A Rhetorical Analysis Of Claiborne F. Jackson's Speech

Claiborne F. Jackson, the Governor elect of Missouri, who supported the candidacy of Douglas in the State canvass, made a very remarkable speech in the Breckinridge Convention recently held in Jefferson City. The meaning of his language on that occasion is a question in dispute between the two Democratic factions. This much, however, is certain, that the assembled delegates were delighted with the speech, and cheered it; that a brief report of it, which has appeared in the Bulletin, the Breckinridge organ in this city, indicates that it was hostile to Douglas; that the Republican has not dared to publish the full report furnished by that journal’s own reporters; and that the speaker invoked one of the factions to the support of his administration
Hence we are inclined to think the Douglas managers have acted imprudently. Jackson has the knack of eking out the foxes with the lion’s skin. When cunning fails him, he assumes the leonine character, and roars out defiance. One faction sought to entrap him in their toils prior to the election, and it remains to be seen whether the other faction, whose beagles at this moment are hard on his truck, will be more successful. There can be no doubt he acquired popularity by refreshing to bow his neck to the yoke before, and there can be as little doubt that he would acquire additional popularity by refusing to bow his neck to it now. The slave of faction is ever an object of contempt with the masses. He who suffers himself to be intimidated, forfeits the confidence, as well as the respect of his intimidators, even. We have to remark that it is a matter of no moment whether Jackson’s inquisitors succeed in wringing from him a disavowal of his recent speech or not. He is a Breckinridge man in faith and feeling, and a Douglas man so far as he may be a Douglas man, in submission to the tyranny of party, and