THE POLITICAL RHETORIC OF JOHN DICKINSON, 1764-1776

• Main Author: HYNES, SANDRA SARKELA
• Language: ENG
• Published: ScholarWorks@UMass Amherst 1982
• Subjects: Communication
• Online Access: https://scholarworks.umass.edu/dissertations/AAI8229564

This dissertation examines John Dickinson's political rhetoric from 1764 to 1776 in order to understand more fully and accurately his practice of moderation. Most who have written about Dickinson suggest that he was a moderate man. Too often, however, that observation has led to the assumption that Dickinson was, as a result, inactive, timid or indecisive. Further, Dickinson's life after 1768 is neglected by scholars, as is consideration of Dickinson's notions of political strategy. In contrast, this research is based on three assumptions: (1) that John Dickinson was a very active man; (2) that the years after 1768 are critical to an understanding of Dickinson's character; and (3) that his views of political strategy are a key to understanding his seemingly paradoxical behavior. John Dickinson defended the need for moderation in all behavior, both personal and political. But he was not an uncommitted or passive moderate, and he was rarely indecisive. He was an active moderate. An important conclusion to be drawn from this overview of Dickinson's rhetoric is that for Dickinson, rhetorical activity meant political activity. Verbal expression of political beliefs was a significant political act in itself. It was also part of his strategy for social change. Rhetoric gave the movement a common ground on which united mass support could be built. Further, petitions of protest legitimized the use of more coercive measures later. Thus, Dickinson's political rhetoric was an essential part of his practice of active moderation. Finally, if we consider the content of Dickinson's rhetoric in light of his continued political success, we discover that Pennsylvania resistance was built on a great, moderate majority; not the Quaker "moderates," led by Joseph Galloway, but the "truly moderate" Presbyterians, mechanics, artisans, and progressive Quaker lawyers, led by John Dickinson and Charles Thomson.