He would speak not to win this election, for that he was convinced no Radical could do and be honest, but so speak that either he or some better man should hereafter win elections by an emancipated electorate. He would not water down his creed to conciliate the half-hearted or to disarm the prejudiced. The people should know his soul, his whole soul and nothing short of it. He knew his speech would shock, would wound, would alienate; but he had learned his political creed amid the free, outspoken, fearless, and enlightened citizens of the North; and that creed, or none at all, from him the more dull and decorous Midlands should have. The chairman, a pursy, podgy alderman of the town, gasped with horror, the ex-Cabinet Minister grew frigid with haughty resentment, the black-clothed citizens looked into each other’s eyes in blank dismay, but the ruddy peasants and the grimy miners roared themselves hoarse as he warmed to his work and spoke the convictions of his mind.
He did not aim to win the election, as he believed no Radical could do so honestly, but instead sought to speak in a way that would pave the path for future victories, whether by him or someone better, through an electorate freed from constraints. He refused to dilute his beliefs to appease the hesitant or to placate the prejudiced. His goal was to reveal his true self, his entire being, without compromise. He understood his words would shock, hurt, and drive some away, but his political convictions had been shaped among the bold, candid, and informed citizens of the North, and he would present those beliefs unaltered to the more reserved Midlands. The chairman, a portly alderman, reacted with visible horror, the former Cabinet Minister stiffened with disdain, and the somber townspeople exchanged uneasy glances, while the farmers and miners cheered loudly as he passionately expressed his ideas.
He aimed to speak not to secure this election, as he believed no Radical could achieve that while maintaining honesty, but to express himself in a way that would allow either him or a more capable candidate to win in the future through an informed electorate. He would not dilute his beliefs to appease those who were not fully committed or to quell biases. He wanted the audience to understand his true self completely. He recognized that his words might shock or alienate some, but he had formed his political beliefs among the candid and open-minded citizens of the North. He intended to share those views, regardless of how they might be received by the more conventional Midlands crowd. The chairman, a stout and uncomfortable alderman, reacted with shock, the former Cabinet Minister responded with cold disdain, and the formally dressed citizens exchanged looks of confusion, while the enthusiastic peasants and miners applauded loudly as he passionately conveyed his convictions.
He wanted to speak not to win this election, for he thought no Radical could win it honestly, but to speak in a manner that would enable him or a better candidate to win it in the future by a well-informed electorate. He would not compromise his convictions to please those who were not fully committed or to placate prejudices. He wanted the audience to know him as he really was. He knew that his remarks would offend or alienate some, but he had forged his political views among the open-minded and honest people of the North. He wanted to express those opinions, however they were received by the more traditional Midlands audience. The chairman, a fat and stout alderman, was astonished, the former Cabinet Minister was a cold snob, and the well-dressed citizens looked at each other in dismay, while the peasants and miners cheered loudly as he argued his case with fervor.
He was not trying to talk to get this election, for he thought no Radical could do that and be honest at the same time, but to talk in such a way that either he or a better man could win in the future by an enlightened electorate. He would not water down his beliefs to satisfy the uncommitted or to silence prejudice. He wanted the audience to know his real self completely. He knew that his words could offend or isolate some, but he had developed his political views among the frank and tolerant people of the North. He wanted to express those opinions, no matter how they would be received by the more conservative Midlands audience. The chairman, a heavy and awkward alderman, was stunned; the former Cabinet Minister was scornful; the well-dressed people looked at each other in bewilderment; the peasants and miners clapped their hands as he spoke with fervour about his beliefs.