Question

Which excerpt from Jefferson Davis’s speech to the Mississippi Legislature best expresses a major theme of his speech?

A. “When I have seen it surrounded by the flags of foreign countries, the pulsations of my heart have beat quicker with every breeze…”

B. “…we may expect that the election will be so conducted as probably to defeat a choice by the people and devolve the election upon the House.”

C.“I would cling tenaciously to our constitutional Government, seeing as I do in the fraternal Union of equal States the benefit to all and the fulfillment of that high destiny which our fathers hoped for…”

D.“…no portion of the speech to which I have referred was received with more marked approbation by the Democracy there assembled than the sentiment which has just been cited.”

Answer 1

To any of the future students taking the quiz, I have taken the test the answer that I have is “I would cling tenaciously to our constitutional Government, seeing as I do in the fraternal Union of equal States the benefit to all and the fulfillment of that high destiny which our fathers hoped for…”

Answer 2

The theme of this speech was an inferiority of other races, specifically those from Latin America. Thus, the sighting of foreign flags (A) was telling of the theme of this speech. Davis was stern about his anger toward other races being involved in the Republican form of government and he believed that the audience (being white) was superior and therefore should be in charge of the country.