Model Speeches for Practise

Speeches for Practise, by Grenville Kleiser

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Title: Model Speeches for Practise
Author: Grenville Kleiser
Release Date: May 6, 2006 [EBook #18323]
Language: English
Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
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MODEL SPEECHES FOR PRACTISE
BY
GRENVILLE KLEISER
Formerly Instructor in Public Speaking at Yale Divinity School, Yale University. Author of "How to Speak in Public," "Great Speeches and How to Make Them," "Complete Guide to Public Speaking," "How to Build Mental Power," "Talks on Talking," etc., etc.
[Illustration: Publisher's logo]
FUNK & WAGNALLS COMPANY NEW YORK AND LONDON 1920
COPYRIGHT, 1920, BY
GRENVILLE KLEISER
[Printed in the United States of America]
Published, February, 1920
Copyright Under the Articles of the Copyright Convention of the Pan-American Republics and the United States, August 11, 1910

PREFACE
This book contains a varied representation of successful speeches by eminently successful speakers. They furnish, in convenient form, useful material for study and practise.
The student is earnestly recommended to select one speech at a time, analyze it carefully, note its special features, practise it aloud, and then proceed to another. In this way he will cover the principal forms of public speaking, and enable himself to apply his knowledge to any occasion.
The cardinal rule is that a speaker learns to speak by speaking, hence a careful reading and study of these speeches will do much to develop the student's taste for correct literary and oratorical form.
GRENVILLE KLEISER. New York City, August, 1919.

CONTENTS
PAGE INTRODUCTION--Aims and Purposes of Speaking--Grenville Kleiser 11
After-Dinner Speaking--James Russell Lowell 29
England, Mother of Nations--Ralph Waldo Emerson 37
The Age of Research--William Ewart Gladstone 44
Address of Welcome--Oliver Wendell Holmes 52
Good-Will to America--Sir William Harcourt 65
The Qualities That Win--Charles Sumner 71
The English-Speaking Race--George William Curtis 88
Woman--Horace Porter 100
Tribute to Herbert Spencer--William M. Evarts 113
The Empire State--Chauncey M. Depew 120
Men of Letters--James Anthony Froude 133
Literature and Politics--John Morley 139
General Sherman--Carl Schurz 147
Oration Over Alexander Hamilton--Gouverneur Morris 154
Eulogy of McKinley--Grover Cleveland 164
Decoration Day--Thomas W. Higginson 170
Faith in Mankind--Arthur T. Hadley 177
Washington and Lincoln--Martin W. Littleton 181
Characteristics of Washington--William McKinley 187
Let France Be Free--George Jacques Danton 193
Sons of Harvard--Charles Devens 199
Wake Up, England!--King George 208

INTRODUCTION
AIMS AND PURPOSES OF SPEAKING
It is obvious that the style of your public speaking will depend upon the specific purpose you have in view. If you have important truths which you wish to make known, or a great and definite cause to serve, you are likely to speak about it with earnestness and probably with eloquence.
If, however, your purpose in speaking is a selfish one--if your object is self-exploitation, or to serve some special interest of your own--if you regard your speaking as an irksome task, or are unduly anxious as to what your hearers will think of you and your effort--then you are almost sure to fail.
On the other hand, if you have the interests of your hearers sincerely at heart--if you really wish to render a worthy public service--if you lose all thought of self in your heartfelt desire to serve others--then you will have the most essential requirements of true and enduring oratory.
THE NECESSITY OF A DEFINITE OBJECT
It is of the highest importance for you to have in mind a clear conception of the end you wish to achieve by your speaking. This purpose should characterize all you say, so that at each step in your speech you will feel sure of making steady progress toward the desired object.
As a public speaker you assume serious responsibility. You are to influence men for weal or woe. The words you speak are like so many seeds, planted in the minds of your hearers, there to grow and multiply according to their kind. What you say may have far-reaching effects, hence the importance of careful forethought in the planning and preparation of your speeches.
The highest aim of your public speaking is not merely to instruct or entertain, but to influence the wills of men, to make men think as you think, and to persuade them to act in the manner you desire. This is a lofty aim, when supported by a good cause, and worthy of your greatest talents and efforts.
THE KEY TO SUCCESS IN SPEAKING
The key to greatness of speech is sincerity. You must yourself be so thoroughly imbued with the truth and desirability of what you are urging upon others that they will be imprest by your integrity of purpose. To have their confidence and good will is almost to win your cause.
But you must have deep and well-grounded convictions before you can hope to convince and