John Calhoun Speech LAD #11

In 1850, John Calhoun wrote a speech yet he had become so ill that another senator had to read the speech for him. 27 days after the speech, John Calhoun passed away.
In his famous speech to the senate he expressed his concern about the union bieng split. He strongly felt that it was close to disunion for a number of reasons. He felt that the Unions first priority was slavery because he felt that it was a problem that had been avoided for too long and that it would have to be resolved in order to preserve the union.
Calhoun's speech explained to congress that slavery was the main issue but other problems like political divisions were contributing to disunity as well. Sectional disbalance was another problem as New England had been controlling the government for quite some time and taking advantage of institutions like the National Bank. The future annexation of new northern states was also a contributing cause to the split because the South was angry that there were no more southern states bieng annexed. The northen territories would add up to a 3/4 of the total states if the north was successful in annexing the states. These new northern states would result in an unfair northern advantage in the House of Representatives, Electoral College and the Senate. The south was also angered because they were bieng taxed more heavily even though the North was more wealthy and full of aristocrats. The south was also bothered by the heavy tarriffs because it was greatly hurting their trade with foreign nations. Yet the main problem remained slavery which the north believed was morally wrong while the south argued back that it was necessary for the southern economy to function. It was clear that abolishment would equal seccession. Calhoun concluded that the South needed to be satisfied and appeased or the union would be split.