The American Union Speaker

"The American Union Speaker" by John D. Philbrick is a collection of selections for recitation and declamation, crafted during the mid-19th century, particularly in the wake of the American Civil War. The work aims to provide a diverse array of prose and poetry, focusing on eloquent speeches and writings that resonate with themes of patriotism, national identity, and moral values. It serves as both a resource for students in schools and colleges and a reflection on the central issues of its time, advocating for the enduring principles of freedom and justice. The opening of the volume establishes its dual purpose: to meet the demand for fresh selections relevant to the contemporary national crisis while also presenting a compilation of time-honored pieces recognized for their literary and rhetorical merit. Philbrick emphasizes the importance of elocution and the role of oratory in shaping public sentiment, showcasing various notable figures whose works exemplify eloquence during turbulent times. The preface sets a serious tone, articulating the significance of the art of speaking and laying the groundwork for the practical guidance that follows, thus positioning the book as an essential tool for fostering effective communication and civic engagement among its readers. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

John Dudley Philbrick was a prominent American educator. He graduated in 1842 from Dartmouth College, where he was one of the founders of the Kappa Kappa Kappa fraternity along with two of his closest companions, Brigadier General Harrison Carroll Hobart and Judge Stephen Gordon Nash. He was a schoolteacher for 11 years in Boston schools, including the Boston English High School, the Quincy School and Roxbury Latin. At the suggestion of Henry Barnard he was recruited in 1853 to become Barnard's successor as principal of the Connecticut State Normal School. This was followed by a term as Connecticut superintendent of common schools from 1855 to late 1856. In December 1856 he was elected superintendent of public schools in Boston, serving with one short interruption until March 1878.