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NL888 Posted 14 years ago
Grammar

Failed to understand "supplement and seal" - what does it mean?

And, is "the manifestation of the will" the object of the verb "take"?

Context:

First Inaugural Address of Grover Cleveland

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 1885
Fellow-Citizens:
In the presence of this vast assemblage of my countrymen I am about to supplement and seal by the oath which I shall take the manifestation of the will of a great and free people. In the exercise of their power and right of self-government they have committed to one of their fellow-citizens a supreme and sacred trust, and he here consecrates himself to their service.
This impressive ceremony
  

Top answer

NL888 And, is "the manifestation of the will" the object of the verb "take"? No, it is the object of supplement and seal. The object of " take " is " which " (a relative pronoun with the antecedent " oath ")

— AlpheccaStars

  • NL888 And, is "the manifestation of the will" the object of the verb "take"?
  • No, it is the object of supplement and seal.
  • The object of " take " is " which " (a relative pronoun with the antecedent " oath ")
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3 Answers
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NL888And, is "the manifestation of the will" the object of the verb "take"?
No, it is the object of supplement and seal.
The object of "take" is "which" (a relative pronoun with the antecedent "oath")
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Thanks.

What does "supplement and seal" mean?
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It's a very formal, old-fashioned political speech. Politicians of that era wanted to speak in "high register" to impress their audience of their erudite education.
Supplement = add extra things to, perhaps more ideas or additional information
Seal = confirm and conclude, eg. to seal a promise means to say "I swear by this promise."
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