Compromise of 1850

In order to guide his listeners into the state of mind that he believes will lead them to vote yes, Clay uses metaphor to create striking imagery of the two alternative outcomes at hand, which he defines as “concord and increased discord” (Paragraph 2). Traditional Christian iconography is especially present, for example, in Clay’s likening the signing of the measure with “the dove of peace […] taking its aerial flight from the dome of the Capitol” (Paragraph 2). In addition, in the same paragraph, Clay uses metaphor to associate personal interests with filth and patriotism with cleanliness: “Let us go to the limpid fountain of unadulterated patriotism, and, performing a solemn lustration, return divested of all selfish, sinister, and sordid impurities” (Paragraph 2). Clay also calls on the South to “go to the altar of our country” (Paragraph 4). His application of metaphor helps build a sense that approving the measure is not only best for the country in a practical sense but also the Christian thing to do; in other words, Clay suggests through metaphor that God is on his side.