r yield this point or resign.

It does not matter whether we go or stay.

But a point is inserted if the words stand farther apart, or if each
is followed by a complete clause.

Either this road leads to the town, or we have misunderstood
the directions.

(b) "Or," joining two alternatives, takes no point before it; but when
it joins two words that are used, not as real alternatives, but as
synonyms, a comma is inserted.

England or France might be asked to join the alliance.

Here "or" is used as a real alternative conjecture, and therefore
without any point. In the following examples, the "or" joins
equivalent expressions:

England, or the nation of shopkeepers, would never be asked
to join such an alliance.

We perceive, or are conscious of, nothing but changes, or
events.

As a reason for the insertion of the comma in these two examples, it
may be said that the repetition of an idea already expressed does for
a moment stop the flow of the sentence. A real alternative, on the
other hand, forms an essential part of it, and is within its current.

XVII. In cases where no point would be used before a conjunction, a
comma is inserted if the conjunction be omitted.

I pay this tribute to the memory of that noble, reverend,
learned, excellent person.

In the following examples no point occurs; for it cannot be said that
a conjunction is omitted. To insert the conjunction would be to
express a slightly different shade of meaning:

A grand old man.

Three tall young soldiers.

"Old man" is virtually a single word and in fact many languages use
only a single word to express the idea.

XVIII. Where a comma would be used if the conjunction were expressed,
some stronger point may be used if it be omitted.

Let us get an American revenue as we have got an American
Empire. English privileges have made it all that it is;
English privileges alone will make it all that it can be.

XIX. A comma is placed after a noun or a pronoun in the vocative case,
if a mark of exclamation be not used, or be reserved till the first
distinct pause in the sentence.

Yet I own, my lord, that yours is not an uncommon character.

I am, Sir, yours truly, John Smith.

O Italy, gather thy blood into thy heart!

O Thou, who in the heavens dost dwell!

Whether a comma or a mark of exclamation ought to be used after the
vocative