Henry Fair- lie, in The New Republic (Mav 28, 1984). 1220 19th St. N.w., washington, D.C. 20036.
Once "it was impossible to think of the practice of politics without the eloquence with which kings and politicians tried to move individuals and multitudes." Today, laments the New Republic's Fairlie, oratory has no place in American politics.
Of course, television is responsible for much of the change. Before the advent of broadcasting, public gatherings and newspapers were the sole outlets...