Rhetorical Analysis Of James Madison's Inaugural Address
The War of 1812 has brought immense pressure among Madison to unite and inspire the nation to fight together and in addition to reflect the U.S as a strong force among others. James Madison, fourth president of the United States, was widely viewed as introverted as well as respected for his intellect. In 1813, during the midst of the War of 1812, Madison delivered his second inaugural address to the white men in America eligible to vote. During 1813, Madison is addressing a nation divided in a time calling for unity and harmony. Madison thoroughly expresses conflicts of the war between the British and Indians as wells as how America is being perceived by other nations. Through the use of ethos, pathos, and logos, organization, and diction Madison
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Madison evokes the feeling of importance from the audience. Through Madison’s emotional appeal the audience is able to identify more with his point of views. “From the weight and magnitude now belonging to it I should be compelled to shrink if I had less reliance on the support of an enlightened and generous people, and felt less deeply a conviction that the war with a powerful nation, which forms so prominent a feature in our situation, is stamped with that justice which invites the smiles of Heaven on the means of conducting it to a successful termination” (Madison par.1). Madison expresses his deep gratitude, highlighting the support and patronage of the voters. In addition, Madison’s use of emotional appeal can be extended to his use of metaphors and symbolism when describing the relation between the Indians and British. “They have not, it is true, taken into their own hands the hatchet and the knife, devoted to indiscriminate massacre, but they have let loose the savages armed with these cruel instruments; have allured them into their service, and carried them to battle by their sides, eager to glut their savage thirst with the blood of the vanquished and to finish the work of torture and death on maimed and defenseless captives” (Madison par.9). Madison’s usage of words such as “savages”, “cruel instruments”, “savage thirst”, and “torture” conjure horror of the Indians as well as in the actions of the British. Bringing about such emotions heightens the anger and disgust of the British and Indians during the War of
Madison evokes the feeling of importance from the audience. Through Madison’s emotional appeal the audience is able to identify more with his point of views. “From the weight and magnitude now belonging to it I should be compelled to shrink if I had less reliance on the support of an enlightened and generous people, and felt less deeply a conviction that the war with a powerful nation, which forms so prominent a feature in our situation, is stamped with that justice which invites the smiles of Heaven on the means of conducting it to a successful termination” (Madison par.1). Madison expresses his deep gratitude, highlighting the support and patronage of the voters. In addition, Madison’s use of emotional appeal can be extended to his use of metaphors and symbolism when describing the relation between the Indians and British. “They have not, it is true, taken into their own hands the hatchet and the knife, devoted to indiscriminate massacre, but they have let loose the savages armed with these cruel instruments; have allured them into their service, and carried them to battle by their sides, eager to glut their savage thirst with the blood of the vanquished and to finish the work of torture and death on maimed and defenseless captives” (Madison par.9). Madison’s usage of words such as “savages”, “cruel instruments”, “savage thirst”, and “torture” conjure horror of the Indians as well as in the actions of the British. Bringing about such emotions heightens the anger and disgust of the British and Indians during the War of