What arguments does Burke offer in favor of conciliation with America in his “Speech on Conciliation with America”?

Or, Comment on the main points of Burke’s plea for conciliation with American in his “Speech on Conciliation with America”.

Answer: Throughout his life Edmund Burke, the great British parliamentarian of the 18th century, launched his battle against the arbitrary exercise of political power. His political ideology eventually led him into the four great struggles of his life — his effort to obtain conciliation with the American colonies, his participation in the Rockingham Whigs’ contest against the domestic power of George III, his prosecution of Warren Hastings, and his impassioned resistance against Jacobinism, the “armed doctrine”.

In the “Speech on Conciliation with America” Burke makes a fierce and imperishable campaign against the policy of trying to coerce the American colonies and upholds his policy of compromise. His purpose is to establish peace. At the outset of his speech he makes his position clear his purpose is to win the former unsuspecting confidence of the Colonies in the Mother Country:

“The proposition is peace. Not peace through the medium of war; not peace to be hunted through the labyrinth of intricate and endless negotiations; not peace to arise out of universal discord fomented, from principle, in all parts of the Empire, not peace to depend on the juridical determination of perplexing questions, or the precise marking the shadowy boundaries of a complex government. It is simple peace; sought in its natural course, and in its ordinary haunts. It is peace sought in the spirit of peace and laid in principles purely pacific. I propose, by removing the ground of the difference, and by restoring the former unsuspecting confidence of the Colonies in the Mother Country, to give permanent satisfaction to your people, and (far from a scheme of the ruling by discord) to reconcile them to each other in the same act and by the bond of the very same interest. which reconciles them to the British government.”

From the very outset, Burke is in favor of conciliation. In the speech, he puts forward his plea and arguments for conciliation with the American people. America is an opulent colony and it would be too costly to lose such a wealthy colony. He prefers the policy of compromise and conciliation to force and coercion because “Nothing less will content me than whole America.” This is why he is in favour of prudent management’ than of force. He says:

“America, gentlemen say, is a noble object. It is an object well worth fighting for.”

Burke argues that ‘it is necessary to consider distinctly the true nature and the peculiar circumstances of the object we have before us’. He further argues that America must be governed practically taken into consideration the pros and cons of the matter. He says:

“…..we must govern America according to that nature and to those circumstances, and not according to our own imaginations, nor according to abstract ideas of right–by no means according to mere general theories of government, the resort to which appears to me, in our present situation, no better than arrant trifling.”

Burke says that “Man acts from adequate motives relative to his interest, and not on metaphysical speculations.” Human nature follows what is expedient in matters of vital importance. America wants to tax herself and also to remain within the empire. He argues that England should give up ‘metaphysical speculations’ and prudently considers the complaints of the colonists. England must concede to them rights and privileges which are their due. It is not using discussing the theoretical question as to who the British Parliament or the Colonial Assemblies – has the right to tax the colonies. Such a question is to be decided by considerations of justice, humanity and expediency, for it is basically a question of human relations. Burke’s focal point is that the unity of the Empire can only be preserved by keeping up a unity of spirit and it is peace and concord that can hold the Empire together.

The “Speech on Conciliation with America” progresses through three phases: an ostensibly objective review of America and the facts of her condition; an argument for restoring colonial loyalty through self-taxation; and a defense of the resolutions as the best course of future action. What is remarkable about the whole speech is that Burke has based his arguments and subsequent proposition of resolutions of conciliation on the realities of American colonies.

Burke is of the opinion that the American question consists of her population, wealth and character. He first pays his attention to the population in America, which is ever increasing. He then considers about the wealth of America in its three aspects of trade, agriculture and fisheries. He shows that in the fields of trade, agriculture and fisheries the colonies have made unprecedented progress. Burke continues his analysis of the circumstances of America, turning to the American character. He, in a persuasive manner, shows that several reasons such as (i) English descent of the colony people (ii) existence of popular government in the colonies (iii) practice of Protestantism (iv) possession of slaves (v) their study of law and (vi) the geographical distance between the colonies and the mother country have contributed to the development of the fierce spirit of liberty among the American people.

Burke proposes that there are three conceivable courses to deal with such a people. The first is to try and alter the conditions by. restricting the growth of America; but this is not possible because there are virtually no policies which can avert the growth of the colonies. The second alternative is coercion. But, this policy also would not be productive and bring desired results because it is a ‘feeble instrument’ for dealing with so diverse a people like the Americans. He dismisses the policy of coercion for the reasons already implied in the analysis of the American character. There remains Burke’s own policy, that of concession, or, the policy of ‘compromise’ or ‘appeasement’. He prefers the policy of concession because it is a historically proven policy and it is possible within the provisions of the ‘British Constitution.’ He takes the pacification of Ireland, or its relative pacification, that of Wales and of the palatinates of Chester and Durham as instances of the proven value of the policy of reconciliation. He concludes with six propositions which do no more than state the undisputed facts of the case, but which, without artifice, make the three resolutions embodying his plan of conciliation appear irresistible.

Burke is a wise politician who has penetrating insights into the affairs of things. He is guided by rational selfishness. His ultimate motto is to do good to his motherland. He fervently upholds the policy of compromise because he feels that the only way to make the colonist “cling and grapple” to the British crown is by granting them certain “civil rights”. Again, in his view the demand of Americans is not unreasonable. His pursuit of the policy of concession is due to the fact that he “balance(s) inconveniences” and comes to the realization that it is the only way to come to term with the realities of circumstances.

Burke is a pragmatist and his arguments in favour of conciliation are strong. In framing his scheme of concession and conciliation, Burke does not depend on his wisdom only; he has based his arguments on the material circumstances of the issue as well as historical realities.