No form of speech is so easy as a political address in a hot campaign. The
people know enough of the general argument in advance, to appreciate a
strong statement of it, or the addition of new items. They already have
much of that interest in the theme that other classes of speakers must
first seek to arouse. The tyro makes his feeble beginnings in the sparsely
settled portions of the country, but the polished orator is welcomed by
large audiences at the centres of population, and wins money, fame, and
possibly a high office. Americans have many opportunities of hearing good
speeches of this character, and not only become competent judges, but learn
to emulate such examples.
1. A bright story, a personal incident, a local "hit," or, best of all, a
quick, shrewd caricature of some feature of the opposing party, will gain
attention and half win the battle. A speaker was once called upon to make
an address after a political opponent had taken his seat. This man at
one time strongly indorsed a measure to which his own party was bitterly
opposed. The measure was defeated notwithstanding his opposition, and he
was obliged to sanction his party's action. The audience being familiar
with this, the speaker referred to it by saying: "Oh! _he_ approves,
does he! Imagine a kicked, cuffed, pounded, and dragged across a road,
bracing himself at every step, but forced over at last and tied to a
post; then imagine _that mule_ straightening himself up and saying,
'Thank Heaven, we crossed that road, didn't we?' It was difficult to move
the mule, he was obstinate, but it made no difference. My opponent was
obstinate too, but what did it avail!"
2. The criticism of our opponents' platform or principles. Their fallacies,
mistakes, and misrepresentations.
3. Their history. How they have carried out all their bad and dangerous
doctrines, but have slurred over and allowed to drop out of sight their
promises of good.
4. The contrast. Plain statement [and there is nothing more effective in a
speech than a plain, dear, and condensed statement] of the opposing issues.
5. The man. [The personal element in a canvas nearly always overshadows
political doctrine, except when a new party or new measure is rising into
prominence.] Our men brilliant, able, safe. Our opponents the opposite.
[Public character only should be criticized. Gossip, scandal, slander
are abominable, and seldom well received by any audience. Poison, the
assassin's dagger, and the spreading of infamous stories do not belong to
honorable warfare.]