banner, would be appropriate. But let this sentiment be added: "May the
justness and benevolence which it represents ever charm the heart, as its
beauty charms the eye," and the outline of a speech is already indicated.
Has our nation always been just and kind? Where and how have these
qualities been most strikingly manifested? Why have we seemed sometimes
to come short of them, and how should such injustice or harsh dealing be
remedied, with as much rhetorical admixture of the waving folds and the
glittering stars as the speaker sees fit to employ.

From these considerations may be deduced the rule that when the proposer
of a toast wishes to leave the respondent the freedom of the whole subject
he will give the toast alone, or accompanied by a motto of the most
non-committal character. But if he wishes to draw him out in a particular
direction he will put the real theme in the sentiment that follows the
toast.


SENTIMENTS SUGGESTED BY A TOAST

Years ago a speaker provoked a controversy (maliciously and with no good
excuse) which scarcely came short of blows, by proposing as a toast the
name of a general of high rank, but who was unfortunate in arms. He was
a candidate for office. Added to the toast was the sentiment, "May his
political equal his military victories." This was in bad taste, indeed, but
it shows the use that can be made of the sentiment, when added to a toast,
in fixing attention in a certain direction.

The number of sentiments suggested by the common and standard toasts is
unlimited. Take the toast "Home," as an example.