经典英文演讲之 Who Then Will Speak for the Common Good?

　　Barbara Jordan: "Who Then Will Speak for the Common Good?"

　　1976 Democratic National Convention Keynote Address

　　delivered 12 July 1976, New York, NY

　　Thank you ladies and gentlemen for a very warm reception.

　　It was one hundred and forty-four years ago that members of the Democratic Party first met in convention to select a Presidential candidate. Since that time, Democrats have continued to convene once every four years and draft a party platform and nominate a Presidential candidate. And our meeting this week is a continuation of that tradition. But there is something different about tonight. There is something special about tonight. What is different? What is special?

　　I, Barbara Jordan, am a keynote speaker.

　　A lot of years passed since 1832, and during that time it would have been most unusual for any national political party to ask that a Barbara Jordan to deliver a keynote address. But tonight here I am. And I feel that notwithstanding the past that my presence here is one additional bit of evidence that the American Dream need not forever be deferred.