LAD #13: Calhoun's Speech

Calhoun starts off bluntly, stating that the Union, or rather disunion, is on the brink of collapse. This is mainly because the South is agitated by the issues of slavery. The masses actually are the source of Southern discontent and have been sought to be quieted by the leaders of both parties in the South, consequentially weakening the party ties they have with the other sections. Still though, Northern pressures on the slave issue have roused a belief that the South can no longer bear the weight of these injustices. This is because the North has gained supremacy and altered the equilibrium of the Constitutional government, which takes away the southern ability to fight oppression. This equilibrium will be permanently destroyed by the admittance of several new "northern" states as well as the next census. He believes this rift was caused by northern control over new territories, the protective tariff, and legislation which favors the North. He states that the North is exerting control over the Mexican Cession, that the protective tariff has reached beyond its original duties, for the benefit of northern business, and that the Land Ordinance of 1787 and the Missouri Compromise have benefited the North. All of these contribute to a Northern control of government as well as increased population and states. Nevertheless, the North has continued to attack the southern institution of slavery, the most divisive topic of all. The cords of democracy have slowly been ripped by the northern agitation of the south and the abolition of slavery will not be the cause of southern secession, it is approaching to fast. In fact, the issue of California will show Northern intentions  in regard to restricting southern influence in the territories. He concludes by stating that this inevitable march toward sectional division has made him give this digression and he has pleaded his case on the subject. In the end he states that when secession finally arrives "I am free from all responsibility".