The Democrat. (Scotland Neck, Halifax Co., N.C.) 1884-1896, 1895-10-10
Pl BLlC SPEAKERS.
NJ -oN SER HE.S ULo.IE
What IS the Matter?
Biblical Recordpr.

Biblical Recorder.
So many and such rapid changes
have taken place within the last twen-
r Eear- that it is hazardous to say any
one, Of many. has been the most strik-
ing. It i not orr purpose to -ay about
this. Some things, however. present
themselves in ? more striking WAY than
others, aad s. come up earlier for dis
cussion Then, too, III these DAYS Of
rapid Transformation there are some
things we take leave Of, a. they give
place to thcir more modern rivals. with
more regrets than we do Of some other
things. TO exchange the old for the
new Is, not without some doubt, sign
Of progress
That winch we shall only ailude to
IN this article may not have attracted
any attention, and may have no special
significance to the mind OF the reader.
It has, however, been noticed by some
who have occupied first the position to
get the truth IN It's fullest force.
In the not long ago the remark the
people viii not come out to hear speak
ing was constantly heard. That was
so, they would not. And why they
would not VIII not now be discussed,
except III an incidental way We want
to say here that if people have really
lost their interest in hearing public
speaking worthy to be heard the fact
Is to be deeply and earnestly deplored
1t is a great privilege to hear a great
man make a great speech The glory
OF Greece and Of Rome were evi-
dences III part, at least. Of the wisdom
and power of Oratory. How many men
may refer their first intention to make
life worth living to the inspiration
gotten from single speech? We once
heard young and impassioned speaker
say he would rather be an orator and
play upon the heart strings of men than
to be a king upon his throne.
No mean desire, after all, when q
man will use his power for the good of
his fellows But what we started to
say was that it seems now that people
are tossing their tondness for and inter
est in public speaking. Less than a
score Of years ago men, and women too,
came from far and near by hundreds,
and III some cases by thousands, to lis
ten to the speeches Of two men-giants
they were-but who are now dead.
What these men might do if they
we're now living can not be told, but
that their successors have not appeared
will hardly be questioned. 1t may be
sad that men have obtained other
means by which they may become IN
formed on public questions, thus doing
away with the necessity of learning by
listening. A moments thought, how
ever. will utterly do away with this
theory. Who listens With most interest
to the speaker on education? Evident
IN the man who is himself educated.
In proportion as men studied the rights
Of the States and the great subject Of
Of equal and Just taxation, in that pro
portion did Their love and admiration
grow for the immortal Calhoun, the
fearless champion Of these principles.
The same can be said Of Webster and
OF CLAY. Those who were highest in
their appreciatiOn Of these men were
those most intimately acquainted with
the subjects on which they spoke 50
we are estopped from accounting tor
the lack of appreciation on the part
Of the people by supposlng they are
already informed on the subjects dealt
with. Then what shall We say?
Evidently. We are driven, willing or
Unwilling, to one of two conclusions
Either we are out of men who can rise
above selfish ends, party bounds, or
sectional interests, and lead the people
along right lines, or the people Will not
duly acknowledge the honest and true
worth OF their leaders, because. tOrsoOth-
OF a different party or political affilla-
ti0us. Either horn Of the dilemma Is
bad, ana ought, for the sake OF the
n