Robert M. La Follette, Sr.: The Voice of Conscience(Great American Orators)

About the Book

This reference is the only book-length work to analyze all of the major speeches of one of the most significant politicians of the first part of the twentieth century, Robert La Follette, Sr. His speeches offer historic snapshots into the Progressive era and of the thinking of an outstanding governor of Wisconsin, U.S. senator, and social agitator. This rhetorical biography analyzes key speeches and provides texts demonstrating how Senator La Follette used melodramatic scenarios to enlist citizens in his reform crusade against the gravest danger that he saw in this country. This reference also provides texts of his most important speeches, a chronology of his major orations, and a lengthy bibliography. This unique volume is designed for students and specialists in political communication, rhetorical criticism, and American studies.

This systematical analysis of Senator La Follette's public speeches is a short and highly readable history of the Progressive era, World War I and its aftermath, and the early 1920s from the perspective of a leading political figure of the times. The analysis of La Follette's rhetorical strategy illuminates his use of confrontational tactics, such as the filibuster in Congress to educate the voter and to plead for reforms that he considered essential. This reference provides the texts of five seminal orations and the most complete bibliography of speeches available to date.

Table of Contents:

Series Foreword by Bernard Duffy and Halford Ryan
Foreword by Bernard Duffy
Critical Analysis
Introduction
"Iago" and the Evil Principle
Congressman La Follette
The Menacing Machine
Governor La Follette
Senator La Follette
"Willful Men"
"Forward, Progressives!"
Notes
Conclusion
Selected Speeches
"Iago"
"Oleomargarine"
"The Menace of the Political Machine"
"Governor La Follette's Speech of Acceptance"
"Free Speech and the Right of Congress to Declare the Objects of the War"
Labor Day Address
Chronology of Major Speeches
Selected Bibliography
Index

About the Author :
CARL R. BURGCHARDT is Associate Professor in the Department of Speech Communication at Colorado State University. He has written on the history and criticism of American public address.

Review :
?. . . in the area of his expertise, rhetorical analysis, he offers much that is useful.?-Wisconsin Magazine of History ?Robert M. La Follette, Sr., The Voice of Conscience by Professor Carl R. Burgchardt fills a need in the study of the life of Robert La Follette. It is a valuable collection of La Follette's most important speeches and a useful case study of rhetorical criticism. Additionally, the study communicates to us valuable information about the central place of rhetoric in nineteenth century university and political life. The cynicism with which we greeted the political rhetoric surrounding the recent election indicates the lack of centrality of oratory in 1992. Professor Burgchardt's study reminds us of another, better rhetorical time.?-Rhetoric Society Quarterly ." . . in the area of his expertise, rhetorical analysis, he offers much that is useful."-Wisconsin Magazine of History "Robert M. La Follette, Sr., The Voice of Conscience by Professor Carl R. Burgchardt fills a need in the study of the life of Robert La Follette. It is a valuable collection of La Follette's most important speeches and a useful case study of rhetorical criticism. Additionally, the study communicates to us valuable information about the central place of rhetoric in nineteenth century university and political life. The cynicism with which we greeted the political rhetoric surrounding the recent election indicates the lack of centrality of oratory in 1992. Professor Burgchardt's study reminds us of another, better rhetorical time."-Rhetoric Society Quarterly