John Calhoun's speech was delivered on March 4, 1850 by another person due to sickness. The speech focused around the idea of slavery and the dissolve of the union. Calhoun had taken notice that the union was breaking down and addressed these issues in his speech. The states were already agitated over the question of slavery. The continuous growth of the north and their power in government did not help the matter. He also addressed the issue of taxation. The benefits of the taxes were going mostly to the North, while the South received little from the tax. Also the fact that the South were hit hardest from the tariffs yet gained little from it was also an issue. Calhoun also believed that it was possible to maintain the unity. However it was the job of the North to amend the Constitution to reestablish equilibrium between the North and South. He then challenges the senators to make their choice, saying California will be a test. If it follows northern ideals it will be seen as a government attempt to crush Southern ambition for power.
Abraham Lincoln was on the other side of the coin, during the Civil War. He was similar to Calhoun however, in opposition to the dissolve of the union.
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