THE MISSION OF AMERICA

America has abstained from interference in the concerns of others, even when the conflict has been for principles to which she clings, as to the last vital drop that visits the heart. She has seen that, probably for centuries to come, all the contests of that Aceldama, the European world, will be contests between inveterate power and emerging right. Wherever the standard of freedom and independence has been or shall be unfurled, there will her heart, her benedictions, and her prayers be. But she goes not abroad in search of monsters to destroy. She is the well wisher to the freedom and independence of all. She is the champion and vindicator only of her own. She will recommend the general cause by the countenance of her voice and the benignant sympathy of her example. She well knows that, by once enlisting under other banners than her own, were they even the banners of foreign independence, she would involve herself, beyond the power of extrication, in all the wars of interest and intrigue, of individual avarice, envy, and ambition, which assume the color and usurp the standard of freedom. The fundamental maxims of her policy would insensibly change from liberty to force. The frontlet upon her brows would no longer beam with the ineffable splendor of freedom and independence; but in its stead would soon be substituted an imperial diadem, flashing in false and tarnished luster the murky radiance of dominion and power. She might become the dictatress of the world; she would no longer be the ruler of her own spirit. -JOHN QUINCY ADAMS.

measure,

MY AMBITION

I have been accused of ambition in presenting this inordinate ambition! If I had thought of myself only, I should have never brought it forward. I know well the perils to which I expose myself, — the risk of alienating faithful and valued friends, with but little prospect of making new ones, if any new ones could compensate for the loss of those we have long tried and loved; and the honest misconception, both of friends and foes. Ambition! If I had listened to its soft and seducing whispers, if I had yielded myself to the dictates of a cold, calculating, and prudential policy, I would have stood still; I might have silently gazed on the raging storm, enjoyed its loudest thunders, and left those who are charged with the care of the vessel of state to conduct it as they could. I have been heretofore often unjustly accused of ambition. Low, groveling souls, who are utterly incapable of elevating themselves to the higher and nobler duties of pure patriotism, beings who, forever keeping their own selfish aims in view, decide all public measures by their presumed influence on their aggrandizement, judge me by the venal rule which they prescribe to themselves. I have given to the winds those false accusations, as I consign that which now impeaches my motives. I have no desire for office, not even for the highest. The most exalted is but a prison, in which the incumbent daily receives his cold, heartless visitants, marks his weary hours, and is cut off from the practical enjoyment of all the blessings of genuine freedom. I am no candidate for any office in the gift of the people of these states, united or separated: I never wish, never expect to be. Pass this bill, tranquilize the country, restore confidence and

affection in the Union, and I am willing to go home to Ashland, and renounce public service forever. I should there find, in its groves, under its shades, on its lawns, amid my flocks and herds, in the bosom of my family, sincerity and truth, attachment and fidelity, and gratitude, which I have not always found in the walks of public life. Yes, I have ambition; but it is the ambition of being the humble instrument, in the hands of Providence, to reconcile a divided people, once more to revive concord and harmony in a distracted land, the pleasing ambition of contemplating the glorious spectacle of a free, united, prosperous, and fraternal people.

CHAPTER XI

GESTURE

By

THE speaker has another means at his command for arresting and directing the attention of his audience and for emphasizing his chief points. This is gesture. gesture we mean expressive movement, especially of the arms and head. Gesture should be reserved for emphatic passages or for those in which the author's meaning cannot be fully expressed by the voice alone.

EXERCISE I

PREPARATORY

Standing in the first position (page 10) with the arms hanging loosely, shoulders and muscles of the neck perfectly passive: (1) Relax the arms and shoulders completely by turning the body rather sharply from left to right and back a number of times, letting the arms go where they may.

(2) Raise the upper arm at the side with the forearm dangling lifelessly, and in this po

sition shake the upper arm until the forearm and hand can be thrown about freely. (See figure.)

(3) Extend the arms straight out from the shoulder with the hands dangling and shake the hands in the same way, 1) at the sides, 2) in front,

with palms (a) downward, (b) upward, (c) edgewise.

(4) With elbows at the sides, raise the forearm only, shaking the hands as before in the various positions described above.

EXERCISE II

INDICATION

After thoroughly relaxing as above, (1) lift first the upper arm, then the forearm, then the hand, finally pointing with the forefinger, allowing the other fingers to take their natural free and relaxed attitude. (2) Bring the arm back to the side in the same order. Point in various directions and with the palm up, edgewise, or downward. Use either hand.

Practice also with the forearm and hand, and with the hand alone; in the latter case, first lifting the forearm carelessly until the wrist is about on a line with the elbow, or opposite the middle of the chest. Point in various directions, until flexibility and ease of wrist have been attained. At first go very slowly, but gradually blend the movements until there is no perceptible break in the action.

Be sure that in all these actions you have the least possible muscular tension or effort. Use just the muscles Say, "Look at that

that are necessary and no more. tree, house, book, window," etc. We use the finger for definite or minute objects, the whole hand with fingers outspread for vast objects. Of course, there are many degrees between these extremes.

Wherever we find it necessary to locate an object we make use of indicative, or as they are sometimes called, locative gestures; but remember that, though for practice you may make a great many gestures, in actual speaking