The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-04-10
JOHN TEMPLE GRAVES
ON THE DEMAGOGUE
EIOquence and. Wit Hold the
Audience Rapt
TOUCHES ON EDUCATION
Says: "The Heart Of the Patriot Must
Pulse the Head of the States
man"-Euloeizes Nc
klney.

In an address, the rare eloquence of
which seemed to hold the audience SPELL
bound, John Temple Graves of Atlanta
spoke at the High school auditorium last
night on the evil influence of the dema-
gogue in American politics. He appear
ed under the auspices of Pelham chapter,
L. d. C.
The speaker was introduced by Rufus
N. Rhodes. who told of his prominence
in the SOUTH and his ability as an ora
tor. Mr.. Graves touched briefly upon
the beautiful fellowship existing between
Alabama and Georgia, and then launch
ed into the discussion of his theme. He
said his aim was to point the audience
to the demagogue and his part in poll
tics.
Changed Conditions.
He first told of the changed conditions
In modern education, which hurries up
the maturity of the youth. This brings
up earlier the question, what shall the
young man do with his life?" He insist
ed that his aspirations should be turned
into the noblest channels
In striking figure that likened our
government to a strongly built wharf
whose foundation piers are sunk far be-
low the shifting sands, Mr.. Graves show
ed how Its downfall might be brought
about. just as the insignificant barna-
eles, said the speaker, are working and
destroying the pillars OF the wharf be-
low the waters edge, is the cemagogue.
the political huckster,' attacking the
foundations of the republic
He traced the history of the dema-
gogue down through the centuries and
said that he would probably be with us
forever In some form or otherK A dog
gerel recitation descriptive of the DEM
agogue amused the audience with it's
sarcastic humor
Lowering Standard.
Becoming serious again, Mr.. Graves
told how the demagogue is not only COR
rupting politics, but that he is lowering
the standard of craftsmanship by driv-
ing the men who are worthy from the
field. His words: "The spirit of the
demagogue is the direst foe of progress, :"
and the statesmen are becoming the
mere tools of the lobby" were brought
home by incisive argument
He then touched again on education,
and pointed out what he regards as some
of the faults of the modern SYSTEM He
said: History shows that education in
itself does not conserve the highest In
terests of the state" His idea was that
while 1t produces a high degree of in.
tellectuality, II does not always tend to
the highest standard of morality.
He made a strong plea for civil right
eousness, and urged educators In all
lines to bring before the youth of Ala
bama the lives of the great and glorious
men of the past.
Light of History.
From the light of history | cannot
be a pesslmst," the speaker said; and
further: Il believe that God has set the
bow OF this glorious republic In the
clouds, and that it will not fail to shine
in every place."
Mentioning Mckinley in one of his
Illustrations he delivered a eulogy on
the martyr President that thrilled the
audience with It's tenderness and power.
throughout the discourse the listeners
were held in rapt attentios, and when
the speaker ceased 1t seemed as If the
spirit of his words held each one breath