Text Analysis: "A Proclamation of the Whiskey Rebellion, 1794"

1. What is the author arguing?

The author, George Washington, is arguing about one main point throughout his Proclamation. He is speaking in response to the Whiskey Rebellion; the resistance by protestors against the tax on whiskey in the US during the 1790s. His argument is against those who have protested the whiskey tax and acted out violently in response to it. Basically, he argues that the government has executed its powers justly in order to uphold the laws of the Union, by raising a militia force against the violent protesters. He specifically refers to the law which justifies the government’s actions in the third paragraph of his Proclamation:

“And whereas, by a law of the United States entitled "An act to provide for calling forth the militia to execute the laws of the Union, suppress insurrections, and repel invasions," it is enacted that whenever the laws of the United States shall be opposed or the execution thereof obstructed in any state by combinations too powerful to be suppressed by the ordinary course of judicial proceedings. . .it shall be lawful for the President of the United States to call forth the militia of such state to suppress such combinations and to cause the laws to be duly executed.”

This passage explains the justification behind the actions which Washington has taken, and is the main support for his argument. He sums up his argument towards the end of his Proclamation. stating:

“And whereas, it is in my judgment necessary under the circumstances of the case to take measures for calling forth the militia in order to suppress the combinations aforesaid, and to cause the laws to be duly executed; and I have accordingly determined so to do, feeling the deepest regret for the occasion, but withal the most solemn conviction that the essential interests of the Union demand it”

The President is confident that the government has taken the legal and necessary actions to suppress the violence of the resistance against the whiskey tax, and despite his regret in taking these actions, it was done in the interest of protecting the future of the Union.

2. How does the author appeal to logos (logic), pathos (emotional quality), and ethos (the writer’s perceived character) with their argument?

Because of the way that the Proclamation is organized, and the language that Washington uses, it is difficult upon a first reading to identify the author’s appeal to pathos and ethos. The logic of Washington’s argument is the main focus of the Proclamation, as he clearly states the events which have occurred with regards to the whiskey tax and the Whiskey Rebellion, and goes on to logically justify the government’s actions in response. The Proclamation almost reads like a legal document which is stating the chronological order of events and necessary actions in a clear and concise manner.
Upon closer analysis, Washington’s appeal to pathos and ethos can be subtly identified. The pathos, or emotional quality of his argument can be seen in his responses to the violent resistance of the whiskey tax protesters. He describes some of these actions in his first passage:

“. . .by actually injuring and destroying the property of persons who were understood to have so complied; by inflicting cruel and humiliating punishments upon private citizens for no other cause than that of appearing to be the friends of the laws; by intercepting the public officers on the highways, abusing, assaulting, and otherwise ill treating them; by going into their houses in the night, gaining admittance by force, taking away their papers, and committing other outrages. . .”

This response shows Washington’s sympathy towards those who were the victims of the violent resistance against the whiskey tax. It appeals to emotion, as it also seems to provoke sympathy from the audience by including the detail of the violent actions. This passage can also be seen as an example of Washington appealing to ethos, or his own perceived character, by representing himself as a sympathetic man, and also one who is against unwarranted violence against others, especially those who attempt to uphold the law. Throughout the Proclamation, Washington’s voice comes through as a strong and honest one, and he speaks as a man whose number one priority and concern is the future of his nation and the effectiveness of the government in protecting it.

3. What is the historical significance/relevance of this document?

“A Proclamation of the Whiskey Rebellion” was written by George Washington in August of 1794. It is a response to the violent resistance against the tax on whiskey, which had been created by Alexander Hamilton as a part of his plan to help reduce the national debt. Protestors in Pennsylvania refused to pay the tax, and acted out violently when the U.S. Marshall came to collect in July of 1794. Tax collector George John Neville was a victim of this violence, as his home was openly attacked. In response to this incident, President Washington sent peace commissioners to Pennsylvania, and raised a militia force, in order to uphold the law and restore order.

4. Do you find the author’s argument convincing? Why or why not?

I find Washington’s argument very convincing, due to the authority with which he delivers his Proclamation. It reads as more of a statement than an argument, as he clearly explains his own reaction to the events of the Whiskey Rebellion, and justifies that the government was right in responding to the situation in the way that it did. He is convincing in provoking sympathy for those who were victims of violence simply because they were attempting to uphold and enforce the laws of the Union. It is clear that he is truly concerned for the future of the nation, and has extreme faith in the strength of the U.S. government, and does a convincing job of conveying this.