- Joined
- Dec 14, 2007
- Location
- Dallas, TX
From what little I've read on the topic prior to the Civil War, the idea of state sovereignty appears to become very pronounced during discussions about Bleeding Kansas in the mid 1850s.
However, the issue in regards to the Kansas-Nebraska was clearly a discussion about slavery. This was about whether states themselves had the right to determine whether slavery should exist within that state. That was the sovereignty that was being discussed as it relates to Kansas-Nebraska Act and LeCompton Constitution. That was the mission of Senator Douglas in setting forth the idea of state sovereignty.
So between 1820 and 1854, does anyone know if the idea of state sovereignty was ever debated in Congress WITHOUT the attached undercurrent of slavery?
Many of us, me included, have often felt that state sovereignty was little more than a mask for maintaining slavery. But I remain uncertain if the argument can be supported or not. I do not recall any readings about the politics of sovereignty in the 19th century.
The Jackson administration comes to mind, but I have forgotten much of it. Since much of it at that time was generated from the camp of John Calhoun, it still remains to me a discussion of slavery. I am looking for an argument that we can clearly see is about something other than slavery.
However, the issue in regards to the Kansas-Nebraska was clearly a discussion about slavery. This was about whether states themselves had the right to determine whether slavery should exist within that state. That was the sovereignty that was being discussed as it relates to Kansas-Nebraska Act and LeCompton Constitution. That was the mission of Senator Douglas in setting forth the idea of state sovereignty.
So between 1820 and 1854, does anyone know if the idea of state sovereignty was ever debated in Congress WITHOUT the attached undercurrent of slavery?
Many of us, me included, have often felt that state sovereignty was little more than a mask for maintaining slavery. But I remain uncertain if the argument can be supported or not. I do not recall any readings about the politics of sovereignty in the 19th century.
The Jackson administration comes to mind, but I have forgotten much of it. Since much of it at that time was generated from the camp of John Calhoun, it still remains to me a discussion of slavery. I am looking for an argument that we can clearly see is about something other than slavery.
Bringing the