixNewEnglandStatesbutsixty–threepercentoftheirs.Bywhatfairruleshallthestigmabeputupononesectionwhiletheotherescapes?AcongressionalelectioninNewYorklastweek,withthepollingplaceintouchofeveryvoter,broughtoutonly6,000votesof28,000—andthelackofoppositionisassignedasthenaturalcause.InadistrictinmyState,inwhichanoppositionspeechhasnotbeenheardintenyearsandthepollingplaces

aremilesapart—undertheunfairreasoningofwhichmysectionhasbeenaconstantvictim—thesmallvoteischargedtobeproofofforciblesuppression.InVirginiaanaveragemajorityof12,000,unlesshopelessdivisionoftheminority,wasraisedto42,000;inIowa,inthesameelection,amajorityof32,000waswipedoutandanoppositionmajorityof8,000wasestablished.Thechangeof40,000votesinIowaisacceptedaspoliticalrevolution—inVirginiaanincreaseof30,000onasafemajorityisdeclaredtobeproofofpoliticalfraud.

Itisdeplorable,sir,thatinbothsectionsalargerpercentageofthevoteisnotregularlycast,butmoreinexplicablethatthisshouldbesoinNewEnglandthanintheSouth.Whatinvitesthenegrototheballot–box?Heknowsthatofallmenithaspromisedhimmostandyieldedhimleast.Hisfirstappealtosuffragewasthepromiseof“fortyacresandamule;”hissecond,thethreatthatDemocraticsuccessmeanthisre–enslavement.Bothhavebeenprovedfalseinhisexperience.Helookedforahome,andhegottheFreedman’sBank.Hefoughtunderpromiseoftheloaf,andinvictorywasdeniedthecrumbs.Discouragedanddeceived,hehasrealizedatlastthathisbestfriendsarehisneighborswithwhomhislotiscast,andwhoseprosperityisboundupinhis—andthathehasgainednothinginpoliticstocompensatethelossoftheirconfidenceandsympathy,thatisatlasthisbestandenduringhope.Andso,withoutleadersororganization—andlackingtheresoluteheroismofmypartyfriendsinVermontthatmaketheirhopelessmarchoverthehillsahighandinspiringpilgrimage—heshrewdlymeasurestheoccasionalagitator,balanceshislittleaccountwithpolitics,touchesuphismule,andjogsdownthefurrow,lettingthemadworldwagasitwill!

ThenegrovotercannevercontrolintheSouth,anditwouldbewellifpartisansattheNorthwouldunderstandthis.IhaveseenthewhitepeopleofaStatesetaboutbyblackhostsuntiltheirfateseemedsealed.But,sir,somebravemen,bandingthemtogether,wouldriseasElisharoseinbeleagueredSamaria,and,touchingtheireyeswithfaith,bidthemlookabroadtoseetheveryair“filledwiththechariotsofIsraelandthehorsementhereof.”Ifthereisanyhumanforcethatcannotbewithstood,itisthepowerofthebandedintelligenceandresponsibilityofafreecommunity.Againstit,numbersandcorruptioncannotprevail.Itcannotbeforbiddeninthelaw,ordivorcedinforce.Itistheinalienablerightofeveryfreecommunity—thejustandrighteoussafeguardagainstanignorantorcorruptsuffrage.Itisonthis,sir,thatwerelyintheSouth.Notthecowardlymenaceofmaskorshotgun,butthepeacefulmajestyofintelligenceandresponsibility,massedandunifiedfortheprotectionofitshomesandthepreservationofitsliberty.That,sir,isourrelianceandourhope,andagainstitallthepowersofearthshallnotprevail.ItisjustascertainthatVirginiawouldcomebacktotheunchallengedcontrolofherwhiterace—thatbeforethemoralandmaterialpowerofherpeopleoncemoreunified,oppositionwouldcrumbleuntilitslastdesperateleaderwasleftalone,vainlystrivingtorallyhisdisorderedhosts—asthatnightshouldfadeinthekindlinggloryofthesun.Youmaypassforcebills,buttheywillnotavail.Youmaysurrenderyourownlibertiestofederalelectionlaw;youmaysubmit,infearofanecessitythatdoesnotexist,thattheveryformofthisgovernmentmaybechanged;youmayinvitefederalinterferencewiththeNewEnglandtownmeeting,thathasbeenforahundredyearstheguaranteeoflocalgovernmentinAmerica;thisoldState—whichholdsinitschartertheboastthatit“isafreeandindependentcommonwealth”—maydeliveritselectionmachineryintothehands

ofthegovernmentithelpedtocreate—butnever,sir,willasingleStateofthisUnion,NorthorSouth,bedeliveredagaintothecontrolofanignorantandinferiorrace.WewrestedourstategovernmentsfromnegrosupremacywhentheFederaldrumbeatrolledclosertotheballot–box,andFederalbayonetshedgeditdeeperaboutthanwilleveragainbepermittedinthisfreegovernment.But,sir,thoughthecannonofthisRepublicthunderedineveryvotingdistrictintheSouth,westillshouldfindinthemercyofGodthemeansandthecouragetopreventitsreestablishment.

Iregret,sir,thatmysection,hinderedwiththisproblem,standsinseemingestrangementtotheNorth.If,sir,anymanwillpointouttomeapathdownwhichthewhitepeopleoftheSouth,divided,maywalkinpeaceandhonor,Iwilltakethatpath,thoughItakeitalone—foratitsend,andnowhereelse,Ifear,istobefoundthefullprosperityofmysectionandthefullrestorationofthisUnion.But,sir,ifthenegrohadnotbeenenfranchisedtheSouthwouldhavebeendividedandtheRepublicunited.Hisenfranchisement—againstwhichIenternoprotest—holdstheSouthunitedandcompact.Whatsolution,then,canweofferfortheproblem?Timealonecandiscloseittous.Wesimplyreportprogress,andaskyourpatience.Iftheproblembesolvedatall—andIfirmlybelieveitwill,thoughnowhereelsehasitbeen—itwillbesolvedbythepeoplemostdeeplyboundininterest,mostdeeplypledgedinhonortoitssolution.IhadratherseemypeoplerenderbackthisquestionrightlysolvedthantoseethemgatherallthespoilsoverwhichfactionhascontendedsinceCatalineconspiredandCæsarfought.Meantimewetreatthenegrofairly,measuringtohimjusticeinthefulnessthestrongshouldgivetotheweak,andleadinghiminthesteadfastwaysofcitizenship,thathemaynolongerbethepreyoftheunscrupulousandthesportofthethoughtless.Weopentohimeverypursuitinwhichhecanprosper,andseektobroadenhistrainingandcapacity.Weseektoholdhisconfidenceandfriendship—andtopinhimtothesoilwithownership,thathemaycatchinthefireofhisownhearthstonethatsenseofresponsibilitytheshiftlesscanneverknow.Andwegatherhimintothatallianceofintelligenceandresponsibilitythat,thoughitnowrunsclosetoraciallines,welcomestheresponsibleandintelligentofanyrace.Bythiscourse,confirmedinourjudgment,andjustifiedintheprogressalreadymade,wehopetoprogressslowlybutsurelytotheend.

Thelovewefeelforthatrace,youcannotmeasurenorcomprehend.AsIattestithere,thespiritofmyoldblackmammy,fromherhomeupthere,looksdowntobless,andthroughthetumultofthisnightstealsthesweetmusicofhercrooningsasthirtyyearsagosheheldmeinherblackarmsandledmesmilingtosleep.ThisscenevanishesasIspeak,andIcatchavisionofanoldSouthernhomewithitsloftypillarsanditswhitepigeonsflutteringdownthroughthegoldenair.Iseewomenwithstrainedandanxiousfaces,andchildrenalertyethelpless.Iseenightcomedownwithitsdangersanditsapprehensions,andinabighomelyroomIfeelonmytiredheadthetouchoflovinghands—nowwornandwrinkled,butfairertomeyetthanthehandsofmortalwoman,andstrongeryettoleadmethanthehandsofmortalman—astheylayamother’sblessingthere,whileatherknees—thetruestaltarIyethavefound—IthankGodthatsheissafeinhersanctuary,becauseherslaves,sentinelinthesilentcabin,orguardatherchamberdoor,putablackman’sloyaltybetweenheranddanger.

Icatchanothervision.Thecrisisofbattle—asoldier,struck,staggering,fallen.Iseeaslave,scuffingthroughthesmoke,windinghisblackarmsaboutthefallenform,reckless

ofhurtlingdeath—bendinghistrustyfacetocatchthewordsthattrembleonthestrickenlips,sowrestlingmeantimewithagonythathewouldlaydownhislifeinhismaster’sstead.Iseehimbythewearybedside,ministeringwithuncomplainingpatience,prayingwithallhishumbleheartthatGodwilllifthismasterup,untildeathcomesinmercyandinhonortostillthesoldier’sagonyandsealthesoldier’slife.Iseehimbytheopengrave—mute,motionless,uncovered,sufferingforthedeathofhimwhoinlifefoughtagainsthisfreedom.Iseehim,whenthemoldisheapedandthegreatdramaofhislifeisclosed,turnawayandwithdowncasteyesanduncertainstepstartoutintonewandstrangefields,faltering,struggling,butmovingon,untilhisshamblingfigureislostinthelightofthisbetterandbrighterday.Andfromthegravecomesavoice,saying,“Followhim!putyourarmsabouthiminhisneed,evenasheputhisaboutme.Behisfriendashewasmine.”Andoutintothisnewworld—strangetomeastohim,dazzling,bewilderingboth—Ifollow!AndmayGodforgetmypeople—whentheyforgetthese!

Whateverthefuturemayholdforthem,whethertheyplodalongintheservitudefromwhichtheyhaveneverbeenliftedsincetheCyrenianwaslaidholduponbytheRomansoldiers,andmadetobearthecrossofthefaintingChrist—whethertheyfindhomesagaininAfrica,andthushastentheprophecyofthepsalmist,whosaid,“AndsuddenlyEthiopiashallholdoutherhandsuntoGod”—whetherforeverdislocatedandseparate,theyremainaweakpeople,besetbystronger,andexist,astheTurk,wholivesinthejealousyratherthanintheconscienceofEurope—orwhetherinthismiraculousRepublictheybreakthroughthecasteoftwentycenturiesand,belyinguniversalhistory,reachthefullstatureofcitizenship,andinpeacemaintainit—weshallgivethemuttermostjusticeandabidingfriendship.Andwhateverwedo,intowhateverseemingestrangementwemaybedriven,nothingshalldisturbthelovewebearthisRepublic,ormitigateourconsecrationtoitsservice.Istandhere,Mr.President,toprofessnonewloyalty.WhenGeneralLee,whoseheartwasthetempleofourhopes,andwhosearmwasclothedwithourstrength,renewedhisallegiancetothisGovernmentatAppomattox,hespokefromahearttoogreattobefalse,andhespokeforeveryhonestmanfromMarylandtoTexas.FromthatdaytothisHamilcarhasnowhereintheSouthswornyoungHannibaltohatredandvengeance,buteverywheretoloyaltyandtolove.WitnesstheveteranstandingatthebaseofaConfederatemonument,abovethegravesofhiscomrades,hisemptysleevetossingintheAprilwind,adjuringtheyoungmenabouthimtoserveasearnestandloyalcitizenstheGovernmentagainstwhichtheirfathersfought.Thismessage,deliveredfromthatsacredpresence,hasgonehometotheheartsofmyfellows!And,sir,Ideclarehere,ifphysicalcouragebealwaysequaltohumanaspiration,thattheywoulddie,sir,ifneedbe,torestorethisRepublictheirfathersfoughttodissolve.

Such,Mr.President,isthisproblemasweseeit,suchisthetemperinwhichweapproachit,suchtheprogressmade.Whatdoweaskofyou?First,patience;outofthisalonecancomeperfectwork.Second,confidence;inthisalonecanyoujudgefairly.Third,sympathy;inthisyoucanhelpusbest.Fourth,giveusyoursonsashostages.Whenyouplantyourcapitalinmillions,sendyoursonsthattheymayknowhowtrueareourheartsandmayhelptoswelltheCaucasiancurrentuntilitcancarrywithoutdangerthisblackinfusion.Fifth,loyaltytotheRepublic—forthereissectionalisminloyaltyasinestrangement.Thishourlittleneedstheloyaltythatisloyaltoonesectionandyetholdstheotherinenduringsuspicionandestrangement.Giveusthebroadandperfectloyalty

thatlovesandtrustsGeorgiaalikewithMassachusetts—thatknowsnoSouth,noNorth,noEast,noWest,butendearswithequalandpatrioticloveeveryfootofoursoil,everyStateofourUnion.

Amightyduty,sir,andamightyinspirationimpelseveryoneofusto–nighttoloseinpatrioticconsecrationwhateverestranges,whateverdivides.We,sir,areAmericans—andwestandforhumanliberty!TheupliftingforceoftheAmericanideaisundereverythroneonearth.France,Brazil—theseareourvictories.Toredeemtheearthfromkingcraftandoppression—thisisourmission!Andweshallnotfail.GodhassowninoursoiltheseedofHismillennialharvest,andHewillnotlaythesickletotheripeningcropuntilHisfullandperfectdayhascome.Ourhistory,sir,hasbeenaconstantandexpandingmiracle,fromPlymouthRockandJamestown,alltheway—aye,evenfromthehourwhenfromthevoicelessandtracelessoceananewworldrosetothesightoftheinspiredsailor.Asweapproachthefourthcentennialofthatstupendousday—whentheoldworldwillcometomarvelandtolearnamidourgatheredtreasures—letusresolvetocrownthemiraclesofourpastwiththespectacleofaRepublic,compact,united,indissolubleinthebondsoflove—lovingfromtheLakestotheGulf—thewoundsofwarhealedineveryheartasoneveryhill,sereneandresplendentatthesummitofhumanachievementandearthlyglory,blazingoutthepathandmakingclearthewayupwhichallthenationsoftheearthmustcomeinGod’sappointedtime!

WILLIAMMcKINLEY

LASTSPEECH

DeliveredattheWorld’sFair,Buffalo,N.Y.,onSeptember5,1901,thedaybeforehewasassassinated.

IamgladagaintobeinthecityofBuffaloandexchangegreetingswithherpeople,towhosegeneroushospitalityIamnotastranger,andwithwhosegoodwillIhavebeenrepeatedlyandsignallyhonored.To–dayIhaveadditionalsatisfactioninmeetingandgivingwelcometotheforeignrepresentativesassembledhere,whosepresenceandparticipationinthisExpositionhavecontributedinsomarkedadegreetoitsinterestandsuccess.TothecommissionersoftheDominionofCanadaandtheBritishColonies,theFrenchColonies,theRepublicsofMexicoandofCentralandSouthAmerica,andthecommissionersofCubaandPortoRico,whosharewithusinthisundertaking,wegivethehandoffellowshipandfelicitatewiththemuponthetriumphsofart,science,educationandmanufacturewhichtheoldhasbequeathedtothenewcentury.

Expositionsarethetimekeepersofprogress.Theyrecordtheworld’sadvancement.Theystimulatetheenergy,enterpriseandintellectofthepeople,andquickenhumangenius.Theygointothehome.Theybroadenandbrightenthedailylifeofthepeople.Theyopenmightystorehousesofinformationtothestudent.Everyexposition,greatorsmall,hashelpedtosomeonwardstep.

Comparisonofideasisalwayseducationaland,assuch,instructsthebrainandhandofman.Friendlyrivalryfollows,whichisthespurtoindustrialimprovement,theinspirationtousefulinventionandtohighendeavorinalldepartmentsofhumanactivity.Itexactsastudyofthewants,comforts,andeventhewhimsofthepeople,andrecognizestheefficacyofhighqualityandlowpricestowintheirfavor.Thequestfortradeisan

incentivetomenofbusinesstodevise,invent,improveandeconomizeinthecostofproduction.Businesslife,whetheramongourselves,orwithotherpeoples,iseverasharpstruggleforsuccess.Itwillbenonethelessinthefuture.

Withoutcompetitionwewouldbeclingingtotheclumsyandantiquatedprocessoffarmingandmanufactureandthemethodsofbusinessoflongago,andthetwentiethwouldbenofurtheradvancedthantheeighteenthcentury.Butthocommercialcompetitorsweare,commercialenemieswemustnotbe.ThePan–AmericanExpositionhasdoneitsworkthoroughly,presentinginitsexhibitsevidencesofthehighestskillandillustratingtheprogressofthehumanfamilyintheWesternHemisphere.Thisportionoftheearthhasnocauseforhumiliationforthepartithasperformedinthemarchofcivilization.Ithasnotaccomplishedeverything;farfromit.Ithassimplydoneitsbest,andwithoutvanityorboastfulness,andrecognizingthemanifoldachievementsofothersitinvitesthefriendlyrivalryofallthepowersinthepeacefulpursuitsoftradeandcommerce,andwillcooperatewithallinadvancingthehighestandbestinterestsofhumanity.Thewisdomandenergyofallthenationsarenonetoogreatfortheworldwork.Thesuccessofart,science,industryandinventionisaninternationalassetandacommonglory.

Afterall,hownearonetotheotheriseverypartoftheworld.Moderninventionshavebroughtintocloserelationwidelyseparatedpeoplesandmakethembetteracquainted.Geographicandpoliticaldivisionswillcontinuetoexist,butdistanceshavebeeneffaced.Swiftshipsandfasttrainsarebecomingcosmopolitan.Theyinvadefieldswhichafewyearsagowereimpenetrable.Theworld’sproductsareexchangedasneverbeforeandwithincreasingtransportationfacilitiescomeincreasingknowledgeandlargertrade.Pricesarefixedwithmathematicalprecisionbysupplyanddemand.Theworld’ssellingpricesareregulatedbymarketandcropreports.Wetravelgreaterdistancesinashorterspaceoftimeandwithmoreeasethanwaseverdreamedofbythefathers.Isolationisnolongerpossibleordesirable.Thesameimportantnewsisread,thoindifferentlanguages,thesamedayinallChristendom.

Thetelegraphkeepsusadvisedofwhatisoccurringeverywhere,andthePressforeshadows,withmoreorlessaccuracy,theplansandpurposesofthenations.Marketpricesofproductsandofsecuritiesarehourlyknownineverycommercialmart,andtheinvestmentsofthepeopleextendbeyondtheirownnationalboundariesintotheremotestpartsoftheearth.Vasttransactionsareconductedandinternationalexchangesaremadebythetickofthecable.Everyeventofinterestisimmediatelybulletined.Thequickgatheringandtransmissionofnews,likerapidtransit,areofrecentorigin,andareonlymadepossiblebythegeniusoftheinventorandthecourageoftheinvestor.Ittookaspecialmessengerofthegovernment,witheveryfacilityknownatthetimeforrapidtravel,nineteendaystogofromtheCityofWashingtontoNewOrleanswithamessagetoGeneralJacksonthatthewarwithEnglandhadceasedandatreatyofpeacehadbeensigned.Howdifferentnow!WereachedGeneralMiles,inPortoRico,andhewasablethroughthemilitarytelegraphtostophisarmyonthefiringlinewiththemessagethattheUnitedStatesandSpainhadsignedaprotocolsuspendinghostilities.WeknewalmostinstanterofthefirstshotsfiredatSantiago,andthesubsequentsurrenderoftheSpanishforceswasknownatWashingtonwithinlessthananhourofitsconsummation.ThefirstshipofCervera’sfleethadhardlyemergedfromthathistoricharborwhenthefactwas

flashedtoourCapitol,andtheswiftdestructionthatfollowedwasannouncedimmediatelythroughthewonderfulmediumoftelegraphy.

Soaccustomedarewetosafeandeasycommunicationwithdistantlandsthatitstemporaryinterruption,eveninordinarytimes,resultsinlossandinconvenience.WeshallneverforgetthedaysofanxiouswaitingandsuspensewhennoinformationwaspermittedtobesentfromPekin,andthediplomaticrepresentativesofthenationsinChina,cutofffromallcommunication,insideandoutsideofthewalledcapital,weresurroundedbyanangryandmisguidedmobthatthreatenedtheirlives;northejoythatthrilledtheworldwhenasinglemessagefromthegovernmentoftheUnitedStatesbroughtthroughourministerthefirstnewsofthesafetyofthebesiegeddiplomats.

Atthebeginningofthenineteenthcenturytherewasnotamileofsteamrailroadontheglobe;nowthereareenoughmilestomakeitscircuitmanytimes.Thentherewasnotalineofelectrictelegraph;nowwehaveavastmileagetraversingalllandsandseas.Godandmanhavelinkedthenationstogether.Nonationcanlongerbeindifferenttoanyother.Andaswearebroughtmoreandmoreintouchwitheachother,thelessoccasionisthereformisunderstandings,andthestrongerthedisposition,whenwehavedifferences,toadjusttheminthecourtofarbitration,whichisthenoblestforumforthesettlementofinternationaldisputes.

Myfellowcitizens,tradestatisticsindicatethatthiscountryisinastateofunexampledprosperity.Thefiguresarealmostappalling.Theyshowthatweareutilizingourfieldsandforestsandmines,andthatwearefurnishingprofitableemploymenttothemillionsofworkingmenthroughouttheUnitedStates,bringingcomfortandhappinesstotheirhomes,andmakingitpossibletolaybysavingsforoldageanddisability.ThatallthepeopleareparticipatinginthisgreatprosperityisseenineveryAmericancommunityandshownbytheenormousandunprecedenteddepositsinoursavingsbanks.Ourdutyinthecareandsecurityofthesedepositsandtheirsafeinvestmentdemandsthehighestintegrityandthebestbusinesscapacityofthoseinchargeofthesedepositoriesofthepeople’searnings.

Wehaveavastandintricatebusiness,builtupthroughyearsoftoilandstruggleinwhicheverypartofthecountryhasitsstake,whichwillnotpermitofeitherneglectorofundueselfishness.Nonarrow,sordidpolicywillsubserveit.Thegreatestskillandwisdomonthepartofmanufacturersandproducerswillberequiredtoholdandincreaseit.Ourindustrialenterprises,whichhavegrowntosuchgreatproportions,affectthehomesandoccupationsofthepeopleandthewelfareofthecountry.Ourcapacitytoproducehasdevelopedsoenormouslyandourproductshavesomultipliedthattheproblemofmoremarketsrequiresoururgentandimmediateattention.Onlyabroadandenlightenedpolicywillkeepwhatwehave.Nootherpolicywillgetmore.Inthesetimesofmarvelousbusinessenergyandgainweoughttobelookingtothefuture,strengtheningtheweakplacesinourindustrialandcommercialsystems,thatwemaybereadyforanystormorstrain.

Bysensibletradearrangementswhichwillnotinterruptourhomeproductionweshallextendtheoutletsforourincreasingsurplus.Asystemwhichprovidesamutualexchangeofcommoditiesismanifestlyessentialtothecontinuedandhealthfulgrowthofourexporttrade.Wemustnotreposeinthefanciedsecuritythatwecanforeverselleverythingandbuylittleornothing.Ifsuchathingwerepossibleitwouldnotbebestforusorforthose

withwhomwedeal.Weshouldtakefromourcustomerssuchoftheirproductsaswecanusewithoutharmtoourindustriesandlabor.Reciprocityisthenaturaloutgrowthofourwonderfulindustrialdevelopmentunderthedomesticpolicynowfirmlyestablished.

Whatweproducebeyondourdomesticconsumptionmusthaveaventabroad.Theexcessmustberelievedthroughaforeignoutlet,andweshouldselleverywherewecanandbuywhereverthebuyingwillenlargeoursalesandproductions,andtherebymakeagreaterdemandforhomelabor.

Theperiodofexclusivenessispast.Theexpansionofourtradeandcommerceisthepressingproblem.Commercialwarsareunprofitable.Apolicyofgoodwillandfriendlytraderelationswillpreventreprisals.Reciprocitytreatiesareinharmonywiththespiritofthetimes;measuresofretaliationarenot.If,perchance,someofourtariffsarenolongerneededforrevenueortoencourageandprotectourindustriesathome,whyshouldtheynotbeemployedtoextendandpromoteourmarketsabroad?Then,too,wehaveinadequatesteamshipservice.NewlinesofsteamshipshavealreadybeenputincommissionbetweenthePacificcoastportsoftheUnitedStatesandthoseonthewesterncoastsofMexicoandCentralandSouthAmerica.TheseshouldbefollowedupwithdirectsteamshiplinesbetweenthewesterncoastoftheUnitedStatesandSouthAmericanports.Oneoftheneedsofthetimesisdirectcommerciallinesfromourvastfieldsofproductiontothefieldsofconsumptionthatwehavebutbarelytouched.Nextinadvantagetohavingthethingtosellistohavetheconveyancetocarryittothebuyer.Wemustencourageourmerchantmarine.Wemusthavemoreships.TheymustbeundertheAmericanflag;builtandmannedandownedbyAmericans.Thesewillnotonlybeprofitableinacommercialsense;theywillbemessengersofpeaceandamitywherevertheygo.

WemustbuildtheIsthmiancanal,whichwillunitethetwooceansandgiveastraightlineofwatercommunicationwiththewesterncoastsofCentralandSouthAmericaandMexico.TheconstructionofaPacificcablecannotbelongerpostponed.Inthefurtheranceoftheseobjectsofnationalinterestandconcernyouareperforminganimportantpart.ThisExpositionwouldhavetouchedtheheartofthatAmericanstatesmanwhosemindwaseveralertandthoughteverconstantforalargercommerceandatruerfraternityoftherepublicsoftheNewWorld.HisbroadAmericanspiritisfeltandmanifestedhere.HeneedsnoidentificationtoanassemblageofAmericansanywhere,forthenameofBlaineisinseparablyassociatedwiththePan–Americanmovementwhichfindsherepracticalandsubstantialexpression,andwhichweallhopewillbefirmlyadvancedbythePan–AmericanCongressthatassemblesthisautumninthecapitalofMexico.Thegoodworkwillgoon.Itcannotbestopped.Thosebuildingswilldisappear;thiscreationofartandbeautyandindustrywillperishfromsight,buttheirinfluencewillremainto“makeitlivebeyonditstooshortlivingwithpraisesandthanksgiving.”Whocantellthenewthoughtsthathavebeenawakened,theambitionsfiredandthehighachievementsthatwillbewroughtthroughthisExposition?

Gentlemen,letuseverrememberthatourinterestisinconcord,notconflict;andthatourrealeminencerestsinthevictoriesofpeace,notthoseofwar.Wehopethatallwhoarerepresentedheremaybemovedtohigherandnoblereffortsfortheirownandtheworld’sgood,andthatoutofthiscitymaycomenotonlygreatercommerceandtradeforusall,but,moreessentialthanthese,relationsofmutualrespect,confidenceandfriendship

whichwilldeepenandendure.OurearnestprayeristhatGodwillgraciouslyvouchsafeprosperity,happinessandpeacetoallourneighbors,andlikeblessingstoallthepeoplesandpowersofearth.

JOHNHAY

TRIBUTETOMCKINLEY

FromhismemorialaddressatajointsessionoftheSenateandHouseofRepresentativesonFebruary27,1903.

ForthethirdtimetheCongressoftheUnitedStatesareassembledtocommemoratethelifeandthedeathofapresidentslainbythehandofanassassin.Theattentionofthefuturehistorianwillbeattractedtothefeatureswhichreappearwithstartlingsamenessinallthreeoftheseawfulcrimes:theuselessness,theutterlackofconsequenceoftheact;theobscurity,theinsignificanceofthecriminal;theblamelessness—sofarasinoursphereofexistencethebestofmenmaybeheldblameless—ofthevictim.Notoneofourmurderedpresidentshadanenemyintheworld;theywereallofsuchpreeminentpurityoflifethatnopretextcouldbegivenfortheattackofpassionalcrime;theywereallmenofdemocraticinstincts,whocouldneverhaveoffendedthemostjealousadvocatesofequity;theywereofkindlyandgenerousnature,towhomwrongorinjusticewasimpossible;ofmoderatefortune,whoseslendermeansnobodycouldenvy.Theyweremenofausterevirtue,oftenderheart,ofeminentabilities,whichtheyhaddevotedwithsinglemindstothegoodoftheRepublic.IfevermenwalkedbeforeGodandmanwithoutblame,itwasthesethreerulersofourpeople.Theonlytemptationtoattacktheirlivesofferedwastheirgentleradiance—toeyeshatingthelight,thatwasoffenseenough.

Thestupiduselessnessofsuchaninfamyaffrontsthecommonsenseoftheworld.Onecanconceivehowthedeathofadictatormaychangethepoliticalconditionsofanempire;howtheextinctionofanarrowinglineofkingsmaybringinanaliendynasty.Butinawell–orderedRepubliclikeourstherulermayfall,buttheStatefeelsnotremor.Ourbelovedandreveredleaderisgone—butthenaturalprocessofourlawsprovidesusasuccessor,identicalinpurposeandideals,nourishedbythesameteachings,inspiredbythesameprinciples,pledgedbytenderaffectionaswellasbyhighloyaltytocarrytocompletiontheimmensetaskcommittedtohishands,andtosmitewithironseverityeverymanifestationofthathideouscrimewhichhismildpredecessor,withhisdyingbreath,forgave.Thesayingsofcelestialwisdomhavenodate;thewordsthatreachus,overtwothousandyears,outofthedarkesthourofgloomtheworldhaseverknown,aretruetolifeto–day:“Theyknownotwhattheydo.”Theblowstruckatourdearfriendandrulerwasasdeadlyasblindhatecouldmakeit;buttheblowstruckatanarchywasdeadlierstill.

Howmanycountriescanjoinwithusinthecommunityofakindredsorrow!Iwillnotspeakofthosedistantregionswhereassassinationentersintothedailylifeofgovernment.Butamongthenationsboundtousbythetiesoffamiliarintercourse—whocanforgetthatwiseandmildautocratwhohadearnedtheproudtitleoftheliberator?thatenlightenedandmagnanimouscitizenwhomFrancestillmourns?thatbraveandchivalrouskingofItalywhoonlylivedforhispeople?and,saddestofall,thatlovelyandsorrowingempress,whoseharmlesslifecouldhardlyhaveexcitedtheanimosityofademon?Againstthat

devilishspiritnothingavails,—neithervirtuenorpatriotism,noragenoryouth,norconsciencenorpity.Wecannotevensaythateducationisasufficientsafeguardagainstthisbalefulevil,—formostofthewretcheswhosecrimeshavesoshockedhumanityinrecentyearsweremennotunlettered,whohavegonefromthecommonschools,throughmurdertothescaffold.

ThelifeofWilliamMcKinleywas,fromhisbirthtohisdeath,typicallyAmerican.Thereisnoenvironment,Ishouldsay,anywhereelseintheworldwhichcouldproducejustsuchacharacter.Hewasbornintothatwayoflifewhichelsewhereiscalledthemiddleclass,butwhichinthiscountryissonearlyuniversalastomakeofotherclassesanalmostnegligiblequantity.Hewasneitherrichnorpoor,neitherproudnorhumble;heknewnohungerhewasnotsureofsatisfying,noluxurywhichcouldenervatemindorbody.Hisparentsweresober,God–fearingpeople;intelligentandupright,withoutpretensionandwithouthumility.Hegrewupinthecompanyofboyslikehimself,wholesome,honest,self–respecting.Theylookeddownonnobody;theyneverfeltitpossibletheycouldbelookeddownupon.Theirhouseswerethehomesofprobity,piety,patriotism.Theylearnedintheadmirableschoolreadersoffiftyyearsagothelessonsofheroicandsplendidlifewhichhavecomedownfromthepast.Theyreadintheirweeklynewspapersthestoryoftheworld’sprogress,inwhichtheywereeagertotakepart,andofthesinsandwrongsofcivilizationwithwhichtheyburnedtodobattle.Itwasaseriousandthoughtfultime.Theboysofthatdayfeltdimly,butdeeply,thatdaysofsharpstruggleandhighachievementwerebeforethem.Theylookedatlifewiththewonderingyetresoluteeyesofayoungesquireinhisvigilofarms.TheyfeltatimewascomingwhentothemshouldbeaddressedthesternadmonitionoftheApostle,“Quityoulikemen;bestrong.”

Themenwhoarelivingto–dayandwereyoungin1860willneverforgetthegloryandglamourthatfilledtheearthandtheskywhenthelongtwilightofdoubtanduncertaintywasendingandthetimeforactionhadcome.AspeechbyAbrahamLincolnwasaneventnotonlyofhighmoralsignificance,butoffar–reachingimportance;thedrillingofamilitiacompanybyEllsworthattractednationalattention;theflutteringoftheflagintheclearskydrewtearsfromtheeyesofyoungmen.Patriotism,whichhadbeenarhetoricalexpression,becameapassionateemotion,inwhichinstinct,logicandfeelingwerefused.Thecountrywasworthsaving;itcouldbesavedonlybyfire;nosacrificewastoogreat;theyoungmenofthecountrywerereadyforthesacrifice;comeweal,comewoe,theywereready.

AtseventeenyearsofageWilliamMcKinleyheardthissummonsofhiscountry.Hewasthesortofyouthtowhomamilitarylifeinordinarytimeswouldpossessnoattractions.Hisnaturewasfardifferentfromthatoftheordinarysoldier.Hehadotherdreamsoflife,itsprizesandpleasures,thanthatofmarchesandbattles.Buttohismindtherewasnochoiceorquestion.Thebannerfloatinginthemorningbreezewasthebeckoninggestureofhiscountry.Thethrillingnotesofthetrumpetcalledhim—himandnoneother—intotheranks.Hisportraitinhisfirstuniformisfamiliartoyouall—theshort,stockyfigure;thequiet,thoughtfulface;thedeep,darkeyes.Itisthefaceofaladwhocouldnotstayathomewhenhethoughthewasneededinthefield.Hewasofthestuffofwhichgoodsoldiersaremade.Hadhebeentenyearsolderhewouldhaveenteredattheheadofacompanyandcomeoutattheheadofadivision.Buthedidwhathecould.Heenlistedasaprivate;helearnedtoobey.Hisserious,sensibleways,hisprompt,alertefficiencysoon

attractedtheattentionofhissuperiors.Hewassofaithfulinlittlethingsthattheygavehimmoreandmoretodo.Hewasuntiringincampandonthemarch;swift,coolandfearlessinfight.Heleftthearmywithfieldrankwhenthewarended,brevettedbyPresidentLincolnforgallantryinbattle.

IncomingyearswhenmenseektodrawthemoralofourgreatCivilWar,nothingwillseemtothemsoadmirableinallthehistoryofourtwomagnificentarmiesasthewayinwhichthewarcametoaclose.WhentheConfederatearmysawthetimehadcome,theyacknowledgedthepitilesslogicoffactsandceasedfighting.WhenthearmyoftheUnionsawitwasnolongerneeded,withoutamurmurorquestion,makingnoterms,askingnoreturn,intheflushofvictoryandfulnessofmight,itlaiddownitsarmsandmeltedbackintothemassofpeacefulcitizens.Thereisnoeventsincethenationwasbornwhichhassoproveditssolidcapacityforself–government.Bothsectionsshareequallyinthatcrownofglory.Theyhadheldadebateofincomparableimportanceandhadfoughtitoutwithequalenergy.Aconclusionhadbeenreached—anditistotheeverlastinghonorofbothsidesthattheyeachknewwhenthewarwasoverandthehourofalastingpeacehadstruck.Wemayadmirethedesperatedaringofotherswhopreferannihilationtocompromise,butthepalmofcommonsense,and,Iwillsay,ofenlightenedpatriotism,belongstothemenlikeGrantandLee,whoknewwhentheyhadfoughtenoughforhonorandforcountry.

Soitcamenaturallyaboutthatin1876—thebeginningofthesecondcenturyoftheRepublic—hebegan,byanelectiontoCongress,hispoliticalcareer.Thereafterforfourteenyearsthischamberwashishome.Iusethewordadvisedly.Nowhereintheworldwashesoinharmonywithhisenvironmentashere;nowhereelsedidhismindworkwithsuchfullconsciousnessofitspowers.Theairofdebatewasnativetohim;herehedrankdelightofbattlewithhispeers.Inafterdays,whenhedrovebythisstatelypile,orwhenonrareoccasionshisdutycalledhimhere,hegreetedhisoldhauntswiththeaffectionatezestofachildofthehouse;duringallthelasttenyearsofhislife,filledastheywerewithactivityandglory,heneverceasedtobehomesickforthishall.Whenhecametothepresidency,therewasnotadaywhenhiscongressionalservicewasnotofusetohim.ProbablynootherpresidenthasbeeninsuchfullandcordialcommunionwithCongress,ifwemayexceptLincolnalone.McKinleyknewthelegislativebodythoroughly,itscomposition,itsmethods,itshabitofthought.Hehadtheprofoundestrespectforitsauthorityandaninflexiblebeliefintheultimaterectitudeofitspurposes.OurhistoryshowshowsurelyanexecutivecourtsdisasterandruinbyassuminganattitudeofhostilityordistrusttotheLegislature;and,ontheotherhand,McKinley’sfrankandsinceretrustandconfidenceinCongresswererepaidbypromptandloyalsupportandcoöperation.Duringhisentiretermofofficethismutualtrustandregard—soessentialtothepublicwelfare—wasnevershadowedbyasinglecloud.

Whenhecametothepresidencyheconfrontedasituationoftheutmostdifficulty,whichmightwellhaveappalledamanoflesssereneandtranquilself–confidence.Therehadbeenastateofprofoundcommercialandindustrialdepressionfromwhichhisfriendshadsaidhiselectionwouldrelievethecountry.Ourrelationswiththeoutsideworldleftmuchtobedesired.ThefeelingbetweentheNorthernandSouthernsectionsoftheUnionwaslackinginthecordialitywhichwasnecessarytothewelfareofboth.Hawaiihadaskedforannexationandhadbeenrejectedbytheprecedingadministration.Therewasastateof

thingsintheCaribbeanwhichcouldnotpermanentlyendure.Ourneighbor’shousewasonfire,andthereweregravedoubtsastoourrightsanddutiesinthepremises.Amaneitherweakorrash,eitherirresoluteorheadstrong,mighthavebroughtruinonhimselfandincalculableharmtothecountry.

Theleastdesirableformofglorytoamanofhishabitualmoodandtemper—thatofsuccessfulwar—wasneverthelessconferreduponhimbyuncontrollableevents.Hefeltitmustcome;hedeploreditsnecessity;hestrainedalmosttobreakinghisrelationswithhisfriends,inorder,firsttopreventandthentopostponeittothelatestpossiblemoment.Butwhenthediewascast,helaboredwiththeutmostenergyandardor,andwithanintelligenceinmilitarymatterswhichshowedhowmuchofthesoldierstillsurvivedinthematurestatesman,topushforwardthewartoadecisiveclose.Warwasananguishtohim;hewanteditshortandconclusive.Hismercifulzealcommunicateditselftohissubordinates,andthewar,solongdreaded,whoseconsequencesweresomomentous,endedinahundreddays.

Mr.McKinleywasreelectedbyanoverwhelmingmajority.Therehadbeenlittledoubtoftheresultamongwell–informedpeople,butwhenitwasknown,aprofoundfeelingofreliefandrenewaloftrustwereevidentamongtheleadersofcapitalandindustry,notonlyinthiscountry,buteverywhere.Theyfeltthattheimmediatefuturewassecure,andthattradeandcommercemightsafelypushforwardineveryfieldofeffortandenterprise.

Hefeltthattheharvesttimewascome,togarnerinthefruitsofsomuchplantingandculture,andhewasdeterminedthatnothinghemightdoorsayshouldbeliabletothereproachofapersonalinterest.Letussayfranklyhewasapartyman;hebelievedthepoliciesadvocatedbyhimandhisfriendscountedformuchinthecountry’sprogressandprosperity.Hehopedinhissecondtermtoaccomplishsubstantialresultsinthedevelopmentandaffirmationofthosepolicies.IspentadaywithhimshortlybeforehestartedonhisfatefuljourneytoBuffalo.NeverhadIseenhimhigherinhopeandpatrioticconfidence.HewasgratifiedtotheheartthatwehadarrangedatreatywhichgaveusafreehandintheIsthmus.Infancyhesawthecanalalreadybuiltandtheargosiesoftheworldpassingthroughitinpeaceandamity.HesawintheimmenseevolutionofAmericantradethefulfilmentofallhisdreams,therewardofallhislabors.Hewas,Ineednotsay,anardentprotectionist,nevermoresincereanddevotedthanduringthoselastdaysofhislife.Heregardedreciprocityasthebulwarkofprotection—notabreach,butafulfilmentofthelaw.Thetreatieswhichforfouryearshadbeenpreparingunderhispersonalsupervisionheregardedasancillarytothegeneralscheme.Hewasopposedtoanyrevolutionaryplanofchangeintheexistinglegislation;hewascarefultopointoutthateverythinghehaddonewasinfaithfulcompliancewiththelawitself.

Inthatmoodofhighhope,ofgenerousexpectation,hewenttoBuffalo,andthere,onthethresholdofeternity,hedeliveredthatmemorablespeech,worthyforitsloftinessoftone,itsblamelessmorality,itsbreadthofview,toberegardedashistestamenttothenation.Throughallhisprideofcountryandhisjoyofitssuccessrunsthenoteofsolemnwarning,asinKipling’snoblehymn,“LestWeForget.”

Thenextdayspedtheboltofdoom,andforaweekafter—inanagonyofdread,brokenbyillusiveglimpsesofhopethatourprayersmightbeanswered—thenationwaitedfortheend.Nothinginthegloriouslifewesawgraduallywaningwasmoreadmirableand

exemplarythanitsclose.Thegentlehumanityofhiswordswhenhesawhisassailantindangerofsummaryvengeance,“Donotletthemhurthim;”hischivalrouscarethatthenewsshouldbebrokengentlytohiswife;thefinecourtesywithwhichheapologizedforthedamagewhichhisdeathwouldbringtothegreatExhibition;andtheheroicresignationofhisfinalwords,“ItisGod’sway;Hiswill,notours,bedone,”werealltheinstinctiveexpressionsofanaturesoloftyandsopurethatprideinitsnobilityatoncesoftenedandenhancedthenation’ssenseofloss.TheRepublicgrievedoversuchason,—butisproudforeverofhavingproducedhim.Afterall,inspiteofitstragicending,hislifewasextraordinarilyhappy.Hehad,allhisdays,troopsoffriends,thecheeroffameandfruitfullabor;andhebecameatlast,

“Onfortune’scrowningslope,Thepillarofapeople’shope,Thecenterofaworld’sdesire.”

WILLIAMJENNINGSBRYANTHEPRINCEOFPEACE[39](1894)

Ioffernoapologyforspeakinguponareligioustheme,foritisthemostuniversalofallthemes.Iaminterestedinthescienceofgovernment,butIaminterestedmoreinreligionthaningovernment.Ienjoymakingapoliticalspeech—Ihavemadeagoodmanyandshallmakemore—butIwouldratherspeakonreligionthanonpolitics.IcommencedspeakingonthestumpwhenIwasonlytwenty,butIcommencedspeakinginthechurchsixyearsearlier—andIshallbeinthechurchevenafterIamputofpolitics.IfeelsureofmygroundwhenImakeapoliticalspeech,butIfeelevenmorecertainofmygroundwhenImakeareligiousspeech.IfIaddrestyouuponthesubjectoflawImightinterestthelawyers;ifIdiscustthescienceofmedicineImightinterestthephysicians;inlikemannermerchantsmightbeinterestedincommentsoncommerce,andfarmersinmatterspertainingtoagriculture;butnooneofthesesubjectsappealstoall.Eventhescienceofgovernment,thobroaderthananyprofessionoroccupation,doesnotembracethewholesumoflife,andthosewhothinkuponitdiffersoamongthemselvesthatIcouldnotspeakuponthesubjectsoastopleaseapartoftheaudiencewithoutdispleasingothers.Whiletomethescienceofgovernmentisintenselyabsorbing,Irecognizethatthemostimportantthingsinlifelieoutsideoftherealmofgovernmentandthatmoredependsuponwhattheindividualdoesforhimselfthanuponwhatthegovernmentdoesorcandoforhim.Mencanbemiserableunderthebestgovernmentandtheycanbehappyundertheworstgovernment.

Governmentaffectsbutapartofthelifewhichwelivehereanddoesnotdealatallwiththelifebeyond,whilereligiontouchestheinfinitecircleofexistenceaswellasthesmallarcofthatcirclewhichwespendonearth.Nogreatertheme,therefore,canengageourattention.IfIdiscussquestionsofgovernmentImustsecurethecoöperationofamajoritybeforeIcanputmyideasintopractise,butif,inspeakingonreligion,Icantouchonehumanheartforgood,Ihavenotspokeninvainnomatterhowlargethemajoritymaybeagainstme.

Manisareligiousbeing;theheartinstinctivelyseeksforaGod.WhetherheworshipsonthebanksoftheGanges,prayswithhisfaceupturnedtothesun,kneelstowardMeccaor,regardingallspaceasatemple,communeswiththeHeavenlyFatheraccordingtothe

Christiancreed,manisessentiallydevout.

Therearehonestdoubterswhosesinceritywerecognizeandrespect,butoccasionallyIfindyoungmenwhothinkitsmarttobeskeptical;theytalkasifitwereanevidenceoflargerintelligencetoscoffatcreedsandtorefusetoconnectthemselveswithchurches.Theycallthemselves“Liberal,”asifaChristianwerenarrowminded.Somegosofarastoassertthatthe“advancedthoughtoftheworld”hasdiscardedtheideathatthereisaGod.TotheseyoungmenIdesiretoaddressmyself.

Evensomeolderpeopleprofesstoregardreligionasasuperstition,pardonableintheignorantbutunworthyoftheeducated.Thosewhoholdthisviewlookdownwithmildcontemptuponsuchasgivetoreligionadefiniteplaceintheirthoughtsandlives.Theyassumeanintellectualsuperiorityandoftentakelittlepainstoconcealtheassumption.Tolstoyadministerstothe“culturedcrowd”(thewordsquotedarehis)asevererebukewhenhedeclaresthatthereligioussentimentrestsnotuponasuperstitiousfearoftheinvisibleforcesofnature,butuponman’sconsciousnessofhisfinitenessamidaninfiniteuniverseandofhissinfulness;andthisconsciousness,thegreatphilosopheradds,mancanneveroutgrow.Tolstoyisright;manrecognizeshowlimitedarehisownpowersandhowvastistheuniverse,andheleansuponthearmthatisstrongerthanhis.ManfeelstheweightofhissinsandlooksforOnewhoissinless.

ReligionhasbeendefinedbyTolstoyastherelationwhichmanfixesbetweenhimselfandhisGod,andmoralityastheoutwardmanifestationofthisinwardrelation.Everyone,bythetimehereachesmaturity,hasfixtsomerelationbetweenhimselfandGodandnomaterialchangeinthisrelationcantakeplacewithoutarevolutionintheman,forthisrelationisthemostpotentinfluencethatactsuponahumanlife.

Religionisthefoundationofmoralityintheindividualandinthegroupofindividuals.Materialistshaveattemptedtobuildupasystemofmoralityuponthebasisofenlightenedself–interest.Theywouldhavemanfigureoutbymathematicsthatitpayshimtoabstainfromwrong–doing;theywouldeveninjectanelementofselfishnessintoaltruism,butthemoralsystemelaboratedbythematerialistshasseveraldefects.First,itsvirtuesareborrowedfrommoralsystemsbaseduponreligion.Allthosewhoareintelligentenoughtodiscussasystemofmoralityaresosaturatedwiththemoralsderivedfromsystemsrestinguponreligionthattheycannotframeasystemrestinguponreasonalone.Second,asitrestsuponargumentratherthanuponauthority,theyoungarenotinapositiontoacceptorreject.Ourlawsdonotpermitayoungmantodisposeofrealestateuntilheistwenty–one.Whythisrestraint?Becausehisreasonisnotmature;andyetaman’slifeislargelymouldedbytheenvironmentofhisyouth.Third,oneneverknowsjusthowmuchofhisdecisionisduetoreasonandhowmuchisduetopassionortoselfishinterest.Passioncandethronethereason—werecognizethisinourcriminallaws.Wealsorecognizethebiasofself–interestwhenweexcludefromthejuryeveryman,nomatterhowreasonableoruprighthemaybe,whohasapecuniaryinterestintheresultofthetrial.And,fourth,onewhosemoralityrestsuponanicecalculationofbenefitstobesecuredspendstimefiguringthatheshouldspendinaction.Thosewhokeepabookaccountoftheirgooddeedsseldomdoenoughgoodtojustifykeepingbooks.Anoblelifecannotbebuiltuponanarithmetic;itmustberatherlikethespringthatpoursforthconstantlyofthatwhichrefreshesandinvigorates.

Moralityisthepowerofenduranceinman;andareligionwhichteachespersonalresponsibilitytoGodgivesstrengthtomorality.Thereisapowerfulrestraininginfluenceinthebeliefthatanall–seeingeyescrutinizeseverythoughtandwordandactoftheindividual.

Thereiswidedifferencebetweenthemanwhoistryingtoconformhislifetoastandardofmoralityabouthimandthemanwhoseekstomakehislifeapproximatetoadivinestandard.Theformerattemptstoliveuptothestandard,ifitisabovehim,anddowntoit,ifitisbelowhim—andifheisdoingrightonlywhenothersarelookingheissuretofindatimewhenhethinksheisunobserved,andthenhetakesavacationandfalls.OneneedstheinnerstrengthwhichcomeswiththeconsciouspresenceofapersonalGod.Ifthosewhoarethusfortifiedsometimesyieldtotemptation,howhelplessandhopelessmustthosebewhorelyupontheirownstrengthalone!

Therearedifficultiestobeencounteredinreligion,buttherearedifficultiestobeencounteredeverywhere.IfChristianssometimeshavedoubtsandfears,unbelievershavemoredoubtsandgreaterfears.IpassedthroughaperiodofskepticismwhenIwasincollegeandIhavebeengladeversincethatIbecameamemberofthechurchbeforeIlefthomeforcollege,forithelpedmeduringthosetryingdays.Andthecollegedayscoverthedangerousperiodintheyoungman’slife;heisjustcomingintopossessionofhispowers,andfeelsstrongerthanheeverfeelsafterward—andhethinksheknowsmorethanheeverdoesknow.

ItwasatthisperiodthatIbecameconfusedbythedifferenttheoriesofcreation.ButIexaminedthesetheoriesandfoundthattheyallassumedsomethingtobeginwith.Youcantestthisforyourselves.Thenebularhypothesis,forinstance,assumesthatmatterandforceexisted—matterinparticlesinfinitelyfineandeachparticleseparatedfromeveryotherparticlebyspaceinfinitelygreat.Beginningwiththisassumption,forceworkingonmatter—accordingtothishypothesis—createdauniverse.Well,Ihavearighttoassume,andIprefertoassume,aDesignerbackofthedesign—aCreatorbackofthecreation;andnomatterhowlongyoudrawouttheprocessofcreation,solongasGodstandsbackofityoucannotshakemyfaithinJehovah.InGenesisitiswrittenthat,inthebeginning,Godcreatedtheheavensandtheearth,andIcanstandonthatpropositionuntilIfindsometheoryofcreationthatgoesfartherbackthan“thebeginning.”Wemustbeginwithsomething—wemuststartsomewhere—andtheChristianbeginswithGod.

Idonotcarrythedoctrineofevolutionasfarassomedo;Iamnotyetconvincedthatmanisalinealdescendantoftheloweranimals.Idonotmeantofindfaultwithyouifyouwanttoacceptthetheory;allImeantosayisthatwhileyoumaytraceyourancestrybacktothemonkeyifyoufindpleasureorprideindoingso,youshallnotconnectmewithyourfamilytreewithoutmoreevidencethanhasyetbeenproduced.Iobjecttothetheoryforseveralreasons.First,itisadangeroustheory.Ifamanlinkshimselfingenerationswiththemonkey,itthenbecomesanimportantquestionwhetherheisgoingtowardhimorcomingfromhim—andIhaveseenthemgoinginbothdirections.Idonotknowofanyargumentthatcanbeusedtoprovethatmanisanimprovedmonkeythatmaynotbeusedjustaswelltoprovethatthemonkeyisadegenerateman,andthelattertheoryismoreplausiblethantheformer.

Itistruethatman,insomephysicalcharacteristicsresemblesthebeast,butmanhasa

mindaswellasabody,andasoulaswellasamind.Themindisgreaterthanthebodyandthesoulisgreaterthanthemind,andIobjecttohavingman’spedigreetracedonone–thirdofhimonly—andthatthelowestthird.Fairbairn,inhis“PhilosophyofChristianity,”laysdownasoundpropositionwhenhesaysthatitisnotsufficienttoexplainmanasananimal;thatitisnecessarytoexplainmaninhistory—andtheDarwiniantheorydoesnotdothis.Theape,accordingtothistheory,isolderthanmanandyettheapeisstillanapewhilemanistheauthorofthemarvelouscivilizationwhichweseeaboutus.

Onedoesnotescapefrommystery,however,byacceptingthistheory,foritdoesnotexplaintheoriginoflife.WhenthefollowerofDarwinhastracedthegermoflifebacktothelowestforminwhichitappears—andtofollowhimonemustexercisemorefaiththanreligioncallsfor—hefindsthatscientistsdiffer.Thosewhorejecttheideaofcreationaredividedintotwoschools,somebelievingthatthefirstgermoflifecamefromanotherplanetandothersholdingthatitwastheresultofspontaneousgeneration.Eachschoolanswerstheargumentsadvancedbytheother,andastheycannotagreewitheachother,Iamnotcompelledtoagreewitheither.

IfIwerecompelledtoacceptoneofthesetheoriesIwouldpreferthefirst,forifwecanchasethegermoflifeoffthisplanetandgetitoutintospacewecanguesstherestofthewayandnoonecancontradictus,butifweacceptthedoctrineofspontaneousgenerationwecannotexplainwhyspontaneousgenerationceasedtoactafterthefirstgermwascreated.

Gobackasfaraswemay,wecannotescapefromthecreativeact,anditisjustaseasyformetobelievethatGodcreatedmanasheisastobelievethat,millionsofyearsago,Hecreatedagermoflifeandendoweditwithpowertodevelopintoallthatweseeto–day.IobjecttotheDarwiniantheory,untilmoreconclusiveproofisproduced,becauseIfearweshalllosetheconsciousnessofGod’spresenceinourdailylife,ifwemustacceptthetheorythatthroughalltheagesnospiritualforcehastouchedthelifeofmanorshapedthedestinyofnations.

Butthereisanotherobjection.TheDarwiniantheoryrepresentsmanasreachinghispresentperfectionbytheoperationofthelawofhate—themercilesslawbywhichthestrongcrowdoutandkillofftheweak.Ifthisisthelawofourdevelopmentthen,ifthereisanylogicthatcanbindthehumanmind,weshallturnbackwardtowardthebeastinproportionaswesubstitutethelawoflove.Iprefertobelievethatloveratherthanhatredisthelawofdevelopment.Howcanhatredbethelawofdevelopmentwhennationshaveadvancedinproportionastheyhavedepartedfromthatlawandadoptedthelawoflove?

But,Irepeat,whileIdonotaccepttheDarwiniantheoryIshallnotquarrelwithyouaboutit;Ionlyrefertoittoremindyouthatitdoesnotsolvethemysteryoflifeorexplainhumanprogress.Ifearthatsomehaveaccepteditinthehopeofescapingfromthemiracle,butwhyshouldthemiraclefrightenus?AndyetIaminclinedtothinkthatitisoneofthetestquestionswiththeChristian.

Christcannotbeseparatedfromthemiraculous;Hisbirth,Hisministrations,andHisresurrection,allinvolvethemiraculous,andthechangewhichHisreligionworksinthehumanheartisacontinuingmiracle.EliminatethemiraclesandChristbecomesmerelyahumanbeingandHisgospelisstriptofdivineauthority.

Themiracleraisestwoquestions:“CanGodperformamiracle?”and,“WouldHewantto?”Thefirstiseasytoanswer.AGodwhocanmakeaworldcandoanythingHewantstodowithit.Thepowertoperformmiraclesisnecessarilyimpliedinthepowertocreate.ButwouldGodwanttoperformamiracle?—thisisthequestionwhichhasgivenmostofthetrouble.ThemoreIhaveconsidereditthelessinclinedIamtoanswerinthenegative.TosaythatGodwouldnotperformamiracleistoassumeamoreintimateknowledgeofGod’splansandpurposesthanIcanclaimtohave.IwillnotdenythatGoddoesperformamiracleormayperformonemerelybecauseIdonotknowhoworwhyHedoesit.IfinditsodifficulttodecideeachdaywhatGodwantsdonenowthatIamnotpresumptuousenoughtoattempttodeclarewhatGodmighthavewantedtodothousandsofyearsago.ThefactthatweareconstantlylearningoftheexistenceofnewforcessuggeststhepossibilitythatGodmayoperatethroughforcesyetunknowntous,andthemysterieswithwhichwedealeverydaywarnmethatfaithisasnecessaryassight.Whowouldhavecreditedacenturyagothestoriesthatarenowtoldofthewonder–workingelectricity?Foragesmanhadknownthelightning,butonlytofearit;now,thisinvisiblecurrentisgeneratedbyaman–mademachine,imprisonedinaman–madewireandmadetodothebiddingofman.Weareevenabletodispensewiththewireandhurlwordsthroughspace,andtheX–rayhasenabledustolookthroughsubstanceswhichweresupposed,untilrecently,toexcludealllight.Themiracleisnotmoremysteriousthanmanyofthethingswithwhichmannowdeals—itissimplydifferent.ThemiraculousbirthofChristisnotmoremysteriousthananyotherconception—itissimplyunlikeit;noristheresurrectionofChristmoremysteriousthanthemyriadresurrectionswhichmarkeachannualseed–time.

ItissometimessaidthatGodcouldnotsuspendoneofHislawswithoutstoppingtheuniverse,butdowenotsuspendorovercomethelawofgravitationeveryday?Everytimewemoveafootorliftaweightwetemporarilyovercomeoneofthemostuniversalofnaturallawsandyettheworldisnotdisturbed.

Sciencehastaughtussomanythingsthatwearetemptedtoconcludethatweknoweverything,butthereisreallyagreatunknownwhichisstillunexploredandthatwhichwehavelearnedoughttoincreaseourreverenceratherthanouregotism.Sciencehasdisclosedsomeofthemachineryoftheuniverse,butsciencehasnotyetrevealedtousthegreatsecret—thesecretoflife.Itistobefoundineverybladeofgrass,ineveryinsect,ineverybirdandineveryanimal,aswellasinman.Sixthousandyearsofrecordedhistoryandyetweknownomoreaboutthesecretoflifethantheyknewinthebeginning.Welive,weplan;wehaveourhopes,ourfears;andyetinamomentachangemaycomeoveranyoneofusandthisbodywillbecomeamassoflifelessclay.Whatisitthat,having,welive,andhavingnot,weareastheclod?Theprogressoftheraceandthecivilizationwhichwenowbeholdaretheworkofmenandwomenwhohavenotyetsolvedthemysteryoftheirownlives.

Andourfood,mustweunderstanditbeforeweeatit?Ifwerefusedtoeatanythinguntilwecouldunderstandthemysteryofitsgrowth,wewoulddieofstarvation.Butmysterydoesnotbotherusinthedining–room;itisonlyinthechurchthatitisastumblingblock.

Iwaseatingapieceofwatermelonsomemonthsagoandwasstruckwithitsbeauty.Itooksomeoftheseedsanddriedthemandweighedthem,andfoundthatitwouldrequiresome

fivethousandseedstoweighapound;andthenIappliedmathematicstothatforty–poundmelon.Oneoftheseseeds,putintotheground,whenwarmedbythesunandmoistenedbytherain,takesoffitscoatandgoestowork;itgathersfromsomewheretwohundredthousandtimesitsownweight,andforcingthisrawmaterialthroughatinystem,constructsawatermelon.Itornamentstheoutsidewithacoveringofgreen;insidethegreenitputsalayerofwhite,andwithinthewhiteacoreofred,andallthroughthereditscattersseeds,eachonecapableofcontinuingtheworkofreproduction.Wheredoesthatlittleseedgetitstremendouspower?Wheredoesitfinditscoloringmatter?Howdoesitcollectitsflavoringextract?Howdoesitbuildawatermelon?Untilyoucanexplainawatermelon,donotbetoosurethatyoucansetlimitstothepoweroftheAlmightyandsayjustwhatHewoulddoorhowHewoulddoit.Icannotexplainthewatermelon,butIeatitandenjoyit.

Theeggisthemostuniversaloffoodsanditsusedatesfromthebeginning,butwhatismoremysteriousthananegg?Whenaneggisfreshitisanimportantarticleofmerchandise;ahencandestroyitsmarketvalueinaweek’stime,butintwoweeksmoreshecanbringforthfromitwhatmancouldnotfindinit.Weeateggs,butwecannotexplainanegg.

Waterhasbeenusedfromthebirthofman;welearnedafterithadbeenusedforagesthatitismerelyamixtureofgases,butitisfarmoreimportantthatwehavewatertodrinkthanthatweknowthatitisnotwater.

Everythingthatgrowstellsalikestoryofinfinitepower.WhyshouldIdenythatadivinehandfedamultitudewithafewloavesandfisheswhenIseehundredsofmillionsfedeveryyearbyahandwhichconvertstheseedsscatteredoverthefieldintoanabundantharvest?Weknowthatfoodcanbemultipliedinafewmonths’time;shallwedenythepoweroftheCreatortoeliminatetheelementoftime,whenwehavegonesofarineliminatingtheelementofspace?WhoamIthatIshouldattempttomeasurethearmoftheAlmightywithmypunyarm,ortomeasurethebrainoftheInfinitewithmyfinitemind?WhoamIthatIshouldattempttoputmetesandboundstothepoweroftheCreator?

Butthereissomethingevenmorewonderfulstill—themysteriouschangethattakesplaceinthehumanheartwhenthemanbeginstohatethethingshelovedandtolovethethingshehated—themarveloustransformationthattakesplaceinthemanwho,beforethechange,wouldhavesacrificedaworldforhisownadvancementbutwho,afterthechange,wouldgivehislifeforaprincipleandesteemitaprivilegetomakesacrificeforhisconvictions!Whatgreatermiraclethanthis,thatconvertsaselfish,self–centeredhumanbeingintoacenterfromwhichgoodinfluencesflowoutineverydirection!Andyetthismiraclehasbeenwroughtintheheartofeachoneofus—ormaybewrought—andwehaveseenitwroughtintheheartsandlivesofthoseaboutus.No,livingalifethatisamystery,andlivinginthemidstofmysteryandmiracles,IshallnotalloweithertodeprivemeofthebenefitsoftheChristianreligion.IfyouaskmeifIunderstandeverythingintheBible,Ianswer,no,butifwewilltrytoliveuptowhatwedounderstand,wewillbekeptsobusydoinggoodthatwewillnothavetimetoworryaboutthepassageswhichwedonotunderstand.

Someofthosewhoquestionthemiraclealsoquestionthetheoryofatonement;theyassert

thatitdoesnotaccordwiththeirideaofjusticeforonetodieforall.Leteachonebearhisownsinsandthepunishmentsdueforthem,theysay.Thedoctrineofvicarioussufferingisnotanewone;itisasoldastherace.Thatoneshouldsufferforothersisoneofthemostfamiliarofprinciplesandweseetheprincipleillustratedeverydayofourlives.Takethefamily,forinstance;fromthedaythemother’sfirstchildisborn,fortwentyorthirtyyearsherchildrenarescarcelyoutofherwakingthoughts.Herlifetremblesinthebalanceateachchild’sbirth;shesacrificesforthem,shesurrendersherselftothem.Isitbecausesheexpectsthemtopayherback?Fortunatefortheparentandfortunateforthechildifthelatterhasanopportunitytorepayinpartthedebtitowes.Butnochildcancompensateaparentforaparent’scare.Inthecourseofnaturethedebtispaid,nottotheparent,buttothenextgeneration,andthenext—eachgenerationsuffering,sacrificingforandsurrenderingitselftothegenerationthatfollows.Thisisthelawofourlives.

Noristhisconfinedtothefamily.Everystepincivilizationhasbeenmadepossiblebythosewhohavebeenwillingtosacrificeforposterity.Freedomofspeech,freedomofthepress,freedomofconscienceandfreegovernmenthaveallbeenwonfortheworldbythosewhowerewillingtolaborunselfishlyfortheirfellows.Sowellestablishedisthisdoctrinethatwedonotregardanyoneasgreatunlessherecognizeshowunimportanthislifeisincomparisonwiththeproblemswithwhichhedeals.

IfindproofthatmanwasmadeintheimageofhisCreatorinthefactthat,throughoutthecenturies,manhasbeenwillingtodie,ifnecessary,thatblessingsdeniedtohimmightbeenjoyedbyhischildren,hischildren’schildrenandtheworld.

Theseemingparadox:“Hethatsavethhislifeshallloseitandhethatlosethhislifeformysakeshallfindit,”hasanapplicationwiderthanthatusuallygiventoit;itisanepitomeofhistory.Thosewholiveonlyforthemselveslivelittlelives,butthosewhostandreadytogivethemselvesfortheadvancementofthingsgreaterthanthemselvesfindalargerlifethantheonetheywouldhavesurrendered.WendellPhillipsgaveexpressiontothesameideawhenhesaid,“Whatimprudentmenthebenefactorsoftheracehavebeen.Howprudentlymostmensinkintonamelessgraves,whilenowandthenafewforgetthemselvesintoimmortality.”Wewinimmortality,notbyrememberingourselves,butbyforgettingourselvesindevotiontothingslargerthanourselves.

Insteadofbeinganunnaturalplan,theplanofsalvationisinperfectharmonywithhumannatureasweunderstandit.Sacrificeisthelanguageoflove,andChrist,insufferingfortheworld,adoptedtheonlymeansofreachingtheheart.Thiscanbedemonstratednotonlybytheorybutbyexperience,forthestoryofHislife,Histeachings,HissufferingsandHisdeathhasbeentranslatedintoeverylanguageandeverywhereithastouchedtheheart.

ButifIweregoingtopresentanargumentinfavorofthedivinityofChrist,Iwouldnotbeginwithmiraclesormysteryorwiththetheoryofatonement.IwouldbeginasCarnegieSimpsondoesinhisbookentitled,“TheFactofChrist.”CommencingwiththeundisputedfactthatChristlived,hepointsoutthatonecannotcontemplatethisfactwithoutfeelingthatinsomewayitisrelatedtothosenowliving.HesaysthatonecanreadofAlexander,ofCæsarorofNapoleon,andnotfeelthatitisamatterofpersonalconcern;butthatwhenonereadsthatChristlived,andhowHelivedandhowHedied,hefeelsthatsomehowthereisacordthatstretchesfromthatlifetohis.AshestudiesthecharacterofChristhe

becomesconsciousofcertainvirtueswhichstandoutinboldrelief—Hispurity,Hisforgivingspirit,andHisunfathomablelove.Theauthoriscorrect,Christpresentsanexampleofpurityinthoughtandlife,andman,consciousofhisownimperfectionsandgrievedoverhisshortcomings,findsinspirationinthefactthatHewastemptedinallpointslikeasweare,andyetwithoutsin.IamnotsurebutthateachcanfindjusthereawayofdeterminingforhimselfwhetherhepossessesthetruespiritofaChristian.IfthesinlessnessofChristinspireswithinhimanearnestdesiretoconformhislifemorenearlytotheperfectexample,heisindeedafollower;if,ontheotherhand,heresentsthereproofwhichthepurityofChristoffers,andrefusestomendhisways,hehasyettobebornagain.

Themostdifficultofallthevirtuestocultivateistheforgivingspirit.Revengeseemstobenaturalwithman;itishumantowanttogetevenwithanenemy.Ithasevenbeenpopulartoboastofvindictiveness;itwasonceinscribedonaman’smonumentthathehadrepaidbothfriendsandenemiesmorethanhehadreceived.ThiswasnotthespiritofChrist.HetaughtforgivenessandinthatincomparableprayerwhichHeleftasmodelforourpetitions,Hemadeourwillingnesstoforgivethemeasurebywhichwemayclaimforgiveness.HenotonlytaughtforgivenessbutHeexemplifiedHisteachingsinHislife.WhenthosewhopersecutedHimbroughtHimtothemostdisgracefulofalldeaths,HisspiritofforgivenessroseaboveHissufferingsandHeprayed,“Father,forgivethem,fortheyknownotwhattheydo!”

ButloveisthefoundationofChrist’screed.Theworldhadknownlovebefore;parentshadlovedtheirchildren,andchildrentheirparents;husbandshadlovedtheirwives,andwivestheirhusbands;andfriendhadlovedfriend;butJesusgaveanewdefinitionoflove.Hislovewasaswideasthesea;itslimitsweresofar–flungthatevenanenemycouldnottravelbeyonditsbounds.Otherteacherssoughttoregulatethelivesoftheirfollowersbyruleandformula,butChrist’splanwastopurifytheheartandthentoleavelovetodirectthefootsteps.

Whatconclusionistobedrawnfromthelife,theteachingsandthedeathofthishistoricfigure?Rearedinacarpentershop;withnoknowledgeofliterature,saveBibleliterature;withnoacquaintancewithphilosopherslivingorwiththewritingsofsagesdead,whenonlyaboutthirtyyearsoldHegathereddisciplesaboutHim,promulgatedahighercodeofmoralsthantheworldhadeverknownbefore,andproclaimedHimselftheMessiah.Hetaughtandperformedmiraclesforafewbriefmonthsandthenwascrucified;Hisdiscipleswerescatteredandmanyofthemputtodeath;Hisclaimsweredisputed,HisresurrectiondeniedandHisfollowerspersecuted;andyetfromthisbeginningHisreligionspreaduntilhundredsofmillionshavetakenHisnamewithreverenceupontheirlipsandmillionshavebeenwillingtodieratherthansurrenderthefaithwhichHeputintotheirhearts.HowshallweaccountforHim?Hereisthegreatestfactofhistory;hereisOnewhohaswithincreasingpower,fornineteenhundredyears,mouldedthehearts,thethoughtsandthelivesofmen,andHeexertsmoreinfluenceto–daythaneverbefore.“WhatthinkyeofChrist?”ItiseasiertobelieveHimdivinethantoexplaininanyotherwaywhathesaidanddidandwas.AndIhavegreaterfaith,eventhanbefore,sinceIhavevisitedtheOrientandwitnessedthesuccessfulcontestwhichChristianityiswagingagainstthereligionsandphilosophiesoftheEast.

IwasthinkingafewyearsagooftheChristmaswhichwasthenapproachingandofHiminwhosehonorthedayiscelebrated.Irecalledthemessage,“Peaceonearth,goodwilltomen,”andthenmythoughtsranbacktotheprophecyutteredcenturiesbeforeHisbirth,inwhichHewasdescribedasthePrinceofPeace.ToreinforcemymemoryIre–readtheprophecyandIfoundimmediatelyfollowingaversewhichIhadforgotten—aversewhichdeclaresthatoftheincreaseofHispeaceandgovernmentthereshallbenoend,And,Isaiahadds,thatHeshalljudgeHispeoplewithjusticeandwithjudgment.Ihadbeenreadingoftheriseandfallofnations,andoccasionallyIhadmetagloomyphilosopherwhopreachedthedoctrinethatnations,likeindividuals,mustofnecessityhavetheirbirth,theirinfancy,theirmaturityandfinallytheirdecayanddeath.ButhereIreadofagovernmentthatistobeperpetual—agovernmentofincreasingpeaceandblessedness—thegovernmentofthePrinceofPeace—anditistorestonjustice.Ihavethoughtofthisprophecymanytimesduringthelastfewyears,andIhaveselectedthisthemethatImightpresentsomeofthereasonswhichleadmetobelievethatChristhasfullyearnedtherighttobecalledThePrinceofPeace—atitlethatwillintheyearstocomebemoreandmoreappliedtoHim.Ifhecanbringpeacetoeachindividualheart,andifHiscreedwhenappliedwillbringpeacethroughouttheearth,whowilldenyHisrighttobecalledthePrinceofPeace?

Alltheworldisinsearchofpeace;everyheartthateverbeathassoughtforpeace,andmanyhavebeenthemethodsemployedtosecureit.Somehavethoughttopurchaseitwithrichesandhavelaboredtosecurewealth,hopingtofindpeacewhentheywereabletogowheretheypleasedandbuywhattheyliked.Ofthosewhohaveendeavoredtopurchasepeacewithmoney,thelargemajorityhavefailedtosecurethemoney.Butwhathasbeentheexperienceofthosewhohavebeeneminentlysuccessfulinfinance?Theyalltellthesamestory,viz.,thattheyspentthefirsthalfoftheirlivestryingtogetmoneyfromothersandthelasthalftryingtokeepothersfromgettingtheirmoney,andthattheyfoundpeaceinneitherhalf.Somehaveevenreachedthepointwheretheyfinddifficultyingettingpeopletoaccepttheirmoney;andIknowofnobetterindicationoftheethicalawakeninginthiscountrythantheincreasingtendencytoscrutinizethemethodsofmoney–making.Iamsanguineenoughtobelievethatthetimewillyetcomewhenrespectabilitywillnolongerbesoldtogreatcriminalsbyhelpingthemtospendtheirill–gottengains.Alongstepinadvancewillhavebeentakenwhenreligious,educationalandcharitableinstitutionsrefusetocondoneconsciencelessmethodsinbusinessandleavethepossessorofillegitimateaccumulationstolearnhowlonelylifeiswhenoneprefersmoneytomorals.

Somehavesoughtpeaceinsocialdistinction,butwhethertheyhavebeenwithinthecharmedcircleandfearfullesttheymightfallout,oroutside,andhopefulthattheymightgetin,theyhavenotfoundpeace.Somehavethought,vainthought,tofindpeaceinpoliticalprominence;butwhetherofficecomesbybirth,asinmonarchies,orbyelection,asinrepublics,itdoesnotbringpeace.Anofficeisnotconsideredahighoneifallcanoccupyit.Onlywhenfewinagenerationcanhopetoenjoyanhonordowecallitagreathonor.IamgladthatourHeavenlyFatherdidnotmakethepeaceofthehumanhearttodependuponourabilitytobuyitwithmoney,secureitinsociety,orwinitatthepolls,forineithercasebutfewcouldhaveobtainedit,butwhenHemadepeacetherewardofaconsciencevoidofoffensetowardGodandman,Heputitwithinthereachofall.The

poorcansecureitaseasilyastherich,thesocialoutcastsasfreelyastheleaderofsociety,andthehumblestcitizenequallywiththosewhowieldpoliticalpower.

TothosewhohavegrowngrayintheChurch,IneednotspeakofthepeacetobefoundinfaithinGodandtrustinanoverrulingProvidence.ChristtaughtthatourlivesarepreciousinthesightofGod,andpoetshavetakenupthethoughtandwovenitintoimmortalverse.NouninspiredwriterhasexprestitmorebeautifullythanWilliamCullenBryantinhisOdetoaWaterfowl.Afterfollowingthewanderingsofthebirdofpassageasitseeksfirstitssouthernandthenitsnorthernhome,heconcludes:

Thouartgone;theabyssofheavenHathswallowedupthyform,butonmyheartDeeplyhathsunkthelessonthouhastgiven,Andshallnotsoondepart.

Hewho,fromzonetozone,Guidesthroughtheboundlessskythycertainflight,InthelongwaythatImusttreadalone,Willleadmystepsaright.

ChristpromotedpeacebygivingusassurancethatalineofcommunicationcanbeestablishedbetweentheFatheraboveandthechildbelow.Andwhowillmeasuretheconsolationsofthehourofprayer?

Andimmortality!Whowillestimatethepeacewhichabeliefinafuturelifehasbroughttothesorrowingheartsofthesonsofmen?Youmaytalktotheyoungaboutdeathendingall,forlifeisfullandhopeisstrong,butpreachnotthisdoctrinetothemotherwhostandsbythedeath–bedofherbabeortoonewhoiswithintheshadowofagreataffliction.WhenIwasayoungmanIwrotetoColonelIngersollandaskedhimforhisviewsonGodandimmortality.Hissecretaryansweredthatthegreatinfidelwasnotathome,butenclosedacopyofaspeechofCol.Ingersoll’swhichcoveredmyquestion.Iscanneditwitheagernessandfoundthathehadexpresthimselfaboutasfollows:“IdonotsaythatthereisnoGod,IsimplysayIdonotknow.Idonotsaythatthereisnolifebeyondthegrave,IsimplysayIdonotknow.”AndfromthatdaytothisIhaveaskedmyselfthequestionandhavebeenunabletoanswerittomyownsatisfaction,howcouldanyonefindpleasureintakingfromahumanheartalivingfaithandsubstitutingthereforthecoldandcheerlessdoctrine,“Idonotknow.”

Christgaveusproofofimmortalityanditwasawelcomeassurance,althoitwouldhardlyseemnecessarythatoneshouldrisefromthedeadtoconvinceusthatthegraveisnottheend.ToeverycreatedthingGodhasgivenatonguethatproclaimsafuturelife.

IftheFatherdeignstotouchwithdivinepowerthecoldandpulselessheartoftheburiedacornandtomakeitburstforthfromitsprisonwalls,willheleaveneglectedintheearththesoulofman,madeintheimageofhisCreator?Ifhestoopstogivetotherosebush,whosewitheredblossomsfloatupontheautumnbreeze,thesweetassuranceofanotherspringtime,willHerefusethewordsofhopetothesonsofmenwhenthefrostsofwintercome?Ifmatter,muteandinanimate,thochangedbytheforcesofnatureintoamultitude

offorms,canneverdie,willtheimperialspiritofmansufferannihilationwhenithaspaidabriefvisitlikearoyalguesttothistenementofclay?No,IamsurethatHewho,notwithstandinghisapparentprodigality,creatednothingwithoutapurpose,andwastednotasingleatominallhiscreation,hasmadeprovisionforafuturelifeinwhichman’suniversallongingforimmortalitywillfinditsrealization.IamassurethatweliveagainasIamsurethatweliveto–day.

InCairoIsecuredafewgrainsofwheatthathadslumberedformorethanthirtycenturiesinanEgyptiantomb.AsIlookedatthemthisthoughtcameintomymind:IfoneofthosegrainshadbeenplantedonthebanksoftheNiletheyearafteritgrew,andallitslinealdescendantshadbeenplantedandreplantedfromthattimeuntilnow,itsprogenywouldto–daybesufficientlynumeroustofeedtheteemingmillionsoftheworld.Anunbrokenchainoflifeconnectstheearliestgrainsofwheatwiththegrainsthatwesowandreap.Thereisinthegrainofwheataninvisiblesomethingwhichhaspowertodiscardthebodythatwesee,andfromearthandairfashionanewbodysomuchliketheoldonethatwecannottelltheonefromtheother.Ifthisinvisiblegermoflifeinthegrainofwheatcanthuspassunimpairedthroughthreethousandresurrections,Ishallnotdoubtthatmysoulhaspowertoclotheitselfwithabodysuitedtoitsnewexistencewhenthisearthlyframehascrumbledintodust.

Abeliefinimmortalitynotonlyconsolestheindividual,butitexertsapowerfulinfluenceinbringingpeacebetweenindividuals.Ifoneactuallythinksthatmandiesasthebrutedies,hewillyieldmoreeasilytothetemptationtodoinjusticetohisneighborwhenthecircumstancesaresuchastopromisesecurityfromdetection.Butifonereallyexpectstomeetagain,andliveeternallywith,thosewhomheknowsto–day,heisrestrainedfromevildeedsbythefearofendlessremorse.Wedonotknowwhatrewardsareinstoreforusorwhatpunishmentsmaybereserved,butiftherewerenootheritwouldbesomepunishmentforonewhodeliberatelyandconsciouslywrongsanothertohavetoliveforeverinthecompanyofthepersonwrongedandhavehislittlenessandselfishnesslaidbare.Irepeat,abeliefinimmortalitymustexertapowerfulinfluenceinestablishingjusticebetweenmenandthuslayingthefoundationforpeace.

Again,ChristdeservestobecalledThePrinceofPeacebecauseHehasgivenusameasureofgreatnesswhichpromotespeace.WhenHisdisciplesquarreledamongthemselvesastowhichshouldbegreatestintheKingdomofHeaven,Herebukedthemandsaid:“Lethimwhowouldbechiefestamongyoubetheservantofall.”Serviceisthemeasureofgreatness;italwayshasbeentrue;itistrueto–day,anditalwayswillbetrue,thatheisgreatestwhodoesthemostofgood.Andhowthisoldworldwillbetransformedwhenthisstandardofgreatnessbecomesthestandardofeverylife!Nearlyallofourcontroversiesandcombatsgrowoutofthefactthatwearetryingtogetsomethingfromeachother—therewillbepeacewhenouraimistodosomethingforeachother.Ourenmitiesandanimositiesariselargelyfromoureffortstogetasmuchaspossibleoutoftheworld—therewillbepeacewhenourendeavoristoputasmuchaspossibleintotheworld.Thehumanmeasureofahumanlifeisitsincome;thedivinemeasureofalifeisitsoutgo,itsoverflow—itscontributiontothewelfareofall.

Christalsoledthewaytopeacebygivingusaformulaforthepropagationoftruth.NotallofthosewhohavereallydesiredtodogoodhaveemployedtheChristianmethod—not

allChristianseven.Inthehistoryofthehumanracebuttwomethodshavebeenused.Thefirstistheforciblemethod,andithasbeenemployedmostfrequently.Amanhasanideawhichhethinksisgood;hetellshisneighborsaboutitandtheydonotlikeit.Thismakeshimangry;hethinksitwouldbesomuchbetterforthemiftheywouldlikeit,and,seizingaclub,heattemptstomakethemlikeit.Butonetroubleaboutthisruleisthatitworksbothways;whenamanstartsouttocompelhisneighborstothinkashedoes,hegenerallyfindsthemwillingtoacceptthechallengeandtheyspendsomuchtimeintryingtocoerceeachotherthattheyhavenotimelefttodoeachothergood.

TheotheristheBibleplan—“Benotovercomeofevilbutovercomeevilwithgood.”Andthereisnootherwayofovercomingevil.Iamnotmuchofafarmer—IgetmorecreditformyfarmingthanIdeserve,andmylittlefarmreceivesmoreadvertisingthanitisentitledto.ButIamfarmerenoughtoknowthatifIcutdownweedstheywillspringupagain;andfarmerenoughtoknowthatifIplantsomethingtherewhichhasmorevitalitythantheweedsIshallnotonlygetridoftheconstantcutting,buthavethebenefitofthecropbesides.

InorderthattheremightbenomistakeinHisplanofpropagatingthetruth,Christwentintodetailandlaidemphasisuponthevalueofexample—“SolivethatothersseeingyourgoodworksmaybeconstrainedtoglorifyyourFatherwhichisinHeaven.”Thereisnohumaninfluencesopotentforgoodasthatwhichgoesoutfromanuprightlife.Asermonmaybeanswered;theargumentspresentedinaspeechmaybedisputed,butnoonecanansweraChristianlife—itistheunanswerableargumentinfavorofourreligion.

Itmaybeaslowprocess—thisconversionoftheworldbythesilentinfluenceofanobleexample—butitistheonlysureone,andthedoctrineappliestonationsaswellastoindividuals.TheGospelofthePrinceofPeacegivesustheonlyhopethattheworldhas—anditisanincreasinghope—ofthesubstitutionofreasonforthearbitramentofforceinthesettlementofinternationaldisputes.Andournationoughtnottowaitforothernations—itoughttotaketheleadandproveitsfaithintheomnipotenceoftruth.

ButChristhasgivenusaplatformsofundamentalthatitcanbeappliedsuccessfullytoallcontroversies.Weareinterestedinplatforms;weattendconventions,sometimestravelinglongdistances;wehavewordywarsoverthephraseologyofvariousplanks,andthenwewageearnestcampaignstosecuretheendorsementoftheseplatformsatthepolls.TheplatformgiventotheworldbyThePrinceofPeaceismorefar–reachingandmorecomprehensivethananyplatformeverwrittenbytheconventionofanypartyinanycountry.WhenHecondensedintoonecommandmentthoseofthetenwhichrelatetoman’sdutytowardhisfellowsandenjoineduponustherule,“Thoushaltlovethyneighborasthyself,”Hepresentedaplanforthesolutionofalltheproblemsthatnowvexsocietyormayhereafterarise.Otherremediesmaypalliateorpostponethedayofsettlement,butthisisall–sufficientandthereconciliationwhichiteffectsisapermanentone.

Myfaithinthefuture—andIhavefaith—andmyoptimism—forIamanoptimist—myfaithandmyoptimismrestuponthebeliefthatChrist’steachingsarebeingmorestudiedto–daythaneverbefore,andthatwiththislargerstudywillcomealargerapplicationofthoseteachingstotheeverydaylifeoftheworld,andtothequestionswithwhichwedeal.InformertimeswhenmenreadthatChristcame“tobringlifeandimmortalitytolight,”

theyplacedtheemphasisuponimmortality;nowtheyarestudyingChrist’srelationtohumanlife.PeopleusedtoreadtheBibletofindoutwhatitsaidofHeaven;nowtheyreaditmoretofindwhatlightitthrowsuponthepathwayofto–day.Informeryearsmanythoughttopreparethemselvesforfutureblissbyalifeofseclusionhere;wearelearningthattofollowinthefootstepsoftheMasterwemustgoaboutdoinggood.ChristdeclaredthatHecamethatwemighthavelifeandhaveitmoreabundantly.TheworldislearningthatChristcamenottonarrowlife,buttoenlargeit—nottorobitofitsjoy,buttofillittooverflowingwithpurpose,earnestnessandhappiness.

ButthisPrinceofPeacepromisesnotonlypeacebutstrength.SomehavethoughtHisteachingsfitonlyfortheweakandthetimidandunsuitedtomenofvigor,energyandambition.Nothingcouldbefartherfromthetruth.Onlythemanoffaithcanbecourageous.ConfidentthathefightsonthesideofJehovah,hedoubtsnotthesuccessofhiscause.Whatmattersitwhetherhesharesintheshoutsoftriumph?Ifeverywordspokeninbehalfoftruthhasitsinfluenceandeverydeeddonefortherightweighsinthefinalaccount,itisimmaterialtotheChristianwhetherhiseyesbeholdvictoryorwhetherhediesinthemidstoftheconflict.

“Yea,thothoulieuponthedust,Whentheywhohelpedtheefleeinfear,Diefullofhopeandmanlytrust,Likethosewhofellinbattlehere.

Anotherhandthyswordshallwield,Anotherhandthestandardwave,Tillfromthetrumpet’smouthispealed,Theblastoftriumpho’erthygrave.”

Onlythosewhobelieveattempttheseeminglyimpossible,and,byattempting,provethatone,withGod,canchaseathousandandthattwocanputtenthousandtoflight.IcanimaginethattheearlyChristianswhowerecarriedintothecoliseumtomakeaspectacleforthosemoresavagethanthebeasts,wereentreatedbytheirdoubtingcompanionsnottoendangertheirlives.But,kneelinginthecenterofthearena,theyprayedandsanguntiltheyweredevoured.Howhelplesstheyseemed,and,measuredbyeveryhumanrule,howhopelesswastheircause!Andyetwithinafewdecadesthepowerwhichtheyinvokedprovedmightierthanthelegionsoftheemperorandthefaithinwhichtheydiedwastriumphanto’eralltheland.Itissaidthatthosewhowenttomockattheirsufferingsreturnedaskingthemselves,“Whatisitthatcanenterintotheheartofmanandmakehimdieasthesedie?”Theyweregreaterconquerorsintheirdeaththantheycouldhavebeenhadtheypurchasedlifebyasurrenderoftheirfaith.

WhatwouldhavebeenthefateofthechurchiftheearlyChristianshadhadaslittlefaithasmanyofourChristiansofto–day?AndiftheChristiansofto–dayhadthefaithofthemartyrs,howlongwoulditbebeforethefulfilmentoftheprophecythat“everykneeshallbowandeverytongueconfess?”

IamgladthatHe,whoiscalledthePrinceofPeace—whocanbringpeacetoeverytroubledheartandwhoseteachings,exemplifiedinlife,willbringpeacebetweenmanand

man,betweencommunityandcommunity,betweenStateandState,betweennationandnationthroughouttheworld—IamgladthatHebringscourageaswellaspeacesothatthosewhofollowHimmaytakeupandeachdaybravelydothedutiesthattothatdayfall.

AstheChristiangrowsolderheappreciatesmoreandmorethecompletenesswithwhichChristsatisfiesthelongingsoftheheart,and,gratefulforthepeacewhichheenjoysandforthestrengthwhichhehasreceived,herepeatsthewordsofthegreatscholar,SirWilliamJones:

“Beforethymysticaltar,heavenlytruth,Ikneelinmanhood,asIkneltinyouth,Thusletmekneel,tillthisdullformdecay,Andlife’slastshadebebrightenedbythyray.”

RUFUSCHOATE

EULOGYOFWEBSTER

DeliveredatDartmouthCollege,July27,1853.

Websterpossessedtheelementofanimpressivecharacter,inspiringregard,trustandadmiration,notunmingledwithlove.Ithad,Ithink,intrinsicallyacharmsuchasbelongsonlytoagood,noble,andbeautifulnature.Initscombinationwithsomuchfame,somuchforceofwill,andsomuchintellect,itfilledandfascinatedtheimaginationandheart.Itwasaffectionateinchildhoodandyouth,anditwasmorethaneversointhefewlastmonthsofhislonglife.Itistheuniversaltestimonythathegavetohisparents,inlargestmeasure,honor,love,obedience;thatheeagerlyappropriatedthefirstmeanswhichhecouldcommandtorelievethefatherfromthedebtscontractedtoeducatehisbrotherandhimself;thatheselectedhisfirstplaceofprofessionalpracticethathemightsoothethecomingonofhisoldage.

Equallybeautifulwashisloveofallhiskindredandofallhisfriends.WhenIhearhimaccusedofselfishness,andacold,badnature,Irecallhimlyingsleeplessallnight,notwithouttearsofboyhood,conferringwithEzekielhowthedarlingdesireofbothheartsshouldbecompassed,andhe,too,admittedtothepreciousprivilegesofeducation;courageouslypleadingthecauseofbothbrothersinthemorning;prevailingbythewiseanddiscerningaffectionofthemother;suspendinghisstudiesofthelaw,andregisteringdeedsandteachingschooltoearnthemeans,forboth,ofavailingthemselvesoftheopportunitywhichtheparentalself–sacrificehadplacedwithintheirreach;lovinghimthroughlife,mourninghimwhendead,withaloveandasorrowverywonderful,passingthesorrowofwoman;Irecallthehusband,thefatherofthelivingandoftheearlydeparted,thefriend,thecounselorofmanyyears,andmyheartgrowstoofullandliquidfortherefutationofwords.

Hisaffectionatenature,cravingeverfriendship,aswellasthepresenceofkindredblood,diffuseditselfthroughallhisprivatelife,gavesinceritytoallhishospitalities,kindnesstohiseye,warmthtothepressureofhishand,madehisgreatnessandgeniusunbendthemselvestotheplayfulnessofchildhood,flowedoutingracefulmemoriesindulgedofthepastorthedead,ofincidentswhenlifewasyoungandpromisedtobehappy,—gavegeneroussketchesofhisrivals,—thehighcontentionnowhiddenbythehandfulofearth,

—hourspassedfiftyyearsagowithgreatauthors,recalledforthevernalemotionswhichthentheymadetoliveandrevelinthesoul.Andfromtheseconversationsoffriendship,noman—noman,oldoryoung—wentawaytorememberonewordofprofaneness,oneallusionofindelicacy,oneimpurethought,oneunbelievingsuggestion,onedoubtcastontherealityofvirtue,ofpatriotism,ofenthusiasm,oftheprogressofman,—onedoubtcastonrighteousness,ortemperance,orjudgmenttocome.

Ihavelearnedbyevidencethemostdirectandsatisfactorythatinthelastmonthsofhislife,thewholeaffectionatenessofhisnature—hisconsiderationofothers,hisgentleness,hisdesiretomakethemhappyandtoseethemhappy—seemedtocomeoutinmoreandmorebeautifulandhabitualexpressionsthaneverbefore.Thelongday’spublictaskswerefelttobedone;thecares,theuncertainties,thementalconflictsofhighplace,wereended;andhecamehometorecoverhimselfforthefewyearswhichhemightstillexpectwouldbehisbeforeheshouldgohencetobeherenomore.Andthere,Iamassuredanddulybelieve,nounbecomingregretspursuedhim;nodiscontent,asforinjusticesufferedorexpectationsunfulfilled;noself–reproachforanythingdoneoranythingomittedbyhimself;noirritation,nopeevishnessunworthyofhisnoblenature;butinstead,loveandhopeforhiscountry,whenshebecamethesubjectofconversation,andforallaroundhim,thedearestandmostindifferent,forallbreathingthingsabouthim,theoverflowofthekindestheartgrowingingentlenessandbenevolence—paternal,patriarchalaffections,seemingtobecomemorenatural,warm,andcommunicativeeveryhour.Softerandyetbrightergrewthetintsontheskyofpartingday;andthelastlingeringrays,moreeventhanthegloriesofnoon,announcedhowdivinewasthesourcefromwhichtheyproceeded;howincapabletobequenched;howcertaintoriseonamorningwhichnonightshouldfollow.

Suchacharacterwasmadetobeloved.Itwasloved.Thosewhoknewandsawitinitshourofcalm—thosewhocouldreposeonthatsoftgreen—lovedhim.Hisplainneighborslovedhim;andonesaid,whenhewaslaidinhisgrave,“Howlonesometheworldseems!”Educatedyoungmenlovedhim.Theministersofthegospel,thegeneralintelligenceofthecountry,themassesafaroft,lovedhim.True,theyhadnotfoundinhisspeeches,readbymillions,somuchadulationofthepeople;somuchofthemusicwhichrobsthepublicreasonofitself;somanyphrasesofhumanityandphilanthropy;andsomehadtoldthemhewasloftyandcold—solitaryinhisgreatness;buteveryyeartheycamenearerandnearertohim,andastheycamenearer,theylovedhimbetter;theyheardhowtenderthesonhadbeen,thehusband,thebrother,thefather,thefriend,andneighbor;thathewasplain,simple,natural,generous,hospitable—theheartlargerthanthebrain;thathelovedlittlechildrenandreverencedGod,theScriptures,theSabbath–day,theConstitution,andthelaw—andtheirheartsclaveuntohim.MoretrulyofhimthanevenofthegreatnavaldarlingofEnglandmightitbesaidthat“hispresencewouldsetthechurchbellsringing,andgiveschoolboysaholiday,wouldbringchildrenfromschoolandoldmenfromthechimney–corner,togazeonhimerehedied.”Thegreatandunavailinglamentationsfirstrevealedthedeepplacehehadintheheartsofhiscountrymen.

Youarenowtoaddtothishisextraordinarypowerofinfluencingtheconvictionsofothersbyspeech,andyouhavecompletedthesurveyofthemeansofhisgreatness.Andhere,againIbeginbyadmiringanaggregatemadeupofexcellencesandtriumphs,ordinarilydeemedincompatible.Hespokewithconsummateabilitytothebench,andyetexactlyas,

accordingtoeverysoundcanonoftasteandethics,thebenchoughttobeaddressed.Hespokewithconsummateabilitytothejury,andyetexactlyas,accordingtoeverysoundcanon,thattotallydifferenttribunaloughttobeaddressed.InthehallsofCongress,beforethepeopleassembledforpoliticaldiscussioninmasses,beforeaudiencessmallerandmoreselect,assembledforsomesolemncommemorationofthepastorofthedead—ineachofthese,again,hisspeech,ofthefirstformofability,wasexactlyadapted,also,tothecriticalpropertiesoftheplace;eachachieved,whendelivered,themostinstantandspecificsuccessofeloquence—someoftheminasplendidandremarkabledegree;andyet,strangerstill,whenreducedtowriting,astheyfellfromhislips,theycomposeabodyofreadinginmanyvolumes—solid,clear,rich,andfullofharmony—aclassicalandpermanentpoliticalliterature.

Andyetallthesemodesofhiseloquence,exactlyadaptedeachtoitsstageanditsend,werestampedwithhisimageandsuperscription,identifiedbycharacteristicsincapabletobecounterfeitedandimpossibletobemistaken.Thesamehighpowerofreason,intentineveryonetoexploreanddisplaysometruth;sometruthofjudicial,orhistorical,orbiographicalfact;sometruthoflaw,deducedbyconstruction,perhaps,orbyillation;sometruthofpolicy,forwantwhereofanation,generations,maybetheworse—reasonseekingandunfoldingtruth;thesametone,inall,ofdeepearnestness,expressiveofstrongdesirethatwhathefelttobeimportantshouldbeacceptedastrue,andspringuptoaction;thesametransparent,plain,forcible,anddirectspeech,conveyinghisexactthoughttothemind—notsomethinglessormore;thesamesovereigntyofform,ofbrow,andeye,andtone,andmanner—everywheretheintellectualkingofmen,standingbeforeyou—thatsamemarvelousnessofqualitiesandresults,residing,Iknownotwhere,inwords,inpictures,intheorderingofideas,infelicitiesindescribable,bymeanswhereof,comingfromhistongue,allthingsseemedmended—truthseemedmoretrue,probabilitymoreplausible,greatnessmoregrand,goodnessmoreawful,everyaffectionmoretenderthanwhencomingfromothertongues—theseare,inall,hiseloquence.

Butsometimesitbecameindividualizedanddiscriminatedevenfromitself;sometimesplaceandcircumstances,greatinterestsatstake,astage,anaudiencefittedforthehighesthistoricaction,acrisis,personalornational,uponhim,stirredthedepthsofthatemotionalnature,astheangerofthegoddessstirstheseaonwhichthegreatepicisbeginning;strongpassionsthemselveskindledtointensity,quickenedeveryfacultytoanewlife;thestimulatedassociationsofideasbroughtalltreasuresofthoughtandknowledgewithincommand;thespell,whichoftenheldhisimaginationfast,dissolved,andshearoseandgavehimtochooseofherurnofgold;earnestnessbecamevehemence,thesimple,perspicuous,measuredanddirectlanguagebecameaheadlong,full,andburningtideofspeech;thediscourseofreason,wisdom,gravity,andbeautychangedtothatsuperhuman,thatrarestconsummateeloquence—grand,rapid,pathetic,terrible;thealiquidimmensuminfinitumquethatCiceromighthaverecognized;themastertriumphofmanintherarestopportunityofhisnoblepower.

Suchelevationabovehimself,incongressionaldebate,wasmostuncommon.Somesuchtherewereinthegreatdiscussionsofexecutivepowerfollowingtheremovalofthedeposits,whichtheywhoheardthemwillneverforget,andsomewhichrestinthetraditionofhearersonly.Buttherewereotherfieldsoforatoryonwhich,undertheinfluenceofmoreuncommonspringsofinspiration,heexemplified,instillotherforms,

aneloquenceinwhichIdonotknowthathehashadasuperioramongmen.Addressingmassesbytensofthousandsintheopenair,ontheurgentpoliticalquestionsoftheday,ordesignedtoleadthemeditationsofanhourdevotedtotheremembranceofsomenationalera,orofsomeincidentmarkingtheprogressofthenation,andliftinghimuptoaviewofwhatis,andwhatispast,andsomeindistinctrevelationoftheglorythatliesinthefuture,orofsomegreathistoricalname,justbornebythenationtohistomb—wehavelearnedthatthenandthere,atthebaseofBunkerHill,beforethecorner–stonewaslaid,andagainwhenfromthefinishedcolumnthecenturieslookedonhim;inFaneuilHall,mourningforthosewithwhosespokenorwritteneloquenceoffreedomitsarcheshadsooftenresounded;ontheRockofPlymouth;beforetheCapitol,ofwhichthereshallnotbeonestoneleftonanotherbeforehismemoryshallhaveceasedtolive—insuchscenes,unfetteredbythelawsofforensicorparliamentarydebate,multitudesuncountedliftinguptheireyestohim;somegreathistoricalscenesofAmericaaround;allsymbolsofhergloryandartandpowerandfortunethere;voicesofthepast,notunheard;shapesbeckoningfromthefuture,notunseen—sometimesthatmightyintellect,borneupwardtoaheightandkindledtoanilluminationwhichweshallseenomore,wroughtout,asitwere,inaninstantapictureofvision,warning,prediction;theprogressofthenation;thecontrastsofitseras;theheroicdeaths;themotivestopatriotism;themaximsandartsimperialbywhichthegloryhasbeengatheredandmaybeheightened—wroughtout,inaninstant,apicturetofadeonlywhenallrecordofourmindshalldie.

Inlookingoverthepublicremainsofhisoratory,itisstrikingtoremarkhow,eveninthatmostsoberandmassiveunderstandingandnature,youseegatheredandexpressedthecharacteristicsentimentsandthepassingtimeofourAmerica.Itisthestrongoldoakwhichascendsbeforeyou;yetoursoil,ourheaven,areattestedinitasperfectlyasifitwereaflowerthatcouldgrowinnootherclimateandinnootherhouroftheyearorday.Letmeinstanceinonethingonly.Itisapeculiarityofsomeschoolsofeloquencethattheyembodyandutter,notmerelytheindividualgeniusandcharacterofthespeaker,butanationalconsciousness—anationalera,amood,ahope,adread,adespair—inwhichyoulistentothespokenhistoryofthetime.Thereisaneloquenceofanexpiringnation,suchasseemstosaddenthegloriousspeechofDemosthenes;suchasbreathesgrandandgloomyfromvisionsoftheprophetsofthelastdaysofIsraelandJudah;suchasgaveaspelltotheexpressionofGrattanandofKossuth—thesweetest,mostmournful,mostawfulofthewordswhichmanmayutter,orwhichmanmayhear—theeloquenceofaperishingnation.

Thereisanothereloquence,inwhichthenationalconsciousnessofayoungorrenewedandvaststrength,oftrustinadazzlingcertainandlimitlessfuture,aninwardgloryinginvictoriesyettobewon,soundsoutasbyvoiceofclarion,challengingtocontestforthehighestprizeofearth;suchasthatinwhichtheleaderofIsraelinitsfirstdaysholdsuptothenewnationtheLandofPromise;suchasthatwhichinthewell–imaginedspeechesscatteredbyLivyoverthehistoryofthe“majesticseriesofvictories”speakstheRomanconsciousnessofgrowingaggrandizementwhichshouldsubjecttheworld;suchasthatthroughwhich,atthetribunesofherrevolution,inthebulletinsofherrisingsoldiers,Francetoldtotheworldherdreamofglory.

Andofthiskindsomewhatisours—cheerful,hopeful,trusting,asbefitsyouthandspring;theeloquenceofastatebeginningtoascendtothefirstclassofpower,eminence,and

consideration,andconsciousofitself.Itistonopurposethattheytellyouitisinbadtaste;thatitpartakesofarroganceandvanity;thatatruenationalgoodbreedingwouldnotknow,orseemtoknow,whetherthenationisoldoryoung;whetherthetidesofbeingareintheirfloworebb;whetherthesecoursersofthesunaresinkingslowlytorest,weariedwithajourneyofathousandyears,orjustboundingfromtheOrientunbreathed.Higherlawsthanthoseoftastedeterminetheconsciousnessofnations.Higherlawsthanthoseoftastedeterminethegeneralformsoftheexpressionofthatconsciousness.LetthedownwardageofAmericafinditsoratorsandpoetsandartiststoerectitsspirit,orgraceandsootheitsdying;beitourstogoupwithWebstertotheRock,theMonument,theCapitol,andbid“thedistantgenerationshail!”

UntiltheseventhdayofMarch,1850,Ithinkitwouldhavebeenaccordedtohimbyanalmostuniversalacclaim,asgeneralandasexpressiveofprofoundandintelligentconvictionandofenthusiasm,love,andtrust,aseversalutedconspicuousstatesmanship,triedbymanycrisesofaffairsinagreatnation,agitatedeverbyparties,andwhollyfree.

ALBERTJ.BEVERIDGE

PASSPROSPERITYAROUND

DeliveredasTemporaryChairmanofProgressiveNationalConvention,Chicago,Ill.,June,1911.

WestandforanoblerAmerica.WestandforanundividedNation.Westandforabroaderliberty,afullerjustice.Westandforasocialbrotherhoodasagainstsavageindividualism.Westandforanintelligentcoöperationinsteadofarecklesscompetition.Westandformutualhelpfulnessinsteadofmutualhatred.Westandforequalrightsasafactoflifeinsteadofacatch–wordofpolitics.Westandfortheruleofthepeopleasapracticaltruthinsteadofameaninglesspretense.Westandforarepresentativegovernmentthatrepresentsthepeople.Webattlefortheactualrightsofman.

Tocarryoutourprincipleswehaveaplainprogramofconstructivereform.Wemeantoteardownonlythatwhichiswrongandoutofdate;andwhereweteardownwemeantobuildwhatisrightandfittedtothetimes.Weharkentothecallofthepresent.Wemeantomakelawsfitconditionsastheyareandmeettheneedsofthepeoplewhoareonearthto–day.Thatwemaydothiswefoundapartythroughwhichallwhobelievewithuscanworkwithus;or,rather,wedeclareourallegiancetothepartywhichthepeoplethemselveshavefounded.

Forthispartycomesfromthegrassroots.Ithasgrownfromthesoilofthepeople’shardnecessities.Ithasthevitalityofthepeople’sstrongconvictions.Thepeoplehaveworktobedoneandourpartyisheretodothatwork.Abusewillonlystrengthenit,ridiculeonlyhastenitsgrowth,falsehoodonlyspeeditsvictory.Foryearsthispartyhasbeenforming.Partiesexistforthepeople;notthepeopleforparties.Yetforyearsthepoliticianshavemadethepeopledotheworkofthepartiesinsteadofthepartiesdoingtheworkofthepeople—andthepoliticiansowntheparties.Thepeoplevoteforonepartyandfindtheirhopesturnedtoashesontheirlips;andthentopunishthatparty,theyvotefortheotherparty.Soitisthatpartisanvictorieshavecometobemerelythepeople’svengeance;andalwaysthesecretpowershaveplayedtheirgame.

Likeotherfreepeople,mostofusAmericansareprogressiveorreactionary,liberalor

conservative.Theneutralsdonotcount.Yetto–dayneitheroftheoldpartiesiseitherwhollyprogressiveorwhollyreactionary.DemocraticpoliticiansandofficeseekerssaytoreactionaryDemocraticvotersthattheDemocraticpartyisreactionaryenoughtoexpressreactionaryviews;andtheysaytoprogressiveDemocratsthattheDemocraticpartyisprogressiveenoughtoexpressprogressiveviews.Atthesametime,RepublicanpoliticiansandofficeseekerssaythesamethingabouttheRepublicanpartytoprogressiveandreactionaryRepublicanvoters.

SometimesinbothDemocraticandRepublicanStatestheprogressivesgetcontrolofthepartylocallyandthenthereactionariesrecapturethesamepartyinthesameState;orthisprocessisreversed.Sothereisnonation–wideunityofprincipleineitherparty,nostabilityofpurpose,noclear–cutandsincereprogramofonepartyatfrankandopenwarwithanequallyclear–cutandsincereprogramofanopposingparty.

ThisunintelligenttangleisseeninCongress.RepublicanandDemocraticSenatorsandRepresentatives,believingalikeonbroadmeasuresaffectingthewholeRepublic,findithardtovotetogetherbecauseofthenominaldifferenceoftheirpartymembership.When,sometimes,underresistlessconviction,theydovotetogether,wehavethisfoolishspectacle:legislatorscallingthemselvesRepublicansandDemocratssupportthesamepolicy,theDemocraticlegislatorsdeclaringthatthatpolicyisDemocraticandRepublicanlegislatorsdeclaringthatitisRepublican;andattheverysametimeotherDemocraticandRepublicanlegislatorsopposethatverysamepolicy,eachofthemdeclaringthatitisnotDemocraticornotRepublican.

Theconditionmakesitimpossiblemostofthetime,andhardatanytime,forthepeople’slegislatorswhobelieveinthesamebroadpoliciestoenactthemintological,comprehensivelaws.Itconfusesthepublicmind.Itbreedssuspicionanddistrust.Itenablessuchspecialinterestsasseekunjustgainatthepublicexpensetogetwhattheywant.ItcreatesandfostersthedegradingbosssysteminAmericanpoliticsthroughwhichthesespecialinterestswork.

Thisbosssystemisunknownandimpossibleunderanyotherfreegovernmentintheworld.Initsverynatureitishostiletogeneralwelfare.YetithasgrownuntilitnowisacontrollinginfluenceinAmericanpublicaffairs.AtthepresentmomentnotoriousbossesareinthesaddleofbotholdpartiesinvariousimportantStateswhichmustbecarriedtoelectaPresident.ThisBlackHorseCavalryisthemostimportantforceinthepracticalworkoftheDemocraticandRepublicanpartiesinthepresentcampaign.Neitheroftheoldparties’nomineesforPresidentcanescapeobligationtotheseold–partybossesorshaketheirpracticalholdonmanyandpowerfulmembersoftheNationalLegislature.

Underthisbosssystem,nomatterwhichpartywins,thepeopleseldomwin;butthebossesalmostalwayswin.Andtheyneverworkforthepeople.Theydonotevenworkforthepartytowhichtheybelong.Theyworkonlyforthoseanti–publicinterestswhosepoliticalemployeestheyare.Itistheseintereststhataretherealvictorsintheend.

Thesespecialinterestswhichsuckthepeople’ssubstancearebi–partisan.Theyusebothparties.Theyaretheinvisiblegovernmentbehindourvisiblegovernment.DemocraticandRepublicanbossesalikearebrotherofficersofthishiddenpower.Nomatterhowfiercelytheypretendtofightoneanotherbeforeelection,theyworktogetherafterelection.And,

actingso,thispoliticalconspiracyisabletodelay,mutilateordefeatsoundandneededlawsforthepeople’swelfareandtheprosperityofhonestbusinessandeventoenactbadlaws,hurtfultothepeople’swelfareandoppressivetohonestbusiness.

ItisthisinvisiblegovernmentwhichistherealdangertoAmericaninstitutions.ItscrudeworkatChicagoinJune,whichthepeoplewereabletosee,wasnomorewickedthanitsskillfulworkeverywhereandalwayswhichthepeoplearenotabletosee.

Butanevenmoreseriousconditionresultsfromtheunnaturalalignmentoftheoldparties.To–dayweAmericansarepoliticallyshatteredbysectionalism.Throughthetwooldpartiesthetragedyofourhistoryiscontinued;andonegreatgeographicalpartoftheRepublicisseparatedfromotherpartsoftheRepublicbyanillogicalpartisansolidarity.

TheSouthhasmenandwomenasgenuinelyprogressiveandothersasgenuinelyreactionaryasthoseinotherpartsofourcountry.Yet,forwell–knownreasons,thesesincereandhonestsouthernprogressivesandreactionariesvotetogetherinasingleparty,whichisneitherprogressivenorreactionary.Theyvoteadeadtraditionandalocalfear,notalivingconvictionandanationalfaith.TheyvotenotfortheDemocraticparty,butagainsttheRepublicanparty.Theywanttobefreefromthiscondition;theycanbefreefromitthroughtheNationalProgressiveparty.

FortheproblemswhichAmericafacesto–dayareeconomicandnational.Theyhavetodowithamorejustdistributionofprosperity.Theyconcernthelivingofthepeople;andthereforethemoredirectgovernmentofthepeoplebythemselves.

TheyaffecttheSouthexactlyastheyaffecttheNorth,theEastortheWest.Itisanartificialanddangerousconditionthatpreventsthesouthernmanandwomanfromactingwiththenorthernmanandwomanwhobelievethesamething.Yetjustthatiswhattheoldpartiesdoprevent.

Notonlydoesthisout–of–datepartisanshipcutourNationintotwogeographicalsections;italsorobstheNationofapricelessassetofthoughtinworkingoutournationaldestiny.TheSouthoncewasfamousforbrilliantandconstructivethinkingonnationalproblems,andto–daytheSouthhasmindsasbrilliantandconstructiveasofold.Butsouthernintellectcannotfreelyandfullyaid,intermsofpolitics,thesolvingoftheNation’sproblems.Thisissobecauseofapartisansectionalismwhichhasnothingtodowiththoseproblems.Yettheseproblemscanbesolvedonlyintermsofpolitics.

Therootofthewrongswhichhurtthepeopleisthefactthatthepeople’sgovernmenthasbeentakenawayfromthem—theinvisiblegovernmenthasusurpedthepeople’sgovernment.Theirgovernmentmustbegivenbacktothepeople.AndsothefirstpurposeoftheProgressivepartyistomakesuretheruleofthepeople.Theruleofthepeoplemeansthatthepeoplethemselvesshallnominate,aswellaselect,allcandidatesforoffice,includingSenatorsandPresidentsoftheUnitedStates.Whatprofitethitthepeopleiftheydoonlytheelectingwhiletheinvisiblegovernmentdoesthenominating?

Theruleofthepeoplemeansthatwhenthepeople’slegislatorsmakealawwhichhurtsthepeople,thepeoplethemselvesmayrejectit.Theruleofthepeoplemeansthatwhenthepeople’slegislatorsrefusetopassalawwhichthepeopleneed,thepeoplethemselvesmaypassit.Theruleofthepeoplemeansthatwhenthepeople’semployeesdonotdothepeople’sworkwellandhonestly,thepeoplemaydischargethemexactlyasabusinessman

dischargesemployeeswhodonotdotheirworkwellandhonestly.Thepeople’sofficialsarethepeople’sservants,notthepeople’smasters.

Weprogressivesbelieveinthisruleofthepeoplethatthepeoplethemselvesmaydealwiththeirowndestiny.Whoknowsthepeople’sneedssowellasthepeoplethemselves?Whosopatientasthepeople?Whosolongsuffering,whosojust?Whosowisetosolvetheirownproblems?

Todaytheseproblemsconcernthelivingofthepeople.YetinthepresentstageofAmericandevelopmenttheseproblemsshouldnotexistinthiscountry.For,inalltheworldthereisnolandsorichasours.Ourfieldscanfeedhundredsofmillions.WehavemoremineralsthanthewholeofEurope.Inventionhasmadeeasytheturningofthisvastnaturalwealthintosuppliesforalltheneedsofman.Oneworkertodaycanproducemorethantwentyworkerscouldproduceacenturyago.

Thepeoplelivinginthislandofgoldarethemostdaringandresourcefulontheglobe.ComingfromthehardieststockofeverynationoftheoldworldtheirveryhistoryinthenewworldhasmadeAmericansapeculiarpeopleincourage,initiative,loveofjusticeandalltheelementsofindependentcharacter.

And,comparedwithotherpeoples,weareveryfewinnumbers.Thereareonlyninetymillionsofus,scatteredoveracontinent.Germanyhassixty–fivemillionspackedinacountryverymuchsmallerthanTexas.ThepopulationofGreatBritainandIrelandcouldbesetdowninCaliforniaandstillhavemorethanenoughroomforthepopulationofHolland.IfthiscountrywereasthicklypeopledasBelgiumtherewouldbemorethantwelvehundredmillioninsteadofonlyninetymillionpersonswithinourborders.

Sowehavemorethanenoughtosupplyeveryhumanbeingbeneaththeflag.ThereoughtnottobeinthisRepublicasingledayofbadbusiness,asingleunemployedworkingman,asingleunfedchild.Americanbusinessmenshouldneverknowanhourofuncertainty,discouragementorfear;Americanworkingmenneveradayoflowwages,idlenessorwant.Hungershouldneverwalkinthesethinlypeopledgardensofplenty.

Andyetinspiteofallthesefavorswhichprovidencehasshowereduponus,thelivingofthepeopleistheproblemofthehour.Hundredsofthousandsofhard–workingAmericansfinditdifficulttogetenoughtoliveon.TheaverageincomeofanAmericanlaborerislessthan$500ayear.Withthishemustfurnishfood,shelterandclothingforafamily.

Women,whosenourishingandprotectionshouldbethefirstcareoftheState,notonlyaredrivenintothemightyarmyofwage–earners,butareforcedtoworkunderunfairanddegradingconditions.Therightofachildtogrowintoanormalhumanbeingissacred;andyet,whilesmallandpoorcountries,packedwithpeople,haveabolishedchildlabor,Americanmills,mines,factoriesandsweat–shopsaredestroyinghundredsofthousandsofAmericanchildreninbody,mindandsoul.

Atthesametimemenhavegraspedfortunesinthiscountrysogreatthatthehumanmindcannotcomprehendtheirmagnitude.Thesemountainsofwealtharefarlargerthaneventhatlavishrewardwhichnoonewoulddenytobusinessriskorgenius.

Ontheotherhand,Americanbusinessisuncertainandunsteadycomparedwiththebusinessofothernations.Americanbusinessmenarethebestandbravestintheworld,

andyetourbusinessconditionshampertheirenergiesandchilltheircourage.Wehavenopermanencyinbusinessaffairs,nosureoutlookuponthebusinessfuture.ThisunsettledstateofAmericanbusinesspreventsitfromrealizingforthepeoplethatgreatandcontinuousprosperitywhichourcountry’slocation,vastwealthandsmallpopulationjustifies.

Wemeantoremedytheseconditions.Wemeannotonlytomakeprosperitysteady,buttogivetothemanywhoearnitajustshareofthatprosperityinsteadofhelpingthefewwhodonotearnittotakeanunjustshare.Theprogressivemottois“Passprosperityaround.”Tomakehumanlivingeasier,tofreethehandsofhonestbusiness,tomaketradeandcommercesoundandsteady,toprotectwomanhood,savechildhoodandrestorethedignityofmanhood—thesearethetaskswemustdo.

What,then,istheprogressiveanswertothesequestions?Weareabletogiveitspecificallyandconcretely.Thefirstworkbeforeusistherevivalofhonestbusiness.Forbusinessisnothingbuttheindustrialandtradeactivitiesofallthepeople.Mengrowtheproductsofthefield,cutripetimberfromtheforest,digmetalfromthemine,fashionallforhumanuse,carrythemtothemarketplaceandexchangethemaccordingtotheirmutualneeds—andthisisbusiness.

Withourvastadvantages,contrastedwiththevastdisadvantagesofothernations,Americanbusinessallthetimeshouldbethebestandsteadiestintheworld.Butitisnot.Germany,withshallowsoil,nomines,onlyawindowontheseasandapopulationmorethantentimesasdenseasours,yethasasounderbusiness,asteadierprosperity,amorecontentedbecausebettercaredforpeople.

What,then,mustwedotomakeAmericanbusinessbetter?Wemustdowhatpoorernationshavedone.Wemustendtheabusesofbusinessbystrikingdownthoseabusesinsteadofstrikingdownbusinessitself.Wemusttrytomakelittlebusinessbigandallbusinesshonestinsteadofstrivingtomakebigbusinesslittleandyetlettingitremaindishonest.

Present–daybusinessisasunlikeold–timebusinessastheold–timeox–cartisunlikethepresent–daylocomotive.Inventionhasmadethewholeworldoveragain.Therailroad,telegraph,telephonehaveboundthepeopleofmodernnationsintofamilies.Todothebusinessofthesecloselyknitmillionsineverymoderncountrygreatbusinessconcernscameintobeing.Whatwecallbigbusinessisthechildoftheeconomicprogressofmankind.Sowarfaretodestroybigbusinessisfoolishbecauseitcannotsucceedandwickedbecauseitoughtnottosucceed.Warfaretodestroybigbusinessdoesnothurtbigbusiness,whichalwayscomesoutontop,somuchasithurtsallotherbusinesswhich,insuchawarfare,nevercomesoutontop.

Withthegrowthofbigbusinesscamebusinessevilsjustasgreat.Itistheseevilsofbigbusinessthathurtthepeopleandinjureallotherbusiness.Oneofthesewrongsisovercapitalizationwhichtaxesthepeople’sveryliving.Anotheristhemanipulationofpricestotheunsettlementofallnormalbusinessandtothepeople’sdamage.Anotherisinterferenceinthemakingofthepeople’slawsandtherunningofthepeople’sgovernmentintheunjustinterestofevilbusiness.Gettinglawsthatenableparticularintereststorobthepeople,andeventogathercriminalrichesfromhumanhealthandlife

isstillanother.

Anexampleofsuchlawsistheinfamoustobaccolegislationof1902,whichauthorizedtheTobaccoTrusttocontinuetocollectfromthepeopletheSpanishWartax,amountingtoascoreofmillionsofdollars,buttokeepthattaxinsteadofturningitovertothegovernment,asithadbeendoing.Anotherexampleistheshamefulmeatlegislation,bywhichtheBeefTrusthadthemeatitsentabroadinspectedbythegovernmentsothatforeigncountrieswouldtakeitsproductandyetwaspermittedtoselldiseasedmeattoourownpeople.ItisincrediblethatlawslikethesecouldevergetontheNation’sstatutebooks.Theinvisiblegovernmentputthemthere;andonlytheuniversalwrathofanenragedpeoplecorrectedthemwhen,afteryears,thepeoplediscoveredtheoutrages.

Itistogetjustsuchlawsastheseandtopreventthepassageoflawstocorrectthem,aswellastokeepoffthestatutebooksgenerallawswhichwillendthegeneralabusesofbigbusinessthatthesefewcriminalinterestscorruptourpolitics,investinpublicofficialsandkeepinpowerinbothpartiesthattypeofpoliticiansandpartymanagerswhodebaseAmericanpolitics.

Behindrottenlawsandpreventingsoundlaws,standsthecorruptboss;behindthecorruptbossstandstherobberinterest;andcommandingthesepowersofpillagestandsbloatedhumangreed.Itisthisconspiracyofevilwemustoverthrowifwewouldgetthehonestlawsweneed.ItisthisinvisiblegovernmentwemustdestroyifwewouldsaveAmericaninstitutions.

Othernationshaveendedtheverysamebusinessevilsfromwhichwesufferbyclearlydefiningbusinesswrong–doingandthenmakingitacriminaloffense,punishablebyimprisonment.Yettheseforeignnationsencouragebigbusinessitselfandfosterallhonestbusiness.Buttheydonottoleratedishonestbusiness,littleorbig.

What,then,shallweAmericansdo?Commonsenseandtheexperienceoftheworldsaysthatweoughttokeepthegoodbigbusinessdoesforusandstopthewrongsthatbigbusinessdoestous.Yetwehavedonejusttheotherthing.Wehavestruckatbigbusinessitselfandhavenotevenaimedtostrikeattheevilsofbigbusiness.Nearlytwenty–fiveyearsagoCongresspassedalawtogovernAmericanbusinessinthepresenttimewhichParliamentpassedinthereignofKingJamestogovernEnglishbusinessinthattime.

Foraquarterofacenturythecourtshavetriedtomakethislawwork.Yetduringthisverytimetrustsgrewgreaterinnumberandpowerthaninthewholehistoryoftheworldbefore;andtheirevilsflourishedunhinderedandunchecked.Thesegreatbusinessconcernsgrewbecausenaturallawsmadethemgrowandartificiallawatwarwithnaturallawcouldnotstoptheirgrowth.Buttheirevilsgrewfasterthanthetruststhemselvesbecauseavaricenourishedthoseevilsandnolawofanykindstoppedavaricefromnourishingthem.

Noristhistheworst.UndertheshiftinginterpretationoftheShermanlaw,uncertaintyandfearischillingtheenergiesofthegreatbodyofhonestAmericanbusinessmen.AstheShermanlawnowstands,notwobusinessmencanarrangetheirmutualaffairsandbesurethattheyarenotlaw–breakers.ThisisthemainhindrancetotheimmediateandpermanentrevivalofAmericanbusiness.IfGermanorEnglishbusinessmen,withalltheirdisadvantagescomparedwithouradvantages,weremanacledbyourShermanlaw,as

itstands,theysoonwouldbebankrupt.Indeed,foreignbusinessmendeclarethat,iftheircountrieshadsuchalaw,soadministered,theycouldnotdobusinessatall.

Eventhisisnotall.Bythedecreesofourcourts,undertheShermanlaw,thetwomightiesttrustsonearthhaveactuallybeenlicensed,inthepracticaloutcome,togoondoingeverywrongtheyevercommitted.UnderthedecreesofthecourtstheOilandTobaccoTrustsstillcanraisepricesunjustlyandalreadyhavedoneso.Theystillcanissuewateredstockandsurelywilldoso.TheystillcanthrottleotherbusinessmenandtheUnitedCigarStoresCompanynowisdoingso.Theystillcancorruptourpoliticsandthismomentareindulginginthatpractice.

Thepeoplearetiredofthismockbattlewithcriminalcapital.Theydonotwanttohurtbusiness,buttheydowanttogetsomethingdoneaboutthetrustquestionthatamountstosomething.Whatgooddoesitdoanymantoreadinhismorningpaperthatthecourtshave“dissolved”theOilTrust,andthenreadinhiseveningpaperthathemustthereafterpayahigherpriceforhisoilthaneverbefore?Whatgooddoesitdothelaborerwhosmokeshispipetobetoldthatthecourtshave“dissolved”theTobaccoTrustandyetfindthathemustpaythesameorahigherpriceforthesameshort–weightpackageoftobacco?Yetallthisisthepracticalresultofthesuitsagainstthesetwogreatesttrustsintheworld.

SuchbusinesschaosandlegalparadoxesasAmericanbusinesssuffersfromcanbefoundnowhereelseintheworld.Rivalnationsdonotfastenlegalballandchainupontheirbusiness—no,theyputwingsonitsflyingfeet.Rivalnationsdonottelltheirbusinessmenthatiftheygoforwardwithlegitimateenterprisethepenitentiarymaybetheirgoal.No!Rivalnationstelltheirbusinessmenthatsolongastheydohonestbusinesstheirgovernmentswillnothinderbutwillhelpthem.

Buttheserivalnationsdotelltheirbusinessmenthatiftheydoanyevilthatourbusinessmendo,prisonbarsawaitthem.Theserivalnationsdotelltheirbusinessmenthatiftheyissuewateredstockorcheatthepeopleinanyway,prisoncellswillbetheirhomes.

JustthisiswhatallhonestAmericanbusinesswants;justthisiswhatdishonestAmericanbusinessdoesnotwant;justthisiswhattheAmericanpeopleproposetohave;justthisthenationalRepublicanplatformof1908pledgedthepeoplethatwewouldgivethem;andjustthisimportantpledgetheadministration,electedonthatplatform,repudiatedasitrepudiatedthemoreimmediatetariffpledge.

Boththesereforms,sovitaltohonestAmericanbusiness,theProgressivepartywillaccomplish.Neitherevilinterestsnorrecklessdemagoguescanswerveusfromourpurpose;forwearefreefrombothandfearneither.

WemeantoputnewbusinesslawsonourstatutebookswhichwilltellAmericanbusinessmenwhattheycandoandwhattheycannotdo.Wemeantomakeourbusinesslawsclearinsteadoffoggy—tomakethemplainlystatejustwhatthingsarecriminalandwhatarelawful.Andwemeanthatthepenaltyforthingscriminalshallbeprisonsentencesthatactuallypunishtherealoffender,insteadofmoneyfinesthathurtnobodybutthepeople,whomustpaythemintheend.

Andthenwemeantosendthemessageforthtohundredsofthousandsofbrilliantmindsandbraveheartsengagedinhonestbusiness,thattheyarenotcriminalsbuthonorablemenintheirworktomakegoodbusinessinthisRepublic.Sureofvictory,weevennowsay,

“Goforward,Americanbusinessmen,andknowthatbehindyou,supportingyou,encouragingyou,arethepowerandapprovalofthegreatestpeopleunderthesun.Goforward,Americanbusinessmen,andfeedfullthefiresbeneathAmericanfurnaces;andgiveemploymenttoeveryAmericanlaborerwhoasksforwork.Goforward,Americanbusinessmen,andcapturethemarketsoftheworldforAmericantrade;andknowthatonthewingsofyourcommerceyoucarrylibertythroughouttheworldandtoeveryinhabitantthereof.Goforward,Americanbusinessmen,andrealizethatinthetimetocomeitshallbesaidofyou,asitissaidofthehandthatroundedPeter’sDome,‘hebuildedbetterthanheknew.’”

ThenextgreatbusinessreformwemusthavetosteadilyincreaseAmericanprosperityistochangethemethodofbuildingourtariffs.Thetariffmustbetakenoutofpoliticsandtreatedasabusinessquestioninsteadofasapoliticalquestion.Heretofore,wehavedonejusttheotherthing.ThatiswhyAmericanbusinessisupseteveryfewyearsbyunnecessarytariffupheavalsandisweakenedbyuncertaintyintheperiodsbetween.Thegreatestneedofbusinessiscertainty;buttheonlythingcertainaboutourtariffisuncertainty.

What,then,shallwedotomakeourtariffchangesstrengthenbusinessinsteadofweakeningbusiness?Rivalprotectivetariffnationshaveansweredthatquestion.Commonsensehasansweredit.NexttoourneedtomaketheShermanlawmodern,understandableandjust,ourgreatestfiscalneedisagenuine,permanent,non–partisantariffcommission.

Fiveyearsago,whenthefightforthisgreatbusinessmeasurewasbegunintheSenatethebossesofbothpartieswereagainstit.So,whenthelastrevisionofthetariffwasonandatariffcommissionmighthavebeenwrittenintothetarifflaw,theadministrationwouldnotaidthisreform.Whentwoyearslatertheadministrationsupporteditweakly,thebi–partisanbosssystemkilledit.Therehasnotbeenandwillnotbeanysincereandhonesteffortbytheoldpartiestogetatariffcommission.Therehasnotbeenandwillnotbeanysincereandhonestpurposebythosepartiestotakethetariffoutofpolitics.

Forthetariffinpoliticsistheexcuseforthoseshampoliticalbattleswhichgivethespoilerstheiropportunity.Thetariffinpoliticsisoneoftheinvisiblegovernment’smethodsofwringingtributefromthepeople.Throughthetariffinpoliticsthebeneficiariesoftariffexcessesarecaredfor,nomatterwhichpartyis“revising.”

WhohasforgottenthetariffscandalsthatmadePresidentClevelanddenouncetheWilson–Gormanbillas“aperfidyandadishonor?”WhoevercanforgetthebrazenrobberiesforcedintothePayne–AldrichbillwhichMr.Taftdefendedas“thebestevermade?”Ifeveryoneelseforgetsthesethingstheintereststhatprofitedbythemneverwillforgetthem.Thebossesandlobbyiststhatgrewrichbyputtingthemthroughneverwillforgetthem.Thatiswhytheinvisiblegovernmentanditsagentswanttokeeptheoldmethodoftariffbuilding.For,thoughsuchtariff“revisions”maymakeleanyearsforthepeople,theymakefatyearsforthepowersofpillageandtheiragents.

Soneitheroftheoldpartiescanhonestlycarryoutanytariffpolicieswhichtheypledgethepeopletocarryout.Buteveniftheycouldandeveniftheyweresincere,theoldpartyplatformsareinerrorontariffpolicy.TheDemocraticplatformdeclaresforfreetrade;butfreetradeiswrongandruinous.TheRepublicanplatformpermitsextortion;buttariff

extortionisrobberybylaw.TheProgressivepartyisforhonestprotection;andhonestprotectionisrightandaconditionofAmericanprosperity.

AtariffhighenoughtogiveAmericanproducerstheAmericanmarketwhentheymakehonestgoodsandsellthemathonestpricesbutlowenoughthatwhentheyselldishonestgoodsatdishonestprices,foreigncompetitioncancorrectbothevils;atariffhighenoughtoenableAmericanproducerstopayourworkingmenAmericanwagesandsoarrangedthattheworkingmenwillgetsuchwages;abusinesstariffwhosechangeswillbesomadeastoreassurebusinessinsteadofdisturbingit—thisisthetariffandthemethodofitsmakinginwhichtheProgressivepartybelieves,forwhichitdoesbattleandwhichitproposestowriteintothelawsoftheland.

ThePayne–Aldrichtarifflawmustberevisedimmediatelyinaccordancetotheseprinciples.Atthesametimeagenuine,permanent,non–partisantariffcommissionmustbefixedinthelawasfirmlyastheInterstateCommerceCommission.Neitheroftheoldpartiescandothiswork.Forneitheroftheoldpartiesbelievesinsuchatariff;and,whatismoreserious,specialprivilegeistoothoroughlywovenintothefiberofbotholdpartiestoallowthemtomakesuchatariff.TheProgressivepartyonlyisfreefromtheseinfluences.TheProgressivepartyonlybelievesinthesincereenactmentofasoundtariffpolicy.TheProgressivepartyonlycanchangethetariffasitmustbechanged.

ThesearesamplesofthereformsinthelawsofbusinessthatweintendtoputontheNation’sstatutebooks.Butthereareotherquestionsasimportantandpressingthatwemeantoanswerbysoundandhumanelaws.Childlaborinfactories,mills,minesandsweat–shopsmustbeendedthroughouttheRepublic.Suchlaborisacrimeagainstchildhoodbecauseitpreventsthegrowthofnormalmanhoodandwomanhood.ItisacrimeagainsttheNationbecauseitpreventsthegrowthofahostofchildrenintostrong,patrioticandintelligentcitizens.

OnlytheNationcanstopthisindustrialvice.TheStatescannotstopit.TheStatesneverstoppedanynationalwrong—andchildlaborisanationalwrong.ToleaveittotheStatealoneisunjusttobusiness;forifsomeStatesstopitandotherStatesdonot,businessmenoftheformerareatadisadvantagewiththebusinessmenofthelatter,becausetheymustsellinthesamemarketgoodsmadebymanhoodlaboratmanhoodwagesincompetitionwithgoodsmadebychildhoodlaboratchildhoodwages.ToleaveittotheStatesisunjusttomanhoodlabor;forchildhoodlaborinanyStatelowersmanhoodlaborineveryState,becausetheproductofchildhoodlaborinanyStatecompeteswiththeproductofmanhoodlaborineveryState.ChildrenworkersattheloomsinSouthCarolinameansbayonetsatthebreastsofmenandwomenworkersinMassachusettswhostrikeforlivingwages.LettheStatesdowhattheycan,andmorepowertotheirarm;butlettheNationdowhatitshouldandcleanseourflagfromthisstain.

Modernindustrialismhaschangedthestatusofwomen.Womennowarewageearnersinfactories,storesandotherplacesoftoil.Inhoursoflaborandallthephysicalconditionsofindustrialefforttheymustcompetewithmen.Andtheymustdoitatlowerwagesthanmenreceive—wageswhich,inmostcases,arenotenoughforthesewomenworkerstoliveon.

Thisisinhumanandindecent.Itisunsocialanduneconomic.Itisimmoraland

unpatriotic.TowardwomentheProgressivepartyproclaimsthechivalryoftheState.Weproposetoprotectwomenwage–earnersbysuitablelaws,anexampleofwhichistheminimumwageforwomenworkers—awagewhichshallbehighenoughtoatleastbuyclothing,foodandshelterforthewomantoiler.

Thecareoftheagedisoneofthemostperplexingproblemsofmodernlife.Howistheworkingmanwithlessthanfivehundreddollarsayear,andwithearningpowerwaningashisownyearsadvance,toprovideforagedparentsorotherrelativesinadditiontofurnishingfood,shelterandclothingforhiswifeandchildren?Whatistobecomeofthefamilyofthelaboringmanwhosestrengthhasbeensappedbyexcessivetoilandwhohasbeenthrownupontheindustrialscrapheap?Itisquestionslikethesewemustanswerifwearetojustifyfreeinstitutions.Theyarequestionstowhichthemassesofpeoplearechainedastoabodyofdeath.Andtheyarequestionswhichotherandpoorernationsareanswering.

WeprogressivesmeanthatAmericashallanswerthem.TheProgressivepartyisthehelpinghandtothosewhomaviciousindustrialismhasmaimedandcrippled.Wearefortheconservationofournaturalresources;butevenmorewearefortheconservationofhumanlife.Ourforests,waterpowerandmineralsarevaluableandmustbesavedfromthespoilers;butmen,womenandchildrenaremorevaluableandthey,too,mustbesavedfromthespoilers.

Becausewomen,asmuchasmen,areapartofoureconomicandsociallife,women,asmuchasmen,shouldhavethevotingpowertosolvealleconomicandsocialproblems.Votesforwomenaretheirsasamatterofnaturalrightalone;votesforwomenshouldbetheirsasamatterofpoliticalwisdomalso.Aswage–earners,theyshouldhelptosolvethelaborproblem;aspropertyownerstheyshouldhelptosolvethetaxproblem;aswivesandmotherstheyshouldhelptosolvealltheproblemsthatconcernthehome.Andthatmeansallnationalproblems;fortheNationabidesatthefireside.

IfitissaidthatwomencannothelpdefendtheNationintimeofwarandthereforethattheyshouldnothelptodeterminetheNation’sdestiniesintimeofpeace,theansweristhatwomensufferandserveintimeofconflictasmuchasmenwhocarrymuskets.AndthedeeperansweristhatthosewhobeartheNation’ssoldiersareasmuchtheNation’sdefendersastheirsons.

Publicspokesmenfortheinvisiblegovernmentsaythatmanyofourreformsareunconstitutional.ThesamekindofmensaidthesamethingofeveryefforttheNationhasmadetoendnationalabuses.Butineverycase,whetherinthecourts,attheballotbox,oronthebattlefield,thevitalityoftheConstitutionwasvindicated.

TheProgressivepartybelievesthattheConstitutionisalivingthing,growingwiththepeople’sgrowth,strengtheningwiththepeople’sstrength,aidingthepeopleintheirstruggleforlife,libertyandthepursuitofhappiness,permittingthepeopletomeetalltheirneedsasconditionschange.TheoppositionbelievesthattheConstitutionisadeadform,holdingbackthepeople’sgrowth,shacklingthepeople’sstrengthbutgivingafreehandtomalignpowersthatpreyuponthepeople.ThefirstwordsoftheConstitutionare“Wethepeople,”andtheydeclarethattheConstitution’spurposeis“toformaperfectUnionandtopromotethegeneralwelfare.”Todojustthatistheveryheartofthe

progressivecause.

TheProgressivepartyassertsanewthevitalityoftheConstitution.Webelieveinthetruedoctrineofstates’rights,whichforbidstheNationfrominterferingwithstates’affairs,andalsoforbidsthestatesfrominterferingwithnationalaffairs.ThecombinedintelligenceandcompositeconscienceoftheAmericanpeopleisasirresistibleasitisrighteous;andtheConstitutiondoesnotpreventthatforcefromworkingoutthegeneralwelfare.

FromcertainsourceswehearpreachmentsaboutthedangerofourreformstoAmericaninstitutions.WhatisthepurposeofAmericaninstitutions?WhywasthisRepublicestablished?Whatdoestheflagstandfor?Whatdothesethingsmean?

Theymeanthatthepeopleshallbefreetocorrecthumanabuses.

Theymeanthatmen,womenandchildrenshallnotbedeniedtheopportunitytogrowstrongerandnobler.

Theymeanthatthepeopleshallhavethepowertomakeourlandeachdayabetterplacetolivein.

Theymeantherealitiesoflibertyandnottheacademicsoftheory.

Theymeantheactualprogressoftheraceintangibleitemsofdailylivingandnotthetheoreticsofbarrendisputation.

Iftheydonotmeanthesethingstheyareassoundingbrassandtinklingcymbals.

ANationofstrong,uprightmenandwomen;aNationofwholesomehomes,realizingthebestideals;aNationwhosepowerisglorifiedbyitsjusticeandwhosejusticeistheconscienceofscoresofmillionsofGod–fearingpeople—thatistheNationthepeopleneedandwant.AndthatistheNationtheyshallhave.

ForneverdoubtthatweAmericanswillmakegoodtherealmeaningofourinstitutions.Neverdoubtthatwewillsolve,inrighteousnessandwisdom,everyvexingproblem.Neverdoubtthatintheend,thehandfromabovethatleadsusupwardwillprevailoverthehandfrombelowthatdragsusdownward.NeverdoubtthatweareindeedaNationwhoseGodistheLord.

And,so,neverdoubtthatabraver,fairer,cleanerAmericasurelywillcome;thatabetterandbrighterlifeforallbeneaththeflagsurelywillbeachieved.Thosewhonowscoffsoonwillpray.Thosewhonowdoubtsoonwillbelieve.

Soonthenightwillpass;andwhen,totheSentinelontherampartsofLibertytheanxiousask:“Watchman,whatofthenight?”hisanswerwillbe“Lo,themornappeareth.”

Knowingthepricewemustpay,thesacrificewemustmake,theburdenswemustcarry,theassaultswemustendure—knowingfullwellthecost—yetweenlist,andweenlistforthewar.Forweknowthejusticeofourcause,andweknow,too,itscertaintriumph.

Notreluctantlythen,buteagerly,notwithfaintheartsbutstrong,dowenowadvanceupontheenemiesofthepeople.Forthecallthatcomestousisthecallthatcametoourfathers.Astheyrespondedsoshallwe.

“Hehathsoundedforthatrumpetthatshallnevercallretreat,

HeissiftingouttheheartsofmenbeforeHisjudgmentseat.Oh,beswiftoursoulstoanswerHim,bejubilantourfeet,OurGodismarchingon.”

RUSSELLCONWELL

ACRESOFDIAMONDS[40]

Iamastonishedthatsomanypeopleshouldcaretohearthisstoryoveragain.Indeed,thislecturehasbecomeastudyinpsychology;itoftenbreaksallrulesoforatory,departsfromthepreceptsofrhetoric,andyetremainsthemostpopularofanylectureIhavedeliveredintheforty–fouryearsofmypubliclife.Ihavesometimesstudiedforayearuponalectureandmadecarefulresearch,andthenpresentedthelecturejustonce—neverdelivereditagain.Iputtoomuchworkonit.Butthishadnoworkonit—throwntogetherperfectlyatrandom,spokenoffhandwithoutanyspecialpreparation,anditsucceedswhenthethingwestudy,workover,adjusttoaplan,isanentirefailure.

The“AcresofDiamonds”whichIhavementionedthroughsomanyyearsaretobefoundinPhiladelphia,andyouaretofindthem.Manyhavefoundthem.Andwhatmanhasdone,mancando.IcouldnotfindanythingbettertoillustratemythoughtthanastoryIhavetoldoverandoveragain,andwhichisnowfoundinbooksinnearlyeverylibrary.

In1870wewentdowntheTigrisRiver.WehiredaguideatBagdadtoshowusPersepolis,NinevehandBabylon,andtheancientcountriesofAssyriaasfarastheArabianGulf.Hewaswellacquaintedwiththeland,buthewasoneofthoseguideswholovetoentertaintheirpatrons;hewaslikeabarberthattellsyoumanystoriesinordertokeepyourmindoffthescratchingandthescraping.HetoldmesomanystoriesthatIgrewtiredofhistellingthemandIrefusedtolisten—lookedawaywheneverhecommenced;thatmadetheguidequiteangry.IrememberthattowardeveninghetookhisTurkishcapoffhisheadandswungitaroundintheair.ThegestureIdidnotunderstandandIdidnotdarelookathimforfearIshouldbecomethevictimofanotherstory.But,althoughIamnotawoman,Ididlook,andtheinstantIturnedmyeyesuponthatworthyguidehewasoffagain.Saidhe,“Iwilltellyouastorynowwhichreserveformyparticularfriends!”Sothen,countingmyselfaparticularfriend,Ilistened,andIhavealwaysbeengladIdid.

HesaidthereoncelivednotfarfromtheRiverIndusanancientPersianbythenameofAlHafed.HesaidthatAlHafedownedaverylargefarmwithorchards,grainfieldsandgardens.Hewasacontentedandwealthyman—contentedbecausehewaswealthy,andwealthybecausehewascontented.OnedaytherevisitedthisoldfarmeroneofthoseancientBuddhistpriests,andhesatdownbyAlHafed’sfireandtoldthatoldfarmerhowthisworldofourswasmade.Hesaidthatthisworldwasonceamerebankoffog,whichisscientificallytrue,andhesaidthattheAlmightythrusthisfingerintothebankoffogandthenbeganslowlytomovehisfingeraroundandgraduallytoincreasethespeedofhisfingeruntilatlasthewhirledthatbankoffogintoasolidballoffire,anditwentrollingthroughtheuniverse,burningitswaythroughothercosmicbanksoffog,untilitcondensedthemoisturewithout,andfellinfloodsofrainupontheheatedsurfaceandcooledtheoutwardcrust.Thentheinternalflamesburstthroughthecoolingcrustandthrewupthemountainsandmadethehillsofthevalleyofthiswonderfulworldofours.Ifthisinternalmeltedmassburstoutandcopiedveryquicklyitbecamegranite;thatwhich

cooledlessquicklybecamesilver;andlessquickly,gold;andaftergolddiamondsweremade.Saidtheoldpriest,“Adiamondisacongealeddropofsunlight.”

Thisisascientifictruthalso.Youallknowthatadiamondispurecarbon,actuallydepositedsunlight—andhesaidanotherthingIwouldnotforget:hedeclaredthatadiamondisthelastandhighestofGod’smineralcreations,asawomanisthelastandhighestofGod’sanimalcreations.Isupposethatisthereasonwhythetwohavesuchalikingforeachother.AndtheoldpriesttoldAlHafedthatifhehadahandfulofdiamondshecouldpurchaseawholecountry,andwithamineofdiamondshecouldplacehischildrenuponthronesthroughtheinfluenceoftheirgreatwealth.AlHafedheardallaboutdiamondsandhowmuchtheywereworth,andwenttohisbedthatnightapoorman—notthathehadlostanything,butpoorbecausehewasdiscontentedanddiscontentedbecausehethoughthewaspoor.Hesaid:“Iwantamineofdiamonds!”Sohelayawakeallnight,andearlyinthemorningsoughtoutthepriest.NowIknowfromexperiencethatapriestwhenawakenedearlyinthemorningiscross.Heawokethatpriestoutofhisdreamsandsaidtohim,“WillyoutellmewhereIcanfinddiamonds?”Thepriestsaid,“Diamonds?Whatdoyouwantwithdiamonds?”“Iwanttobeimmenselyrich,”saidAlHafed,“butIdon’tknowwheretogo.”“Well,”saidthepriest,“ifyouwillfindariverthatrunsoverwhitesandbetweenhighmountains,inthosesandsyouwillalwaysseediamonds.”“Doyoureallybelievethatthereissuchariver?”“Plentyofthem,plentyofthem;allyouhavetodoisjustgoandfindthem,thenyouhavethem.”AlHafedsaid,“Iwillgo.”Sohesoldhisfarm,collectedhismoneyatinterest,lefthisfamilyinchargeofaneighbor,andawayhewentinsearchofdiamonds.Hebeganveryproperly,tomymind,attheMountainsoftheMoon.AfterwardshewentaroundintoPalestine,thenwanderedonintoEurope,andatlastwhenhismoneywasallspent,andhewasinrags,wretchednessandpoverty,hestoodontheshoreofthatbayinBarcelona,Spain,whenatidalwavecamerollingthroughthePillarsofHerculesandthepoorafflicted,sufferingmancouldnotresisttheawfultemptationtocasthimselfintothatincomingtide,andhesankbeneathitsfoamingcrest,nevertoriseinthislifeagain.

Whenthatoldguidehadtoldmethatverysadstory,hestoppedthecamelIwasridingandwentbacktofixthebaggageononeoftheothercamels,andIrememberthinkingtomyself,“Whydidhereservethatforhisparticularfriends?”Thereseemedtobenobeginning,middleorend—nothingtoit.ThatwasthefirststoryIeverheardtoldorreadinwhichtheherowaskilledinthefirstchapter.Ihadbutonechapterofthatstoryandtheherowasdead.Whentheguidecamebackandtookupthehalterofmycamelagain,hewentrightonwiththesamestory.HesaidthatAlHafed’ssuccessorledhiscameloutintothegardentodrink,andasthatcamelputitsnosedownintotheclearwaterofthegardenbrookAlHafed’ssuccessornoticedacuriousflashoflightfromthesandsoftheshallowstream,andreachinginhepulledoutablackstonehavinganeyeoflightthatreflectedallthecolorsoftherainbow,andhetookthatcuriouspebbleintothehouseandleftitonthemantel,thenwentonhiswayandforgotallaboutit.Afewdaysafterthat,thissameoldpriestwhotoldAlHafedhowdiamondsweremade,cameintovisithissuccessor,whenhesawthatflashoflightfromthemantel.Herushedupandsaid,“Hereisadiamond—hereisadiamond!HasAlHafedreturned?”“No,no;AlHafedhasnotreturnedandthatisnotadiamond;thatisnothingbutastone;wefounditrightouthereinourgarden.”“ButIknowadiamondwhenIseeit,”saidhe;“thatisadiamond!”

Thentogethertheyrushedtothegardenandstirredupthewhitesandswiththeirfingersandfoundothersmorebeautiful,morevaluablediamondsthanthefirst,andthus,saidtheguidetome,werediscoveredthediamondminesofGolconda,themostmagnificentdiamondminesinallthehistoryofmankind,exceedingtheKimberleyinitsvalue.ThegreatKohinoordiamondinEngland’scrownjewelsandthelargestcrowndiamondonearthinRussia’scrownjewels,whichIhadoftenhopedshewouldhavetosellbeforetheyhadpeacewithJapan,camefromthatmine,andwhentheoldguidehadcalledmyattentiontothatwonderfuldiscoveryhetookhisTurkishcapoffhisheadagainandswungitaroundintheairtocallmyattentiontothemoral.ThoseArabguideshaveamoraltoeachstory,thoughthestoriesarenotalwaysmoral.Hesaid,hadAlHafedremainedathomeandduginhisowncellarorinhisowngarden,insteadofwretchedness,starvation,povertyanddeathinastrangeland,hewouldhavehad“acresofdiamonds”—foreveryacre,yes,everyshovelfulofthatoldfarmafterwardsrevealedthegemswhichsincehavedecoratedthecrownsofmonarchs.Whenhehadgiventhemoraltohisstory,Isawwhyhehadreservedthisstoryforhis“particularfriends.”Ididn’ttellhimIcouldseeit;IwasnotgoingtotellthatoldArabthatIcouldseeit.ForitwasthatmeanoldArab’swayofgoingaroundathing,likealawyer,andsayingindirectlywhathedidnotdaresaydirectly,thattherewasacertainyoungmanthatdaytravelingdowntheTigrisRiverthatmightbetterbeathomeinAmerica.Ididn’ttellhimIcouldseeit.

Itoldhimhisstoryremindedmeofone,andItoldittohimquick.ItoldhimaboutthatmanoutinCalifornia,who,in1847,ownedaranchoutthere.HereadthatgoldhadbeendiscoveredinSouthernCalifornia,andhesoldhisranchtoColonelSutterandstartedofftohuntforgold.ColonelSutterputamillonthelittlestreaminthatfarmandonedayhislittlegirlbroughtsomewetsandfromtheracewayofthemillintothehouseandplaceditbeforethefiretodry,andasthatsandwasfallingthroughthelittlegirl’sfingersavisitorsawthefirstshiningscalesofrealgoldthatwereeverdiscoveredinCalifornia;andthemanwhowantedthegoldhadsoldthisranchandgoneaway,nevertoreturn.IdeliveredthislecturetwoyearsagoinCalifornia,inthecitythatstandsnearthatfarm,andtheytoldmethatthemineisnotexhaustedyet,andthataone–thirdownerofthatfarmhasbeengettingduringtheserecentyearstwentydollarsofgoldeveryfifteenminutesofhislife,sleepingorwaking.Why,youandIwouldenjoyanincomelikethat!

ButthebestillustrationthatIhavenowofthisthoughtwasfoundhereinPennsylvania.TherewasamanlivinginPennsylvaniawhoownedafarmhereandhedidwhatIshoulddoifIhadafarminPennsylvania—hesoldit.ButbeforehesolditheconcludedtosecureemploymentcollectingcoaloilforhiscousininCanada.Theyfirstdiscoveredcoaloilthere.SothisfarmerinPennsylvaniadecidedthathewouldapplyforapositionwithhiscousininCanada.Now,yousee,thisfarmerwasnotaltogetherafoolishman.Hedidnotleavehisfarmuntilhehadsomethingelsetodo.Ofallthesimpletonsthestarsshineonthereisnonemorefoolishthanamanwholeavesonejobbeforehehasobtainedanother.Andthathasespecialreferencetogentlemenofmyprofession,andhasnoreferencetoamanseekingadivorce.SoIsaythisoldfarmerdidnotleaveonejobuntilhehadobtainedanother.HewrotetoCanada,buthiscousinrepliedthathecouldnotengagehimbecausehedidnotknowanythingabouttheoilbusiness.“Well,then,”saidhe,“Iwillunderstandit.”Sohesethimselfatthestudyofthewholesubject.Hebeganattheseconddayofthecreation,hestudiedthesubjectfromtheprimitivevegetationtothecoaloilstage,untilhe

knewallaboutit.Thenhewrotetohiscousinandsaid,“NowIunderstandtheoilbusiness.”Andhiscousinrepliedtohim,“Allright,then,comeon.”

Thatman,bytherecordofthecounty,soldhisfarmforeighthundredandthirty–threedollars—evenmoney,“nocents.”Hehadscarcelygonefromthatfarmbeforethemanwhopurchaseditwentouttoarrangeforthewateringthecattleandhefoundthatthepreviousownerhadarrangedthematterverynicely.Thereisastreamrunningdownthehillsidethere,andthepreviousownerhadgoneoutandputaplankacrossthatstreamatanangle,extendingacrossthebrookanddownedgewiseafewinchesunderthesurfaceofthewater.Thepurposeoftheplankacrossthatbrookwastothrowovertotheotherbankadreadful–lookingscumthroughwhichthecattlewouldnotputtheirnosestodrinkabovetheplank,althoughtheywoulddrinkthewaterononesidebelowit.ThusthatmanwhohadgonetoCanadahadbeenhimselfdammingbackfortwenty–threeyearsaflowofcoaloilwhichtheStateGeologistofPennsylvaniadeclaredofficially,asearlyas1870,wasthenworthtoourStateahundredmillionsofdollars.ThecityofTitusvillenowstandsonthatfarmandthosePleasantvillewellsflowon,andthatfarmerwhohadstudiedallabouttheformationofoilsincetheseconddayofGod’screationcleardowntothepresenttime,soldthatfarmfor$833,nocents—againIsay,“nosense.”

ButIneedanotherillustration,andIfoundthatinMassachusetts,andIamsorryIdid,becausethatismyoldState.ThisyoungmanImentionwentoutoftheStatetostudy—wentdowntoYaleCollegeandstudiedMinesandMining.Theypaidhimfifteendollarsaweekduringhislastyearfortrainingstudentswhowerebehindtheirclassesinmineralogy,outofhours,ofcourse,whilepursuinghisownstudies.Butwhenhegraduatedtheyraisedhispayfromfifteendollarstoforty–fivedollarsandofferedhimaprofessorship.Thenhewentstraighthometohismotherandsaid,“Mother,Iwon’tworkforforty–fivedollarsaweek.Whatisforty–fivedollarsaweekforamanwithabrainlikemine!Mother,let’sgoouttoCaliforniaandstakeoutgoldclaimsandbeimmenselyrich.”“Now,”saidhismother,“itisjustaswelltobehappyasitistoberich.”

Butashewastheonlysonhehadhisway—theyalwaysdo;andtheysoldoutinMassachusettsandwenttoWisconsin,wherehewentintotheemployoftheSuperiorCopperMiningCompany,andhewaslostfromsightintheemployofthatcompanyatfifteendollarsaweekagain.Hewasalsotohaveaninterestinanyminesthatheshoulddiscoverforthatcompany.ButIdonotbelievethathehaseverdiscoveredamine—Idonotknowanythingaboutit,butIdonotbelievehehas.Iknowhehadscarcelygonefromtheoldhomesteadbeforethefarmerwhohadboughtthehomesteadwentouttodigpotatoes,andashewasbringingthemininalargebasketthroughthefrontgateway,theendsofthestonewallcamesoneartogetheratthegatethatthebaskethuggedverytight.Sohesetthebasketonthegroundandpulled,firstononesideandthenontheotherside.OurfarmsinMassachusettsaremostlystonewalls,andthefarmershavetobeeconomicalwiththeirgatewaysinordertohavesomeplacetoputthestones.Thatbaskethuggedsotighttherethatashewashaulingitthroughhenoticedintheupperstonenextthegateablockofnativesilver,eightinchessquare;andthisprofessorofminesandminingandmineralogy,whowouldnotworkforforty–fivedollarsaweek,whenhesoldthathomesteadinMassachusetts,satrightonthatstonetomakethebargain.Hewasbroughtupthere;hehadgonebackandforthbythatpieceofsilver,rubbeditwithhissleeve,anditseemedtosay,“Comenow,now,now,hereisahundredthousanddollars.Whynottake

me?”Buthewouldnottakeit.TherewasnosilverinNewburyport;itwasallawayoff—well,Idon’tknowwhere;hedidn’t,butsomewhereelse—andhewasaprofessorofmineralogy.

IdonotknowofanythingIwouldenjoybetterthantotakethewholetimeto–nighttellingofblunderslikethatIhaveheardprofessorsmake.YetIwishIknewwhatthatmanisdoingoutthereinWisconsin.Icanimaginehimoutthere,ashesitsbyhisfireside,andheissayingtohisfriends,“DoyouknowthatmanConwellthatlivesinPhiladelphia?”“Oh,yes,Ihaveheardofhim.”“AnddoyouknowthatmanJonesthatlivesinthatcity?”“Yes,Ihaveheardofhim.”Andthenhebeginstolaughandlaughandsaystohisfriends,“TheyhavedonethesamethingIdid,precisely.”Andthatspoilsthewholejoke,becauseyouandIhavedoneit.

Ninetyoutofeveryhundredpeopleherehavemadethatmistakethisveryday.Isayyououghttoberich;youhavenorighttobepoor.ToliveinPhiladelphiaandnotberichisamisfortune,anditisdoublyamisfortune,becauseyoucouldhavebeenrichjustaswellasbepoor.Philadelphiafurnishessomanyopportunities.Yououghttoberich.Butpersonswithcertainreligiousprejudicewillask,“Howcanyouspendyourtimeadvisingtherisinggenerationtogivetheirtimetogettingmoney—dollarsandcents—thecommercialspirit?”

YetImustsaythatyououghttospendtimegettingrich.YouandIknowtherearesomethingsmorevaluablethanmoney;ofcourse,wedo.Ah,yes!Byaheartmadeunspeakablysadbyagraveonwhichtheautumnleavesnowfall,Iknowtherearesomethingshigherandgranderandsublimerthanmoney.Welldoesthemanknow,whohassuffered,thattherearesomethingssweeterandholierandmoresacredthangold.Nevertheless,themanofcommonsensealsoknowsthatthereisnotanyoneofthosethingsthatisnotgreatlyenhancedbytheuseofmoney.Moneyispower.LoveisthegrandestthingonGod’searth,butfortunatetheloverwhohasplentyofmoney.Moneyispower;moneyhaspowers;andforamantosay,“Idonotwantmoney,”istosay,“Idonotwishtodoanygoodtomyfellowmen.”Itisabsurdthustotalk.Itisabsurdtodisconnectthem.Thisisawonderfullygreatlife,andyououghttospendyourtimegettingmoney,becauseofthepowerthereisinmoney.AndyetthisreligiousprejudiceissogreatthatsomepeoplethinkitisagreathonortobeoneofGod’spoor.Iamlookinginthefacesofpeoplewhothinkjustthatway.IheardamanoncesayinaprayermeetingthathewasthankfulthathewasoneofGod’spoor,andthenIsilentlywonderedwhathiswifewouldsaytothatspeech,asshetookinwashingtosupportthemanwhilehesatandsmokedontheveranda.Idon’twanttoseeanymoreofthatlandofGod’spoor.Now,whenamancouldhavebeenrichjustaswell,andheisnowweakbecauseheispoor,hehasdonesomegreatwrong;hehasbeenuntruthfultohimself;hehasbeenunkindtohisfellowmen.WeoughttogetrichifwecanbyhonorableandChristianmethods,andthesearetheonlymethodsthatsweepusquicklytowardthegoalofriches.

Iremember,notmanyyearsagoayoungtheologicalstudentwhocameintomyofficeandsaidtomethathethoughtitwashisdutytocomeinand“laborwithme.”Iaskedhimwhathadhappened,andhesaid:“Ifeelitismydutytocomeinandspeaktoyou,sir,andsaythattheHolyScripturesdeclarethatmoneyistherootofallevil.”Iaskedhimwherehefoundthatsaying,andhesaidhefounditintheBible.Iaskedhimwhetherhehad

madeanewBible,andhesaid,no,hehadnotgottenanewBible,thatitwasintheoldBible.“Well,”Isaid,“ifitisinmyBible,Ineversawit.Willyoupleasegetthetext–bookandletmeseeit?”HelefttheroomandsooncamestalkinginwithhisBibleopen,withallthebigotedprideofthenarrowsectarian,whofoundshiscreedonsomemisinterpretationofScripture,andheputtheBibledownonthetablebeforemeandfairlysquealedintomyear,“Thereitis.Youcanreaditforyourself.”Isaidtohim,“Youngman,youwilllearn,whenyougetalittleolder,thatyoucannottrustanotherdenominationtoreadtheBibleforyou.”Isaid,“Now,youbelongtoanotherdenomination.Pleasereadittome,andrememberthatyouaretaughtinaschoolwhereemphasisisexegesis.”SohetooktheBibleandreadit:“Theloveofmoneyistherootofallevil.”Thenhehaditright.TheGreatBookhascomebackintotheesteemandloveofthepeople,andintotherespectofthegreatestmindsofearth,andnowyoucanquoteitandrestyourlifeandyourdeathonitwithoutmorefear.So,whenhequotedrightfromtheScriptureshequotedthetruth.“Theloveofmoneyistherootofallevil.”Oh,thatisit.Itistheworshipofthemeansinsteadoftheend,thoughyoucannotreachtheendwithoutthemeans.Whenamanmakesanidolofthemoneyinsteadofthepurposesforwhichitmaybeused,whenhesqueezesthedollaruntiltheeaglesqueals,thenitismadetherootofallevil.Think,ifyouonlyhadthemoney,whatyoucoulddoforyourwife,yourchild,andforyourhomeandyourcity.ThinkhowsoonyoucouldendowtheTempleCollegeyonderifyouonlyhadthemoneyandthedispositiontogiveit;andyet,myfriend,peoplesayyouandIshouldnotspendthetimegettingrich.Howinconsistentthewholethingis.Weoughttoberich,becausemoneyhaspower.Ithinkthebestthingformetodoistoillustratethis,forifIsayyououghttogetrich,Iought,atleast,tosuggesthowitisdone.Wegetaprejudiceagainstrichmenbecauseoftheliesthataretoldaboutthem.TheliesthataretoldaboutMr.Rockefellerbecausehehastwohundredmilliondollars—somanybelievethem;yethowfalseistherepresentationofthatmantotheworld.Howlittlewecantellwhatistruenowadayswhennewspaperstrytoselltheirpapersentirelyonsomesensation!Thewaytheylieabouttherichmenissomethingterrible,andIdonotknowthatthereisanythingtoillustratethisbetterthanwhatthenewspapersnowsayaboutthecityofPhiladelphia.Ayoungmancametometheotherdayandsaid,“IfMr.Rockefeller,asyouthink,isagoodman,whyisitthateverybodysayssomuchagainsthim?”Itisbecausehehasgottenaheadofus;thatisthewholeofit—justgottenaheadofus.WhyisitMr.Carnegieiscriticisedsosharplybyanenviousworld?Becausehehasgottenmorethanwehave.IfamanknowsmorethanIknow,don’tIinclinetocriticisesomewhathislearning?Letamanstandinapulpitandpreachtothousands,andifIhavefifteenpeopleinmychurch,andthey’reallasleep,don’tIcriticisehim?Wealwaysdothattothemanwhogetsaheadofus.Why,themanyouarecriticisinghasonehundredmillions,andyouhavefiftycents,andbothofyouhavejustwhatyouareworth.Oneoftherichestmeninthiscountrycameintomyhomeandsatdowninmyparlorandsaid:“Didyouseeallthoseliesaboutmyfamilyinthepaper?”“CertainlyIdid;IknewtheywerelieswhenIsawthem.”“Whydotheylieaboutmethewaytheydo?”“Well,”Isaidtohim,“ifyouwillgivemeyourcheckforonehundredmillions,Iwilltakealltheliesalongwithit.”“Well,”saidhe,“Idon’tseeanysenseintheirthustalkingaboutmyfamilyandmyself.Conwell,tellmefrankly,whatdoyouthinktheAmericanpeoplethinkofme?”“Well,”saidI,“theythinkyouaretheblackest–heartedvillainthatevertrodthesoil!”“ButwhatcanIdoaboutit?”Thereisnothinghecandoaboutit,andyetheisoneofthesweetest

ChristianmenIeverknew.Ifyougetahundredmillionsyouwillhavethelies;youwillbeliedabout,andyoucanjudgeyoursuccessinanylinebytheliesthataretoldaboutyou.Isaythatyououghttoberich.Butthereareevercomingtomeyoungmenwhosay,“Iwouldliketogointobusiness,butIcannot.”“Whynot?”“BecauseIhavenocapitaltobeginon.”Capital,capitaltobeginon!What!youngman!LivinginPhiladelphiaandlookingatthiswealthygeneration,allofwhombeganaspoorboys,andyouwantcapitaltobeginon?Itisfortunateforyouthatyouhavenocapital.Iamgladyouhavenomoney.Ipityarichman’sson.Arichman’ssoninthesedaysofoursoccupiesaverydifficultposition.Theyaretobepitied.Arichman’ssoncannotknowtheverybestthingsinhumanlife.Hecannot.ThestatisticsofMassachusettsshowusthatnotoneoutofseventeenrichmen’ssonseverdierich.Theyareraisedinluxury,theydieinpoverty.Evenifarichman’ssonretainshisfather’smoneyeventhenhecannotknowthebestthingsoflife.

AyoungmaninourcollegeyonderaskedmetoformulateforhimwhatIthoughtwasthehappiesthourinaman’shistory,andIstudieditlongandcamebackconvincedthatthehappiesthourthatanymaneverseesinanyearthlymatteriswhenayoungmantakeshisbrideoverthethresholdofthedoor,forthefirsttime,ofthehousehehimselfhasearnedandbuilt,whenheturnstohisbrideandwithaneloquencegreaterthananylanguageofmine,hesayethtohiswife,“Mylovedone,Iearnedthishomemyself;Iearneditall.Itisallmine,andIdivideitwiththee.”Thatisthegrandestmomentahumanheartmayeversee.Butarichman’ssoncannotknowthat.Hegoesintoafinermansion,itmaybe,butheisobligedtogothroughthehouseandsay,“Mothergavemethis,mothergavemethat,mymothergavemethat,mymothergavemethat,”untilhiswifewishesshehadmarriedhismother.Oh,Ipityarichman’sson.Ido.Untilhegetssofaralonginhisdudeismthathegetshisarmsuplikethatandcan’tgetthemdown.Didn’tyoueverseeanyofthemastrayatAtlanticCity?IsawoneofthesescarecrowsonceandInevertirethinkingaboutit.IwasatNiagaraFallslecturing,andafterthelectureIwenttothehotel,andwhenIwentuptothedesktherestoodthereamillionaire’ssonfromNewYork.Hewasanindescribablespecimenofanthropologicpotency.Hecarriedagold–headedcaneunderhisarm—moreinitsheadthanhehadinhis.IdonotbelieveIcoulddescribetheyoungmanifIshouldtry.ButstillImustsaythatheworeaneye–glasshecouldnotseethrough;patentleathershoeshecouldnotwalkin,andpantshecouldnotsitdownin—dressedlikeagrasshopper!Well,thishumancricketcameuptotheclerk’sdeskjustasIcamein.Headjustedhisunseeingeye–glassinthiswiseandlispedtotheclerk,becauseit’s“Hinglish,youknow,”tolisp:“Thir,thir,willyouhavethekindnesstofuhnishmewiththomepapahandthomeenvelopehs!”Theclerkmeasuredthatmanquick,andhepulledoutadrawerandtooksomeenvelopesandpaperandcastthemacrossthecounterandturnedawaytohisbooks.Youshouldhaveseenthatspecimenofhumanitywhenthepaperandenvelopescameacrossthecounter—hewhosewantshadalwaysbeenanticipatedbyservants.Headjustedhisunseeingeye–glassandheyelledafterthatclerk:“Comebackhere,thir,comerightbackhere.Now,thir,willyouorderathervanttotakethatpapahandthotheenvelopesandcarrythemtoyondahdethk.”Oh,thepoormiserable,contemptibleAmericanmonkey!Hecouldn’tcarrypaperandenvelopestwentyfeet.Isupposehecouldnotgethisarmsdown.Ihavenopityforsuchtravestiesofhumannature.Ifyouhavenocapital,Iamgladofit.Youdon’tneedcapital;youneedcommonsense,notcoppercents.

A.T.Stewart,thegreatprincelymerchantofNewYork,therichestmaninAmericainhistime,wasapoorboy;hehadadollarandahalfandwentintothemercantilebusiness.Buthelosteighty–sevenandahalfcentsofhisfirstdollarandahalfbecauseheboughtsomeneedlesandthreadandbuttonstosell,whichpeopledidn’twant.

Areyoupoor?Itisbecauseyouarenotwantedandareleftonyourownhands.Therewasthegreatlesson.Applyitwhicheverwayyouwillitcomestoeverysingleperson’slife,youngorold.Hedidnotknowwhatpeopleneeded,andconsequentlyboughtsomethingtheydidn’twantandhadthegoodsleftonhishandsadeadloss.A.T.Stewartlearnedtherethegreatlessonofhismercantilelifeandsaid,“IwillneverbuyanythingmoreuntilIfirstlearnwhatthepeoplewant;thenI’llmakethepurchase.”Hewentaroundtothedoorsandaskedthemwhattheydidwant,andwhenhefoundoutwhattheywanted,heinvestedhissixty–twoandahalfcentsandbegantosupply“aknowndemand.”Icarenotwhatyourprofessionoroccupationinlifemaybe;Icarenotwhetheryouarealawyer,adoctor,ahousekeeper,teacherorwhateverelse,theprincipleispreciselythesame.Wemustknowwhattheworldneedsfirstandtheninvestourselvestosupplythatneed,andsuccessisalmostcertain.A.T.Stewartwentonuntilhewasworthfortymillions.“Well,”youwillsay,“amancandothatinNewYork,butcannotdoithereinPhiladelphia.”ThestatisticsverycarefullygatheredinNewYorkin1889showedonehundredandsevenmillionairesinthecityworthovertenmillionsapiece.Itwasremarkableandpeoplethinktheymustgotheretogetrich.OutofthatonehundredandsevenmillionairesonlysevenofthemmadetheirmoneyinNewYork,andtheothersmovedtoNewYorkaftertheirfortunesweremade,andsixty–sevenoutoftheremaininghundredmadetheirfortunesintownsoflessthansixthousandpeople,andtherichestmaninthecountryatthattimelivedinatownofthirty–fivehundredinhabitants,andalwayslivedthereandnevermovedaway.Itisnotsomuchwhereyouareaswhatyouare.Butatthesametimeifthelargenessofthecitycomesintotheproblem,thenrememberitisthesmallercitythatfurnishesthegreatopportunitytomakethemillionsofmoney.ThebestillustrationthatIcangiveisinreferencetoJohnJacobAstor,whowasapoorboyandwhomadeallthemoneyoftheAstorfamily.Hemademorethanhissuccessorshaveeverearned,andyetheonceheldamortgageonamillinerystoreinNewYork,andbecausethepeoplecouldnotmakeenoughmoneytopaytheinterestandtherent,heforeclosedthemortgageandtookpossessionofthestoreandwentintopartnershipwiththemanwhohadfailed.Hekeptthesamestock,didnotgivethemadollarcapital,andheleftthemaloneandwentoutandsatdownuponabenchinthepark.Outthereonthatbenchintheparkhehadthemostimportant,andtomymind,thepleasantestpartofthatpartnershipbusiness.Hewaswatchingtheladiesastheywentby;andwhereisthemanthatwouldn’tgetrichatthatbusiness?ButwhenJohnJacobAstorsawaladypass,withhershouldersbackandherheadup,asifshedidnotcareifthewholeworldlookedonher,hestudiedherbonnet;andbeforethatbonnetwasoutofsightheknewtheshapeoftheframeandthecolorofthetrimmings,thecurlofthe—somethingonabonnet.SometimesItrytodescribeawoman’sbonnet,butitisoflittleuse,foritwouldbeoutofstyleto–morrownight.SoJohnJacobAstorwenttothestoreandsaid:“Now,putintheshowwindowjustsuchabonnetasIdescribetoyoubecause,”saidhe,“Ihavejustseenaladywholikesjustsuchabonnet.DonotmakeupanymoretillIcomeback.”Andhewentoutagainandsatonthatbenchinthepark,andanotherladyofadifferentformandcomplexionpassedhimwithabonnetofdifferentshapeandcolor,ofcourse.“Now,”saidhe,“putsuchabonnetasthatintheshow

window.”Hedidn’tfillhisshowwindowwithhatsandbonnetswhichdrivepeopleawayandthensitinthebackofthestoreandbawlbecausethepeoplegosomewhereelsetotrade.Hedidn’tputahatorbonnetinthatshowwindowthelikeofwhichhehadnotseenbeforeitwasmadeup.

Inourcityespeciallytherearegreatopportunitiesformanufacturing,andthetimehascomewhenthelineisdrawnverysharplybetweenthestockholdersofthefactoryandtheiremployés.Now,friends,therehasalsocomeadiscouraginggloomuponthiscountryandthelaboringmenarebeginningtofeelthattheyarebeinghelddownbyacrustovertheirheadsthroughwhichtheyfinditimpossibletobreak,andthearistocraticmoney–ownerhimselfissofarabovethathewillneverdescendtotheirassistance.Thatisthethoughtthatisinthemindsofourpeople.But,friends,neverinthehistoryofourcountrywasthereanopportunitysogreatforthepoormantogetrichasthereisnowinthecityofPhiladelphia.Theveryfactthattheygetdiscouragediswhatpreventsthemfromgettingrich.Thatisallthereistoit.Theroadisopen,andletuskeepitopenbetweenthepoorandtherich.Iknowthatthelaborunionshavetwogreatproblemstocontendwith,andthereisonlyonewaytosolvethem.Thelaborunionsaredoingasmuchtopreventitssolvingasarethecapitaliststo–day,andtherearepositivelytwosidestoit.Thelaborunionhastwodifficulties;thefirstoneisthatitbegantomakealaborscaleforallclassesonapar,andtheyscaledownamanthatcanearnfivedollarsadaytotwoandahalfaday,inordertoleveluptohimanimbecilethatcannotearnfiftycentsaday.Thatisoneofthemostdangerousanddiscouragingthingsfortheworkingman.Hecannotgettheresultsofhisworkifhedobetterworkorhigherworkorworklonger;thatisadangerousthing,andinordertogeteverylaboringmanfreeandeveryAmericanequaltoeveryotherAmerican,letthelaboringmanaskwhatheisworthandgetit—notletanycapitalistsaytohim:“Youshallworkformeforhalfofwhatyouareworth;”norletanylabororganizationsay:“Youshallworkforthecapitalistforhalfyourworth.”Beaman,beindependent,andthenshallthelaboringmanfindtheroadeveropenfrompovertytowealth.Theotherdifficultythatthelaborunionhastoconsider,andthisproblemtheyhavetosolvethemselves,isthekindoforatorswhocomeandtalktothemabouttheoppressiverich.IcaninmydreamsrecitetheorationIhaveheardagainandagainundersuchcircumstances.Mylifehasbeenwiththelaboringman.Iamalaboringmanmyself.Ihaveoften,intheirassemblies,heardthespeechofthemanwhohasbeeninvitedtoaddressthelaborunion.Themangetsupbeforetheassembledcompanyofhonestlaboringmenandhebeginsbysaying:“Oh,yehonest,industriouslaboringmen,whohavefurnishedallthecapitaloftheworld,whohavebuiltallthepalacesandconstructedalltherailroadsandcoveredtheoceanwithhersteamships.Oh,youlaboringmen!Youarenothingbutslaves;youaregrounddowninthedustbythecapitalistwhoisgloatingoveryouasheenjoyshisbeautifulestatesandashehashisbanksfilledwithgold,andeverydollarheownsiscoinedoutofthehearts’bloodofthehonestlaboringman.”Now,thatisalie,andyouknowitisalie;andyetthatisthekindofspeechthattheyareallthetimehearing,representingthecapitalistsaswickedandthelaboringmensoenslaved.Why,howwrongitis!LetthemanwholoveshisflagandbelievesinAmericanprinciplesendeavorwithallhissoultobringthecapitalistandthelaboringmantogetheruntiltheystandsidebyside,andarminarm,andworkforthecommongoodofhumanity.

Heisanenemytohiscountrywhosetscapitalagainstlabororlaboragainstcapital.

SupposeIweretogodownthroughthisaudienceandaskyoutointroducemetothegreatinventorswholivehereinPhiladelphia.“TheinventorsofPhiladelphia,”youwouldsay,“Whywedon’thaveanyinPhiladelphia.Itistooslowtoinventanything.”Butyoudohavejustasgreatinventors,andtheyarehereinthisaudience,aseverinventedamachine.Buttheprobabilityisthatthegreatestinventortobenefittheworldwithhisdiscoveryissomeperson,perhapssomelady,whothinksshecouldnotinventanything.Didyoueverstudythehistoryofinventionandseehowstrangeitwasthatthemanwhomadethegreatestdiscoverydiditwithoutanypreviousideathathewasaninventor?Whoarethegreatinventors?Theyarepersonswithplain,straightforwardcommonsense,whosawaneedintheworldandimmediatelyappliedthemselvestosupplythatneed.Ifyouwanttoinventanything,don’ttrytofinditinthewheelsinyourheadnorthewheelsinyourmachine,butfirstfindoutwhatthepeopleneed,andthenapplyyourselftothatneed,andthisleadstoinventiononthepartofthepeopleyouwouldnotdreamofbefore.Thegreatinventorsaresimplygreatmen;thegreaterthemanthemoresimpletheman;andthemoresimpleamachine,themorevaluableitis.Didyoueverknowareallygreatman?Hiswaysaresosimple,socommon,soplain,thatyouthinkanyonecoulddowhatheisdoing.Soitiswiththegreatmentheworldover.Ifyouknowareallygreatman,aneighborofyours,youcangorightuptohimandsay,“Howareyou,Jim,goodmorning,Sam.”Ofcourseyoucan,fortheyarealwayssosimple.

WhenIwrotethelifeofGeneralGarfield,oneofhisneighborstookmetohisbackdoor,andshouted,“Jim,Jim,Jim!”andverysoon“Jim”cametothedoorandGeneralGarfieldletmein—oneofthegrandestmenofourcentury.Thegreatmenoftheworldareeverso.IwasdowninVirginiaandwentuptoaneducationalinstitutionandwasdirectedtoamanwhowassettingoutatree.Iapproachedhimandsaid,“DoyouthinkitwouldbepossibleformetoseeGeneralRobertE.Lee,thePresidentoftheUniversity?”Hesaid,“Sir,IamGeneralLee.”Ofcourse,whenyoumeetsuchaman,sonobleamanasthat,youwillfindhimasimple,plainman.Greatnessisalwaysjustsomodestandgreatinventionsaresimple.

Iaskedaclassinschooloncewhowerethegreatinventors,andalittlegirlpoppedupandsaid,“Columbus.”Well,now,shewasnotsofarwrong.ColumbusboughtafarmandhecarriedonthatfarmjustasIcarriedonmyfather’sfarm.Hetookahoeandwentoutandsatdownonarock.ButColumbus,ashesatuponthatshoreandlookedoutupontheocean,noticedthattheships,astheysailedaway,sankdeeperintotheseathefarthertheywent.Andsincethattimesomeother“Spanishships”havesunkintothesea.ButasColumbusnoticedthatthetopsofthemastsdroppeddownoutofsight,hesaid:“Thatisthewayitiswiththishoehandle;ifyougoaroundthishoehandle,thefartheroffyougothefartherdownyougo.IcansailaroundtotheEastIndies.”Howplainitallwas.Howsimplethemind—majesticlikethesimplicityofamountaininitsgreatness.Whoarethegreatinventors?Theyareeverthesimple,plain,everydaypeoplewhoseetheneedandsetabouttosupplyit.

IwasoncelecturinginNorthCarolina,andthecashierofthebanksatdirectlybehindaladywhoworeaverylargehat.Isaidtothataudience,“Yourwealthistooneartoyou;youarelookingrightoverit.”Hewhisperedtohisfriend,“Well,then,mywealthisinthathat.”Alittlelater,ashewroteme,Isaid,“Whereverthereisahumanneedthereisagreaterfortunethanaminecanfurnish.”Hecaughtmythought,andhedrewuphisplan

forabetterhatpinthanwasinthehatbeforehim,andthepinisnowbeingmanufactured.Hewasofferedfifty–fivethousanddollarsforhispatent.Thatmanmadehisfortunebeforehegotoutofthathall.Thisisthewholequestion:Doyouseeaneed?

Irememberwellamanupinmynativehills,apoorman,whofortwentyyearswashelpedbythetowninhispoverty,whoownedawide–spreadingmapletreethatcoveredthepoorman’scottagelikeabenedictionfromonhigh.Irememberthattree,forinthespring—thereweresomeroguishboysaroundthatneighborhoodwhenIwasyoung—inthespringoftheyearthemanwouldputabucketthereandthespoutstocatchthemaplesap,andIrememberwherethatbucketwas;andwhenIwasyoungtheboyswere,oh,somean,thattheywenttothattreebeforethatmanhadgottenoutofbedinthemorning,andafterhehadgonetobedatnight,anddrankupthatsweetsap.Icouldsweartheydidit.Hedidn’tmakeagreatdealofmaplesugarfromthattree.Butonedayhemadethesugarsowhiteandcrystallinethatthevisitordidnotbelieveitwasmaplesugar;thoughtmaplesugarmustberedorblack.Hesaidtotheoldman:“Whydon’tyoumakeitthatwayandsellitforconfectionery?”Theoldmancaughthisthoughtandinventedthe“rockmaplecrystal,”andbeforethatpatentexpiredhehadninetythousanddollarsandhadbuiltabeautifulpalaceonthesiteofthattree.Afterfortyyearsowningthattreeheawoketofindithadfortunesofmoneyindeedinit.Andmanyofusarerightbythetreethathasafortuneforus,andweownit,possessit,dowhatwewillwithit,butwedonotlearnitsvaluebecausewedonotseethehumanneed,andinthesediscoveriesandinventionsthisisoneofthemostromanticthingsoflife.

IhavereceivedlettersfromalloverthecountryandfromEngland,whereIhavelectured,sayingthattheyhavediscoveredthisandthat,andonemanoutinOhiotookmethroughhisgreatfactorieslastspring,andsaidthattheycosthim$680,000,andsaidhe,“IwasnotworthacentintheworldwhenIheardyourlecture‘AcresofDiamonds;’butImadeupmymindtostoprighthereandmakemyfortunehere,andhereitis.”Heshowedmethroughhisunmortgagedpossessions.AndthisisacontinualexperiencenowasItravelthroughthecountry,afterthesemanyyears.Imentionthisincident,nottoboast,buttoshowyouthatyoucandothesameifyouwill.

Whoarethegreatinventors?IrememberagoodillustrationinamanwhousedtoliveinEastBrookfield,Mass.Hewasashoemaker,andhewasoutofwork,andhesataroundthehouseuntilhiswifetoldhimto“gooutdoors.”Andhedidwhateveryhusbandiscompelledbylawtodo—heobeyedhiswife.Andhewentoutandsatdownonanashbarrelinhisbackyard.Thinkofit!Strandedonanashbarrelandtheenemyinpossessionofthehouse!Ashesatonthatashbarrel,helookeddownintothatlittlebrookwhichranthroughthatbackyardintothemeadows,andhesawalittletroutgoflashingupthestreamandhidingunderthebank.IdonotsupposehethoughtofTennyson’sbeautifulpoem:

“Chatter,chatter,asIflow,Tojointhebrimmingriver,Menmaycome,andmenmaygo,ButIgoonforever.”

Butasthismanlookedintothebrook,heleapedoffthatashbarrelandmanagedtocatch

thetroutwithhisfingers,andsentittoWorcester.Theywrotebackthattheywouldgivehimafivedollarbillforanothersuchtroutasthat,notthatitwasworththatmuch,buttheywishedtohelpthepoorman.Sothisshoemakerandhiswife,nowperfectlyunited,thatfivedollarbillinprospect,wentouttogetanothertrout.Theywentupthestreamtoitssourceanddowntothebrimmingriver,butnotanothertroutcouldtheyfindinthewholestream;andsotheycamehomedisconsolateandwenttotheminister.Theministerdidn’tknowhowtroutgrew,buthepointedtheway.Saidhe,“GetSethGreen’sbook,andthatwillgiveyoutheinformationyouwant.”Theydidso,andfoundallaboutthecultureoftrout.Theyfoundthatatroutlaysthirty–sixhundredeggseveryyearandeverytroutgainsaquarterofapoundeveryyear,sothatinfouryearsalittletroutwillfurnishfourtonsperannumtoselltothemarketatfiftycentsapound.Whentheyfoundthat,theysaidtheydidn’tbelieveanysuchstoryasthat,butiftheycouldgetfivedollarsapiecetheycouldmakesomething.Andrightinthatsamebackyardwiththecoalsifterupstreamandwindowscreendownthestream,theybeganthecultureoftrout.TheyafterwardsmovedtotheHudson,andsincethenhehasbecometheauthorityintheUnitedStatesupontheraisingoffish,andhehasbeennexttothehighestontheUnitedStatesFishCommissioninWashington.Mylessonisthatman’swealthwasoutthereinhisbackyardfortwentyyears,buthedidn’tseeituntilhiswifedrovehimoutwithamopstick.

IremembermeetingpersonallyapoorcarpenterofHingham,Massachusetts,whowasoutofworkandinpoverty.Hiswifealsodrovehimoutofdoors.Hesatdownontheshoreandwhittledasoakedshingleintoawoodenchain.Hischildrenquarreledoveritintheevening,andwhilehewaswhittlingasecondone,aneighborcamealongandsaid,“Whydon’tyouwhittletoysifyoucancarvelikethat?”Hesaid,“Idon’tknowwhattomake!”Thereisthewholething.Hisneighborsaidtohim:“Whydon’tyouaskyourownchildren?”Saidhe,“Whatistheuseofdoingthat?Mychildrenaredifferentfromotherpeople’schildren.”IusedtoseepeoplelikethatwhenItaughtschool.Thenextmorningwhenhisboycamedownthestairway,hesaid,“Sam,whatdoyouwantforatoy?”“Iwantawheelbarrow.”Whenhislittlegirlcamedown,heaskedherwhatshewanted,andshesaid,“Iwantalittledoll’swashstand,alittledoll’scarriage,alittledoll’sumbrella,”andwentonwithawholelotofthingsthatwouldhavetakenhislifetimetosupply.Heconsultedhisownchildrenrightthereinhisownhouseandbegantowhittleouttoystopleasethem.Hebeganwithhisjack–knife,andmadethoseunpaintedHinghamtoys.HeistherichestmanintheentireNewEnglandStates,ifMr.Lawsonistobetrustedinhisstatementconcerningsuchthings,andyetthatman’sfortunewasmadebyconsultinghisownchildreninhisownhouse.Youdon’tneedtogooutofyourownhousetofindoutwhattoinventorwhattomake.Ialwaystalktoolongonthissubject.

Iwouldliketomeetthegreatmenwhoarehereto–night.Thegreatmen!Wedon’thaveanygreatmeninPhiladelphia.Greatmen!YousaythattheyallcomefromLondon,orSanFrancisco,orRome,orManayunk,oranywhereelsebuthere—anywhereelsebutPhiladelphia—andyet,infact,therearejustasgreatmeninPhiladelphiaasinanycityofitssize.Therearegreatmenandwomeninthisaudience.Greatmen,Ihavesaid,areverysimplemen.Justasmanygreatmenhereasaretobefoundanywhere.Thegreatesterrorinjudginggreatmenisthatwethinkthattheyalwaysholdanoffice.Theworldknowsnothingofitsgreatestmen.Whoarethegreatmenoftheworld?Theyoungmanandyoungwomanmaywellaskthequestion.Itisnotnecessarythattheyshouldholdan

office,andyetthatisthepopularidea.Thatistheideaweteachnowinourhighschoolsandcommonschools,thatthegreatmenoftheworldarethosewhoholdsomehighoffice,andunlesswechangethatverysoonanddoawaywiththatprejudice,wearegoingtochangetoanempire.Thereisnoquestionaboutit.Wemustteachthatmenaregreatonlyontheirintrinsicvalue,andnotonthepositionthattheymayincidentallyhappentooccupy.Andyet,don’tblametheyoungmensayingthattheyaregoingtobegreatwhentheygetintosomeofficialposition.Iaskthisaudienceagainwhoofyouaregoingtobegreat?Saysayoungman:“Iamgoingtobegreat.”“Whenareyougoingtobegreat?”“WhenIamelectedtosomepoliticaloffice.”Won’tyoulearnthelesson,youngman;thatitisprimafacieevidenceoflittlenesstoholdpublicofficeunderourformofgovernment?Thinkofit.Thisisagovernmentofthepeople,andbythepeople,andforthepeople,andnotfortheoffice–holder,andifthepeopleinthiscountryruleastheyalwaysshouldrule,anoffice–holderisonlytheservantofthepeople,andtheBiblesaysthat“theservantcannotbegreaterthanhismaster.”TheBiblesaysthat“hethatissentcannotbegreaterthanhimwhosenthim.”Inthiscountrythepeoplearethemasters,andtheoffice–holderscanneverbegreaterthanthepeople;theyshouldbehonestservantsofthepeople,buttheyarenotourgreatestmen.Youngman,rememberthatyouneverheardofagreatmanholdinganypoliticalofficeinthiscountryunlesshetookthatofficeatanexpensetohimself.Itisalosstoeverygreatmantotakeapublicofficeinourcountry.Bearthisinmind,youngman,thatyoucannotbemadegreatbyapoliticalelection.

Anotheryoungmansays,“IamgoingtobeagreatmaninPhiladelphiasometime.”“Isthatso?Whenareyougoingtobegreat?”“Whentherecomesanotherwar!WhenwegetintodifficultywithMexico,orEngland,orRussia,orJapan,orwithSpainagainoverCuba,orwithNewJersey,Iwillmarchuptothecannon’smouth,andamidtheglisteningbayonetsIwillteardowntheirflagfromitsstaff,andIwillcomehomewithstarsonmyshoulders,andholdeveryofficeinthegiftofthegovernment,andIwillbegreat.”“No,youwon’t!No,youwon’t;thatisnoevidenceoftruegreatness,youngman.”Butdon’tblamethatyoungmanforthinkingthatway;thatisthewayheistaughtinthehighschool.Thatisthewayhistoryistaughtincollege.Heistaughtthatthemenwhoheldtheofficedidallthefighting.

IrememberwehadaPeaceJubileehereinPhiladelphiasoonaftertheSpanishwar.PerhapssomeofthesevisitorsthinkweshouldnothavehadituntilnowinPhiladelphia,andasthegreatprocessionwasgoingupBroadstreetIwastoldthatthetally–hocoachstoppedrightinfrontofmyhouse,andonthecoachwasHobson,andallthepeoplethrewuptheirhatsandswungtheirhandkerchiefs,andshouted“HurrahforHobson!”Iwouldhaveyelledtoo,becausehedeservesmuchmoreofhiscountrythanhehaseverreceived.ButsupposeIgointotheHighSchoolto–morrowandask,“Boys,whosunktheMerrimac?”Iftheyanswerme“Hobson,”theytellmeseven–eighthsofalie—seven–eighthsofalie,becausetherewereeightmenwhosunktheMerrimac.Theothersevenmen,byvirtueoftheirposition,werecontinuallyexposedtotheSpanishfire,whileHobson,asanofficer,mightreasonablybebehindthesmoke–stack.Why,myfriends,inthisintelligentaudiencegatheredhereto–nightIdonotbelieveIcouldfindasinglepersonthatcannametheothersevenmenwhowerewithHobson.Whydoweteachhistoryinthatway?Weoughttoteachthathoweverhumblethestationamanmayoccupy,ifhedoeshisfulldutyinhisplace,heisjustasmuchentitledtotheAmerican

people’shonorasisakinguponathrone.WedoteachitasamotherdidherlittleboyinNewYorkwhenhesaid,“Mamma,whatgreatbuildingisthat?”“ThatisGeneralGrant’stomb.”“WhowasGeneralGrant?”“Hewasthemanwhoputdowntherebellion.”Isthatthewaytoteachhistory?

DoyouthinkwewouldhavegainedavictoryifithaddependedonGeneralGrantalone?Oh,no.ThenwhyisthereatombontheHudsonatall?Why,notsimplybecauseGeneralGrantwaspersonallyagreatmanhimself,butthattombistherebecausehewasarepresentativemanandrepresentedtwohundredthousandmenwhowentdowntodeathfortheirnationandmanyofthemasgreatasGeneralGrant.ThatiswhythatbeautifultombstandsontheheightsovertheHudson.

Irememberanincidentthatwillillustratethis,theonlyonethatIcangiveto–night.Iamashamedofit,butIdon’tdareleaveitout.Iclosemyeyesnow;Ilookbackthroughtheyearsto1863;IcanseemynativetownintheBerkshireHills,Icanseethatcattle–showgroundfilledwithpeople;Icanseethechurchthereandthetownhallcrowded,andhearbandsplaying,andseeflagsflyingandhandkerchiefsstreaming—welldoIrecallatthismomentthatday.Thepeoplehadturnedouttoreceiveacompanyofsoldiers,andthatcompanycamemarchingupontheCommon.TheyhadservedoutonetermintheCivilWarandhadreënlisted,andtheywerebeingreceivedbytheirnativetownsmen.Iwasbutaboy,butIwascaptainofthatcompany,puffedoutwithprideonthatday—why,acambricneedlewouldhaveburstmealltopieces.AsImarchedontheCommonattheheadofmycompany,therewasnotamanmoreproudthanI.WemarchedintothetownhallandthentheyseatedmysoldiersdowninthecenterofthehouseandItookmyplacedownonthefrontseat,andthenthetownofficersfiledthroughthegreatthrongofpeople,whostoodcloseandpackedinthatlittlehall.Theycameupontheplatform,formedahalfcirclearoundit,andthemayorofthetown,the“chairmanoftheSelectmen”inNewEngland,tookhisseatinthemiddleofthathalfcircle.Hewasanoldman,hishairwasgray;heneverheldanofficebeforeinhislife.Hethoughtthatanofficewasallheneededtobeatrulygreatman,andwhenhecameupheadjustedhispowerfulspectaclesandglancedcalmlyaroundtheaudiencewithamazingdignity.Suddenlyhiseyesfelluponme,andthenthegoodoldmancamerightforwardandinvitedmetocomeuponthestandwiththetownofficers.Invitedmeuponthestand!NotownofficerevertooknoticeofmebeforeIwenttowar.Now,Ishouldnotsaythat.Onetownofficerwastherewhoadvisedtheteacherto“whale”me,butImeanno“honorablemention.”SoIwasinviteduponthestandwiththetownofficers.Itookmyseatandletmyswordfallonthefloor,andfoldedmyarmsacrossmybreastandwaitedtobereceived.NapoleontheFifth!Pridegoethbeforedestructionandafall.WhenIhadgottenmyseatandallbecamesilentthroughthehall,thechairmanoftheSelectmenaroseandcameforwardwithgreatdignitytothetable,andweallsupposedhewouldintroducetheCongregationalminister,whowastheonlyoratorinthetown,andwhowouldgivetheorationtothereturningsoldiers.But,friends,youshouldhaveseenthesurprisethatranoverthataudiencewhentheydiscoveredthatthisoldfarmerwasgoingtodeliverthatorationhimself.Hehadnevermadeaspeechinhislifebefore,buthefellintothesameerrorthatothershavefalleninto,heseemedtothinkthattheofficewouldmakehimanorator.Sohehadwrittenoutaspeechandwalkedupanddownthepastureuntilhehadlearneditbyheartandfrightenedthecattle,andhebroughtthatmanuscriptwithhim,andtakingitfromhispocket,hespreaditcarefully

uponthetable.Thenheadjustedhisspectaclestobesurethathemightseeit,andwalkedfarbackontheplatformandthensteppedforwardlikethis.Hemusthavestudiedthesubjectmuch,forheassumedanelocutionaryattitude;herestedheavilyuponhisleftheel,slightlyadvancedtherightfoot,threwbackhisshoulders,openedtheorgansofspeech,andadvancedhisrighthandatanangleofforty–five.Ashestoodinthatelocutionaryattitudethisisjustthewaythatspeechwent,thisisitprecisely.SomeofmyfriendshaveaskedmeifIdonotexaggerateit,butIcouldnotexaggerateit.Impossible!Thisisthewayitwent;althoughIamnothereforthestorybutthelessonthatisbackofit:

“Fellowcitizens.”Assoonasheheardhisvoice,hishandbegantoshakelikethat,hiskneesbegantotremble,andthenheshookallover.Hecoughedandchokedandfinallycamearoundtolookathismanuscript.Thenhebeganagain:“Fellowcitizens:We—are—weare—weare—weare—Weareveryhappy—weareveryhappy—weareveryhappy—towelcomebacktotheirnativetownthesesoldierswhohavefoughtandbled—andcomebackagaintotheirnativetown.Weareespecially—weareespecially—weareespecially—weareespeciallypleasedtoseewithusto–daythisyounghero(thatmeantme)—thisyoungherowhoinimagination(friends,remember,hesaid“imagination,”forifhehadnotsaidthat,Iwouldnotbeegotisticalenoughtorefertoit)—thisyoungherowho,inimagination,wehaveseenleadinghistroops—leading—wehaveseenleading—wehaveseenleadinghistroopsontothedeadlybreach.Wehaveseenhisshining—hisshining—wehaveseenhisshining—wehaveseenhisshining—hisshiningsword—flashinginthesunlightasheshoutedtohistroops,‘Comeon!’”

Oh,dear,dear,dear,dear!Howlittlethatgood,oldmanknewaboutwar.Ifhehadknownanythingaboutwar,heoughttohaveknownwhatanysoldierinthisaudienceknowsistrue,thatitisnexttoacrimeforanofficerofinfantryeverintimeofdangertogoaheadofhismen.I,withmyshiningswordflashinginthesunlight,shoutingtomytroops:“Comeon.”Ineverdidit.DoyousupposeIwouldgoaheadofmymentobeshotinthefrontbytheenemyandinthebackbymyownmen?Thatisnoplaceforanofficer.Theplacefortheofficerisbehindtheprivatesoldierinactualfighting.Howoften,asastaffofficer,IrodedownthelinewhentheRebelcryandyellwascomingoutofthewoods,sweepingalongoverthefields,andshouted,“Officerstotherear!Officerstotherear!”andtheneveryofficergoesbehindthelineofbattle,andthehighertheofficer’srank,thefartherbehindhegoes.Notbecauseheisanythelessbrave,butbecausethelawsofwarrequirethattobedone.Ifthegeneralcameuponthefrontlineandwerekilledyouwouldloseyourbattleanyhow,becausehehastheplanofthebattleinhisbrain,andmustbekeptincomparativesafety.I,withmy“shiningswordflashinginthesunlight.”Ah!Theresatinthehallthatdaymenwhohadgiventhatboytheirlasthard–tack,whohadcarriedhimontheirbacksthroughdeeprivers.Butsomewerenotthere;theyhadgonedowntodeathfortheircountry.Thespeakermentionedthem,buttheywerebutlittlenoticed,andyettheyhadgonedowntodeathfortheircountry,gonedownforacausetheybelievedwasrightandstillbelievewasright,thoughIgranttotheothersidethesamethatIaskformyself.Yetthesemenwhohadactuallydiedfortheircountrywerelittlenoticed,andtheheroofthehourwasthisboy.Whywashethehero?Simplybecausethatmanfellintothatsamefoolishness.Thisboywasanofficer,andthosewereonlyprivatesoldiers.IlearnedalessonthatIwillneverforget.Greatnessconsistsnotinholdingsomeoffice;greatnessreallyconsistsindoingsomegreatdeedwithlittlemeans,inthe

accomplishmentofvastpurposesfromtheprivateranksoflife;thatistruegreatness.Hewhocangivetothispeoplebetterstreets,betterhomes,betterschools,betterchurches,morereligion,moreofhappiness,moreofGod,hethatcanbeablessingtothecommunityinwhichhelivesto–nightwillbegreatanywhere,buthewhocannotbeablessingwherehenowliveswillneverbegreatanywhereonthefaceofGod’searth.“Weliveindeeds,notyears,infeeling,notinfiguresonadial;inthoughts,notbreaths;weshouldcounttimebyheartthrobs,inthecauseofright.”Baileysays:“Hemostliveswhothinksmost.”

IfyouforgeteverythingIhavesaidtoyou,donotforgetthis,becauseitcontainsmoreintwolinesthanallIhavesaid.Baileysays:“Hemostliveswhothinksmost,whofeelsthenoblest,andwhoactsthebest.”

VICTORHUGO

HONOREDEBALZAC

DeliveredattheFuneralofBalzac,August20,1850.

Gentlemen:Themanwhonowgoesdownintothistombisoneofthosetowhompublicgriefpayshomage.

Inonedayallfictionshavevanished.Theeyeisfixednotonlyontheheadsthatreign,butonheadsthatthink,andthewholecountryismovedwhenoneofthoseheadsdisappears.To–daywehaveapeopleinblackbecauseofthedeathofthemanoftalent;anationinmourningforamanofgenius.

Gentlemen,thenameofBalzacwillbemingledintheluminoustraceourepochwillleaveacrossthefuture.

BalzacwasoneofthatpowerfulgenerationofwritersofthenineteenthcenturywhocameafterNapoleon,astheillustriousPleiadoftheseventeenthcenturycameafterRichelieu,—asifinthedevelopmentofcivilizationtherewerealawwhichgivesconquerorsbytheintellectassuccessorstoconquerorsbythesword.

Balzacwasoneofthefirstamongthegreatest,oneofthehighestamongthebest.Thisisnottheplacetotellallthatconstitutedthissplendidandsovereignintelligence.Allhisbooksformbutonebook,—abookliving,luminous,profound,whereoneseescomingandgoingandmarchingandmoving,withIknownotwhatoftheformidableandterrible,mixedwiththereal,allourcontemporarycivilization;—amarvelousbookwhichthepoetentitled“acomedy”andwhichhecouldhavecalledhistory;whichtakesallformsandallstyle,whichsurpassesTacitusandSuetonius;whichtraversesBeaumarchaisandreachesRabelais;—abookwhichrealizesobservationandimagination,whichlavishesthetrue,theesoteric,thecommonplace,thetrivial,thematerial,andwhichattimesthroughallrealities,swiftlyandgrandlyrentaway,allowsusallatonceaglimpseofamostsombreandtragicideal.Unknowntohimself,whetherhewisheditornot,whetherheconsentedornot,theauthorofthisimmenseandstrangeworkisoneofthestrongraceofRevolutionistwriters.Balzacgoesstraighttothegoal.

Bodytobodyheseizesmodernsociety;fromallhewrestssomething,fromtheseanillusion,fromthoseahope;fromoneacatch–word,fromanotheramask.Heransackedvice,hedissectedpassion.Hesearchedoutandsoundedman,soul,heart,entrails,brain,

—theabyssthateachonehaswithinhimself.Andbygraceofhisfreeandvigorousnature;byaprivilegeoftheintellectofourtime,which,havingseenrevolutionsfacetoface,canseemoreclearlythedestinyofhumanityandcomprehendProvidencebetter,—BalzacredeemedhimselfsmilingandseverefromthoseformidablestudieswhichproducedmelancholyinMoliereandmisanthropyinRousseau.

Thisiswhathehasaccomplishedamongus,thisistheworkwhichhehasleftus,—aworkloftyandsolid,—amonumentrobustlypiledinlayersofgranite,fromtheheightofwhichhereafterhisrenownshallshineinsplendor.Greatmenmaketheirownpedestal,thefuturewillbeanswerableforthestatue.

HisdeathstupefiedParis!OnlyafewmonthsagohehadcomebacktoFrance.Feelingthathewasdying,hewishedtoseehiscountryagain,asonewhowouldembracehismotherontheeveofadistantvoyage.Hislifewasshort,butfull,morefilledwithdeedsthandays.

Alas!thispowerfulworker,neverfatigued,thisphilosopher,thisthinker,thispoet,thisgenius,haslivedamongusthatlifeofstorm,ofstrife,ofquarrelsandcombats,commoninalltimestoallgreatmen.To–dayheisatpeace.Heescapescontentionandhatred.Onthesamedayheentersintogloryandthetomb.Thereafterbeyondtheclouds,whichareaboveourheads,hewillshineamongthestarsofhiscountry.Allyouwhoarehere,areyounottemptedtoenvyhim?

Whatevermaybeourgriefinpresenceofsuchaloss,letusacceptthesecatastropheswithresignation!Letusacceptinitwhateverisdistressingandsevere;itisgoodperhaps,itisnecessaryperhaps,inanepochlikeours,thatfromtimetotimethegreatdeadshallcommunicatetospiritsdevouredwithskepticismanddoubt,areligiousfervor.Providenceknowswhatitdoeswhenitputsthepeoplefacetofacewiththesuprememysteryandwhenitgivesthemdeathtoreflecton,—deathwhichissupremeequality,asitisalsosupremeliberty.Providenceknowswhatitdoes,sinceitisthegreatestofallinstructors.

Therecanbebutaustereandseriousthoughtsinallheartswhenasublimespiritmakesitsmajesticentranceintoanotherlife,whenoneofthosebeingswhohavelongsoaredabovethecrowdonthevisiblewingsofgenius,spreadingallatonceotherwingswhichwedidnotsee,plungesswiftlyintotheunknown.

No,itisnottheunknown;no,IhavesaiditonanothersadoccasionandIshallrepeatitto–day,itisnotnight,itislight.Itisnottheend,itisthebeginning!Itisnotextinction,itiseternity!Isitnottrue,myhearers,suchtombsasthisdemonstrateimmortality?Inpresenceoftheillustriousdead,wefeelmoredistinctlythedivinedestinyofthatintelligencewhichtraversestheearthtosufferandtopurifyitself,—whichwecallman.

[37]SaguntumwasacityofIberia(Spain)inalliancewithRome.Hannibal,inspiteofRome’swarningsin219B.C.,laidsiegetoandcapturedit.ThisbecametheimmediatecauseofthewarwhichRomedeclaredagainstCarthage.[38]FromhisspeechinWashingtononMarch13,1905,beforetheNationalCongressofMothers.Printedfromacopyfurnishedbythepresidentforthiscollection,inresponseto

arequest.[39]Usedbypermission.[40]ReportedbyA.RussellSmithandHarryE.Greager.Usedbypermission.

OnMay21,1914,whenDr.Conwelldeliveredthislectureforthefivethousandthtime,Mr.JohnWanamakersaidthatiftheproceedshadbeenputoutatcompoundinterestthesumwouldaggregateeightmillionsofdollars.Dr.Conwellhasuniformlydevotedhislecturingincometoworksofbenevolence.

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