California 8th Grade Standards 8.10 - The American Civil War

1 Compare the conflicting interpretations of state and federal authority as emphasized in the speeches andwriting of statesmen such as Daniel Webster and John C Calhoun. There were two opposing views, regarding the state authority and the federal authority. One side thought thatthe states were subject to the federal authority. Men who thought this were men such as Henry Clay, Daniel Webster, andStephen Douglas. The other side was in support of the States Rights. Supporters of this include John C. Calhoun. Thiscontroversy brought up many debates, and was a part of the reason that the Civil War began. Those who supported the Federal authority believed the federal power was greater than the state laws.

2 HenryClay, a senator, stated that The veto is an extraordinary power This shows that he believes that the federal power isgreat and can impact the country, he also states later on I am directly opposed to any purpose of secession, ofseparation. I am for staying with the Union, and defying any portion of this Union to expel or drive me out of the Union. Iam for staying within the Union and fighting for my rights -- if necessary, with the sword -- within the bounds and underthe safeguard of the Union. I am for vindicating these rights; but not by being driven out of the Union rashly andunceremoniously by any portion of this confederacy.

3 Here I am within it, and here I mean to stand and die -- as far as myindividual purposes or wishes can go -- within it to protect myself, and to defy all power upon earth to expel me or driveme from the situation in which I am placed. Will there not be more safety in fighting within the Union than without it?.. Showing that he is for the Union and that he believes that the federal authority can help to keep the Union togetherand that he is against secession. Daniel Webster stated in his speech given on January 1830 I do not admit that, underthe Constitution and in conformity with it, there is any mode in which a state government, as a member of the Union, caninterfere and stop the progress of the general government, by force of her own laws, under any circumstance whatever.

4 This shows that he believes the State governments cannot interfere with the general government therefore showing thathe was for the federal governments power. Those who supported The States Rights believed that the states power was over the federal power and sothey should make their own decisions. John C. Calhoun, a man that was once vice president, stated in his writing SouthCarolina Exposition and Protest, The committee do not propose to enter into an elaborate or refined argument on thequestion of the constitutionality of the Tariff system. The General Government is one of specific powers, and it canrightfully exercise only the powers expressly granted, and those that may be necessary and proper to carry them intoeffect, all others being reserved expressly to the States or the people.

5 It results, necessarily, that those who claim toexercise power under the Constitution, are bound to show that it is expressly granted, or that it is necessary and properas a means to some of the granted powers. In this he shows that he was against the government using its powers forhe believes that they may only use powers that were specifically given to them all the others are given either to the statesor the people. So he supports the states and believes that they have the power to do what they see fit. More Information: 1. This link talks about various people in history. A brief summery of what they did in history. Provides links to moreinformation about some of the people in their lives and a picture of each of the people on the website.

6 2. This link is one of the shorter speeches that Henry Clay made to the Senate. 3. This link is a biography of John C. Calhoun. Shows other places to find further information on John C. Calhoun. 4. This link shows excerpts from his South Carolina and Protest letter. 5. Recommended Books: 1. The American Journey: Building a Nation by Joyce Appleby, Alan Brinkley, James McPherson, and National Geographic Society 2. Frederick Douglass and the War Against Slavery by E. Bennett 3. Frederick Douglass Fights for Freedom by M. Davidson 4.

7 Abraham Lincoln and the Union by Oscar & Lilian Handlin 5. Slavery Defended: the views of the old South by Eric L. McKitrick 6. Lincoln: In His Own Words by M. Meltzer