《英语口语演讲稿范文（18篇）》

英语口语演讲稿范文（精选18篇）

英语口语演讲稿范文 篇1

Good afternoon,teachers and students!I’m very glad to be here and have a speech.Today,my title is Everyone’s Olympics.The 29th Olympic Games will be held in our country in 20__.As a great many people will visit our country,the government will build new hotels,a huge stadium,and a fine new swimming pool.

The games will be held just outside the capital and the whole area will be called “Olympic city”.

In a way,building Olympic Games is an image-creating undertaking.The first and foremost thing is to let people fall in love with the city at first sight,attracting them by its unique image.With a concept inspired by the famed Silk Road,our Torch Relay will break old idea,traveling from beginning through some of the oldest civilizations known to man-Greek,Indian and Chinese.Carrying the massage “Share the peace,Share the Olympics.”The flame will pass through Tibet,cross the yellow rivers,travel the Great Wall and visit Chinese Taiwan and the 56 Ethnic communities who make up our society.On its journey,the flame will be seen by and inspire more human beings than any previous relay.Do you know ? Everyone in the capital is preparing himself for the Olympic Games by learning English.

Because we must get most of Chinese to speak English before 20__.But as all know ,environment protection is an important problem of Beijing Olympics.

But I believe ,we can unite together to win the competition of the enviroment protection in Beijing, and present the world a big gold medal.

That is “Green Beijing,Green Olympics.”Let’s join the Olympics together.That’s all, Thank you for listening.

英语口语演讲稿范文 篇2

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Every one of us, rich or poor, should at least have one or two good friends. My friends will listen to me when I want to speak, will wipe my eyes when I cry, will take care of me when I am sick, and my friends will go together with me side by side through this journey of life.

Friendship is a kind of treasure in our lives. It is actually like a bottle of wine, the longer it is kept, the sweeter it will be. It is also like a cup of tea. When we are thirsty, it will be our best choice, but when we have enough time to enjoy ourselves, it is also the most fragrant drink.

All of us have to spare some time for personal lives. We have to find the chance to express our emotion and love. When staying with our friends, we can release ourselves completely. We can do whatever we want, we can laugh together, talk together, and even cry to-gether. I should say that being together with our best friends is the most wonderful moment of our lives.

As we know, we would feel lonely if we didn't even have a friend. But it doesn't mean we could depend on our friends all the time. There is a famous motto saying that “A friend is like a quilt with cotton wadding, but the real thing that keeps you warm is your own temperature.” It is really true. We have to work hard together with our friends, encourage each other and help each other. When we receive love and friendship, we should repay as much as we can.

Finally, let's pray together now that one day, all of us could find the person we want to find, and could enjoy a real beautiful friendship in our lives. Let's pray the flower of friendship be-tween our friends and us would always bloom brightly in our hearts

Thank you!

英语口语演讲稿范文 篇3

Michael Schumacher , born January 3, 1969, in Hürth Hermülheim, near Cologne, Germany), nicknamed "Schumi"and "Schu", is a former Formula One driver, and seven-time world champion. According to the official Formula One web site, he is statistically the greatest driver the sport has ever seen, He is the first German to win the F1 World championship and the world's first billionaire athlete, with an annual salary reported to be around $80 million in 20xx. In a 20xx FIA survey Michael Schumacher was voted the most popular driver with F1 fans.

Schumacher currently holds nearly every record in Formula One, including most drivers' championships, race victories, fastest laps, pole positions, and most races won in a single season. Schumacher was the senior driver of Formula One in 20xx, and he was for many years the president of the Grand Prix Drivers Association.

On September 10, 20xx, after winning the Italian Grand Prix, Schumacher announced his retirement as a driver. It was revealed on 29 October 20xx that Schumacher will act as assistant to the newly appointed CEO Jean Todt for the 20xx Formula One Season in particular scouting for new drivers.

英语口语演讲稿范文 篇4

Arkansas is a state that knows political skill when you see it. a fellow in saline county was asked by his son why he liked governor clinton so much. he said, son, he'll look you in the eye, he'll shake your hand, he'll hold your baby, he'll pat your dog -- all at the same time.

in the early 1990s, the american people saw a young, well-spoken, relatively unknown governor rise to national prominence. yet for decades here in arkansas, the signs of destiny were clear. when young william entered a new school in the 4th grade, a classmate recalls, "he didn't mean to, but he just took the place over." when governor clinton declared his candidacy for president in this city, his close friends were not surprised in the least. they'd always known that bill clinton's moment in history would come.

over the years, bill clinton showed himself to be much more than a good politician. his home state elected him governor in the 1970s, the 1980s, and the 1990s, because he was an innovator, a serious student of policy, and a man of great compassion. in the white house, the whole nation witnessed his brilliance and mastery of detail, his persuasive power, and his persistence. the president is not the kind to give up a fight. his staffers were known to say, "if clinton were the titanic, the iceberg would sink."

英语口语演讲稿范文 篇5

Good afternoon everyone:

Talking about integrity, some people may tkink that there is even no integrity on the officialdom in our countary. Is that true?

Turn on the TV the important new may the senior officials corruptioned the amazing number of money or have a lot of houses and some even have one or more mistresses. Often when I see it I fell diappointed. Where is “To serve the people”? Where is “The servants of the people”? Where is “Construction of integrity”? And “Where is the harmonious society”? No one give me an answer. So I disappointed so I keep silence.

What cause it? The system in China? May be it’s the reason on the one hand. If there is a crue system in China forexample find the officials corruption then give the death penalty with no mercy. I think it will be less and less corruptiones.

But the most reason I think is the greedy heart in the people.Think back new China early the heart of the people is integrity very much. The officials think about is the countary is the people. And even no one think about is the oneself profit. People live happy and don’t worry about somethings even they are poor.

I have a dream the officials in China can serve the people really don’t for themselves profit.

I have a dream if people have something to save they will seek help for gorventment but not use money.

I have a dream the officials can put the integrity in there heart but not the speech.

And I have a dream our countary will be more and more beautiful. Tkink you!

英语口语演讲稿范文 篇6

As the song goes “ My future isn’t a dream .” I love the song which brings me heart when singing it every time . I believe that all our dreams can come true if we have nerve to pursue them .When I was young my mother always asked me what I would be in the future . Sometimes I found it very hard to give a certain answer . “ I want to be a doctor .” “ I want to be a teacher .” and “ I ’d like to be a scientist !” Many of these answers are perhaps very childish . But I never think they are far away .

How time flies! Who is able to give a set to his future ? I know clearly that those high buildings are based on solid foundation . As a student , I should have a thinking aim , and study hard . My goal is to enter a good middle school for further study after primary school . I know it’s hard work , and I will come across many difficulties . But no matter what they are , I will keep working on it and never give up . My teacher says there is only one kind of people that are truly successful : those who are brave enough to put up with hardships . Even if I won’t gein the goal , I have no regets for what I have done , for I have fight for my life.

英语口语演讲稿范文 篇7

As you slowly open your eyes,look around,notice where the light comes into your room；listen carefully,see if there are new sounds you can recognize；feel with your body and spirit,and see if you can sense the freshness in the air.

Yes,yes,yes,it’s a new day,it’s a different day,and it’s a bright day！And most importantly,it is a new beginning for your life,a beginning where you are going to make new desicisions,take new actions,make new friends,and take your life to a totally unprecedented level！

In your mind’s eye,you can see clearly the things you want to have,the paces you intend to go,the relationships you desire to develop,and the positions you aspire to reach.

You can hear your laughters of joy and happiness on the day when everything happens as you dream.You can see the smiles on the people around you when the magic moment strikes.

英语口语演讲稿范文 篇8

thank you, mr. chairman.

mr. chairman, i join my colleague mr. rangel in thanking you for giving the junior members of this committee the glorious opportunity of sharing the pain of this inquiry. mr. chairman, you are a strong man, and it has not been easy but we have tried as best we can to give you as much assistance as possible.

earlier today, we heard the beginning of the preamble to the constitution of the united states: "we, the people." it's a very eloquent beginning. but when that document was completed on the seventeenth of september in 1787, i was not included in that "we, the people." i felt somehow for many years that george washington and alexander hamilton just left me out by mistake. but through the process of amendment, interpretation, and court decision, i have finally been included in "we, the people."

today i am an inquisitor. an hyperbole would not be fictional and would not overstate the solemnness that i feel right now. my faith in the constitution is whole; it is complete; it is total. and i am not going to sit here and be an idle spectator to the diminution, the subversion, the destruction, of the constitution.

"who can so properly be the inquisitors for the nation as the representatives of the nation themselves?" "the subjects of its jurisdiction are those offenses which proceed from the misconduct of public men."¹ and that's what we're talking about. in other words, [the jurisdiction comes] from the abuse or violation of some public trust.

it is wrong, i suggest, it is a misreading of the constitution for any member here to assert that for a member to vote for an article of impeachment means that that member must be convinced that the president should be removed from office. the constitution doesn't say that. the powers relating to impeachment are an essential check in the hands of the body of the legislature against and upon the encroachments of the executive. the division between the two branches of the legislature, the house and the senate, assigning to the one the right to accuse and to the other the right to judge, the framers of this constitution were very astute. they did not make the accusers and the judgers -- and the judges the same person.

we know the nature of impeachment. we've been talking about it awhile now. it is chiefly designed for the president and his high ministers to somehow be called into account. it is designed to "bridle" the executive if he engages in excesses. "it is designed as a method of national inquest into the conduct of public men."² the framers confided in the congress the power if need be, to remove the president in order to strike a delicate balance between a president swollen with power and grown tyrannical, and preservation of the independence of the executive.

the nature of impeachment: a narrowly channeled exception to the separation-of-powers maxim. the federal convention of 1787 said that. it limited impeachment to high crimes and misdemeanors and discounted and opposed the term "maladministration." "it is to be used only for great misdemeanors," so it was said in the north carolina ratification convention. and in the virginia ratification convention: "we do not trust our liberty to a particular branch. we need one branch to check the other."

"no one need be afraid" -- the north carolina ratification convention -- "no one need be afraid that officers who commit oppression will pass with immunity." "prosecutions of impeachments will seldom fail to agitate the passions of the whole community," said hamilton in the federalist papers, number 65. "we divide into parties more or less friendly or inimical to the accused."³ i do not mean political parties in that sense.

英语口语演讲稿范文 篇9

Good morning!

Greeting the cool morning breeze, soaking with warm sunshine, in this bright, warm and mature in August, we brought glory and dream, with pride and gratification, students studying together in the Holy Land, the cradle of the pillars of growth - - Experimental junior Sheyang County, where our new life began sailing.

Autumn is a fruitful season, we will gain fruitful results here; autumn is a season of planting, we are here to sow new hope. In such a beautiful season, we are very honored to be a junior training camp experiment Sheyang County soldiers. First of all, allow me on behalf of all trained soldiers, to spend a week with our military training about time for us to pay a hard training instructors have my highest respect and heartfelt thanks!

We bring excitement, with pride, with schools, teachers and parents the expectations of even more beautiful with our ideal vision and desire, to our dream of experimental junior high school. During these three years, we need to have a healthy body, good quality and overcome the psychological difficulties of courage and determination. The school organized military training for our activities, not only to improve our constitution, is to cultivate our indomitable will, indomitable spirit, broad mind love, hard style. The excellent quality of life in our three years of junior high school and even their lives will have a positive impact.

Rapid development of modern society, competition and challenges are not far away from us, strengthen national defense awareneof national defense, enhance sense of historical responsibility and mission, is our contemporary students must take every sacred duty.

Military training in order to make this work a success, we pledge:

1, obey the orders and commands

Obey orders, a soldier's duty, in military training in, no matter how hard or tired, whether wind or rain, we will never retreat, every action to the command.

2, study hard, honing their determination

Military time is short, but the style of the military, the military's will and character of the military is we will never be finished, and we will treasure the precious time of the week, with an open mind to learn the instructors, Basic Training, honing their will shape their own good character, for future study and life lay a solid ideological foundation.

3, transmission and spread of consolidating the results of

We believe that the military training will live in our lives left an indelible memories linger. We will learn the military training to good thinking, good style, and continue to promote the heritage, throughout our entire life.

Students, military training is honing the will of the melting pot, is a challenging training grounds, let us work together. Teachers, instructors, and please believe, we must Go!

My speech is over, thank you.

英语口语演讲稿范文 篇10

Good morning，ladies and gentlemen. I am Tracy from Guangzhou Huamei International School. I am a shiny girl. My family love me and I love then too. Do you know how help at home? Let me tell you about that.

My mom works very hard every day. She comes home very late in the evening. Usually my dad cooks for us. Sometimes I help my dad to wash the vegetables. Sometimes I set the table. I always wash the dishes when we finish eating. After I finish my homework I often water the flowers. I also look after my pet fish. I feed the fish before I go to bed.

I really enjoy helping my partents at home. Do you think I an a helpful girl? I think so!

Thank you!

关于小学英语口语演讲稿篇3

she kindled a third match. again shot up the flame; and now she was sitting under a most beautiful christmas tree ,far larger, and far more prettily decked out, than the one she had seen last christmas eve through the glass doors of the rich merchant's house. hundreds of wax-tapers lighted up the green branches, and tiny painted figures, such as she had seen in the shop-windows, looked down from the tree upon her. the child stretched out her hands towards them in delight, and in that moment the lights of the match warm quenched; still, however, the christmas candles burned higher and higher， she beheld them beaming like stars in heaven; one of them fell, the lights streaming behind it like a long, fiery tail.

“now some one is dying,” said the little girl, softly, for she had been told by her old grandmother， the only person who had ever been kind to her, and who was now dead that whenever a star falls an immortal spirit returns to the god who gave it.

she struck yet another match against the wall; it flamed up, and surrounded by its light, appeared before her that same dear grandmother, gentle and loving as always, but bright and happy as she had never looked during her lifetime.

英语口语演讲稿范文 篇11

It was noon on Friday. Friday was wash day, Kerry’s least favorite day. Doing the wash was such a pain. He had to gather together all the dirty clothes. He had to turn the shirts and slacks inside out to save wear and tear on the outside of the shirts and slacks. He had to empty all the junk out of all the pockets of his clothes.

Then he had to find quarters for each load of wash—four for the washer and three for the dryer. It’d be so nice to have a weekly maid, like his downstairs neighbor. Kerry piled all his clothes into the laundry basket and went downstairs. He was relieved to hear silence as he approached the laundry room; no one was using the machines. He put laundry soap and quarters into the washer, and set it at Warm Temperature and Regular Wash. A few minutes later, it was full of soapy water. He stuffed in half of the dirty clothes. This was going to be a two-load day.

He placed the half-full basket on top of the churning washer. He shut the laundry room door and walked back upstairs. He set his electronic timer to 35 minutes. When the washer was done, he’d reload it and put the first load into the dryer. He sat down and opened the newspaper to the California section: "Truck Runs Over Crossing Guard," said the headline.

英语口语演讲稿范文 篇12

An old woman had a cat. The cat was very old; she could not run quickly, and she could not bite, because she was so old. One day the old cat saw a mouse; she jumped and caught the mouse. But she could not bite it; so the mouse got out of her mouth and ran away, because the cat could not bite it.

Then the old woman became very angry because the cat had not killed the mouse. She began to hit the cat. The cat said, "Do not hit your old servant. I have worked for you for many years, and I would work for you still, but I am too old. Do not be unkind to the old, but remember what good work the old did when they were young."

英语口语演讲稿范文 篇13

Good morning, Everyone!

I will talk about sports. I am a lovely boy. I like many kinds of sports, such as walking, running, swimming, climbing, cycling and skipping. Sports give me a good health and bring me a lot of fun.

Now, I will tell you about my cycling sport. I often ride my bike when I am free. I like to ride my bike on a road. There are no cars and few people on the road. It is not very long. It is very good for cycling. When I ride down the slope, the bike runs very fast, and I feel like flying. It’s very good for me. Cycling gives me a lot of fun. Sports give me a strong body and bring me a lot of fun. If you want to be strong, please do sports; if you want to enjoy a happy life, please do sports, too.

Thank you!

英语口语演讲稿范文 篇14

good morning/evening/afternoon, ladies and gentlemen :

today, my speech is about talents,in my opionion, talents are indispensable in nowadays society. as is known to all that the fight among countries is actually the fight among talents.

first, i'd like to define the word"talent" in my idea, a talent is one person who is good at or expertised in some or multiple areas. nowadays, as the world developing goes on , if one country want to rank top or do a good job in the world, the country must have many talents.for example, china, the biggest developing country in the world, in the past 100 years, is always invaded by other countries, why ,the reason is that china at that time had not so many talents. if they had anti-intrusion leader talents in the war, needless to say,they would have beat those big powers.if they had talents in weapons manufacturing, nodody dares to provoke us.however, nowadays, it's a totally different situation, china has become powerfulin all over the world, why ? because there are many talents serving the country, the civilians become more and more literated.more and more people go to university,more and more people come to receive further education. so what is that in return,talents in army protect our country from invasion, talents in commerce help make our economy keep in improving, talents in aerospace make the world see chinese manned spacecraft flying. talents in sports make china rank the first in the olympic games......

to sum up, talents will play a more and more impoetant role in the world, if one country intends to flourish, he must foster talents as many as they can ,that's all,thank you.

早上/晚上/下午好,女士们,先生们:

今天,我的演讲是关于人才,在我opionion,人才在当今社会是不可或缺的。众所周知,国家间的斗争实际上是人才之间的战斗。

首先,我想定义“人才”这个词在我的想法,才能是一个人谁是擅长或公司部分或多个领域。如今,随着世界发展,如果一个国家想要排名顶部或世界上做得很好,国家必须有很多人才。例如,中国,世界上最大的发展中国家,在过去的120xx年里,总是被其他国家的入侵,当时为什么,原因是中国没有如此多的人才。如果他们anti-intrusion战争领袖人才,不用说,他们会打败那些大国。如果他们在武器制造人才,nodody敢惹我们。然而,如今,这是一个完全不同的情况下,中国已成为全世界powerfulin,为什么?因为有很多人才服务于国家,平民越来越有文化。越来越多的人上大学,越来越多的人开始接受进一步的教育。在军队是什么,作为回报,才能保护我们的国家免受入侵,人才在商业的帮助使我们的经济保持改善,人才航空让世界看到中国载人飞船飞行。人才在运动使中国排名第一个在奥运会上……

总之,人才将起到越来越impoetant在世界上的角色,如果一个国家想要蓬勃发展,他必须尽可能多培养人才,这是所有,谢谢你。

英语口语演讲稿范文 篇15

sponsibility of building the future of our country?

the cynics say the college students are the pampered lost generation, which would cringe at the slightest discomfort. but the cynics are wrong. the college students i see are eagerly learning about how to live independently. we help each other clean the dormitory, go shopping and bargain together, and take part time jobs to supplement our pocket money.

the cynics say we care for nothing other than grades; and we neglect the need for character cultivation. but again, the cynics are wrong. we care deeply for each other, we cherish freedom, we treasure justice, and we seek truth. last week, thousands of my fellow students had their blood type tested in order to make a contribution for the children who suffer from blood cancer.

as college students, we are adolescents at the critical turning point in our lives. we all face a fundamental choice: cynicism or faith, each will profoundly impact our future, or even the future of our country. i believe in all my fellow classmates. though we are still inexperienced and even a little bit childish. i believe that we have the courage and faith to meet any challenge and take on our responsibilities. we are preparing to assume new responsibilities and tasks, and to use the education we have received to make our world a better place. i believe in our future.

英语口语演讲稿范文 篇16

Ladies and gentleman,good evening!

It's my great honor to present this speech today.my name is peace and i am from class 1 of teaching chinese as a foreign language. my topic today is "living at present is my top concern"。

We've often heard the famous words;“yesterday is history,tomorrow is mistery,but today is a gift,that's why it's called 'present' ”.indeed,rich or poor,every one is endowed with this most precious gift .Only by treasuring it and living to our fullest potential in the present,can we project our way forward to a bright and rewarding future.

Living at present requires a positive attitude to confront life;it's having the wisdom to spend our life’s resources engaging in the most productive affairs; it's directing our time and energy towards the most efficient way to achieve a promising future! by living at present, we'll have more time and energy to focus on our goals and make a diffference to whatever our current task may be. furthermore, it's learning from the past instead of unnecessarily carrying heavy burdens from yesterday, and planing our future to wisely prepare for it instead of being impatient or restless . if we drawn, or let ourselves be overcome by yesterday's memories or strong feelings , how can we be observant enough to focus on things going on around us? if we are into dreaming or unnecessary concern for tomorrow,how can we prepare well for the exciting upcoming future?

That is why living at present is my top concern.

Living at present demands the courage to throw away useless encumbrances of the past , to accept what is unchangeable, to change what is chnageable, and to learn from the past which should be a lesson. ,instead of an obstacle.

Living at present also requires the wisdom to concentrate on the present ,preparing for the future and courageously displaying the patience to wait for tomorrow.

Over a long period of time, taking care of my little brother and making money at university push me too hard ,and i was so exhausted and anxious that i couldn't even sleep though my sleeping time is extremely limited.eventually, i came to realize that i must lay off the mental burdens like worries from the past and concerns for the future and live at present. I need just to realise that i am on my way to my destination. Because i now know, that my top concern is "living at present "!

英语口语演讲稿范文 篇17

law opened the bottom drawer of my sisters bureau and lifted out a tissue-wrapped package. this, he said, is not a slip. this is lingerie. he discarded the tissue and handed me the slip.

it was exquisite, silk, handmade and trimmed with a cobweb of lace. the price tag with an astronomical figure on it was still attached.

jan bought this the first time we went to new york, at least 8 or 9 years ago. she never wore it. she was saving it for a special occasion.

well, i guethis is the occasion.

he took the slip from me and put it on the bed, with the other clothes we were taking to the mortician. his hands lingered on the soft material for a moment, then he slammed the drawer shut and turned to me, dont ever save anything for a special occasion. every day you re alive is a special occasion.

i remembered those words through the funeral and the days that followed when i helped him and my niece attend to all the sad chores that follow an unexpected death. i thought about them on the plane returning to california from the midwestern town where my sisters family lives. i thought about all the things that she hadnt seen or heard or done. i thought about the things that she had done without realizing that they were special.

im still thinking about his words, and theyve changed the weeds in the garden. im spending more time with my family and friends and letime in committee meetings. whenever possible, life should be a pattern of experience to savour, not endure. im trying to recognize these moment now and cherish them.

im not saving anything; we use our good china and crystal for every special. event such as losing a pound, getting the sink unstopped, the first camellia blossom… i wear my good blazer to the market if i feel like it. my theory is if i look prosperous, i can shell out $$28. 49 for one small bag of groceries without wincing. im not saving my good perfume for special parties; clerks in hardware stores and tellers in banks have noses that function as well as my party going friends.

someday and one of these days are losing their grip on my vocabulary. if its worth seeing or hearing or doing, i want to see and hear and do it now. im not sure what my sister wouldve done had she know that she wouldnt be here for the tomorrow we all take for granted.

i think she would have called family members and a few close friends. she might have called a few former friends to apologize, and mend fences for past squabbles. i like to think she would have gone out for a chinese dinner, her favorite food. im guessing. ill never know.

its those little things left undone that would make me angry if i knew that my hours were limited. angry because i put off seeing good friends whom i was going to get in touch with someday. angry because i hadnt written certain letters that i intended to write one of these days. angry and sorry that i didnt tell my husband and daughter often enough how much i truly love them.

im trying very hard not to put off, hold back, or save anything that would add laughter and luster to our lives. and every morning when i open my eyes, i tell myself that every day, every minute, every breath truly, is... a gift from god.

Thank you for giving me this opportunity to improve my oral English. Thank you

英语口语演讲稿范文 篇18

thank you, mr. chairman.

mr. chairman, i join my colleague mr. rangel in thanking you for giving the junior members of this committee the glorious opportunity of sharing the pain of this inquiry. mr. chairman, you are a strong man, and it has not been easy but we have tried as best we can to give you as much assistance as possible.

earlier today, we heard the beginning of the preamble to the constitution of the united states: "we, the people." it's a very eloquent beginning. but when that document was completed on the seventeenth of september in 1787, i was not included in that "we, the people." i felt somehow for many years that george washington and alexander hamilton just left me out by mistake. but through the process of amendment, interpretation, and court decision, i have finally been included in "we, the people."

today i am an inquisitor. an hyperbole would not be fictional and would not overstate the solemnness that i feel right now. my faith in the constitution is whole; it is complete; it is total. and i am not going to sit here and be an idle spectator to the diminution, the subversion, the destruction, of the constitution.

"who can so properly be the inquisitors for the nation as the representatives of the nation themselves?" "the subjects of its jurisdiction are those offenses which proceed from the misconduct of public men." and that's what we're talking about. in other words, [the jurisdiction comes] from the abuse or violation of some public trust.

it is wrong, i suggest, it is a misreading of the constitution for any member here to assert that for a member to vote for an article of impeachment means that that member must be convinced that the president should be removed from office. the constitution doesn't say that. the powers relating to impeachment are an essential check in the hands of the body of the legislature against and upon the encroachments of the executive. the division between the two branches of the legislature, the house and the senate, assigning to the one the right to accuse and to the other the right to judge, the framers of this constitution were very astute. they did not make the accusers and the judgers -- and the judges the same person.

we know the nature of impeachment. we've been talking about it awhile now. it is chiefly designed for the president and his high ministers to somehow be called into account. it is designed to "bridle" the executive if he engages in excesses. "it is designed as a method of national inquest into the conduct of public men." the framers confided in the congress the power if need be, to remove the president in order to strike a delicate balance between a president swollen with power and grown tyrannical, and preservation of the independence of the executive.

the nature of impeachment: a narrowly channeled exception to the separation-of-powers maxim. the federal convention of 1787 said that. it limited impeachment to high crimes and misdemeanors and discounted and opposed the term "maladministration." "it is to be used only for great misdemeanors," so it was said in the north carolina ratification convention. and in the virginia ratification convention: "we do not trust our liberty to a particular branch. we need one branch to check the other."

"no one need be afraid" -- the north carolina ratification convention -- "no one need be afraid that officers who commit oppression will pass with immunity." "prosecutions of impeachments will seldom fail to agitate the passions of the whole community," said hamilton in the federalist papers, number 65. "we divide into parties more or less friendly or inimical to the accused." i do not mean political parties in that sense.