The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1906-12-22

Oratory has played an important
part in the history of many nations,
says George Cannon, in the Catholic
Sun OF Syracuse. A cursory glance
oyer the history of the world since
Greek was mistress Of civilization
down to the present time, indicates
that at. crucial periods in the lives of
great nations. oratory has flourished
with more than usual beauty and
power. It was q crucial period in the
history Of Greece when Demosthenes
thundered against the Macedonian
monarch: it was 3 time Of impending
changes. Of civil strife and Of inter-
nal disorder when the voice OF Cicero
nl1sd with eloquence the Roman
forum; It was q period Of bitter strug-
gle and Of great national danger when
tho halls Of the British House of Par
lament echoed the eloquence Of Chat.
ham. Burke and Fox; and in Ameri7
ca aaonentous issues were trembling
in the balance when the voices of
Patrick Henry, Daniel Webster and
Others rang out in clear and vigorous
tones. So was it with Ireland.
III perhaps the bitterest hour of her
long night Of wretchedness, eloquent
sons Of Ireland rose up and by their
magnetic power dispelled for time
the gloom that had hung for centuries
over their suffering country. Ireland
has long been tho home Of brilliant
orators. but the years from about the
birth Of Henry Grattan, in 1746, to the
death Of Daniel O'Connell, in 1s47,
constitute the golden age Of Irish ora
tory. Within that period there ap-
peared in the arena Of Irish politics
the ablest orators Ireland ever pro-
duced. The most eminent men of the
period were orators, and the master
pieces of eloquence they have be-
qusathed to us deserve to rank with
some Of the noblest models of oratory.
It is quite probable that had Ire
land maintained the independence she
gained in 1882, the works Of her ora
tors would now be more widely read
and appreciated. Even as it is the
speeches of Edmund Burke are today
read by students of politics and lovers
Of eloquence the world over; and
Grattan's works furnish an inviting
field for those who are anxious to
improve their minds by contact with
noble and elevating sentiments: while
the speeches OF Curran, Flood, Sheri-
dan and shiel and the masterpieces
Of Robert Emmet, and the vast store
Of eloquence which O'Connell has be-
queathed to Irishmen, will forever
arouse within their hearts the rever-
ence for God and the highest senti-
nents Of love and devotion to their
native land. And It may be said that
the oratory Of no other country has
served both these grand ends so we'll
rs the oratory Of Ireland.
Whether lrishmen Of the period un-
der consideration were more easily
swayed by the sound Of the human
voice. or whether Heaven gave to
Irish orators Of the period an unusual
measure Of eloquence, it is true, 1 be-
lieve, that in no other time did Irish
oratory reach such q state Of perfec-
tion; at no other. time was it more
powerful, and in no other age did it
accomplish 90 much. ~ it did from the
birth Of Grattan to the death Of o'Con-
nell. When we examine the varied
styles of Irish oratory Of this. period
the stateliness. the richness, the word
painting skill Of Burke; the fervid and
powerful eloqusnce Of Flood: the pol
ished. witty and >electrifying language
of Curran; the keen sarcasm, the Bit
ing inveotivs. and concentrated power
Of Grattan: this hulnor and rhetoric
OF Sheridan and Shiel; the logic, the
grace, the wit, the pathos. and the al
most incredible force Of o'Connell-