The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-03-06
Patriotic Spirit of II II II
~ ~ Old School Speakers

In the old district school defamation. or
the speaking of pieces" as it was called,
was considered of the utmost importance.
as any boy might, in time, be called to the
Legislature of his native State or even to
the higher oratorical offices of Governor
or President "Speech-books, as the
school orators" or speakers were called
in the early simple phrase, were worn
threadbare by the boys of all ages who had
painful struggles to learn by heart the
speeches or dialogues which were to be
presented, with more or less pride and agi-
tation, from the Friday afternoon platform
or the candle-lit school exhibition" in the
primitive schoolhouses of early America.
Now and then, for a paltry dime, these
precious old school orators, in scuffed brown
leather bindings, with worn corners. yell
low leaves and fore edges as soft as velvet
from long handling. can be picked up at old
book-shops to be added TO treasured col
lections of ancient schooIbooks. in which
the history of Americas education is in
terestingly recorded.
The United States was not a score of
years old when Binghams columbian Ora
tor" of 1897, published in Boston. Love
of the young Nation was then, doubtless,
the foremost theme in home. church and
State; and fiery patriotism monopolizes the
pages of this old Orator" from cover to
cover The compiler's preface states that
il was his object Ito cultivate the rUdi-
ments of oratory, and diffuse its spirit
among the youth OF America hence his
selections were such as should inspire the
pupil with the ardor of eloquence and the
love of virtue" The legend, Miss Euphro-
IIov,. II ire
adorns the inner cover of the ragged old
volume, and the name Henry, In the
same grlish penmanship, is found on numer-
Gus pages, here and there. A decorative
head-band, an urn of flowers with festoons
of laurel roses and bow-knots ornament
the Introductory page, and the contents
consist of less than one hundred selections
| for defamation. These oratorical extracts
all breathe forth the glowing fervor OF
newborn America and the glorious spirit
| kindling words. freedom, liberty and in
| dependence" shine on every page. George
Washington was then alive, and the Co
| lumbar Orator" contains his eloquent trib-
ute TO France, when the French ambas-
! sador, Mr.. Adet, presented the colOrs OF
| France TO the United States. Washington 5
| eloquent address to the people, in 1896 on
his desire TO retire from public service Of
| fOrty-fiVe years, is also given. In my
| retreat" said George Washington 81 prom
! Use myself to realize without alloy the sweet
| enjoyment. the benign influence of good
| laws under a free government. the ever
II
reward of our mutual cares, labors and
| dangers" The American statesman Of the
present day might well make much-loved
| pocket companion of the long-forgotten
| Columbian Orator., that the earnest words
OF Washinton. Franklin, Pitt Everett, Fox.
Barre. Carnot, Phillips and Lathrop might
burn through the rough old leather covers
and animate his political actions with the
ardent spirit of old Liberty"
Professor Noble Buffers Common School
| Speaker, OF 1865, was a prime favorite
among schoolboys OF the middle West al
/ most a half century ago. and Is still a WON
| derful compendium OF frst-class litera-
! ture and noble patriotic eloquence Ii con-
| tains nearly three hundred pieces" and
was designed for young pupils. Prominent
among the selections offered. however, is
| the dominant topic OF American freedom,
| and such themes are given as THE Back
woodsman." My Native Land" Happy
| America 'Permanence of the Union,
Bunker Hill Monument" lode TO the
! lea Has Done" American Freedom" "Our
| Country" The American Eagle" Duties
| Of Americans" "Eulogy of Washington.
Value OF the Union" Patriotism" THE
American Citizen. Destiny OF the United
| States" The American War" Spirit of
| Freedom" The Flag OF our Country,
Pilgrim Mothers: Progress of the West.
and Fourth OF July" In Indiana schools
| I'm the hfties. "McGuffey's New Eclectic
| Speaker of about three hundred exercises
| for reading and defamation" was popU-
! lar volume. II was followed I'm 1850. by
| ''McGuffey's Juvenile Speaker OF two hun
! dred exercises, original and selected. fol
reading and speaking" These books wer,