Resumen de The seventh of march address: a mediating influence

Paul H. Arntson, Craig R. Smith

• Rhetorical criticism aids in historical revision. In this study, audience analysis reveals that Webster's Seventh of March Address was much more effective than earlier histories suggest. The standard interpretations of the address rely on biased sources and ignore relevant facts. While historical revision has reinterpreted the speech in light of more accurate factual analysis, it has ignored the support rhetorical criticism can provide. Analysis shows an audience more open to conservative appeals than earlier historical review indicated. And investigation of Webster's strategies shows them uniquely attuned to his audience.