New-York tribune., 1901-01-19

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Otis on the writs of assistance, Dickinson be-
against the petition to the King for change
of government), Hancock the Boston massa
ere. Warren the same subject, Patrick
Henry on resistance. before the Virginia Con-
vention of Delegates. and that on the Federal
Constitution; Edmund Randolph and Alexander
Hamilton the Constitution, Richard Henry
Lees Address TO the People OF Great Britain,
Samuel Adams's speech on American independ-
ence, Witherspoon's on the Convention of Bur
goyne, Rutledge's to the General Assembly or
South Carolina in 1872, Washington's Fare
well Address" and Henry Lees eulogy on Wash
ington.
The appearance of these volumes is a delight
to the book lover There are many Illustrations,
all being portraits of the orators whose works
are given, some in engraving, others in photo
gravure for the most part admirably repro
duced. Biographical sketches precede each Sc
lection.
1t is an inevitable postulate of the Anglo
Saxon character that events deeply touching
the National consciousness should inspire the
eloquence of public speakers and should be
brought most impressively before the public
mind by the orators voice. AS the hrst great
issue that has deeply stirred the American peo-
ple since the Civil War has been the conflict
with spain ana ltS results, 50 lIc iASN o. N
pouring of public eloquence since the stormy
days Of Secession has been the discussion of the
crisis of three years ago and the still more
momentous results of it, 1t has engaged the
attention OF all those to whom the pubic glauiy
lends ear and has produced numerous cogent
and impressive appeals to the Judgment and
conscience of the people. Messrs. Fulton and
Trueblood have performed valuable task In
making an anthology of notable orations OF the
period. 1t will serve several purposes. 1t is
first of all. a notable revelation of the power
of public speaking still maintained among US.
II has long been said that the press is about to
give a deathbiow TO the power and influence of
the orator but the blow so long impending has
never vet been made effective. The race is not
yet willing. nor is 1t likely ever to be willing,
to give up one of its most cherished heritages,
the JOY in public speaking, in the give and take
of strong men contending for the mastery in the
opinion of the people. The orator is still sure OF
his audience and Of the effect of his persuasion
in a strong and well reasoned address Public
opinion in the United States is still largely di-
rected by public speaking-not merely as il ap-
pears on the printed page the next morning.
but as it comes from the speakers lips And 1t
is still true as the compilers of this little book
saw that a nations history may be read in
the utterances of her great orators; that great
epochs in national growth inspire the best elo-
quence of the times.
The present collection will serve. furthermore
as a statement in the most direct and striking
form of the views that have prevailed as to the
war and its results and of the forces that have
shaped those views. The orators represented
are well known Americans from ali parts OF
the country. and their speeches show forth all
the different sides in which the matter has pre-
sented itself to the mind and conscience OF the
people. The editors have aimed not to give
whole orations but TO make such selections as
shall preserve the Characteristic eoquence OF
each speaker together with the main thought
of the entire speech Although the compilation
is thus an abbreviation, the abbreviaton is made
with authority. for in most cases the speakers
themselves have furnished the corrected copy
and have themselves suggested the passages to
be used
The student will find here represented all the
methods that the public speakers OF to-day
employ in legislative bodies and before audi
ences of such special characteristics as would
be found at college celebrations. the peace jub-
lees held after hosties ceased. in general polit-
ical gatherings and ir church. He will find the
impassioned appeal to sentiment, the cooler ex-
position of well reasoned argument. eloquence
that gains its effect by burning phrases, and
logic that leaves no escape for the Intellect.
There is Senator Thurston's passionate appeal
in the Senate for the assistance To Cuba that
the war afterward brought; Senator Proctor's
calm portrayal Of what he found there before
hostilities began; Senator Lodges speech in the
Senate supporting the Treaty of Peace. with
clear and logical presentation OF inevitable al
ternatives; Senator Beveridge's eloquent pres
entation of the duty of the United States in
and out of the Senate; Senator Hoars scholarly
warnings to the Senate, with his quotations
from the fathers Of the republic, and Delivers
sober statement TO the House of Representa-
tives of the Nations attitude at the beginning
Of the conflict. Outside of Congress there are
the serious deliverances of the President under
the burden of responsibility; Bryans protests
against annexation and against imperialism;
Bourke Cockran's against alliance with Eng
land, and many other notable speeches on oc-
casions in themselves notable. Special interest
resides in the utterances of Southern leaders
like Clark Howell and John Temple Graves
showing the reunion of the sections that the
common interest of the brought about
when every wound of the Confederacy is healed
and the whole body of the country is sound and
glowing with harmonious destiny" And, final
ly, occupying unique place is Booker T Wash
ingtons address at the Chicago Peace Jubilee
on the negro's part in the war.