IX.—ORATORY IN AMERICA.
Yes; there was an oration.
We have a passion for oratory in America—political
oratory chiefly.
Our political orators never lose a chance
to “express their views.”
They will do it. You cannot stop them.
There was an execution in Ohio one
day, and the Sheriff, before placing the
rope round the murderer's neck, asked him
if he had any remarks to make?
“If he hasn't,” said a well-known local
orator, pushing his way rapidly through
the dense crowd to the gallows—“if our
ill-starred feller-citizen don't feel inclined
to make a speech, and is in no hurry, I
should like to avail myself of the present
occasion to make some remarks on the
necessity of a new protective tariff!”
