The book of eloquence

Front matter

S

HHH m vl

THE

Preface

The continual call in our schools for extracts suitable for declamation, and the difficulty of obtaining them, has induced the editor to prepare the present work, which he hopes will meet the demand. Of the many compilations of a similai design in print, some are utterly unfit for their intended purpose, by reason of the too great length of the selections, and npany all having been long in use, have become irksome to the student ; and it has been an especial endeavor in this work to piesent new and spirited extracts, and not to encumber it with those too lengthy for practical use. AVith the object in view of compiling a really valuable book for declamation, the usual mode has been slightly departed from ; the prose being made to outbalance the poetry, and dialogues being entirely omitted, as the writings of the best dramatists, — and those alone can be used with profit, — are in every one's hands, and the introduction of the usual hackneyed colloquies of school-books would only serve to crowd out more useful matter.

Yet, in making this a new book, the editor has not permitted himself to lose sight of those master-pieces of eloquence, which, though familiar, never grow old, neither lose their interest by lapse of years, nor grow stale by repetition, and which should always find a place in a book of this character, until the great names of American and of European story fall unheeded on the ear, until the mention of Marathon and Bannockburn and Bunker Hill fails to quicken the pulse and brighten the eye.

It has not been thought best to insert rules for declamation, as comprehensive and approved works on elocution are accessi-

PREFACE

We to every one, and the compiler of this volume would only urge the absolute necessity of a constant and persevering course of drilling and practice in declamation, if the student would attain any excellence in the great art of oratory. An often cited maxim from Horace might not untruly read,

" Poeta nascitur, orator fit "

since it is only by untiring study that pre-eminence in elocution can be attained ; and, to substantiate this, we have the example of the Athenian orators, of Lord Chatham practising before his glass the gestures and the very expression which so entranced the House of Lords, and the known fact that the most eloquent men of our own time are diligent students and imitators of the best models. And it is grateful to observe that the art of oratory is every day obtaining more attention, and gradually regaining the rank and consideration it held in the early republics.

The editor takes this opportunity to thank his personal friends for their assistance in this undertaking:, and to acknowledge the courtesy of those gentlemen in various parts of the Union, to whom he has had occasion to apply, and whose liberal and efficient aid will always be remembered with pleasure and with pride.

C. D. W.

Part I. Selections Of Peose

AMERICAN ELOQUENCE.

PAGS

1. Ancient and Modern Eloquence Adams. 13

2. Duty of America Webster. 1-1

3. The Ultima Thule Everett. 15

4. Our Relation to Europe Clay. 16

5. The Name of Republic .Leg are. 1 7

6. Eulogy on Andrew Jackson Bancroft. 18

7. Injustice toward Kossuth Webster. 19

8. Importance of Lirerary Pursuits Everett. 20

9. Freedom and Patriotism Dewet. 22

10. Teachings of the American Revolution Sparks. 23

11. The Present Age Chaxning. 25

12. State Veto Power Calhoun. 26

13. State Veto Power Webster. 27

14. Vindication of the South Clemens. 28

15. Ties .that bind the West to us Everett. 29

16. Patriotic Appeal McDowell. 31

17. California and Plymouth Rock. Benton. 32

18. The Honor of War Chanxtng. 32

19. Danger of Indian Hostilities Ames. 34

20. Nominal War Randolph. 35

21. The Difficult Step Randolph. 36

22. Death of John Q. Adams Seward. 37

23. Death of Xapoleon Seward. 39

24. Who is Blannerhassett ? W t irt. 40

25. Doom of the Indians Story. 42

26. Virginia Bedinger. 44

27. Massachusetts Palfrey. 45

28. The Constitution Webster. 47

29. The Peace Congress Anonymous. 48

80. Literature Perverted Anonymous. 49

IV CONTENTS.

PAGE

31. Civilization of Africa Everett. 50

32. Public Di>honesiy Bencher. 51

33. World-wide Fame of Washington . . Robbins. 52

34. On the Withdrawal of the Army from Mexico Hannkgan. 53

35. Retributive Justice . Oouwin. 54

36. No National Greatness without Molality, ChannjnO. 57

37. True Grandeur of Nat inns'; Sumner. 59

38. Vicissitudes of 1849 Gkekley. 60

39. Acquisition of Territory. Dickinson. 60

40. Acquisition of Territory Miller. 62

41. The First American Congress Maxky. 63

42. Liberty and De-potisni Clinton. 64

43. Resistance to Oppression . .Maxky. ()ij

44. Democracy Dim. Revi kw. 67

45. Obligation of Treaties A - -ks. 69

46. The Preservation of the Union. Wkb^ter. 70

47. No Extinction of Freedom by Force Johnson. 71

48. Disunion and War in-ep nable Clay. 72

4 9. The Expunging Resolution Clay. 73

51. Improvement of the West Harrison. 76

52. Plea for the Descendants of James Kmmey Rumsey. 77

53. The Sabbath. . . .Frklinghuysen. 78

54. Invidious Distinctions Legale. 80

55. Eulogy on Yell Bedinger. 81

56. Genoa in her Beamy Sumner.. 82

57. Best Policy in Regard to Naturalization Levin. 83

58. An Appeal for Oregon McDowell. 84

59. Always Ready but never Rash Bkuinger. 85

60. Secession Webster. 86

61. Peaceful Conquests Dix. 88

62. A Striking Picture Evkrktt. 89

63. Power of Wealth produced by Labor Burgkss. 90

64. Modern Idol Worship Spraglte. 91

65. Just ire to Frontiei men Peyton. 92

66. Northern Laborers Naylor. 94

67. Di-cussion of Webster and Hayne Johnson. 95

68. On the Platform of the Constitution Wkbster. 97

69. Impressment of American Seamen Clay. 98

70. The Issue Anonymous, 99

7 1 . The Marriage brok< n off . Benton, loo

72. America's Influence Abroad McDowell. 101

73. The Extent of the Union Houston. 102

74. Clay and Webster Gentry. 103

75. Glory of Arms Sumner. 105

76. On the Removal of Washington's Remain* Clayton. 106

77. On the Revolutionary Pension Bill Davis. 107

78. The Mayflower Everktt. 108

79. Philanthropy Way land. 1 10

80. Indemnity to the Niagara Sufferers Williams. 1 II

81 Indemnity to the Niagara Sufferers V axuk. 112

82. Suppression of Piracy Barbour. 1 13

CONTENTS. V

page

83. Communication with Mexico in 1825 Benton. 114

84. Liberty in South America Randolph. 1 16

85. Last Charge of Xey Headlky. 117

80. Defense of Poets '.Lyon. 1 18

ST. The Militia General and his Forces Con win. 119

88. Who is Independent \ Hhett. 121

81*. Condition of Insolvent Debtors Clay. 123

90. Remembrance of Wrongs ChOa«e. 123

91. Military Character of General Taylor . .Hilliabd. 124

92. Kulogium on South Carolina Hayne. 12(5

i)H. South Carolina and Massachusetts Webster. 1 28

94. Reply to Mr. Webster Hayne. 129

95. Rejoinder to Mr. Hayne Webstkr. 181

96. Final Triumph of Democracy Dem. Review. 133

97 Amendment to the Constitution Isaacs. 135

98. Mis-ion to Panama \V ebster. 1 86

99. Our Duty to Revolutionary Soldiers.. Spkaguk. 188

100. T/ie Zero Line of Valor Barton. 189

101. Effect of Steadiness of Pursuit Robbixs. 140

102. The .Territories YVinthrop. 141

103. Triumph of Poetry over Arms Story. 14 3

lt>4. Danger of Faction Gaston, 14 3

]<>5. Evil of Duelling Bkkckkr. 144

106. Puritan and Spartan Heioi.-m Choate. 145

107. Appeal in Behalf of Greece Clay. 147

108. Achievements <»f the Pilgrims Everett." 149

109. Duty of Lit rary Men to America Gri.mke. 150

1 10. Death of Hamilton Norr. 152

111. Invective of Hungary Buell. 1 53

112. The Admission of California Seward. 154

1 13. Undivided Allegiance Seward. 1 55

1 14. Means of Health, Mann. 157

1 15. Brief Authority Bayard. 158

1 1 6. The Ground of Ti eaty Morris. 1 59

1 17. Fourth of July, 1 85 1" Wkbstkr. 1*31

1 18. Aspirations of the American People Hunter. 1 62

] 19. Eloquence Stanton. 164

120 Death of Washington Mason. 165

121. Address to South Carolina Jackson. 166

1 22. American History Verplanck. 1 67

1 23 Contest of a People for Freedom Everett. 168

1 24 Welcome to Lafayette Everett 169

1 25. Right of Spanish America to Revolt Clay. 1 69

126 On the Recognition of La Plata Clay. 171

127. On the Judiciary Morris. 172

1 28. Necessity of Resistance Henry. 173

129. The War with Mexico Badoer. 174

180. The Embargo Quincey. 176

181. Sorrow for the Dead Irving. 177

1 32. Price of Liberty Gills. 179

188 How to gain an Honest Name .Barnes. ISO

1 34. The Poet Emerson. 181

VI CONTENTS.

PAGC

135. Injustice the Cause of National Ruin Parker. 182

136. Supposed Speech against the Declaration Webster. 184

137. Supposed Speech of Adams in Reply Webster. 185

138. Society without Morality Beecher. 186

139. Embassy to Rome Levin. 187

140. Cessation of Hostilities Dayton. 189

141. The Puritans Whipple. 190

142. The Demagogue k Beecher. 191

143. Eulogium. on John Q. Adams Holmes. 192

144. The Levelling System Beecher. 194

145. Spirit of Liberty in 1772 Warren. 195

146. On the Boston Massacre Warren. 196

147. Men who never Die Everett. 197

148. Literary Position of America Story. 198

149. When War shall be no more Anonymous. 199

150. A Picture of Terror Upham. 200

151. Stopping the March of Freedom Parker. 201

152. Invective in the " Wilkinson Trial" Prentiss 202

153. The World of Beauty around us Mann. 203

154. Danger of Vast Fortune Mann. 204

155. Influence of Republican Geneva on the Puritans. . . .Choate. 205

1 56. The same — continued Choate, 206

157. Secret of the Murderer Webster. 2o7

158. Bunker Hill Monument Webster. 208

1 59. Moral Power of Public Opinion Webster. 209

160. Sacred from War Sumner. 211

161. Plea in the Michigan Railroad Conspiracy Trial. . . .Seward. 212

162. Danger of Military Supremacy Clay. 213

163. Executive Clemency Beecher. 214

164. Death of Jefferson and Adams Everett. 215

165. Executive Power Webster. 216

166. Greatness of Napoleon Chanxing. 217

EUROPEAN ELOQUENCE, ANCIENT AND MODERN.

1. The Perfect Orator Sheridan. 221

2. Appeal for Queen Caroline Brougham. 222

3. Demand for Justice to Ireland O'Connell. 223

4. Defence from the Charge of Tyranny Robespierre. 223

5. Peroration in the Oration against Warren Hastings.. . .Burke. 225

6. Catiline's Address to the Conspirators Sallust. 226

7. Conciliation of Ireland Erskine. 227

8. A Free Constitution Bolingbroke. 229

9. Immortal Influence of Athens Macaulay. 230

10. Trial of Warren Hastings Macaulay. 231

1 1. Burns Carlyle. 232

12. Personal Vindication Mirabkau. 233

13. The Duke of Wellington Alison. 234

14. France and the Republic Berryer. 236

16. On the Presidential Election Lamartjne. 237

CONTENTS. Vll

PAGE

16. The Mysteries of Life Chateaubriand. 238

17. In Relation to the Impeachment of Hastings Sheridan. 239

IS. Genius Bulwer. 240

19. Hope for Italy . . . % Mariotti. 241

20. Province of the Historian Schlegel. 242

21. Protest against Turkish Perfidy Kossuth. 243

22. Lesson to Ambition Jeffrey. 244

23. Catholic Restrictions Sydney Smith. 246

24. Plea to George IV. in Behalf of the Queen Phillips. 247

25. In Defence of Mr. Finnerty Curran. 248

26. The Evidence of Mr. O'Brien Curran. 250

27. Cremutius Cordus's Defence of his Annals Tacitus. 251

28. Monopolies Culpepper. 252

29. The Poet's Theme Talfourd. 253

30. On the Prospect of an Invasion Hall. 254

31. Universality of Conscience Chalmers. 255

32. On Parliamentary Reform Fox. 256

33. Character of Justice Shfridan. 257

34. The Hour of Destiny Dublin Nation. 258

35.. The same — -continued Dublin Nation. 260

36. Vindication from Treason McManus. 262

37. Vindication from Treason , Meagher. 262

38. Influence of the Dutch h Boyton. 265

39. Speech of Galgaeus to the Caledonians Tacitus. 266

40. Speech of Agricola to his Army in Britain .Tacitus. 268

41. Invective against ^Eschines Demosthenes. 269

42. Religious Liberty Sydney Smith. 270

43. Securities from Catholic Ireland Phillips. 271

44. Blessings of Education Phillips. 272

45. Wrongs of Ireland Grattan. 274

46. On the Funeral of Henrietta Bossuet. 274

47. Trial of the Church Gilfillan. 275

48. Duty in Time of War Chalmers. 277

49. On the Conspiracy of Catiline Cicero. 278

50. A Defence from Impeachment Marat. 279

51. Liberty in the Revolution of 1830 St. Chamans. 280

52. The True Conquerors Brougham. 282

53. Abolition of the Slave Trade Wilberforce. 283

54. Futility of Efforts to stay Reform Sydney Smith. 284

55. Plea of Sergeant Buzfuz in Bardell v. Pickwick Dickens. 285

56. The same — continued Dickens. 287

57. Death of Fox Sheridan. 289

58. On the Reformation in England Milton. 290

59. Attack of Antwerp Windham. 291

60. What is the French Revolution ? Lamartine. 292

61. True Use of Wealth Alison. 293

62. Yielding to Public Opinion Alison. 294

63. Decline of the Celtic Race Michelet. 295

64. Disregard of the Past Talfourd. 297

65. On the Law of Copyright Talfourd. 298

66. Hamlet's Address to the Players Shakspeare. 299

67. True Position of Napoleon Carmenin. 299

Vlll CONTEXTS.

PAOR

68. Qualifications for Soldiers Svdney Smith 301

69. Grievances of the Engli-h Government Mackintosh. S02

70. Duty of England to Italy Mackintosh. 803

71. Defence of the Poet Archias Cicero. 304

72. Speech of Shrewsbury before Queen Elizabeth Schiller. 306

73. Mr. Fox and the East India Bill Burke. 307

74. Detached Empire Burke. 308

75. Taxation of America Burke. 303

76. The Heturn of Peace Jeffrey. 309

77. Glory of Holland and Ireland Boyton. 310

78. Apparitions Carlyle. 312

70. The Landed Interest D' Israeli. 313

80. V indication from Di.-honor .Emmett. 315

81. Removal of the Troops from Boston Chatham. 31 6

82 " You cannot Conquer America' 1 Chatham. 317

83. Days of Desolation Alison. 318

84. Indulgences to the Catholics Sydney Smith. 319

85. S fety only in the Republic Lamartine. 320

8tf. Attachment of a People to their Religion Sydney Smith. 321

87. Speech of Icilius to the Romans Alfieri. 322

88. Visions of Joan of Arc and Bishop Beauvais Dk Quincey. 323

89. The same — continued De Quincey. 32 I