Date of Award

8-1960

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

Department of Speech

First Advisor

Owen M. Peterson

Abstract

The purpose of this thesis was to analyze the logical, emotional, and ethical proofs found in the speeches of United States Senator Pierre Soulé, of Louisiana, on the Compromise of 1850.

The method of analysis consisted of an examination of four aspects of the subject: 1) the historical background of the Compromise of 1850 for an understanding of the place of the speeches in history, 2) the immediate setting in order to arrive at a clear picture of Soulé's position in the Senate debates, 3) the speaker himself in order to determine his effectiveness of delivery, 4) the structure of the speeches for an evaluation of their logical, emotional and ethical appeals.

Five broad conclusions were drawn from the study: 1) Soulé's speeches reflect the turmoil of the pre-Civil War years, 2) his eloquence was due in part to the stimulation of the outstanding orators with whom he debated and in part to his training, 3) his delivery was effective, 4) his logic was chiefly a statement of the Southern mind, 5) his appeals to emotional and character combined with his delivery and ideals gained for him the reputation of an eloquent orator.

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