Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1911-05-01
Editor S Letter Box
The Point nf Niaw-

u Is an oNiiS 10 HOW Vi WIltIC Spu
look ct things; whether from your
standpoint or from that of some one
else. The earth would presumably
look little different viewed from the
south pote then from the north pole
and vastly different seen from the
equator | was fercibly reminded of
this when present at Peter McQueens
lecture. To those close down in front
some of the pictures, particularly
those of individuals, had a ghostly.
uncanny look. the same seen from the
center of the hall would lcok all right
while from the extreme rear of the
hali and galleries they might posi-
bly, appear to less advantage. And
this reminds ,ae of the pending recip-
rocity agreement with Canada; it is
all owing to the point OF view; seen
from New England and Western states
bordering our neighbors it has an eX
treniely ghostlv and terrifying look;
seen from extreme Southern states it
has misty or don't care" look; bat
seen from manufacturing and high
protection states it is brilliant with
gold and dIamor ds
There was one other feature Of the
evening that also presented itself quite
as forcitly to my mind and that is the
matter of pubic speaking.
Now am not going to find fault
with the speaker of the evening, not
a bit of 1t. but | am going to whip
some of our public speakers over Pc
ter McQueen's back; it will do no
harm if it doesn't do any good. Peter
was all right. He spoke leud enough
and did the best he could under the
circumstances being hindered some
what by a bad cold and slight Scotch
brogue With, perhaps, too nany views
and too shert time to describe them
to the best advantage.
But what troubles me is that there are
so few really good speakers who are
called upon to address the public: and
by this, / mean those VINO can speak
the English language correctly; those
whose enuneiation of this fine Ian
guage is clear and distinct. language
destined to supercede all others.
remember listening one evening 20 a
Southern gentleman who lecture1 dur
ing an entertainment course at our
City hall some years ago. His man
ner was easy and graceful but best of
ALL his enuneiation was perfect. 1t
was a delight to listen to him.
| recall now of listening to botn
Theodore Roosevelt and Richard Hob
son at different times in Augusta.
Both good speakers, Hobson at City
hall and President Roosevelt in the
open in front of the Blaine mansion
Roosevelt, though not an easy speak
er, has wonderful command of the
English language and knows how to
use it, so that whether near or at
some distance. YOU can understand
what he says.
What is needed to make better pub
lie speakers is, not only a better train
ing in the English language but a bet
ter cultivation of the voice in the use
of language. In ether words there
ought to be some way to teach elocu-
ton in our High schools and colleges.
Too little attention is paid to the
voice. Old fashioned teachers used to
say: Speak up don't humble BY
this [ do not mean loudness of voice
like that of some of the old fashioned
Methodist and Free VIII Baptist
preachers who could be heard nearly
a half mile awa.5. but a clear enuncia-
ton of words that shall be delight
to the listener. No clipping nor chew
ing of words.
10 be a good singer needs a special
training of the Voice; those who have
become famous in this line have early
recognized this sact and have avaiIed
themselves of every opportunity t.
train and cultivate the voice. Why not
the
ing? What are lyeeums and debating
societies for, if not to aid this wor-
thy object:
| leave this subject for thoughtful
parents and students to consider be-
cause when the public is to be ad-
dressed by any one at any time, the
public attention, interest and welfare
is to be considered of paramount i'm
portance.
Hallowell. A.