Refer to Explorations in Literature for a complete version of this speech.

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

“…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.”

“…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.”

“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…”

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