FREE ESSAY ON FEDERALISM AND THE CIVIL WAR

FEDERALISM AND THE CIVIL WAR

John C. Calhoun was a man of very high stature and intelligence. His ideas and thoughts
were expressed very sternly and backed up with concrete evidence. Of course not everyone
agreed with Calhoun's thoughts and procedures. The man knew himself and his ideas would
somehow make a difference in the way that Canada and the United States would grow and be
governed. At the time in which John was voicing his opinions many different issues were
in the hot seat. A major concern was the slavery in 1838. The public was in an outcry
over the touchy issue. John, of course, did not hesitate to voice his true thoughts.
Other concerns such as the concurrent majority and the rights of the States were among
many of Johns concerns. To truly understand the opinions of this man we must first of all
look at the reasons for his positions.
Slavery was without a dought the biggest issue in the 1830's. There were many, many
attempts to stop the use of slaves among our society. To the majority of the population
that this was a positive movement and a step in the right direction. To Mr. Calhoun this
was not the case. He can be quoted as saying: "Many in the South once believed that
slavery was a moral and political evil. That folly and delusion are gone. We see it now
in its true light, and regard it as the most safe and stable basis for free institutions
in the world". This idea is very complex and needs to be evaluated carefully. In a
different light John has a very good point. No one liked the idea of slavery. It seems
morally inadequate and wrong. John believed that it set a pathway for free institution.
Resulting form slavery he believes that society learned the basic skills for free
institution. In actuality he did not necessarily believe that slavery was a good thing.
John simply believed that it brought about a better awareness for our population and it's
leaders to grow upon.
As the days on the calendar went by the issues of the world started to change. In 1850
many people were on the topic of congruent majority government. The idea was to replace
mob dictatorship or numerical majority. Calhoun was opposed to both mob dictatorship and
numerical majority. He felt that both of these forms of government did not represent the
people properly. "Such a government, instead of being a true and perfect model of the
people's government, that is, a people self-governed, is but the government of a part,
over a part, --the major over the minor". This leads directly into the strong positive
energy towards a congruent majority government. John believed that a congruent government
was the indispensable element of forming a well-run constitutional government. He felt
that it would create a balance of power among the people. The main and most important
idea that came along with this level of government was the idea of compromise instead of
force. This would become the conservative principal. Calhoun was one hundred and fifty
percent behind this idea. He felt that it would help the people of the minority. This
mean of government would allow for the minority to be heard.
Also occurring in the 1950's was a discourse on the constitution and government of the
United States. Calhoun felt very immovably that the States did not receive their suitable
rights. He felt that the Constitution was merely concerned about their own prosperity and
well being. "We the people of the United States of America, mean the people of the
several States of the Union, acting as free, independent, and sovereign States...".
Within many of John's strong ideas he expresses that not at any time did the States give
the slightest authority to it's delegates to form a national government. This sums up his
opinions in a nutshell. The States were not being heard. Their wants, needs, and concerns
were being pushed aside. The States deserved better treatment than that and Calhoun
wanted to make that known.
As we all can see there were many records of concern among the coming of our nation. John
C. Calhoun had numerous opinions about the different issues that plagued the government.
It is not to say that everyone will agree with the opinions presented but they do hold
some very valid facts. John was a very smart and intelligent man who deserves credit for
his insight on our history. Slavery, concurrent government, and the rights of the States
are great turning points in our antiquity.