Cord Byrd: “Cicero was asked which of Demosthenes' speeches he most admired. Cicero's answer was: The longest. By the way…”

“Cicero was asked which of Demosthenes' speeches he most admired. Cicero's answer was: The longest. By the way, Demosthenes committed suicide. He carried some poison in a bracelet and he committed suicide. While I admire Demosthenes, I do not hope to follow his course in that regard. The greatest oration that was ever delivered was the Oration on the Crown by Demosthenes. In that oration, he asked the question: Who deceives the State? He answered his own question. He who does not speak what he thinks. God, give us men! A time like this demands strong minds, great hearts, true faith, and ready hands. Men whom the lusts of office do not kill; Men whom the spoils of office cannot buy; Men who possess opinions and a will; Men who have honor; men who will not lie. Men who can stand before the demagogue And brave his treacherous flatteries without winking. Tall men, sun-crowned; Who live above the fog, In public duty and in private thinking. For while the rabble with its thumbworn creeds, It's large professions and its little deeds, mingles in selfish strife, Lo! Freedom weeps! Wrong rules the land and waiting justice sleeps. God, give us men. Men who serve not for selfish booty; But real men, courageous, who flinch not at duty. Men of dependable character; Men of sterling worth; Then wrongs will be redressed, and right will rule the earth. God, give us Men!”