Reflection blog #7

Henry's speech shows an enormous amount of rationalism throughout it's content. While making his appeal to whom he is appealing to, Henry prefers to use reason, and logical arguments to help persuade the persuaded.

Mr. President, it is natural for man to indulge in the illusion of hope. We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth, and listen to the song of that siren, till she transforms us into beasts. Is this the part of wise men, engaged in a great and arduous struggle for liberty? Are we disposed to be of the number of those who, having eyes, see not, and having ears, hear not, the things which so nearly concern their temporal salvation? For my part, whatever anguish of spirit it may cost, I am willing to know the whole truth; to know the worst and to provide for it. (Henry 117)

Now he may not entirely use any rational instances to support his argument, but stick with me. Instead of spewing off a bunch of facts and truths, he decided to take a different approach. For he is appealing to the emotional side of the president. This is a very rational way of approaching the situation, as he gets the person interested with his emotional display, then he hits them with a barrage of facts and suggestions.

We have held subject in every light in which it is capable; but it has all been in vain. Shall we resort to entreaty and humble supplication? What terms shall we find which have not already been exhausted? Let us not, I beseech you, sir, deceive ourselves longer. Sir, we have done everything that could be done to avert the storm which is now coming on. We have petitioned, we have remonstrated, we have supplicated we have prostrated ourselves before the tyrannical hands of the ministry and parliament. Our petitions have been slighted; our remonstrances have produced additional violence and insult; our supplications have been disregarded; and we have been spurned with contempt, from the foot of the throne. In vain, after these things, may we indulge the fond hope of peace and reconciliation. There is no longer any room for hope. If we wish to be free, if we wish to preserve inviolate those inestimable privileges for which we have been so long contending, if we mean not basely to abandon the noble struggle in which we have been so long engaged, and which we have pledged never to abandon until the glorious object of contest shall be contained, we must fight! (Henry 118)

Here he simply states that everything they have tried has failed, and it is time for war. We must start war now before all our advantages are lost, and we have no hope of winning. This is a very rational approach to the situation, for now that he has their attention, he is using facts to explain that they are failing at their efforts and it is time for change. And by change, he means war.

Henry, Patricl. "Speech to the Second Virginia Convention." Comp. Jeffrey D. Wilhelm, Ph.D. and Douglas Fisher, Ph.D. Glencoe Literature. American Literature ed. Columbus: McGraw-Hill Companies, 2009. 97-99. Print.