The commercial. (Union City, Tenn.) 190?-193?, 1902-10-31


prose, for our own section offers us
much that we have scorued because
it was so near and familiar.
The most binding reason tor en-
couraging the study OF Southern
literature III our schools lies apart
from the fact OF it's artistic worth
and fitness. Inseparably blended
with the writings of most OF our
Southern epoch, and distinct con-
ception of the individuality OF TINS
epoch, should constitute a part OF
the education of every Southern BOY
and girl. These peculiar facts, SEN
timents and conditions being I'M
possible of perception to an ale n
could never be portrayed oy an
alien. So this delicate piece OF hlN-
tory is extant only in the produc-
tions of our Southern writer's, ana
it is perceptible there, not so much
in an exact statement OF tacts' as
in fine pervading atmosphere that
clings to their creations.
| believe, however, that no part
Of this inheritance of ours can be OF
greater value as means OF educa-
ton than the creations OF our
Southern orators. We educators
claim to be training our youth IN
all those things that will develop
them into citizens of the most use
full kind vet in the midst OF THESE
fine influences of our civilization IN
respect of certain kinds of culture
our young men are painfully cfuue
compared with the youth Caesar OF
the youth Cicero, amid his marble
divinities. Our statesmen tor
generation past, have been men
who we're largely, in the hlg hest
sense NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. reason that
we all understand. There has been
pitiable lack of the power to set
forth sound thought logically and
a notwithstanding lack of the power
of artistic expression. One OF the
unappreciated needs of the South is
men to plead adequately her cause
men that can persuade for her IN
such mastery fashion as to win the
ear of the world, and compel the
support of the erstwhile unsympa'
thetic. It is no wonder the South
has been obscured and sent into
eclipse; she has lacked men,
Our schools, recognizing them
selves as centers of influence, coulo
do much 70 create a sentiment in
favor of the art of oratory; they
could engender conviction OF us
efficacy SO deep-seated as to urge
our youth on to the requirement OF
this power as the GROWING feature
of their equipment for career. In
arousing this kind of enthusiasm
nothing could be more helpful thar
study of the efforts OF our owr
orators, not the distinct speeches
taken abstractly, but each IN lntl
mate connection with the conditions
that produced 1t, the environment
, of it's delivery, and above all a clear
: " defined view of the results
achieved. One speech delivered be
: fore the celebrated and excluslv
| New England Society by Georgia
l Young orator, Henry w. Grady no
very long before his death, occu
e pied an enviable place in the rank
: of this kind of literature, and is
!. illustration of what l would say
i An unequivocal appreciation G
/ what this speech meant tor tn
l. South. full realization of the mas
e terstroke this man delivered tor tn
n land he loved, could not fail to e.
ert a large share of its influence tt
G ward energizing them with lie
= conception of this higher, sublime
ic service to their country. This
5. one of many similar production
al that might be used for accomplish
ID ing this purpose. So far as l know
lie these things are not procurable
is any such form as l have outline
r but to collect and edit them in lu
III this way is great piece OF haPF
lie ness in store for somebody who hi
is the leisure, the Overlooking hear
S, the genius to do it. N IT, u
~, A PRIMARY CALENDAR.