The Harrison times. (Harrison, Boone Co., Ark) 1876-1938, 1883-01-13
Oratory.


scattered over the county, IN lis
various colleges, obliged 10 keep
pace with the "iellows" Ia all the
ordinary departments, aud IN add
ton TO be ready with competitive
piece OF oralory, the rhetoric, grace
and beauty OF which will command
the applause OF listening senares.
professors, visitors, and especially
the ladies'. As for the other fol.
lows"-~ell, they become nsed 10
the highest displays of genius, aud
are rarely carried off thoir feet,
Much OF the effectiveness of an
address depends on II certain CON
gritty between its topic, the speak.
or, and the OCCASION. OF course any
important department of college
studies may properly furnish Il
theme. and so ancient and classical
subjects have u right to be inlrodu
eed. But student must in II good
degree go by books aud lectures in
his discussion of such matters and
count upon much less intelligent
sympathy from the audience than Il
he treated OF things of present in
tsrest. The closed lives of Long
fellow, Darwin and Emmerson, will
haye charm which few could give
TO "Roman Patriotism, :" The Laws
OF Lyourgus," or The Alexandrian
School" Why should not such is
sues as are raised regarding the
Chinese, the Protective Tariff, Cap
ilal Punishment, Co education of the
Sexes, and others of tho like kind,
bring certain living interest into
the evenings exercises II it be
said that n judge might be biassed
in fay or OF the man who echoed his
opinions, it is sufficient reply that
the chances in the case are about
even. Another judge may be on the
opposite side. But 1t is fair to as
anme that the gentlemen lntrusted
witt his delicate duty can discrim-
mate and act impartially.
There is Another class OF subjects
which might with great advantage
find their way into these scenes of
intellectual activity Christianity
the great civilizing force; Christi
anity sustained by evidence the
Anglo Saxon raee--its history and
ii, destiny Education-how much
ii in cludes these and other kin
,dred questions would interest the
assembled friends, and the study
OF them would do permanent good
10 lne students.
The subject being selected, the
next question for the speaker is,
How is 1t to be treated That raises
another, What do you want to
bring outY The very first thing is
TO have definite aim from the
very first the speaker is to keep his
eye on that ann just as truly rs the
captain of Cunarder heads from
Queenstown to New York. Whate-
ly wittily touches some meandering
dscourses in which the speakers
aim at nottingham hit it
The manner of treatment is OF
course the next point for consider
alton. Language is not for the con.
cealment, but the expression Of
thought. 1t ought, therefore, to be
clear and Ineligible. The friends
are not supposed TO have brought
along Webster Unabridged. 1t
should be fitting. Undignified col.
ioquialism is out of place in dealing
with grave issue. Tho weakness
OF Burke is said to have been in.
ability or unwillingness to adapt his
reasonings to the capacity and taste
of his audience. Against this every
speaker must guard. Subtle, acute,
metaphysical considerations, pro
per enough in book, are common
~ so much wasted power on a plat.
form. An order of thought is vital
for two reasons il aids the memo.
ny of speakers and hearers, and 1t
satisfies the natural desire tor resu.
Iarity. A troop of marching men il
a pleasanter sight than crowd
wherc each goes at his own swee,
will. 1t is usually wise to begin
modestly. II the blaze in which en-.
ibusiasm is to show itself flashes out
in the first paragraph the danger /,
that only ashes and cinders will re
main at the close.
The manner of delivery is of great
moment, Of course. There is gen.
eral, and probably a just feeling
that elocution is being neglected ir
schools and colleges. There IS
however, another side to this quos