Never make a sentence
for the purpose of having the newspaper quote it next day. Usually
such sentences are not quoted. Even if they are, these artificial
arrangements of words never live. The reason is that they _are_
artificial--they do not have the vitality of sincerity. Let your
striking expressions come naturally as the climax and flowering of
your thought. Then they will live. They will live because they will be
truthful--natural. Nothing but the sincere endures.

In political speaking, seldom be harsh, seldom denounce, seldom "pour
hot shot into the enemy" as our newspaper head-liners put it. Men in
other parties are not your enemies or the country's--they are fellow
Americans to whom you are trying to show the truth as you see it. I
like to believe that all Americans are patriots, inspired by sincere
concern for the common good and the welfare of the Republic.

There is nothing in denunciation--nothing in abuse--nothing but bad
taste. "There is no particular argument in slander," exclaimed
Ingersoll in one of our fervid campaigns. The man who "pours hot shot
into the enemy" is using an obsolete method. Don't you use it, young
man. _You_ be reasonable, considerate, earnest only to show your
hearer that you are in the right. This rule is unvarying except, of
course, when great crises occur, when treason is afoot, the Nation's
honor in danger, and the like. But such seasons of peril are rare.

In all speaking be moderate in statement. Over statement is very
dangerous; under statement subtly powerful. Moderation! I know but two
words so potent--honor and industry. Honor, industry, moderation! What
can prevail against this trinity! And in young men moderation is
peculiarly beautiful.

I doubt if any man can be a great speaker who does not have in him the
religious element. I do not mean that he shall be good (one may be
good and not religious, or religious and not be good, as any professor
of mental and moral philosophy will tell you), but that he shall have
in him that mysticism, that elemental and instinctive conviction of
the higher power and its providence, which makes him in sympathy with
the great mass of humanity. I think Ingersoll had this element in him,
notwithstanding his attacks upon religion.

Emerson has pointed out that the great speaker--yes, and the great
man--is he who best interprets the common feeling and tendency of the
masses.

Very well; the profoundest feeling among the masses, the most