Who Is Margaret Smith's Ethos In A Declaration Of Conscience
- 1055 Words
- 5 Pages
Treyton Kelly Straighterline English Composition II 3 March 2024 Senator Margaret Smith’s Opposition to Joseph McCarthy In a speech delivered on June 1, 1950, in the midst of the Red Scare era in the United States, Senator Margaret Chase Smith addressed the Senate floor to denounce the tactics and atmosphere fostered by Senator Joseph McCarthy's anti-Communist crusade. Titled "A Declaration of Conscience," Smith's speech served as a pivotal moment in American political history, challenging McCarthyism and advocating for a return to principles of civility, integrity, and freedom of expression. In a nation awash with a culture of fear and blame, Smith's address represents a monument to sanity and courage, providing an opposition to the oppressive …show more content…
Smith establishes her credibility early in the speech by stating, "I speak as a Republican. I speak as a woman. I speak as a United States Senator. I speak as an American.” By grounding her identity in these affiliations, Smith appeals to the authority of her position and aligns herself with her audience, fostering trust and credibility. Additionally, Smith's reputation as a moderate Republican known for her independence and integrity further enhances her ethos, lending weight to her critique of McCarthy and the prevailing political climate. Pathos. Throughout the speech, Smith evokes a sense of urgency and concern, painting a vivid picture of the fear and frustration permeating American society. She speaks of a "national feeling of fear and frustration" that threatens the very foundations of American democracy, employing emotive language to elicit empathy and solidarity from her audience (Smith). Smith also asserts that, “The American people are sick and tired of being afraid to speak their minds lest they be politically smeared as 'Communists' or 'Fascists' by their opponents,”. These statements tap into the collective frustration and fear experienced by many Americans during the Red Scare. By appealing to their emotions, Smith galvanizes her listeners to confront the injustices of McCarthyism and reclaim the principles of liberty and justice for
- Better Essays
Margaret Chase Smith Declaration Of Conscience Summary
- 1495 Words
- 6 Pages
Analysis of “Declaration of Conscience” by Margaret Chase Smith Margaret Chase Smith, author and speaker of the “Declaration of Conscience,” given on June 1st, 1950, in the senate, addresses and reprimands the flagrant anti-communism occurring prior to and during the 1950s, as well as the poor handling of the public smearing of citizens by the democratic administration. Smith sought to create awareness of the severity of the fear and panic caused by the “Red Scare” of anti-communism and invasion
- 1495 Words
- 6 Pages
Better Essays - Good Essays
A Test Of Morality In Arthur Miller's The Crucible
- 1849 Words
- 8 Pages
One definition for a crucible is “a severe test,” provided by the Merriam Webster Dictionary. As illustrated in Arthur Miller’s The Crucible, few communities tested the values of mankind more than 17th century Salem, a society where a citizens’ life hung on the words uttered by his neighbor. As witchcraft hysteria quickly sweeps across the town, there are essentially two options for its inhabitants: accuse or be accused. These residents’ core principles--as well as their strong Puritan faith--are
- 1849 Words
- 8 Pages
Good Essays - Decent Essays
Rastafarian
- 79520 Words
- 319 Pages
I grew up in Jamaica at a time when Rastas were still regarded as useless, lazy, half-insane, ganja-smoking illiterates who were of no value to society. Teachers, students, office workers, and anyone of social importance could not grow locks, and families would go into mourning when their sons would start sprouting them. I heard the term “black heart man” used again and
- 79520 Words
- 319 Pages
Decent Essays