Compromise of 1850

Clay’s speech, given at a significant time and place in history, is inseparable from its context. Analyze how the historical context influenced Clay’s choices about how to structure his speech as well as what symbols and themes to lean on in making his points. Consider the position of men in society and the dominant religion at the time.

Clay strives to tempt his audience toward voting positively as much as he attempts to discourage them from voting against it. What rewards does Clay suggest a positive vote may yield? How do those rewards contrast with the consequences of a negative vote?

Clay stops short of claiming outright that God would want the lawmakers to vote for his measure. Analyze how Clay nonetheless implies that the Christian deity is on his side. Consider not only Clay’s use of Christian iconography but also his other allusions to Biblical phrasing and direct appeals to God.

Consider how Clay defines “compromise” in the introduction of his speech. How does the structure of this definition, including how Clay leads into it, help lay the foundation for the rest of his speech? Consider sentence structure and rhetorical devices.

For a speech about compromise, Clay relies heavily on extreme contrasts. Examine how Clay portrays a positive outcome versus a negative outcome. What opposites are present in his language? How does that contrast help encourage his audience to take his side?

Thomas Hart Benton gave a speech on June 10, 1850, in opposition to the compromise. Read his speech and, in comparison with Clay’s speech, discuss the similarities and differences in the two orators’ persuasive techniques.