The oratory devices used by Red Jacket in his 1805 speech to the United States Senate exemplify the necessary elements of a strong, hard-hitting argument. His speech was in response to the statement of Jacob Cram, who said that “there is but one religion, and but one way to serve God, and if you do not embrace the right way, you cannot be happy hereafter” (Baym 445). Red Jacket thought different, and spoke for his tribe in the address.
The most notable aspect of his speech is the repetition of the word brother. It begins every new section of the speech, and serves to create a calmer feeling towards those to which he was speaking. It shows respect and honor, which can sway the opposing side to the orator’s side. This is also evident in Tecumseh’s speech to the Osages in a rally cry against the white people. Red Jacket’s case, however, was a proposition of peace, not war.
While being tactful about the subject of religion, Red Jacket still clearly points out that he believes that his religion is the best. In his speech, he points out that “if there is but one religion, why do you white people differ so much about it?” (Baym 446). He doesn’t come right out and claim that the white people’s religion is wrong; he simply points out a weak point in Cram’s statement. The art of tact is demonstrated wonderfully here, as Red Jacket does not make a direct statement, but poses his idea as a question to ponder about.
Red Jacket further pushes this idea of tact by taking tiny stabs at the white people that can mean more than one thing. For instance, he says that the white people “are a great distance from home, and we do not wish to detain you” (Baym 445). This could be construed as simple politeness for the white people to go to their houses for dinner and such, but Red Jacket probably meant it to mean that North America was the Native American’s homeland, and the white people’s homeland is over the sea, and that they should go back. The idea that this is what Red Jacket really meant is enforced when he goes on to talk about how Native American life was before the white people arrived.
This leads to the best part of Red Jacket’s argument. Red Jacket talks about how the Native Americans cared for the white people when they first came to
Red Jacket’s closing section of his speech sums up his answer to Cram. He says that “[Native Americans] do not wish to destroy [the white people’s] religion, or take it from you. [Native Americans] only want to enjoy their own” (Baym 447). This strong statement secures an excellence speech, and surely made the white people question their actions.
3 comments:
I completely agree. Red Jacket eloquently and skillfully persuaded his listeners to at least consider his point of view for a moment or longer. The repetition of "brother," as you mentioned was key for the settlers to open up and attempt to understand Red Jacket's message. I liked how Red Jacket pridefully stood up to the Europeans by not giving in to their religion, while simultaneously understanding that they had come to stay.
Even though Red Jacket it not Christian, in essence, his way of proceeding is far more Christian than that of the Europeans. The argument he makes in the speech is very intellectual and hard to defeat. His speech has a lot to say. I was very impressed by it. We can learn a lot from it. It is like a hidden treasure.
You finish with "surely made the white people question their own relgion..." And I have to say; I think it should, would IMPARITIVELY cause the white people to reconsider, but looking at our history, it doesn't really appear that it did. I agree with you that Red Jacket's speech is beatifully tactful. From what I understand of Indians, they were a pretty tactful group;
one thing we read about how they wouldn't stare at the white men openly, they would hide themselves so as not to make the white man uncomfortable. I think the indians definately had something right.Beautifully right and natural.
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