Jess Polley

Born February 12th, 1809 His family belonged to Separate Baptists church 1846- Elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, served one two-year term. Joined the Whig party Sentiments lead to Republican Party in 1856 Displeased with Stephen A. Douglas because he allowed states to choose whether to be free or slave states

Speech delivered at 8 p.m. on June 16th 1858, old state capital in Springfield Accepted the Illinois Republican Party nomination for the United States Senator for that state.

More than 1,000 Republican delegates and colleagues The current President and Gentlemen of the Convention Motive: Slavery

Main Idea: Slavery cannot and shall not exist in certain states. It will become all one thing or all the other. Uses the new testament and quotes States past events such as the Dred Scott Decision, Kansas- Nebraska Act, Outgoing President- James Buchanan. Dred Scott Decision: Dred Scott was the name of an African-American slave.

Morality: Links past events with the present situation Intelligence: Looks on both sides of the situation- slave and slave free Good will: References to the bible as many people were religious. He stood up for what he had believed in, even during controversial issues.

A house divided against itself cannot stand

Shame:

Senator Douglas's "care-not" policy

Welcome, or unwelcome, such decision is probably coming, and will soon be upon us, unless the power of the present political dynasty shall be met and overthrown.

Anger:

Chronological States the purpose of the speech and captures audiences attention Identifies the problem Questions past events Comes to conclusion Reassures justice

The result is not doubtful. We shall not fail-if we stand firm, we shall not fail. Wise counsels may accelerate, or mistakes delay it, but, sooner or later, the victory is sure to come.

Starts out with broad idea and then becomes specific Uses a technical analysis of the speech Attempts to persuade audience of taking action

Doesnt read of any cue cards or papers Seems to have memorized his speech

No hesitation or difficulty

Shows confidence and assurance

Speech was written on scraps of papers earlier Placed miscellaneously into his hat and later on, copied onto connected sheets, carefully revising every line Puts his thoughts together into a profound speech and states his opinions

Allusion: Paraphrases a statement by Jesus in the new testament, A house divided against itself cannot stand. Simile: Under the Dred Scott decision, "squatter sovereignty" squatted out of existence, tumbled down like temporary scaffolding -- like the mould at the foundry served through one blast and fell back into loose sand -- helped to carry an election, and then was kicked to the winds.

Anaphora: Why was the amendment...Why was the court decision held up? Why even a Senator's individual opinion withheldWhy the outgoing President's felicitation on the indorsement? Why the delay of a reargument? Why the incoming President's advance exhortation in favor of the decision? I do not expect the Union to be dissolved -- I do not expect the house to fall let him study the history of its construction, and trace, if he can, or rather fail, if he can

Short Term: Many were unhappy with this speech as it was too radical for the occasion and some lawyers state it was politically incorrect. Lincoln lost the election due to an unfavorable distribution of legislative seats in Illinois. Even though Lincoln acquired more popular votes, the legislators had chosen to reelect Douglas.

Long Term:
Despite the loss, Lincoln's firm antislavery position had enhanced and established his national reputation and helped him win election as president in 1860. From here onward, Abraham managed to give an executive order of the Emancipation Proclamation during the American Civil War. It declared the freedom of 3.1 million of the nations 4 million slaves.

http://www.novelguide.com/a/discover/weal_12/weal_12_04875.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lincoln's_House_Divided_Speech http://showcase.netins.net/web/creative/lincoln/speeches/house.htm http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Abraham_Lincoln#The_House_Divided_speech_.281858. 29 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abraham_Lincoln http://www.history.com/audio/gilder-lehrman-house-divided#gilder-lehrman-housedivided http://www.historyplace.com/lincoln/dred.htm