The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1892-02-10
MisteIlanp.
After-dlnner Speeches.


The dinner table has practically sup
planted the lecture platform as a me-
dunn Of communication between bodies
OF men. Business, politics, literature,
and even religion, are now considered
there. Originally, when a man had an
idea which he wished to impress upon
his fellows, he would prepare an adj
dress and then seek some public place
TO deliver it. Had he pet theory to
lmpart, a message to sound, he would
join a bureau aud turn lecturer. But
now, when a great politician wishes to
lay out the intellectual part of cam
paign, he gives dinner and unfolds
mis- wishes and purposes about that
board. When the railroad magnates of
the country desire to formulate scheme
which in It's success would mean the
practical consolidation of the great
transportation systems of the West, the
discussion of the matter takes place
over banquet table. When the liter
airy leaders feel called to pass judgment
upon the work of "some prentice
hand" or to give emphasis to a de-
mand for some change in the copy
right laws, they do it while enjoying
the Havanas which follow good din
ner. Indeed, the slang phrase, $50
hire hail." which used to be flung at
any one who was so forgetful as to con-
fide 10 the public that he had mission
to perform, has how been translated
into "Oh, give dinner"
The after-dinner speech has thus be-
come an institution. AS an institution
it is worthy of study on the part of the
social philosopher. Cynicus has said
that the point of successful after
dinner speech " consisted in saving
nothing eloquently." But, like many
of the aphorisms of that dyspeptic
gentleman, it has only the shadow and
not the substance of truth. Dinner
speeches are of two kinds, those for
definite purpose and those for mere en-
treatment. Hon. Chauncey M. De-
pew is past master at both of these,
and his opinions will be of value as
well as interest to the philosopher who
undertakes the study of these pheno-
mena. He tersely says, "The platform
orator of to-day who speaks more than
one hour at time is fool, and the af-
ter-dinner speech should not extend
over forty minutes. But twenty min
utes are better than forty, and the
speech should be short and pithy."
DR.. Depew says that in the prepare
ton of his speeches he endeavors to
have something fresh and forceful to
say, and to set his style of expression
above the conventional. Engrossed in
business all day, his first care is to
brush his mind up little, and rid him
self of shop and commonplace thoughts.
Twenty minutes reading in Macaulay
before he begins the composition of his
speeches, does that for him. The doc
tor then thinks his points out clearly,
and if reporter happens around, as
one very often does in DR.. Depew's
case, he dictates the speech in advance
to him. He finds this valuable, as it
clarifies his ideas and enables him to
condense his thoughts. But for the final
dressing he depends upon the inspira.
ton of the occasion and moment. DR..
Depew's ideal seems to have found its
embodiment in old DIR. Ezra Ripley.
or him Emerson once said, "He had a
foresight when he opened his mouth of
all that he would say, and he marched
straight to his conclusion" Originality
and clearness are the two elements to
be sought at such times. One original
idea we'll stated and one fresh story
well told are better than an hour OF
prose and antique jests. Those who
have succeeded best in this unique field
of address follow closely that method.
DR.. Depew is an optimist relative to
the future OF the after-dinner speech.
He says, g. 1t is, think, much better
stage than either the lecture platform
or the stump. You may say things ia
an after-dinner speech that you would
not dare to say in lecture or in the
pulpit, and the varnish of good nature
and politeness permit much advice to
be administered that otherwise must &c
unsaid." The dinner table may thus
be made for America what the salon
was for France. Such an evolution is
commended to the attention of 30 ne oil
our social philosophers like Donald G
Mitchell, Charles Dudley Warner, Of
George William Curtis.