"The Speech is conspicuous for grasp of the subject, for knowledge of human nature, for far-sighted prudence, and wide experience." Discuss

Question: "The Speech is conspicuous for grasp of the subject, for knowledge of human nature, for far-sighted prudence, and wide experience." Discuss with reference to Burke's "Speech on Conciliation with America”.

Answer: "Speech on Conciliation with America" is generally considered the greatest speech Burke has ever delivered. It has been acknowledged by historians and critics as a hallmark in the tradition of Western oratory. They applaud the speech for its wealth of imagery, political insight, and humanity. The speech is also prominent for the grasp of the subject, for knowledge of human nature, for far-sighted prudence, and for the wide experience. In the speech, Burke shows his supreme command over the subject, his penetrating insight into human nature, his prudence in dealing with the American colonist, and above all, his wide experience in addressing the issue in a convincing style.

In the "Speech on Conciliation with America” Burke is speaking in the vein of Cicero, the great classical orator. He begins with the exordium, the first part of a classical oration, where the speaker introduces his main theme. In the introductory part of his speech, he makes his motto clear to the audience. He unequivocally states that he is in pursuit of peace:

"The proposition is peace. Not peace through the medium of war; not peace to be hunted through the labyrinth of intricate and endless negotiations; not peace to arise out of universal discord fomented, from principle, in all parts of the Empire, not peace to depend on the juridical determination of perplexing questions, or the precise marking the shadowy boundaries of a complex government. It is simple peace; sought in its natural course, and in its ordinary haunts. It is peace sought in the spirit of peace and laid in principles purely pacific. I propose, by removing the ground of the difference, and by restoring the former unsuspecting confidence of the Colonies in the Mother Country, to give permanent satisfaction to your people, and (far from a scheme of the ruling by discord) to reconcile them to each other in the same act and by the bond of the very same interest which reconciles them to the British government."

In the speech, Burke articulates his plan of conciliation and concession with America. His oratory is based on his supreme command over the subject matter. Burke was probably second to none in his time in his knowledge of America. In delivering his speech, Burke makes a powerful display of his scholarship and impresses the House considerably. He tried to overwhelm the audiences and his opposition by giving countless facts, data, and figures of American colonies in powerful and eloquent language. In his "Speech" Burke devotes a significant portion delineating American colonies, their population, the fast flourishing trade, agriculture and fisheries, and, importantly, the nature and spirit of the people. In the speech, Burke shows supreme command over his subject and he exploits his knowledge to achieve desired effects.

In offering his plan of conciliation too Burke shows the supremacy of knowledge. He, in a persuasive manner, shows several reasons such as (i) English descent of the colony people (ii) existence of popular government in the colonies (iii) practice of Protestantism (iv) possession of slaves (v) their study of law and (vi) the geographical distance between the colonies and the mother country have contributed to the development of the fierce spirit of liberty among the American people. Burke then proposes that there are three conceivable courses to deal with such people. The first is to try and alter the conditions by restricting the growth of America; but this is not possible because there are virtually no policies that can avert the growth of the colonies. The second alternative is coercion. But, this policy also would not be productive and bring desired results because it is a 'feeble instrument' for dealing with so diverse a people like the Americans. He dismisses the policy of coercion for the reasons already implied in the analysis of the American character. There remains Burke's own policy, that of concession, or, the policy of 'compromise' or 'appeasement'. He prefers the policy of concession because it is a historically proven policy and it is possible within the provisions of the 'British Constitution.' He takes the pacification of Ireland, or its relative pacification, that of Wales, and of the palatinates of Chester and Durham as instances of the proven Value of the policy of reconciliation. He concludes with six propositions that do no more than state the undisputed facts of the I case, but which, without artifice, make the three resolutions embodying his plan of conciliation appear irresistible. The matter not only shows Burke's grasp of the subject but also indicates his political sagacity and wide experience in the field.

Burke is a wise politician who has penetrating insights into the affairs of things. Burke was a practical politician. He was always averse to theories. He renounced "metaphysical speculations" or 'abstract theories' in politics. In the speech, he is in favor of the prudent management of the American people. He argues that America must be governed practically taking into consideration the pros and cons of the matter. He says:

"...we must govern America according to that nature and to those circumstances, and not according to our own imaginations, nor according to abstract ideas of right--by no means according to mere general theories of government, the resort to which appears to me, in our present situation, no better than arrant trifling.”

Burke's deep understanding of human nature is the basis for his ideology of expediency. He possesses the penetrating insight of a thinking politician and understands that self-interest is man's motivator in action - "Man acts from adequate motives relative to his interest, and not on metaphysical speculations." He rightly understands that in the political sphere give and take principle exerts a dominant force. His political prudence is evident in the following lines:

"All government, indeed every human benefit and enjoyment, every virtue, and every prudent act, is founded on compromise and barter. We balance inconveniences; we give and take; we remit some rights, that we may enjoy others; and we choose rather to be happy citizens than subtle disputants."

Burke was also a prudent politician. His political prudence is evident in his plan of conciliation. Burke adopts the policy of compromise because he fully estimates the strength of the colonies and also the difficulty to govern those freedom-loving people from a great distance. He tries his best to stop the Government from driving the American colonies into rebellion. Unfortunately, the House turns a deaf ear to the appeal of this great politician. The results are not sweet for England -- Britain's defeat in the War of Independence, and a rupture between two English-speaking peoples. The subsequent historical happenings culminating in the independence of America show bitterly how right Burke was.

Thus, we see that Burke's "Speech on Conciliation with America" is conspicuous for grasp of the subject, for knowledge of human nature, far-sighted prudence, and wide experience. It is an excellent specimen of oratory.