A number of speeches in our relatively short history as a nation are universally viewed as the “best.”
Patrick Henry telling a Virginia convention that his stance against British rule in 1775 was simple: “Give me liberty, or give me death.”
Or George Washington concluding his first inauguration address with the classic words that the “Parent of the Human Race has been pleased to favor the American people with opportunities for deliberating in perfect tranquility, and dispositions for deciding with unparalleled unanimity on a form of government for the security of their union and the advancement of their happiness.”
There was perhaps the most famous start to a great speech when Abraham Lincoln told those in Gettysburg “Fourscore and seven years ago our fathers brought forth, upon this continent, a new nation, conceived in liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.”
FDR and JFK eloquently told us about the day that forever lived in infamy and the simple truth that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself, among other things.
And of course, there’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his amazing “I Have a Dream” speech during a march on Washington.
We can quibble about the order, but no one can deny the greatness of each speech.
On Monday – MLK Day – how could we not think of the message King delivered in August 1963, especially with the story of the talented and inspiring students at the Chattanooga Boys School paying special tribute to him.
His collected words were more than a speech. They were art.
Rhythmic in delivery. Perfect in word choice. Powerful in presentation.
His dream was about leadership. Today, it feels as if we have too little of that on either side of our political world.
His dream was about passion. Perhaps there is too much passion today; we are passionate about our cause more than our country.
His dream was about unity more than anything else. Unity of spirit, appreciation of character and celebration of goodness.
And gang, regardless of color, gender, politics or persuasion, if unity was the dream, then we are still snoozing.
Jay GreesonContact Jay Greeson at jgreeson@timesfreepress.com.