Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1860-05-16
Tho Campaisn-Hints 20 Youps Or.sor..

Tho Campnign-Hlnts 20 Youns Orators.
A Presidential Campaign is opening, has
opened, or Is about TO open--as the case may
be. it will doubtless exhibit the usual phe-
nomens, one of which is propensity to pop
ular oratory. Aspiring and perspiring poll
ticians, young and old, will endeavor to i'll
lustrate themselves, and earn the affections Of
the parties to which they severally belong,
by their oratorial exercitations.
There is tendency to encourage these dis
plays, under the idea that possibly they may
do some good to the party in whose
behalf they are made. To make them is
called party service" and is thought to
entitle the maker to the good things which
the party has the power to bestow. A speech
introduces its author to place and a favor
able notice in the party organ, and, perhaps
earns him little abuse from the other side;
which is fame. The inducements, therefore,
to mount the stump" as it is popularly
called, is very considerable; and il is fair to
presume that during the coming five months
the mounting will be as considerable as the
inducement. This state of things affords us
fair opportunity to offer a few hints to
young orators; the old ones, doubtless, arc
SO wise, that to give them any advice would
be superfuous
The feeling most common with those who
go to hear political speeches made is disap-
pointment. Tho speaker does not come up
to the expectations of the hearer; and in
thousands of cases, where from the demon
strations the former is convinced that he has
made fine impression upon the audience,
the only one he leaves is that of fatigue at
his dullness, or contempt for his Ignorance.
1t may be asked, why do people profess to be
delighted when they are, in fact disgusted
Because men go to the meetings of their own
party to act part. They are expected to be
enthusiastic. That is their share of the duty;
and, therefore, whatever may be said, aud
however it may be spoken, they look upon it
as necessary to applaud.
No man should ever rise to speak until he
is satisfied that he has something to say, nor
continue upon his feet moment after he has
delivered himself of his ideas. II is a great
point with many to speak long; and therefore
they continue to drivel in the desperate hope
that what they know to be balderdash will
be accepted by their hearers as sense. This
''flattering JUNCTION" is always deceptive; for
of the two, the hearers are generally the best
advised
The great rule in all these matters is, ''be
short" Speak to the point and stop. Audi
ences always like short speeches. If man
is satisfied that he has made good impress
sion, he should, by all means, leave off before
it is worn away. Let him remember that his
most interested hearer is himself, and take
pity on those who may not be so highly de-
lighted.
Above all things, have some real knowl-
edge of the subject-something drawn from
higher and better sources than the mingled
slang and prejudice OF party newspaper arti-
cles. The mere retailer of this trash is but
the poorest kind of a mechanic. The politi-
clan who "crams" himself for an oratorical
occasion, by q course of party newspapers,
will in a very few minutes, to the judicious,
exhibit the leanness of his capital and the
poverty of the fountain from which he draws
his information. 1t spite of whatever pre-
tensions he may set up, he will surely be de-
tected and will be esteemed accordingly.