But in early time, when writing is difficult, reading rare, and representation undiscovered, those who are to be guided by the discussion must hear it with their own ears, must be brought face to face with the orator, and must feel his influence for themselves.
Bagehot emphasizes the importance of direct engagement with orators in early societies where literacy was limited.
Share
More from Walter Bagehot
But all men heed great results, and a change of Government is a great result.
The United States could not have become monarchical, even if the Constitutional Convention had decreed it, even if the component States had ratified it.
And, to the effectual maintenance of such a separation, the exclusion of the President's Ministers from the legislature is essential.
He gave an excellent moral example to his contemporaries, but he is an instance of those whose good dies with them, while their evil lives after them.
Other voices in this conversation
