Mr. George's Oration
California yesterday had somewhat the advantage of the rest of the country in the matter of oratory. The one great light of the East was Senator Blaine, who took advantage of the occasion to formulate his views in opposition to the Southern policy of Mr. Hayes. But California was happy in the possession of three great orators, Senator Newton Booth, Col. Ingersoll, and Mr. Henry George.
The latter may not be an “orator" in the sense that either of the others is; but in the matter of literary expression, and in the quality of his thought upon public questions, we regard hin\, as at least their peer. Mr. George’s matter is better than his style of delivery, and the effect of several of the most striking passages of his oration was impaired, if not lost upon the audience, owing to a want of that skill in oratory which enables Ingersoll to make a telling point very often when he enunciates the merest platitudes. Fourth of July orations are usually too lengthy. No matter how good the ideas or their treatment may be, it should be the endeavor of the orator to condense into the smallest possible compass, with justice to his theme, whatever he has to say upon the occasion.
It is related by Plutarch that some one once saw Phocion walking with an air of deep abstraction, and ventured to address him and to ask him what he was thinking about, and that Phocion replied that he was considering how he could shorten what he had to say to the Athenians.
It would be well for our Fourth of July orators who are teeming with thoughts that breathe and consuming with words that burn, to study this little anecdote and consider how much they can say in a little time, and not how little they can say in a long time.
But the oration of Mr. George was good throughout and full of food for thought. It was not a turgid panegyric on the greatness and grandeur of the "nation," or a recitative of the wonderful achievements of the people, but after giving due consideration to the glories of the past, it indulged in some reflections upon the lessons of the present and the tendencies of the existent conditions of the Republic. We have not space sufficient today to make extended comment upon some points suggested by this oration, but it should be circulated far and wide and read and reflected upon by our people.
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