Where does the Scopes trial stand in the history of American public address?
It was a rhetorical heavyweight fight between two titans of American oratory. By 1925, these men had been iconic figures on the public stage for three decades, with careers based entirely on their oratory. Here they are, at the end of their careers, both old men, openly contemptuous of one another, yelling, staring, and glaring at each other. It’s the stuff legends are made of. It’s a blood sport, in a way, it’s one person taking on another one individually. Of course there’s a supporting cast of characters — but these two are the stars. Neither man has anything on the other, with respect to oratorical ability. It’s a contest between equals. Except that it’s a contest fought on Darrow’s turf — in the courtroom — and the most significant move is that Darrow, by admitting that his client was guilty and foregoing summation to the jury, denies Bryan the opportunity to speak from his best platform, and deliver his speech. In the end, how do Bryan and Darrow compare? Both are unquestionab
