Classified models of speech composition : ninety-five complete speeches

Front matter

LIBRARY

Brigham Young University

From L.DiSr CoUeg©

Preface

This book has been prepared in order to make available within the covers of a single volume, complete copies of a number of good examples of each of the principal kinds of public speeches common to American life to-day. It is not offered as a text-book but rather as a case-book. All discussion of the qualities of the speeches, and of the principles and theories of speech composition, has been purposely oniitted.^

Annotation has been reduced to a minimum. I have cut out of copy used many notes and references, first in order to save space and second in order to refrain from telling the student in advance just what each speech illustrates. I prefer that users of this book shall ‘study the speeches critically and decide for themselves, or, where possible, in consultation with classmates and instructor, what qualities, types, and methods the different speeches represent. The possible harm to be done by the failure of some users to note the weaker phases of some of these speeches, seems trifling (considering the authorship and high quality of all of the speeches) in comparison with the harm that would be done by predigesting each of the speeches in advance.

There seems to be ample warrant for offering such a volume to the public in the fact that at the present time neither students of public speaking in the schools and colleges, nor busy men of affairs, who are called upon to make speeches on all sorts of occasions, can anywhere find a number of good examples of each of the more common types of speeches without considerable research in rather better libraries than are available to most of them. So far as I have been able to discover such a collection as is here presented has never before been attempted. All former single volume collections, and at least the six most widely known sets in many volumes, have had a narrower aim, and have exhibited at least one (in most cases all three) of the following limitations :

(i) Omitting altogether a number of the common types ; (2) Offering only a single example of certain types, and (3) offering only fragments of many of the speeches listed.

To the best of my knowledge and belief every one of the ninety- five

* The compiler will treat speech composition in a volume to be entitled '"The Principles of Speech Composition^ This is in preparation and will be published in 1922.

\x

X

PREFACE speeches included in this volume is given without the omission of a single

word. . -

The classification used is the ancient classical grouping with such alterations as seemed to me to be demanded by modern conditions. It^ is the most helpful one I can make, and is used for this reason alone with no claim to perfection or finality. Of course certain of these speeches could be listed under a number of the headings used. I have put each one where I thought it fitted best, and hold the reasons for my choice either i obvious or unimportant.

Also it is obviously true that most of these speeches will serve as “models” outside of the classification under which they are listed. A sermon may be modeled on a forensic argument or an eulogy ; a lecture •may be modeled on a legislative argument or an anniversary address. And so on through the whole list ; good models are, within limits, negotiable in speech making as in architecture*.

The word “models” is deliberately chosen for the title in preference to such words as “specimens” or “examples” because it suggests precisely the purpose for which this collection was compiled — to make available a group of good models for the use of those who may wish to know some gooc^ models for their edification and guidance either in estimating the speeches of others or in preparing speeches of their own. These speeches are offered for use as models, in the conviction that they are all good models. Most of them have been praised as masterpieces by many critics and compilers. They have long been separately acclaimed, but never before brought together and made available in one collection.

Of course when I say that each of these speeches is a good model I do not mean to imply that I consider each one perfect. There are a few speeches here which, in my opinion, have minor faults. But all speeches have been chosen because they were thought to be the best available examples of their different types, notwithstanding the fact that I would like some of them better if they were altered somewhat. I have not, however, chosen in any division the best four (for instance) speeches I : could find in that division. If the best four were too much alike, I dropped some of them in order to present the best four models — for good speeches i that represented different styles or plans. Many excellent speeches were omitted because they represented nothing new in plan or style or method I or device. My aim ha^ been to prepare not only the most complete but ^ also the most diversified list of good models that I could get into a single volume of usable size.

Some very famous speeches, and many speeches by very famous ^ orators, were excluded in the beginning because on careful examination :

PREFACE

XI rr'

they were held to be inferior. Many of the best known passages of eloquence quoted in the books of declamations will not be found in this book because they are merely cuttings from speeches which taken as a whole are poor. Some are mere fragments of long rambling discussions in court or legislature which took hours and even days to deliver, and which are, as models, not worth including.

Since this volume is prepared for students and public speakers who use the English language, all translations into English of speeches originally delivered in some other language were held inadmissable. I have tried to get in each case exactly what the speaker said, in the exact words in which he said it. I have chosen, wherever possible, copies from stenographic reports in preference to edited manuscripts.

I am greatly indebted to many professional colleagues (literally too numerous to catalogue) for help given in frequent consultations, suggestions, and copies of speeches, which have been generously afforded me during the four years in which I have been at work on this collection.

Part One— Forensic Chapter Page

I. COURT ROOM SPEECHES:

1. Daniel Webster Knapp-White Murder Case.. 3

Jury Trial — Attorney for the Prosecution.

2. Thomas Erskine Defense of Lord Gordon.... 48

Jm'y Trial — Attorney for the Defense — Treason.

3. Jeremiah S. Black The Right to Trial by Jury.. 83

Supreme Court Appeal — Constitutional Law.

4. Benjamin R. Curtis Instruction to Jury 112

Judge’s Charge in a Murder Trial.

5. Lord Mansfield The Case of Allan Evans.... 121

Judicial Opinion, with the Reasoning hack of it, in the Jiouse of Lords.

6. Robert Emmet Protest against Sentence as a

Traitor 130

Prisoner’s Speech to the Court.

Part Two— Deliberative

II. SPEECHES IN LEGISLATIVE BODIES:

Edmund Burke Conciliation with America... 139

Elaborate Discussion of Colonial Policy. Jiouse of Commons.

(Lord Chatham) The Attempt to Subjugate

America 189

Brief Protest against Specific Policy. House of Lords.

Henry Grattan Against English Imperialism. . 198

Opposition to Foreign Aggression. Irish Parliament.

Daniel Webster Reply to Hayne 21 1

Elaborate Discussion of Tense National Situation.

U. S. Senate.

Carl Schurz General Amnesty 272

Discussion of Attitude of Victors in Civil War. U. S. Senate.

Thomas Babington Macaulay Copyright 294

Argument on a Specific Law. House of Commons. xiii

II. XIV

CONTENTS

CHAPTER

13. Eli HU Root Invisible Government

Discussion of a Bill in a Constitutional Convention. N. Y. State.

14. James Proctor Knott.... The Glories of Duluth

Discussion of a Specific Bill. U. S. House of Repiesentatives.

15. Patrick Henry Liberty or Death .

“A Personal Declaration of IVarC Virginia Convention.

16. Henry Grattan Invective against Corry. .....

Brief Retort on Question of Personal Privilege. Irish Parliament.

II. CAMPAIGN SPEECHES:

Daniel O’Connell The Repeal of the Union. . . .

To a Familiar Audience of Constituents, Predisposed in Favor of His Cause.

Abraham Lincoln The Cooper Institute Address

To a Large General Audience of Mixed Prejudices on His Cause — Personally Strangers to the Speaker.

John Morley Home Rule

To a University Audience Friendly to the Speaker, Probably Largely Predisposed Against His Cause.

Albert J. Beveridge Opening of the 1916 Republican Campaign

Modern American Political Campaign Speech in a Party Mass Meeting.

Homer S. Cummings Keynote 1920 Democratic Convention

Modern American Political Campaign Speech in a Party Convention.

Part Three— Demonstrative IV. Eulogies

22. James G. Blaine Eulogy on Garfield

Formal Memorial Meeting of Congress.

23. John Hay Eulogy on McKinley

Formal Memorial Meeting of Congress.

24. Wendell Phillips Eulogy on Daniel O’Connell..

Formal Eulogy at Centenary Celebrajion.

25. Robert G. Ingersol At His Brother’s Grave.!

Brief Tribute at a Funeral.

26. Ralph Waldo Emerson. . .The Memory of Burns

Brief Tribute at a Centenary Dinner.

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CHAPTER

Y.

VI.

VII.

VIII.

CONTENTS XV

PAGE

NOMINATING SPEECHES :

27. Robert G. Ingersol^. James G. Blaine 470

Nominating Speech in National Convention.

28. Roscoe C0NKLING...T U. S. Grant 472

Nominating Speech in National Convention.

INAUGURALS :

29. Abraham Lincoln First Inaugural 476

In Time of Great National Crisis.

30. Abraham Lincoln Second Inaugural 484

On Re-election During Civil War.

31. Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural 485

On Continuing Party in Pozver.

32. Woodrow Wilson First Inaugural 488

On Return of Party to Power after Many Years.

DEDICATION :

33. Daniel Webster Bunker Hill Monument 492

At the Laying of the Corner Stone of Great Monument.

34. Abraham Lincoln The Gettysburg Address

At Dedication of National Cemetery.

35. BookkR T. Washington. .The Progress of the Ameri-

can Negro 509

At the Opening of an Exposition.

36. John Lancaster Spalding, Opportunity .T 512

At the Opening of an Educational Institution.

37. Theodore Roosevelt The Man with the Muckrake. . 530

At the Laying of the Cornerstone of a Government Building.

38. Woodrow Wilson Abraham Lincoln 537

At the Acceptance of a National Memorial.

ANNIVERSARY SPEECHES:

39. Goldwin Smith The Lamps of Fiction 541

Centenary of a Great Writer.

40. Wendell Phillips Staf-

ford The College a Training School

for Public Service 547

At a College S esqui-C entennial.

41. Woodrow Wilson The Meaning of the Declara-

tion of Independence 544

On the Fourth of July.

XVI

CONTENTS

CHAPTER

42. John D. Long Speech to Grand Army Posts 561

On Memorial Day.

43. John G. Coyle The Army of Democracy.... 570

On Washington s Birthday.

IX. AFTER-DINNER SPEECHES:

George William Curtis.

..Liberty Under the Law

, .The New South

.The Race Problem

5«5

William Jennings Bryan, A.merica’s Mission

Jan Christian Smuts...

.The British Commonwealth of Nations

.The American College

William Howard Taft. .

.The President

Oliver W. Holmes, Jr...

.Speech at a Bar Dinner

Henry Watterson

.The Puritan and the Cavalier 627

Joseph H. Choate

.Sons and Guests of Harvard. .

Chauncey M. Depew....

.Ireland

.The Typical Dutchman

Samuel L. Clemens

.A “lottery” Episode

__^57.

St. Clair McKelway. . . .

.Smashed Crockery »

Horace Porter

.Woman

F. Charles Hume

.The Young Lawyer

X. SPEECHES OF INTRODUCTION: 60. William Cullen Bryant, Louis

^65.

Kossuth 664

Introducing a Foreign Patriot.

Calvin Coolidge Plenry Cabot Lodge and A. 1

Lawrence Lowell 66I7

Introducing Two Prominent Citizens. ^

Samuel L. Clemens Charles Kingsley

Introducing a Foreign Writer.

Elihu Root Henry Watterson

Introducing Journalist and Orator.

Frank S. Streeter Frederick S. Jones...

Introducing an Educator.

Shailer Mathews Woodrow Wilson.

Introducing the President of the United States.

'668

' CONTENTS

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CHAPTER

PAGE

XI. SPEECHE5J OF WELCOME:

66. Ar'^.hur T. Hadley The Brotherhood of Yale.... 672

At a University Celebration. ^

67. Oliver W. Holmes Welcome to the Alumni 674

At a University Commencement.

68. Charles W. Eliot Welcome to Prince Henry of

Prussia 676

At a Visit of a Stranger to the State.

69. William Jewett Tucker. Welcome to “The Wheelock

Succession” 678 '

To His Successor in Office.

XII. SPEECHES OF FAREWELL:

70. Edward John Phelps Farewell to England 681

To Friends in a Foreign Country.

71. William OsLER.'i Farewell to the Medical Pro-

fession of America 684

To Professional Friends.

72. Edwin A. Alderman Farewell to the Class of 1920. 687

To a University Graduating Class.

73. Abraham Lincoln Farewell to Springfield 690

To Friends and Neighbors.

XIII. SPEECHES OF RESPONSE:

74. Louis Kossuth Response to Welcome 691

To Formal Welcome by Governor of a State.

75. Charles Dickens Tribute to Washington Irving 694

Response to Greeting at a Banquet in His Honor.

76. James Russell Lowell. . .“The Return of the Native”.. 697

Response to a Welcome Home.

XIV. SPEECHES OF PRESENTATION :

77. Lew Wallace ». Return of the Flags 702

Presenting Battle Flags to the State.

78. Darius Nash Couch Return of the Flags. . 708

Presenting Battle Flags to the State.

79. Stewart L. Woodford The Pilgrim Statue 709

Presenting Statue to a City.

80. Henry Johnson Fisher. . .The Cheney-Ives Gateway... 710

Presenting a University Memorial.

XV. SPEECHES OF ACCEPTANCE .

81. John Albion Andrew. .. .Accepting the Battle Flags.. 712

Governor Accepting Battle Flags for the State.

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CONTENTS

82. Arthur T. Hadley The Cheney-lves Gateway... 713

President Accepting Memorial for University.

83. William E. Gladstone). .. Accepting a Chair 7H

Accepting a Personal Gift from Constituents.

84. William Cullen Bryant, Accepting Portfolio 7^5

Accepting a Personal Gift from Friends and Admirers.

Part Four— Pulpit

XVI. SERMONS:

85. John Ireland The Church and the Age 7^9

At a Special Church Celebration.

86. Henry Van Dyke Salt 73^

University Baccalaureate Sermon.

87. Henry Ward Beecher. . .The Perfect Manhood 7M

Sermon to Graduating Class, IVest Point Military Academy.

88. Philips Brooks “Is It I?” 757

Sermon at Regidar Sunday Services.

89. James J. Dean. . . . .' The Things That Are Caesar s 768

Sermon at a Military Mass.

90. William Jewett Tucker. .A Man’s Soul and His World. 775

Sermon at a Sunday Evening Service in College Chapel.

Part Five— Lecture

XVII. LECTURES :

91. William E. Gladstone. . .The Fundamental Error of

English Colonial Aggrandizement 785

Address at a Special City Celebration.

92. Wendell Phillips The Scholar in a Republic. . . . 795

Formal Address at Phi Beta Kappa Centennial Celebration.

93. George William Curtis.. The Leadership of Educated

Men 816

Alumni Address at a University Commencement.

94. Thomas Dewitt Talmage, Big Blunders 828

Popular Lyceum Platform Lecture.

95. Woodrow Wilson The Training of Intellect 844

Brief Informal Address at University Phi Beta Kappa Chapter.

1,