COMMITTING

It is good discipline for the average beginner to thoroughly memorize his speeches. This will train him in accuracy of expression and increase his self-confidence. As he gains experience, he may speak simply from full notes, then from an outline or "brief," and finally from a series of "catch-words" or headings.

There is a wide difference of opinion as to whether a speech should be memorized or not. This is a matter that depends largely upon the temperament of the speaker. Some men are handicapped by a memorized effort. They must have free exercise of the mind at the moment of speaking, otherwise they prove cold and mechanical. It should be the aim of every student to eventually acquire the art of extemporaneous and impromptu speaking, but in the majority of cases the habit of memorizing at first will be found both necessary and advantageous.

The proposed speech should be recited aloud many times, before a looking-glass, with suitable gesture, in the fields or the open air, and, when possible, in the hall or place where it is finally to be given.

A successful speaker once said: "They talk of my astonishing bursts of eloquence, and doubtless imagine it is my genius bubbling over. It is nothing of the sort. I'll tell you how I do it. I select a subject and study it from the ground up. When I have mastered it fully, I write a speech on it. Then I take a walk and come back, and revise and correct. In a few days I subject it to another pruning, and then recopy it.. Next I add the finishing touches, round it off with graceful periods, and commit it to memory. Then I speak it in the fields, on my father's lawn, and before my mirror, until gesture and delivery are perfect. It some

times takes me six weeks or two months to get up a speech. When I am prepared I come to town. I generally select a court day, when there is sure to be a crowd. I am called on for a speech, and am permitted to select my own subject. I speak my piece. It astonishes the people, as I intended it should, and they go away marveling at my power of oratory. They call it genius, but it is the hardest kind of work."

CHAPTER XV

DIVISIONS OF THE SPEECH

The usual divisions of a speech are: 1. The Introduction. 2. The Discussion, or Statement of Facts. 3. The Conclusion, or Peroration.

THE INTRODUCTION

This is a difficult and critical part of a discourse. The immediate object of the speaker should be to gain the attention and good will of the audience. To this end he will begin modestly and with something familiar or acceptable to them. The language and style should be plain, direct and deliberate. While the attitude of the speaker should be deferential, it must be remembered that "nerve" and self-confidence are essential to success.

Dr. Russell H. Conwell suggests three desirable ways in which to commence an address: 1. By anecdote, which places the speaker in a pleasant relationship with his audience. 2. By reference to the importance of the subject to the welfare of the audience, thereby creating an intense interest on the part of the audience who believe they are to receive a personal benefit. 3. By showing personal interest in the success of the audience, which awakens, reciprocally, the interest and sympathy of the audience toward the speaker.

The following introductions, taken from speeches of recognized merit, will repay careful study and analysis:

1. First of all, fellow citizens, I pray that God may inspire in your hearts on this occasion the same impartial good will toward me that I have always felt for Athens and for every one of you.

In His name, in the name of your religion and your honor, I ask that you will not let my opponent decide the way in which I shall be heard-I am sure you will not be so cruel!-but remember the laws and your oath, which, among the many obligations imposed upon you, require that you hear both sides alike. Not only must you not condemn beforehand, not only must you listen with impartial ear to accuser and accused, but to each you must allow perfect freedom in the conduct of his case.

Æschines has many advantages over me in this trial, fellow citizens, and two especially. First of all, our stake is not the same. It is a far more serious matter for me to lose your esteem than for my adversary not to succeed in making out his case. For me but I will not allow myself to begin by making an unlucky forecast. For him, however, it is merely a game.

"The Oration on the Crown."

DEMOSTHENES.

2. MR. PRESIDENT:-When the mariner has been tossed for many days in thick weather, and on an unknown sea, he naturally avails himself of the first pause in the storm, the earliest glance of the sun, to take his latitude, and ascertain how far the elements have driven him from his true course. Let us imitate this prudence, and, before we float farther on the waves of this debate, refer to the point from which we departed, that we may at least be able to conjecture where we now are.

"The Reply to Hayne."

WEBSTER.

3. "There was a South of slavery and secession-that South is dead. There is a South of union and freedom-that South, thank God, is living, breathing, growing every hour." These words, delivered from the immortal lips of Benjamin H. Hill, at Tammany Hall, in 1866, true then, and truer now, I shall make my text to-night.

Mr. President and Gentlemen: Let me express to you my appreciation of the kindness by which I am permitted to address

you. I make this abrupt acknowledgment advisedly, for I feel that if, when I raised my provincial voice in this ancient and august presence, I could find courage for no more than the opening sentence, it would be well if, in that sentence, I had met in a rough sense my obligation as a guest, and had perished, so to speak, with courtesy on my lips and grace in my heart.

Permitted, through your kindness, to catch my second wind, let me say that I appreciate the significance of being the first Southerner to speak at this board, which bears the substance, if it surpasses the semblance of original New England hospitality, and honors a sentiment that in turn honors you, but in which my personality is lost and the compliment to my people made plain.

"The New South."

HENRY W. GRADY.

4. GENTLEMEN OF THE JURY:-Mr. Kenyon having informed the court that we propose to call no other witnesses, it is now my duty to address myself to you as counsel for the noble prisoner at the bar, the whole evidence being closed. I use the word closed, because it certainly is not finished, since I have been obliged to leave the seat in which I sat, to disentangle myself from the volumes of men's names, which lay there under my feet, whose testimony, had it been necessary for the defense, would have confirmed all the facts that are already in evidence before you.

"Defense of Lord Gordon."

LORD ERSKINE.

5. FELLOW COUNTRYMEN:-At this second appearing to take the oath of the presidential office there is less occasion for an extended address than there was at the first. Then a statement, somewhat in detail, of a course to be pursued, seemed fitting and proper. Now, at the expiration of four years, during which public declarations have been constantly called forth on every point and phase of the great contest which still absorbs the attention and engrosses the energies of the nation, little that is new could be presented.

"Second Inaugural Address.”

ABRAHAM LINCOLN.