SOME ITEMS THAT WOULD BE APPROPRIATE IN RESPONDING TO THESE TOASTS.

Their order and character will depend upon the special topic.


Our present prosperity--the greatness and resources of our country as
compared with those of the Revolutionary epoch--the slow growth of the
colonies--the rapid growth of the States and the addition of new States
continually--what was gained by independence--did we do more than simply
prevent tyranny--the advantages an independent country possesses over a
colony, such as Canada--the perils of independence and the responsibility
of power--the romantic early history of the country--the wars that preceded
the Revolutionary conflict--the character of the struggle--the slenderness
of our resources compared with the mighty power of Britain--our ally,
France--what that nation gained and lost by joining in our quarrel--the
memories of Washington and Lafayette--the principles at stake in the
Revolution--the narrow view our fathers took of the issue at first, and
the manner in which they were led first to independence and then to
nationality--some phases of the struggle--its critical points--Trenton and
Valley Forge--Saratoga and Yorktown--our responsibilities and duties--the
questions of that day enumerated and compared with the burning questions
of the present day (which we do not enumerate here, but which the speaker
may describe or even argue if the nature of his audience, or time at his
disposal permits)--the future greatness of the nation--the probability of
the acquisition of new territory.

Laughable incidents either from history or illustrations from any source,
must not be forgotten, for if the speech be more than a few minutes long
they are absolutely indispensable.