John C. CalhounHoughton, Mifflin Company., 1890 - 374 páginas Von Holst considers Calhoun's words little more than agitation created to build up sectional animosity and conflict. Von Holst offers Calhoun's speeches justifying slavery, such as when the Southerner made impassioned, if not logical, arguments that slavery was a "positive good" for African-Americans. The institution, according to Calhoun, had a civilizing effect and further, it led to better race relations in the South than was the case in the North. Von Holst notes that this position and these statements about slavery were the core of Calhoun's worldview, and shaped his entire political outlook. Calhoun's doctrine of Nullification was ultimately subordinated to his firm views on slavery. Calhoun is also portrayed as a man without any clear party loyalty, a politician who easily switched allegiances and formed alliances based upon tactical advantages. Von Holst notes that he usually united with others in opposition to rather than in support for a particular issue. Consequently, the 'pro-slavery fanatic', as Von Holst calls him, became quite skilled in fomenting political gridlock and obstruction. While von Holst is careful to reject the idea that Calhoun's motivations were based solely or even largely upon a desire to be president of a new Southern union of states when it became obvious to himself that he would never be president of the United States, he nevertheless condemns the man as the prophet of an immoral, diseased, and highly dangerous political cause. |
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Palavras e frases frequentes
30th Congress abolition abolitionism abolitionists absolutely Adams administration adopted Andrew Jackson annexation of Texas anti-slavery spirit argument assertion avowed become bill Buren Calhoun cause civilized claims compromise Congress consequence consolidation Constitution contest convention convictions course danger declared Democratic doctrine duty economical effect election England existence fact favor February 24 Federal government force fully gress Henry Clay honor houn interests Jackson January 13 John Caldwell Calhoun least less letter Lord Aberdeen manner ment Mexico mind moral never North nullification opinion Oregon Oregon question Oregon Territory Pakenham party patriotic peace peculiar institution political Polk position President principle proved reason regard relation rendered resolutions Secretary sections secure Senate sion slave power slave-holders slavery conflict slavery question slavocracy South Carolina Southern sovereignty speech statesman stitution tariff Territories thought tion treaty unconstitutional Union United votes Webster Whigs whole
Passagens conhecidas
Página 293 - Constitution, which we now present, is the result of a spirit of amity, and of that mutual deference and concession which the peculiarity of our political situation rendered indispensable.
Página 342 - But can this be done? Yes, easily; not by the weaker party, for it can of itself do nothing — not even protect itself — but by the stronger. The North has only to will it to accomplish it — to do justice by conceding to the South an equal right in the acquired territory...
Página 171 - But let me not be understood as admitting, even by implication, that the existing relations between the two races, in the slaveholding states, is an evil : far otherwise ; I hold it to be a good, as it has thus far proved itself to be, to both, and will continue to prove so, if not disturbed by the fell spirit of abolition.
Página 347 - ... commencement. I have exerted myself, during the whole period, to arrest it, with the intention of saving the Union, if it could be done; and if it could not, to save the section where it has pleased Providence to cast my lot, and which I sincerely believe has justice and the Constitution on its side. Having faithfully done my duty to the best of my ability, both to the Union and my section, throughout this agitation, I shall have the consolation, let what will come, that I am free from all responsibility.
Página 193 - Resolved, That the intermeddling of any state or states, or their citizens, to abolish slavery in this district, or any of the territories, on the ground or under the pretext that it is immoral or sinful, or the passage of any act or measure of Congress with that view, would be a direct and dangerous attack on the institutions of all the slave-holding states.
Página 234 - With regard to Texas, we avow that we wish to see slavery abolished there, as elsewhere, and we should rejoice if the recognition of that country by the Mexican government should be accompanied by an engagement on the part of Texas to abolish slavery eventually, and under proper conditions throughout the republic...
Página 175 - I may say with truth, that in few countries so much is left to the share of the laborer, and so little exacted from him, or where there is more kind attention paid to him in sickness or infirmities of age.
Página 21 - We behold, in fine, on the side of Great Britain, a state of war against the United States ; and on the side of the United States, a state of peace towards Great Britain.
Página 345 - Among others, it might be effected through a reorganization of the executive department ; so that its powers, instead of being vested, as they now are, in a single officer, should be vested in two ; — to be so elected, as that the two should be constituted the special organs and representatives of the respective sections, in the executive department of the government ; and requiring each to approve all the acts of Congress before they shall become laws.
Página 342 - ... restore to the south, in substance, the power she possessed of protecting herself before the equilibrium between the sections was destroyed by the action of the government.
Referências a este livro
The Veto Power: Its Origin, Development, and Function in the Government of ... Edward Campbell Mason Visualização integral - 1890 |
Guide to the Study of American History Edward Channing,Albert Bushnell Hart Visualização integral - 1904 |