Seattle University - Aegis Yearbook (Seattle, WA)

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S E A T T L E C () L L E G E A X X U A L fury the patriotic Irish race as his voice rose and fell upon their hearts and minds. And to take an example from our own United States, if at the present day we enjoy the sweet boon of liberty it is due to the orator who with thrilling tones made America ring out with the shout of “Give us liberty or give us death.” Fellow students, it is easy to perceive the importance of oratory. A college student, trained and formed with all the knowledge of a liberal education, cannot ignore this art if he wants to utilize his college training to the 23 an eloquent shape or form which to them was the result of the constant study of the application of those rules that arc usually laid down for a persuasive speech. The orator speaks to please at times but more frequently to persuade. And the power of persuasion can be learned by study, thus bearing out even in our times the Latin saying, “Poeta nascitur, fit orator.” The poet is born but the orator is made. A writer on this subject has said: “Eloquence is not a gift but an art, not an inspiration but an acquisition, not an intuition but SKNIOK DKUATINC SOCIKTY OKKICKItS JOliy A. DorcilKItTY................................President JAMKS MoATKKU.......................................Secretary LKSTEIt SCIIOItN ..... Sergeant «t-Ann In-st advantage for the welfare of his church and country. Frequently the opportunity will present itself when he can express his views on subjects of importance for the good of the community in which he lives, of the government which he supports, of the church he has to defend. But it is not simply the word which we shall speak that will win an audience to ourselves, but the way in which we put that word. We are sure that Demosthenes at Athens and Cicero at Rome magnetized their audiences not by the mere enunciation of a:i argument, but by putting that argument in an attainment.” In studying the models of eloquence an objection may present itself at the outset. Can we form an ideal for ourselves from such extraordinary and exceptional men as these models often proposed to us? Certainly an ideal must be formed from the best representatives of an art and yet we may answer that although such men as Demosthenes. Cicero, Daniel Webster and others were exceptionally prominent, were the best representatives of the art the world has ever known, yet they were not and ought not to be beyond all imitation. The ideals which inspired their speaking and won the applause of

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TII E P A L E S T U A i batFH OWING to an increase in membership and to the zealous co-operation of our Reverend Moderator, Father Oliver, the Debating Society had an exceptionally successful year. The debates were carried out in strict parliamentary form. The excellent way in which the debates were delivered, speeches carefully prepared and thought out, the freedom with which each side took up the opponents’ arguments, have rendered the meetings instructive and agreeable to all present. We publish a partial list of the motions that were discussed during the year 1914-1915: October 16. “Resolved. That the illiteracy test is unfair to immigrants.” October 23. ”Resolved. That it is for the best interest of the state to vote against the prohibition amendment.” October 30. “Resolved. That it would have been wiser for the United States to have recognized Huerta at the time of his presidency.” November 13. ”Resolved. That Congress should immediately provide for further strengthening of the Navy.” November 20. Resolved. That the presidential form of government is preferable to the parliamentary form.” December 11. Resolved, That our government should own and control the telegraph and telephone systems.” January 15. Resolved. That the Chinese should be excluded from the United States.” January 26. Resolved. That the jitney bus is a better mode of transportation than the street car.” March 12. ”Resolved. That the Federal Government should own and operate all railways in the United States carrying interstate commerce.” March 26. Resolved, That the states should establish a schedule of minimum wages for unskilled labor constitutionally conceded.” April 16. Resolved, That the power of the Federal Government should De paramount to that of the states in the conservation of natural resources, limited to forests, water power and minerals.” April 23. Resolved. That the rapid awakening of the Mongolian race is perilous to the Caucasian supremacy of the world.” J. McAtebr, Secretary. 17. « (£ljr (0ratur If we consult the history of nations we find that oratory has been a powerful element in the shaping of their destinies. For the orator holds within him a power that neither statesmen, warriors or kings were capable to wield for the welfare of the multitudes. ‘‘It is he,” says Cicero, “who can hold enchained the minds of an assembly by the charm of speech, who fascinates their hearts, impells their wills whithersoever he pleases, and diverts them from whatsoever he desires.” We could multiply examples, both ancient and modern, to show that the speech of the orator has had even more power over the wills of a nation than the laws of statesmen, than the tactics of generals, or the mandates of rulers. Cast your eyes upon the past and sec there a proof of the magic influence exercised by the orator. By the power of his speech Demosthenes rouses the Athenian people from their national torpor to an enthusiastic love of their country till they cried out: “Lead us against Philip.” It was the eloquent word of O’Connell that lashed into

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24 T II K PA LUSTRA their audiences are the same that should inspire us whenever the opportunity presents itself to speak publicly, namely, to persuade our hearers. And today more than at any other time an educated young man can hardly be expected to move in the orbit to which his college training has elevated him without the ability to express his views and defend sound principles in the cause of morality and of truth. And again can we call that an education complete which would neglect that important branch of a college course, namely, the art of speaking? What college student may not be called upon at some future time to say a few words on a subject of interest, to argue his point in a discussion, to act or speak on a committee, to respond to a toast or introduce a public speaker? These may he looked upon as minor occasions of showing forth one’s ability in public speaking, yet we shall not do it with grace and force unless we are guided by the rules of the important art of oratory. No people, more than those of our country, have so much to do with public affairs, and therefore every young man ought to learn how to get that power which in public speaking leads to prominence in their solution. Now if the young man has any of the fire of eloquence in him it will burst into flame and be fanned into power by the interest of his audience and his word will enlighten the minds of his hearers in the cause which he advocates. Wide and far-reaching then are the possibilities of oratory. Let us. therefore, go forward in the study of this noble art that we may utter forcibly what is in us and may he in our generation “prophets unto the people.” J. Mitchell, ’17. A GRAIN OF TRUTH Self-satisfied are most of us Except when singled out for praise. And then the larger host of us Put on youth’s most embarassed ways. Disclaiming any marked success Or claiming all unworthincss. And lo! rot one in ten has lied; Self-satisfied are most of us, Hut with how little satisfied. John Mitchell, ’17.