perhaps of any civilized nation; and is one of those unhappy inventions to which Parliament is driven by the difficulties which daily multiply upon us, from an obstinate adherence to an unwise plan of government. That government which attempts to preserve its authority by destroying the trade of its subjects, and by involving the innocent and guilty in a common ruin, if it acts from a choice of such means, confesses itself unworthy; if from inability to find any other, admits itself wholly incompetent to the ends of its institution. (March 21, 1775.) PROTEST SIGNED BY NINETEEN MEMBERS We have, on the other hand, beheld so large a part of the empire, united in one common cause, really sacrificing with cheerfulness their lives and fortunes, and preferring all the horrors of a war raging in the very heart of their country to ignominious ease. We have beheld this part of his Majesty's subjects, thus irritated by resistance, and so successful in it, still making professions in which we think it neither wise nor decent to affect a disbelief of the utmost loyalty to his Majesty; and unwearied with continued repulses, repeatedly petitioning for conciliation, upon such terms only as shall be consistent with the dignity and welfare of the mother country. When we consider these things, we cannot look upon our fellow-subjects in America in any other light than that of freemen driven to resistance by acts of oppression and violence. Because we conceive the calling in foreign forces to decide domestic quarrels, to be a measure both disgraceful and dangerous That Hanoverian troops should, at the mere pleasure of the ministers, be considered as a part of the British military establishment, and take a rotation of garrison duties through these dominions is, in practice and precedent, of the highest danger to the safety and liberties of this kingdom, and tends wholly to invalidate the wise and salutary declaration of the grand fundamental law of our glorious deliverer, King William, which has bound together the rights of the subject and the succession of the crown. The present ministers, who have deceived Parliament, disgraced the nation, lost the colonies, and involved us in a civil war against our clearest interests; and, upon the most unjustifiable grounds, wantonly spilling the blood of thousands of our fellow subjects. (Oct. 26, 1775.) A PLAN OF THE SPEECH ON CONCILIATION Some schools prepare very full outlines of the Speech on Conciliation, like the one given on pages 284-292. But when Burke, speaking extempore, poured forth his eloquence, he was not thinking of any complete scheme of sub-headings. Students are often helped by seeing in brief space the very simple general plan of the Speech, which falls into three natural divisions: (1) a description of the colonies; (2) why we must concede to them; (3) in what way we must conThe principal parts of the Speech may be shown cede. thus: INTRODUCTION a. Why he ventures to speak on this "awful" subject (1-8). b. His proposition is to obtain peace by conceding (9-14). I. A description of the colonies and of the character of the people (15-47). II. Why we ought to "admit the colonists to an interest in the British Constitution" (48-77). III. The best way of "admitting to an interest'' is to allow them to grant their own money voluntarily (78-117). OBJECTIONS a. Answers two objections that may be made to his own plan (118-122). b. Gives four objections to Lord North's plan (123-132). Peroration: "Our country will be rich and strong if we make it a sanctuary of English liberty" (133-140). A COMPLETE OUTLINE OF THE SPEECH ON CONCILIATION The following outline by Mr. Sherman Cawley, St. Paul Academy, St. Paul, Minnesota, is a complete brief which furnishes a key to every important statement in the speech. (The paragraph numbers in parentheses indicate the location of the various arguments in the speech.) Introduction: (Paragraphs 1-14). I. Return of Lord North's Grand Penal Bill gives Parliament another opportunity to choose a plan for governing America (1). II. The gravity of the subject (2-4). A. Burke had made himself acquainted with American affairs when he first became a member of Parliament, in 1765 (2). B. His attitude, that of the majority then, has C. Parliament's attitude changed frequently (4). tion (4). III. Now a definite plan must be offered by the Whigs, Burke's party, "the opposition” (5-8). A. Burke has hesitated to offer one (6). B. But the situation is so serious that he must offer one (7). C. His plan recommended by its reason alone (8). IV. In brief, his plan is to secure peace by removing the causes of the dispute (9-10). V. This plan derives three advantages from the previous acceptance of Lord North's project (11-12). A. Conciliation is admissible (11). B. It is admissible before colonies submit (12). VI. But the means of Burke's plan are very different from those of Lord North's (13). VII. Offer of peace should come from England (13). A. Either England or America must concede (13). B. England, being the more powerful, may offer peace with honor and safety (13). VIII. Two questions must be decided (14). A. Shall England concede (14)? B. What shall England concede (14)? Transition: To decide these questions Parliament must consider the nature and circumstances of America (14). Brief Proper (15-136): I. England should concede-first of two questions to be decided (15-65). A. American conditions necessitate it (15-31). 2. Commerce (17-28). invaluable to England a. Exports to America have in- 3. Agriculture feeding Old World (29). |