1900.] ESSAYS. 77 



public notice or feeling has subsided, then correction of the 

 manuscript, discarding all thought of the original delivery and 

 circumstances. In this way is accomplished the best result. 

 Webster's reply to Hayne was not given out by him as he 

 wished it to appear until six months after its delivery. 



What is known as debate is quite distinct and outside of all 

 the branches of public speaking I have mentioned. Debate is 

 the weapon in the hands of the lawyer and statesman. In this 

 form of speaking the speaker must rely on himself. He must 

 be wholly master of the topic under discussion. Timidity, or 

 cowardice, or hesitation in any form are as fatal in debate or 

 court as on the battle-field. The debater must be clear of thought, 

 courageous, ready and well equipped with general knowledge. 

 No previous preparation can be made to reply to an antagonist. 

 Among the masters of debate in congress within recent times 

 were Thaddeus Stevens of Pennsylvania, Fessenden of Maine, 

 and Roscoe Conkling of New York. 



The practise of reading a speech in congress is of recent 

 growth. Isaac Hill of New Hampshire, a printer and editor, 

 introduced the practice, and in the early forties read the first 

 speech from notes in the senate. His action gave rise to sharp 

 criticism from fellow members and from the press. Memory is 

 the faculty on which all the others depend, and the philosopher 

 who decries its importance must have depended on that fac- 

 ulty for his knowledge. To the speaker it is of prime impor- 

 tance. The public speaker needs a good memory to be able to 

 reproduce the words and argument of opposing speakers, other- 

 wise he will lay himself open to the damaging charge of unfair 

 treatment of the adversary. 



The speaker must not forget his audience and must assume 

 for his hearers a high standard of capacity if not of attainment. 

 The manner of the address must accord with the place where it 

 is delivered. The manner suited to the open air of the prairie 

 is not to be used in addressing justices of the supreme court, 

 whose ears and understandings will be reached by a plea in a 

 conversational tone. In addressing a large audience the speak- 

 er's power will reach as far as his eye and voice If eye and 



