How memorable, really, is the Cross of Gold, except maybe the one line with that part in it?

Except for maybe Clay and Douglas, who else in the nineteeth century is quite so ingrained in the educated American mind? For that matter, can you think of a single thing either of those two actually said?

Did Lincoln have any other speeches you remember off the top of your head? Maybe you’ll guess and say “First Inaugural” or a “State of the Union.” Good try.

Or do you remember he was a great orator — I’m not disputing that part, though — only because that’s what you remember your teacher telling you?

I don’t know about your AP US History class, but mine didn’t get past the beginning of Reagan’s second term — recent oration falls by the wayside.

If yours is anything similar, it’s no surprise you never heard Mario Cuomo’s renowned speech at the 1988 Democratic Convention — “A Tale of Two Cities” — or the cut-above speeches Clinton tended to deliver now and then.

Modern students aren’t treated, either, to the Obama’s speech at the 2004 Democratic National Convention, which had pretty good reception at the time. If he wins the nomination and the election, I wouldn’t be surprised if that speech becomes historically significant.

Of course, if your only real exposure to political candidates has been through the Daily Show, I don’t think you should expect great oration.

The greatest orator of the 20th Century is an exception, but we can’t all have Churchill — “Their Finest Hour,” or “Blood, Toil, Tears and Sweat,” or that little one about an iron curtain.

Great orators are few and far between, and speeches almost as much. There were never really that many memorable speeches ever.

We’re not exactly in a dry spell.