A Rhetorical Analysis Of Alexander Stephens 1861 Cornerstone Speech

In Alexander Stephens’ 1861 Cornerstone Speech, he reveals his theory on why the “revolution” occurred. This famous speech spoke on the thought that the new government was based upon the fact that whites were superior to African Americans. It is the refutation of the indication that all men are created equal. According to Stephens the "cornerstone" of the confederacy was ultimately the true foundation that was indeed slavery. This speech is often viewed today as a dramatic moral clause to the question of equality among all human beings. Stephen’s fundamental assumptions of blacks and whites is paternalistic. Stephen states the appropriate status of black people. The race that is superior should step up with pride in taking action on what they know. The Founders had a basis that regardless of
This made the base for the defending of the southerners. Nast’s cartoon portrays historical importance on the views of the union, although the south blamed Lincoln for their threat to separate from the Union, he is reminisced as a man who conserved the union and strived to keep the north and south together. The South has taken all the good parts of the constitution. He wants to emphasize the conservativeness of this new constitution of the confederate states of America. He wants to show the people that there is nothing radical here and nothing is being taken away. He is reassuring them by saying, “Do not worry. Everything is going to be ok.” This new constitution is better than the old one and here is why. “The new constitution has put at rest, forever, all the agitating questions relating to our peculiar institution African slavery as it exists amongst us the proper status of the negro in our form of civilization.” This new constitution is going to take care of what the old one did not. It is about the status of black people in this country. This is what separates the North from the