Hon. Carl D. Thompson

              1918

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Hon. Carl D. Thompson
Century Lyceum Bureau Auditorium Bldg. Chicago



HON. CARL D. THOMPSON
A Man with a Great Subject and a Great Object
The Fulfillment of Democracy

A Lecture replete with Facts, Ideals, Patriotism; and fairly on fire with an Enthusiasm for Humanity


The Fulfillment of Democracy
WILL the Lyceum and Chautauqua continue to have room for strong men with big themes, or will they soon offer merely 'Entertainment Courses'?

The Century Lyceum Bureau strongly endorses the entertainment features of present day Lyceum and Chautauqua programs, but believes there is and always will be demand, on the part of the more intelligent and progressive communities, for men of power and high ideals, and enthusiasm,— Men with empires in their purpose, And new eras in their brains.

But fortunately, one need not be dull, in order to be profound.  The man who sways masses, Who moves people's hearts and makes their eyes glisten must be thoroughly alive, interesting, and even entertaining.

Such a man is Carl D. Thompson.  With a wonderful power of description, with fun enough in his make-up to have warranted his success as a comedian, with fine dramatic ability, vivid imagination, sympathy, personality, he could not be dull if he tried.

But he has chosen to use his rare gifts, not in helping to while away a pleasant hour, but in making clearer to the American people the meaning and mission of America.  Beginning with the ideal as set forth in the Declaration of Independence, and in the Preamble to the Constitution, he digs deep, and builds broad and high, the structure of the state to be.  He discusses the needs, and outlines the measures, political, educational, and industrial, that will help to realize the possibilities of this Nation, to its own people and to the world.

But do not engage Carl D. Thompson unless you want a man who is tremendously in earnest, for the greatest reason for his success on the platform is that the subject of his lecture is at the same time the object of his life,—The Fulfillment of Democracy.

CENTURY LYCEUM BUREAU





HON. CARL D. THOMPSON
Endorsed by Men of National Note

Representative Letters
La Follette.

In the chautauqua courses of 1909, I spoke to many of the same audiences which had been addressed earlier in the season by Hon. Carl D. Thompson.  I heard everywhere nothing but words of the highest praise and approval of his work.  Even the most critical expressed themselves deeply impressed with the clearness and force of his presentation and the high level of his ideals.

Judge Lindsey, of Denver.

In my judgment, Hon. Carl D. Thompson, of Milwaukee, is one of the most enlightening, entertaining, interesting and powerful platform men in this country.  Mr. Thompson is one of those men who believe in constructive work.  His blows for real democracy are having a telling effect.

Those who have heard him at chautauquas are naturally and justly enthusiastic over his sincere, earnest appeals for righteousness and justice.  He ranks at the very top with those men in this country who are giving their whole heart and soul to the fight for justice.

Jane Addams, Hull House, Chicago.

Carl D. Thompson is, in my opinion, a speaker of unusual ability.  He speaks with clearness of diction and presents his subject most ably.


Opie Read.
In his lecture, Thompson presents the throbbing heart of democracy—the best lecture on this subject I ever heard.  It is clear and masterly.

Graham Taylor, Chicago Commons.

I heard Hon. Carl D. Thompson's address at the Chicago conference of the National Peace Society, on the relation of 'Labor to International Peace,' with pleasure and profit.  It was clear cut, interesting and informing, and it was delivered with persuasive earnestness.

Herman L. Ekern, Speaker, Wisconsin Assembly, 1907.

The ideals of democracy had no more efficient spokesman in the session of 1907 than Hon. Carl D. Thompson.  To a deep knowledge of the facts he added constructive ability and a clear, logical and winning presentation which always commanded admiration and support.

Dr. F. E. Way, Superintendent Wahoo, Neb., Chautauqua.

The best speaker on the program this year was Carl D. Thompson.  He appeared for a short talk one afternoon.  Did not have the crowd he deserved for that reason.  He created more enthusiasm than any other man on the program.  The people were ready to mob me because I could not arrange to have him talk again that evening.




Senator La Follette
Judge Lindsey of Denver
Jane Addams Hull House Chicago
Opie Read
Graham Taylor Chicago Commons
H. L. Ekern Speaker, Wisconsin Assembly
Dr. F. E. Way Superintendent Wahoo, Neb. Chautauqua





HON. CARL D. THOMPSON
A Brilliant Chautauqua Success

A Letter from Wm. Rainey Bennett
Few men on the lecture platform today have had the rough-and-tumble experience with audiences that Hon. Carl D. Thompson has had.  He is master of all kinds of people in all kinds of conditions.  I have heard him speak to refined audiences where a misplaced accent would have branded him as a barn-stormer.  I have heard him speak to men where a misplaced brick-bat would have started mob violence.

I have heard him nearly every day through two summers in chautauqua work, where he had to compete with crying babies, barking dogs, buzzing flies, friendly mosquitoes, crunching peanuts, hooting engines, hot winds, Ben Lindsey, Bob La Follette and several others, and he got away with them.  Thompson is like a cat—I care not how you throw him up he will light on his feet.  He fits the American crowds who have had plenty of this Mother, Home and Heaven racket, and are ready for something down-to-date.

Carl D. Thompson belongs to the type which I style The Man Who Can.  He is a man with a triumphant enthusiasm.  He is a student and knows what he is talking about.  He is an orator and knows how to tell what he knows.  He is a humorist and says things as no one else can.  He is original and does not need to imitate.  But more than all else, he is a man of conscience.  His whole being vibrates for the cause of moral and industrial righteousness.  His whole life has felt the stress and strain of the social problem on himself as much as upon others.



Metropolitan Press and Chautauqua Comments
Charles F. Horner, Manager Chautauquas.

Hon. Carl D. Thompson, of Milwaukee, has lectured at my chautauquas a great many times and he has filled many return engagements for me.  Whether he elects to use a popular subject or talks along the line of his life's work, I heartily recommend him.  He has a big heart and a big brain, and I believe he is lecturing solely because he is confident he has a message which the people should hear.


Milwaukee Sentinel.
Mr. Thompson was peculiarly eloquent.  He interpolated his arguments with stories, and with extracts from the poets and dramatists, and caused strong men to weep and women to cry aloud with his recitation of 'The Wolf is at the Door.'  Taken as a whole, it was the most remarkable meeting that has been held in Milwaukee for many a day.


Burlington, Ia., Evening Gazette.
Hon. Carl D. Thompson, who recently came into prominence through his efforts in behalf of progressive legislation in Wisconsin, is a speaker of wonderful ability.  His power to sway his audience is very marked.  At one moment they were convulsed with laughter at his humor, and the next moment in tears at his vivid portrayal of some pathetic incident.


Daily Tribune, Manitowoc, Wis.
The Opera House was filled from pit to gallery on Saturday night to hear the Hon. Carl D. Thompson.  No greater lecture has ever been heard in this city.  For almost two hours the audience listened, spell-bound, too intent upon catching every word for applause, although spontaneous outbursts were not infrequent.  From first to last the lecture was an array of hard facts, clothed in a form which made even the dryest of them glow with the human interest which compels attention.  With eager faces, straining eyes and ears, the people followed him while he mapped out the program of legislation that democracy must pursue in its constructive task.


News Tribune, Marion, Ind.
Mr. Thompson is at home on that great and prophetic theme, and speaks with the courage of his convictions that lends fire to his message.  But The Fulfillment of Democracy is more than a dream to him.  He is seeing many of these dreams brought to deeds.  Mr. Thompson is a virile member of the legislature of Wisconsin, and is also in touch with the tremendous reform movements that are working to the salvation of a city of over 350,000 people.  There is a splendid optimism in all that he says and the way he says it.  He is a born actor, a fine mimic, but there is not a poisoned arrow in any of his shots, nor a sting in any sentence.  His message is one great passion mingled with the power of achievement which distinguishes him from the grandstander, or the man merely with a bleeding heart, fluttering helplessly over the sorrows of the world.




ALLIED PRINTING TRADES UNION LABEL COUNCIL