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CHAPTER V.

OF THE INTRODUCTION AND PERORATION IN EXCITATION.

$ 210. Excitation admits both kinds of Introduction; the Explanatory and the Conciliatory.

In reference to the management of the Introduction Explanatory see §§ 118, 176.

The Introduction Conciliatory will require in pathetic discourse peculiar attention and care; as it is more important here than in explanation or confirmation to secure a favorable disposition towards the speaker on the part of the hearers. Where, especially, either the speaker is himself personally repulsive to them, or his subject offensive, or the sentiment which he would awaken incompatible with their present feelings and views, he has need to make the best use of his power and skill.

The laws which govern pathetic discourse generally will come in also to regulate and modify the Introduction, and especially when it is of the conciliatory kind.

§ 211. Excitation admits only the excitatory or pathetic, and the persuasive forms of peroration, with the recapitulation.

The explanatory and confirmatory forms of peroration are inadmissible here, because addresses to the pure intellect can never properly come after an address to the feelings. Certainly, to close a discourse, the object and aim of which is to awaken a certain kind or degree of feeling with cold intellectual inferences or remarks is to defeat the very design of the discourse. Even the form of recapitulation, when introduced, must conform to the peculiar principles of

pathetic discourse; and will differ somewhat from that appropriate to explanation or confirmation. The aim of the peroration here must be to make a more direct or specific application of the subject to the feelings addressed; or to make the excitement of feelings effected in the discourse as its main object conducive to some action of the will.

PART IV.--PERSUASION.

CHAPTER I.

GENERAL INTRODUCTORY VIEW.

$212. In persuasion, the object of discourse is to move the will; either by leading it to a new act or purpose, or by dissuading it from one already adopted.

Persuasive discourse is, in this, clearly and definitely distinguished from the species already considered. Explanatory discourse respects as its end a new conception; Confirmatory, a new conviction; Pathetic, a new feeling; Persuasive, a new action or purpose. This classification, evidently, covers the field. If there are any other species of discourse, founded on the immediate object to be accomplished in the mind addressed, it must be a subdivision of one of those enumerated; unless, indeed, mental science reveal new classes of phenomena in the mind of man not included in those of the Intellect, the Sensibilities and the Will.

§ 213. As the mind addressed may be in either one of three different states-may be already decided in purpose, but may need confirmation, or although decided, may be decided in the opposite direction, or without any choice, or voluntary preference in regard to the subject; the specific objects of the discourse will vary in different cases, and the discourse be modified in reference to these different specific ends.

Persuasion, thus, differs specifically from dissuasion, as well as from encouragement or animation; although the general means to be employed are the same in the different cases. The difference in the specific process will consist mainly in the arrangement and means of conciliating and explaining.

§ 214. The specific objects of persuasive discourse admit of a still further division in reference to the character of the action proposed; whether an individual act or a controlling purpose-a determination to do a particular thing or the adoption of a principle of conduct having respect to a series of acts or a course of life.

Hence will arise another specific diversity in the conduct of the discourse. When a permanent state of will is aimed at, it is evident, those considerations are to have the preeminence which will remain in the mind,-in other words, truths addressed to the understanding or reason. Where, on the other hand, the object of the discourse is to produce a merely temporary effect, as that of a general exhorting his soldiers on the eve of a battle, those motives which respect more directly the feelings as the immediate incentives to action, will have the preference.

It will often be the case that both objects will be combined; that the speaker will aim to bring his hearers not only to adopt a general course of conduct or pursuit, but also to commit themselves to it at the moment by some particular act. The Temperance reformers, thus, in seeking to induce and secure a permanent reform, press the inebriate to an immediate committal by some particular act, as signing a pledge or the like. In this case, the principles of conduct will need to be unfolded clearly and convincingly to the understanding, and, also, to the feelings.

§ 215. The work of persuasion is effected by THE EXHIBITION OF THE ACTION OR COURSE to be chosen, and THE PRESENTATION OF MOTIVES fitted to incite to the determination proposed.

The work of persuasion, thus, admits all the processes before described of explanation, conviction, and excitation. The act to be done will often need to be explained. The christian preacher will need, thus, in order to make his exhortation effectual, to explain the nature of the duty proposed, as faith, repentance, and the like. The statesman will likewise need to unfold the course of policy he desires to be adopted to the clear apprehension of his hearers; as a failure to understand what is to be done must so far be an insuperable obstacle to decision. The process of explanation will also often be requisite in the presentation of motives.

It may be necessary, moreover, to convince the judgment in persuasion. The action proposed must be shown to be practicable; or the motives presented to be true and real and pertinent.

Excitation, once more, is often requisite in persuasion, as the passions are the more immediate springs of action.

All these processes, however, receive a slight modification in reference to the ultimate end of persuasion; and must be introduced only in entire subserviency to that end-the moving of the will.

$216. The theme in persuasion is ever a conception which embraces the motive or motives addressed to the activity to be awakened.

217. The more general unity of persuasive discourse consists in the singleness of the motive or class of motives addressed to the various activities of the

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