the art of public speaking - one more library
TRANSCRIPT
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.
QUESTIONSANDEXERCISES.
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.
QUESTIONSANDEXERCISES.
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.
QUESTIONSANDEXERCISES
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.
QUESTIONSANDEXERCISES
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!’”
QUESTIONSANDEXERCISES
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.
QUESTIONSANDEXERCISES
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!
—HENRYWARDBEECHER.
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.
QUESTIONSANDEXERCISES
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.
QUESTIONSANDEXERCISES
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.”
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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.”
QUESTIONSANDEXERCISES
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.
—HENRYWARDBEECHER.
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.
QUESTIONSANDEXERCISES
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.
QUESTIONSANDEXERCISES
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.
SELECTIONSFORPRACTISE
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.”
—HENRYWARDBEECHER.
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.
QUESTIONSANDEXERCISES
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.
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.
QUESTIONSANDEXERCISES
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.
QUESTIONSANDEXERCISES
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!”
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.
QUESTIONSANDEXERCISES
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.
QUESTIONSANDEXERCISES
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)
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.
QUESTIONSANDEXERCISES
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?
QUESTIONSANDEXERCISES
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.
SELECTIONSFORPRACTISE
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.
QUESTIONSANDEXERCISES
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.
QUESTIONSANDEXERCISES
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.)
QUESTIONSANDEXERCISES
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.
QUESTIONSANDEXERCISES
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.
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.
QUESTIONSANDEXERCISES
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.
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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.
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Andthenanoddthinghappened.Astheywerepreparingtoleavetheschool[CathrohavingpreviouslyrunTommyoutbytheneck],thedooropenedalittleandthereappearedintheaperturethefaceofTommy,tear–stainedbutexcited.“Ikenthewordnow,”hecried,“itcametomea’atonce;itishantle!”
Mr.Ogilvy…saidinanecstasytohimself,“Hehadtothinkofittillhegotit—andhegotit.Theladdieisagenius!”
QUESTIONSANDEXERCISES
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.
—HENRYWARDBEECHER.
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.
QUESTIONSANDEXERCISES
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.”
QUESTIONSANDEXERCISES
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.
QUESTIONSANDEXERCISES
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?
QUESTIONSANDEXERCISES
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.