THE COMPLETE SPEAKER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 16823, 13 April 1918, Page 1 (Supplement)

THE COMPLETE SPEAKER.

ORATORS, ANCIENT AND MODERN.

ni NORIIAN K. BURTON.

President Wilson's fine and forceful speech at Baltimore on the Unit anniversary of America's ontry into the war is a proof that political oratory is not yet a lost art. It is often said that Bright and Gladstone wore the last of tho orators. But that is quite a mistake. Oratory has not become extinct; it has only changed its form. Tho new fashion differs from tho old. Much of the frills of eloquence litis been shorn off. The classical quotation and poetical endornmont aro rarer than they used to be, and the other rhetorical embellishments are fewer and less obvious. But loss of ornamentation has been counterbalanced by gain in directness and lucidity. The great war speeches which have been made by President Wilson, Mr. Lloyd George, Mr. Balfour, and others statesmen were not delivered on the spur of the moment. These men know the value of getting tho right word and the right phrase, and of placing tho right emphasis in the right place. They have the happy knack of driving hone their points. Mr. Lloyd George's big speeches abound in sentences which stick in the mind, and his hearers can hardly fail to carry awav with them some new thoughts and aspirations— something more than a vague impression of the speakers ideas. There is imagination as well as pwer in hois speeches, and he knows how to roach the hearts as well as the minds of Hie people. Superior folk speak disparagingly of the orator who appeals to our emotions. These critics scorn to forget that we have hearts as well as heads. As a matter of fact the heart has more power in the government of tho life and conduct of the overage man and woman than the brain. Some philosophers hold that instinct and in tuition are surer guides than intellect But, however that may «bo, the successful orator must make his appeal to the whole personality, and that includes both heart and mind.

A Grand Theme. Great and high-sounding words about trifling things are, of courso, offensive to venous-minded people. They aro out of place, and are apt to remind us that the step from the sublime to the ridiculous is a very short one. But what a grand theme President Wilson and Mr. Lloyd Ueorgo have for thoir speeches! It is a tremendous thing to feel that one's words have a direct influence on the destiny of the human race at one of the most fateful moments of its history. The peroration of Mr. Wilson's speech at the Baltimbrc celebration is full of power. He uses great words, but they are not extravagant, because they are not more than commensurate with the unparalleled greatnesj of (lie occasion. "Force! Force to the utmost! Force withtout stint or limit! The righteous and triumphant price which shall mike right the law of the world, and cast every selfish dominion down in tho dust." Those words ring true. They stir up that passion for righteousness and justice which has ever animated the men who in every age have fought in freedom's battle "bequeathed by bleeding sjro to son.'' The outward trappings of political oratory may change with changing tunes, but in its essence it is much the same in all ages and countries. From the jumble stall of a recent bazaar I bought for a few pence two well-bound and well-pre-served volumes, entitled "The Orations of Demosthenes," by Leland. They were printed in 11502. They are a translation by Dr. Thomas Leland, of Trinity College, Oxford, of the orations pronounced by the* greatest of Creek orators to excite the Athenians agaiust Philip. King of Macedon.

"To animato a people renowned for justice, humanity, and valour, yet in many instances degenerate and corrupted; to warn them of the dangers of luxury, treachery, and bribery, of the ambition and perfidy of a powerful foreign enemy; to recall the glory of their ancestors to their thoughts, and to inspire them with resolution, vigour, and unanimity; to correct abuses, to restore discipline ; to revivo and 'enforce the generous sentiments of patriotism and public spirit"these, says Dr. Leland, wore tho great purposes for which the orations were delivered. Ihe object of the war speeches of Mr. L'oyd Heorge, President Wilson, and other like minded statesmen to-di.y is much the same as that which inspiredthe Philippics of Demosthenes. The Government of ancient Athens in the struggle with Philip had to deal with much the same problems —though on a smaller scaleas those with which the statesmen of Britain and her Allies are confronted at the present moment.

The German Touch. " We may reasonably look on his retreat from Thermopylae as' tho era of Philip's hatred to the Athenians (says Demosthenes). Ho saw that they were the only peoplo in Greece capablo of defeating his projects, or of giving him uneasiness in his own kingdom. He therefore provided himself, with much diligence, a fleet composed of light ships, which might disturb their trade, and, at the samo time, enrich his subjects by bringing in prizes. He also increased his army and projertel the destruction of the Athenian colonics in Thrace. At the same he practised very successfully at Athens itself ; and. by large appointments, secured somo eminent orators to charm the people with delusive hopes of pence, or to frighten them with expensive estimates, while thev pretended a zeal for the defence of tho Rtato." There was a distinctly German touch in the methods of Philip. " President Wilson might well have adopted, in referenco to the Kaiser, the words of Demosthenes in reirard to the outrageous a-rogance of Philip, "who does not leave it to your choice whether you shall act or remain nuiet; but braves you with his menaces; and talks in a strain of the highest extiavagance; and is not able to rest satisfied with his present acquisitions, but is ever in pursuit of further conquests ; and while we sit down, inactive and irresolute, inclines us on all sides with his toils."

A Warning, Mr, James Bock, in his speech at Baltimore, said : " God grant the words ' too Into' will not be the epitaph on our war efforts." This is the very thing that Demosthenes was afraid of. "In thu midst of these delays," ho declared, ''what wo are sailing to defer d, trie enemy is already master of; fur (ho time of action we spend in preparing; and the jrnctiiro of affairs will not wait our slow ami irresolute measures." Ho implores hi;- countrymen not to deceive themselves, and "by deferring the consideration of everything disagreeable never once to move until it be too late." The Athenian orator, like our own statesmen, insists unon the necessity of contributing the last man and the last shilling in order to defeat the enemy. " You must lie resolved, I Athenians! You must exert your spirit; I you must apply to the "ar, now if ever; your fortunes, your persons, your wholo powers, are now demanded." The orations abound in quotations appropriate to the present critical juncture in our history. Then as now— Dr. Leland reminds us—the harangues and counsels of statesmen form no inconsiderable part of the history of wars, negotiations, government, and policy. " Give me the orator," writes Cicero, "who can produce the following effects:—When it is once known that ho is to speak, let j there be the utmost impatience to secure places in tho court, which must bo instantly crowded; let all be hurry and eagerness; the auditors must press forward in a crowded circle. When the speaker rises the audience must command silence, all must be hushed, till soma marks of approbation are extorted, and expressions of wonder break out at frequent intervals. If he would inspire them with mirth, the smile must be universal : if with sorrow, their tears must I instantly flow. He that hath such power we may pronounce the truly complete speaker. As wo have heard of Pericles, as of Hyperides, as of Aeschinesj but chiefly of. Demosthenes JiimsoU,M