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At the Edge of the Precipice by Remini, Robert V.. (Basic Books,2010) [Hardcover]
In 1850, America hovered on the brink of disunion. Tensions between slave-holders and abolitionists mounted, as the debate over slavery grew rancorous. An influx of new territory prompted Northern politicians to demand that new states remain free; in response, Southerners baldly threatened to secede from the Union. Only Henry Clay could keep the nation together. At the Edge of the Precipice is historian Robert V. Reminis fascinating recounting of the Compromise of 1850, a titanic act of political will that only a skillful statesman like Clay could broker. Although the Compromise would collapse ten years later, plunging the nation into civil war, Clays victory in 1850 ultimately saved the Union by giving the North an extra decade to industrialize and prepare. A masterful narrative by an eminent historian, At the Edge of the Precipice also offers a timely reminder of the importance of bipartisanship in a bellicose age.
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First published January 1, 2010
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March 29, 2025
Henry Clay And The Art Of Political Compromise
Henry Clay (1777 -- 1852) had his finest hour when he brokered the Compromise of 1850 late in his life. The Compromise resolved seemingly irreconciliable differences between North and South resulting from the Mexican War. The issues involved the expansion or the curtailment of slavery. By fashioning a delicate series of measures, the sections were able to resolve their differences for a time. When Civil War came ten years later, the North was much further along in industrialization and in political will than had been the case in 1850. The North also had bought time to find a new leader in the person of Abraham Lincoln. Thus, the Compromise of 1850 played an essential role in ultimately keeping the United States together.
Robert Remini's short, elegant new book "At the Edge of the Precipice" tells the story of the Compromise of 1850 and of Clay's role in it. Remini examines the factors leading to the near break-up of the Union in 1850 that showed why compromise was both difficult and essential. He offers a detailed look at the legislative process and the play of various political interests in enacting the Compromise. Clay's strengths and contributions to the Compromise are emphasized as are his failings. At the end, it fell to Stephen Douglas to bring the process to a conclusion.
Remini's book is of avowedly more than historical interest. He tries to teach a lesson about what compromise is and why it is important. To be successful, for Remini, a compromise must give each party something of value so that each may claim success regarding something of essential importance. Conversely, each party must be prepared to negotiate and not press certain matters that are of less importance. Polarization, distrust, ill-will and sometimes violence can be the results of a failure to compromise. In his Preface, Remini writes:
"This point is especially important today when the nation faces myriad problems, both foreign and domestic, that defy easy solutions, and that will, in all likelihood, require both major political parties to agree to compromise their differences. With severe economic problems that threaten to pitch the nation into a deep recession; with other domestic issues, such as health care, energy, immigration, and social concerns such as abortion and gay marriage; with wars in the Middle East that verge on escalation throughout the region; and with terrorism rampant around the globe, compromise on the part of the nation's political leaders, and the leaders of other countries, becomes all the more necessary."
We learn more about compromise as the narrative unfolds. Henry Clay had ran unsucessfully for president three times and had sought his party's nomination on two other occasions. Ill, elderly and discouraged, he reluctantly accepted a call to return to the Senate in 1849 after being denied the Whig presidential nomination in 1848. With no further presidential opportunities open to him, Clay acted with a large degree of disinterestedness. As a patriot and an American, his goal was to hold the Union together.
Clay also saw that many issues divided the country and that a successful compromise package would need to deal with seemingly disparate issues. Thus, Clay fashioned a series of proposals involving 1. the admission of California to the Union; 2. the organization of the Territory of New Mexico 3. the boundaries of Texas 4. Federal assumption of the debts of the former Republic of Texas 5. the existence of slavery in the District of Columbia; 6. buying and selling of slaves in the District of Columbia and 7. a fugitive slave law to allow southerners to recover runaway slaves. The proposed compromises gave something to each party, and Clay fought for them with force and eloquence. After much debate including missteps along the way Clay's proposals became the basis of the Compromise of 1850.
Remini offers lengthy accounts of the eloquence of the "Great Triumvirate" of the Senate -- Clay, Webster, and Calhoun -- as they addressed the proposed Compromise in their near final hours. He also shows how rising politicians such as Douglas and William Seward played a role in the Compromise. Douglas showed great political skill in securing the enactment of the components of the compromise as separate items of legislation after Clay, against his better judgment, had put all the components in a single package which could not garner sufficient legislative support. Seward gave a speech in the Senate which he invoked God and religion against the Compromise and its concessions to slaveholders. Remini's account suggests that such appeals are unlikely to be useful or successful.
As a prelude to his treatment of the Compromise of 1850, Remini discusses compromise in the creation of the Union beginning with the Constitution. But he focuses on Clay's lifelong role as the "Great Compromisor" in which ideological extremes are put aside to try to achieve consensus. Clay had taken this role many times his life, especially in securing passage of the Missouri Compromise in 1820 and in helping to defuse the secession crisis with South Carolina and Nullification in 1832 -- 1833.
Remini is the historian of the U.S. House of Representatives and the author of many books on American history which focus on the pre-Civil War Era. This book teaches a great deal about an important event in United States history and about a great, if flawed, statesman, Henry Clay. Equally important, the book is also a meditation upon the importance and the nature of political compromise.
Robin Friedman
Henry Clay (1777 -- 1852) had his finest hour when he brokered the Compromise of 1850 late in his life. The Compromise resolved seemingly irreconciliable differences between North and South resulting from the Mexican War. The issues involved the expansion or the curtailment of slavery. By fashioning a delicate series of measures, the sections were able to resolve their differences for a time. When Civil War came ten years later, the North was much further along in industrialization and in political will than had been the case in 1850. The North also had bought time to find a new leader in the person of Abraham Lincoln. Thus, the Compromise of 1850 played an essential role in ultimately keeping the United States together.
Robert Remini's short, elegant new book "At the Edge of the Precipice" tells the story of the Compromise of 1850 and of Clay's role in it. Remini examines the factors leading to the near break-up of the Union in 1850 that showed why compromise was both difficult and essential. He offers a detailed look at the legislative process and the play of various political interests in enacting the Compromise. Clay's strengths and contributions to the Compromise are emphasized as are his failings. At the end, it fell to Stephen Douglas to bring the process to a conclusion.
Remini's book is of avowedly more than historical interest. He tries to teach a lesson about what compromise is and why it is important. To be successful, for Remini, a compromise must give each party something of value so that each may claim success regarding something of essential importance. Conversely, each party must be prepared to negotiate and not press certain matters that are of less importance. Polarization, distrust, ill-will and sometimes violence can be the results of a failure to compromise. In his Preface, Remini writes:
"This point is especially important today when the nation faces myriad problems, both foreign and domestic, that defy easy solutions, and that will, in all likelihood, require both major political parties to agree to compromise their differences. With severe economic problems that threaten to pitch the nation into a deep recession; with other domestic issues, such as health care, energy, immigration, and social concerns such as abortion and gay marriage; with wars in the Middle East that verge on escalation throughout the region; and with terrorism rampant around the globe, compromise on the part of the nation's political leaders, and the leaders of other countries, becomes all the more necessary."
We learn more about compromise as the narrative unfolds. Henry Clay had ran unsucessfully for president three times and had sought his party's nomination on two other occasions. Ill, elderly and discouraged, he reluctantly accepted a call to return to the Senate in 1849 after being denied the Whig presidential nomination in 1848. With no further presidential opportunities open to him, Clay acted with a large degree of disinterestedness. As a patriot and an American, his goal was to hold the Union together.
Clay also saw that many issues divided the country and that a successful compromise package would need to deal with seemingly disparate issues. Thus, Clay fashioned a series of proposals involving 1. the admission of California to the Union; 2. the organization of the Territory of New Mexico 3. the boundaries of Texas 4. Federal assumption of the debts of the former Republic of Texas 5. the existence of slavery in the District of Columbia; 6. buying and selling of slaves in the District of Columbia and 7. a fugitive slave law to allow southerners to recover runaway slaves. The proposed compromises gave something to each party, and Clay fought for them with force and eloquence. After much debate including missteps along the way Clay's proposals became the basis of the Compromise of 1850.
Remini offers lengthy accounts of the eloquence of the "Great Triumvirate" of the Senate -- Clay, Webster, and Calhoun -- as they addressed the proposed Compromise in their near final hours. He also shows how rising politicians such as Douglas and William Seward played a role in the Compromise. Douglas showed great political skill in securing the enactment of the components of the compromise as separate items of legislation after Clay, against his better judgment, had put all the components in a single package which could not garner sufficient legislative support. Seward gave a speech in the Senate which he invoked God and religion against the Compromise and its concessions to slaveholders. Remini's account suggests that such appeals are unlikely to be useful or successful.
As a prelude to his treatment of the Compromise of 1850, Remini discusses compromise in the creation of the Union beginning with the Constitution. But he focuses on Clay's lifelong role as the "Great Compromisor" in which ideological extremes are put aside to try to achieve consensus. Clay had taken this role many times his life, especially in securing passage of the Missouri Compromise in 1820 and in helping to defuse the secession crisis with South Carolina and Nullification in 1832 -- 1833.
Remini is the historian of the U.S. House of Representatives and the author of many books on American history which focus on the pre-Civil War Era. This book teaches a great deal about an important event in United States history and about a great, if flawed, statesman, Henry Clay. Equally important, the book is also a meditation upon the importance and the nature of political compromise.
Robin Friedman
July 5, 2023
Great little telling of the generation between the Revolution and Civil War, by the great biographer of Andrew Jackson. There is a balanced telling, albeit a heightened respect for Clay, warts and all. Remini, a legislative historian of US Congress, is particularly good with the legislative gymnastics of compromise of 1850. I read a more recent telling by Brands, and would recommend this one over that one in some ways: it's short and to the point of focus on compromise. Leaves out detail of, say, 1812, and, importantly, Fugitive Slave Act, part of THIS compromise. That is compromise...
Mildly recommended, good comparison in brief.
Mildly recommended, good comparison in brief.
January 10, 2022
Enjoyed listening to this well written part of history that I was largely unfamiliar with. Compromise is a word that we seldom here of in politics today. I grew to appreciate how one man spearheaded the preservation of the Union and paved the way for the rise of Abraham Lincoln to lead us through the darkest times in our country’s history.
December 30, 2022
They compromised
November 24, 2018
Would probably rate closer to a 3.5. This is a solid recount of a critical time in American politics. This work follows the efforts of arguably the most powerful congressman in the 19th century: Henry Clay. He managed to get the Compromise of 1820 into effect, which staved off a possible Civil War. 30 years later, he was back at it.
The work shows Clay and he contemporaries at their best and worst. Clay, by 1850, is not the man he was before, still managed to help drive Congress to approve his latest attempt at Compromise. It took others like Stephen Douglas and the death of Zachary Taylor to help make it happen, but it happened. The author, while noting many of Clay’s and his contemporary legislators’ flaws, does have a note of wistfulness about a lack of such men.
Clay meant well, but would be excoriated for many of his actions now. His support of the Fugitive Slave Act is still reviled. He is a man who tried to get things done, ideology be damned. Hard to see that flying today. Of note, most regard the Compromise of 1850 as merely a stopgap (and not that effective). Yet, while the author laments the loss of Clay and the weakness of presidents until 1860, he takes the approach that the compromise bought time for the Union to set itself up to handle the Southern Separatists. Overall, a decent read/listen, especially if you have an interest in American history.
The work shows Clay and he contemporaries at their best and worst. Clay, by 1850, is not the man he was before, still managed to help drive Congress to approve his latest attempt at Compromise. It took others like Stephen Douglas and the death of Zachary Taylor to help make it happen, but it happened. The author, while noting many of Clay’s and his contemporary legislators’ flaws, does have a note of wistfulness about a lack of such men.
Clay meant well, but would be excoriated for many of his actions now. His support of the Fugitive Slave Act is still reviled. He is a man who tried to get things done, ideology be damned. Hard to see that flying today. Of note, most regard the Compromise of 1850 as merely a stopgap (and not that effective). Yet, while the author laments the loss of Clay and the weakness of presidents until 1860, he takes the approach that the compromise bought time for the Union to set itself up to handle the Southern Separatists. Overall, a decent read/listen, especially if you have an interest in American history.
September 30, 2010
I listened to the audiobook and found it very interesting. The book provides an interesting look into American History prior to the Civil War and several of the men who played vital roles from preventing the Civil war prior to 1861: John Calhoun, Daniel Webster, Stephen A Douglas and Henry Clay. The book provides a glimpse into how these men, especially Henry Clay, played vital roles in preventing a War Between The States in 1820, 1830s and 1850.
June 4, 2018
I suppose this book may be considered as a bit of a teaser into Remini's voluminous work on the life and career of Henry Clay [1]. Perhaps the most famous person to have never won an election to the presidency despite decades of trying to win that office (coming closest in 1844 when he barely lost to Polk because of his hostility to manifest destiny and the seizure of land from Mexico). This book is all the more interesting because it is somewhat evident that the author is not very fond of Clay, or at least is highly critical of Clay as a womanizer, drinker, and gambler whose lack of focus and problems with arrogance greatly squandered his considerable and obvious gifts. Be that as it may, the author is also quite interested in the tactical effects of the Compromise of 1850, all the more notable because it gave the North breathing room to develop its industrial capability so as to crush the rebellious south when rebellion was finally attempted as a way to stop the South's demographic decline relative to the North and stave off the threat to the survival of the plantation slavery of that region.
The book is a short one at under 200 pages and consists of six chapters along with a preface and an aftermath that briefly looks at the period between the Compromise of 1850 and the Civil War. The author begins with a look at the honored and consistent place of Compromise in the early political history of the United States, including Clay's previous work as a pacifier of the problems within the United States like tarrifs and the entrance of Missouri into the Union (1). The author then discusses the crisis of 1850 that resulted from California's attempt to enter the United States as well as various other problems like the refusal of the people of New Mexico to be under Texan rule (2) and the return of Clay to the Senate after some years out of Congress. After that the author examines a possible solution to the various problems in a comprehensive compromise solution that allowed every side to get something that they wanted but also give something to the other side (3). The author then turns to the entrance of Webster on the side of Clay's efforts at compromise and Calhoun's efforts at encouraging Southern secession unless their demands were met (4). After this there is a discussion of the disastrous attempts to pass the compromise in an omnibus bill that was unwisely agreed to by Clay (5) before the book ends at the successful efforts of Douglas to pass all of the components of the compromise separately after Taylor's death and the accession of Fillmore to the presidency (6).
In reading a book like this, one gets a strong sense of the author's point of view when it comes to Antebellum American political history. For one, the author appears to have a strong moral worldview when it comes to judging the behavior of historical figures, connecting the personal failings of Henry Clay with the accusations of a corrupt bargain in 1824 that dogged him, and pointing out how his pride and arrogance failed his political judgment in 1850 when he unwisely agreed to put the parts of the Compromise of 1850 together in an omnibus bill that went down to spectacular defeat and encouraged extremists on both sides of the issue. Overall, though, the author shows himself to be fond of principled and moderate tendencies that compromise in order to keep people together, but which stand on a bedrock of unity within the United States that was lacking among the political leaders of the 1850's until the election of Abraham Lincoln. That combination of firmness in desiring unity and a willingness to make peace by demanding less than what one would want in order to preserve good feelings is definitely something lacking in our own contemporary political environment.
[1] See, for example:
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2017...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2016...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2015...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2012...
The book is a short one at under 200 pages and consists of six chapters along with a preface and an aftermath that briefly looks at the period between the Compromise of 1850 and the Civil War. The author begins with a look at the honored and consistent place of Compromise in the early political history of the United States, including Clay's previous work as a pacifier of the problems within the United States like tarrifs and the entrance of Missouri into the Union (1). The author then discusses the crisis of 1850 that resulted from California's attempt to enter the United States as well as various other problems like the refusal of the people of New Mexico to be under Texan rule (2) and the return of Clay to the Senate after some years out of Congress. After that the author examines a possible solution to the various problems in a comprehensive compromise solution that allowed every side to get something that they wanted but also give something to the other side (3). The author then turns to the entrance of Webster on the side of Clay's efforts at compromise and Calhoun's efforts at encouraging Southern secession unless their demands were met (4). After this there is a discussion of the disastrous attempts to pass the compromise in an omnibus bill that was unwisely agreed to by Clay (5) before the book ends at the successful efforts of Douglas to pass all of the components of the compromise separately after Taylor's death and the accession of Fillmore to the presidency (6).
In reading a book like this, one gets a strong sense of the author's point of view when it comes to Antebellum American political history. For one, the author appears to have a strong moral worldview when it comes to judging the behavior of historical figures, connecting the personal failings of Henry Clay with the accusations of a corrupt bargain in 1824 that dogged him, and pointing out how his pride and arrogance failed his political judgment in 1850 when he unwisely agreed to put the parts of the Compromise of 1850 together in an omnibus bill that went down to spectacular defeat and encouraged extremists on both sides of the issue. Overall, though, the author shows himself to be fond of principled and moderate tendencies that compromise in order to keep people together, but which stand on a bedrock of unity within the United States that was lacking among the political leaders of the 1850's until the election of Abraham Lincoln. That combination of firmness in desiring unity and a willingness to make peace by demanding less than what one would want in order to preserve good feelings is definitely something lacking in our own contemporary political environment.
[1] See, for example:
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2017...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2016...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2015...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2012...
February 27, 2018
“All legislation, all government, all society, is formed upon the principle of mutual concession, politeness, comity, [and] courtesy . . . . Compromise is peculiarly appropriate between the members of a Republic, as of one common family. Compromises have this recommendation, that if you concede any thing, you have something conceded to you in return. . . . Here, if you concede any thing, it is to your brethren—to your own family. Let him who elevated himself above humanity, above its weaknesses, its infirmities, its wants, its necessities, say if he pleases, I never will compromise; but let no one who is above the frailties of our common nature, disdain comprise.”
-Henry Clay (1850)
This is a terrific overview of the Compromise of 1850 with some good background on Henry Clay, the man. It is short and readable, and, while it does not provide every historical detail, it leaves the reader satisfied that she has a working understanding if the Compromise of 1850 and its historical consequences.
Personally, I would like this to be required reading for congressional service (and, frankly for an increasingly partisan electorate). The take away from this book for me was that compromise is vital to a functioning democracy and civil republican societies. Moderation and compromise are not symptoms of opportunism or a lack of principles but of compassion, comity, humility, and wisdom.
-Henry Clay (1850)
This is a terrific overview of the Compromise of 1850 with some good background on Henry Clay, the man. It is short and readable, and, while it does not provide every historical detail, it leaves the reader satisfied that she has a working understanding if the Compromise of 1850 and its historical consequences.
Personally, I would like this to be required reading for congressional service (and, frankly for an increasingly partisan electorate). The take away from this book for me was that compromise is vital to a functioning democracy and civil republican societies. Moderation and compromise are not symptoms of opportunism or a lack of principles but of compassion, comity, humility, and wisdom.
August 20, 2017
Henry Clay was a slave owner. He was also someone uniquely committed to compromise. This book focuses on the 1850 Compromise that delayed secession for another 10 years. It is a good review of the events, showing both sides in the debates and the huge gulf between them. Clay himself was a proponent for a gradual end to slavery - a position that didn't help him politically. This book begins with the Missouri Compromise and traces the evolution of the two sides (slaver and anti-slavery) until the confrontation over the admittance of California as a state, among other issues, made secession seem likely again. This is an excellent, concise account. I did wish for even more depth at times, especially in the epilogue. I guess that is high praise when you wish a history book was longer.
June 25, 2022
In the historiography of the North American antebellum period, no name seems as looming as Robert V. Remini. His subjects are the statesmen who were born around the time of the American Revolution, came of age during the War of 1812 (or thereabouts), and died before the Civil War (except Martin Van Buren who died in 1862). His riches area of study is Andrew Jackson.
This book does a great job of encapsulating the events leading up to the Compromise of 1850 and how the compromise was reached. It's a concise book that I believe was meant to cap off Remini's study of the antebellum era, and I feel it does a fine job of that.
This book does a great job of encapsulating the events leading up to the Compromise of 1850 and how the compromise was reached. It's a concise book that I believe was meant to cap off Remini's study of the antebellum era, and I feel it does a fine job of that.
June 13, 2018
Mr. Remini was a great historian and I enjoyed this short readable book. I had not even known about the Mississippi and Nashville Conventions and these were important evidence of how close some states were to secession in 1850. Mr. Remini presents a very objective narrative and I think he evenly handles the contributions and personalities of Senators Clay, Webster, Douglas, Calhoun and Seward.
Note, Mr. Remini wrote this book, his last book, at the tender age of 89 - makes me feel sheepish after taking early retirement at 60!
Note, Mr. Remini wrote this book, his last book, at the tender age of 89 - makes me feel sheepish after taking early retirement at 60!
May 18, 2023
Not bad. Not as gripping as I’d hoped. Well-written, and some very good observations. But also a bit breathless — not sure if that’s the right terminology, but something about it made me think Remini finds this all far more exciting than it is — interesting and important, yes, but not so much exciting.
Also no discussion on how the pro-slavery politicians like to bang on about states’ rights, but then were insisting that new states (in territories with no slavery) had to add slavery.
Also no discussion on how the pro-slavery politicians like to bang on about states’ rights, but then were insisting that new states (in territories with no slavery) had to add slavery.
May 21, 2019
Great short book on a trying time in American History. The author made this "crisis" moment in American History much more understandable to me. Without the compromise, America may likely have been two separate "countries" today; the 10 years of "compromise" gave the industrialized north to jump forward to be able to win the eventual American Civil War. I recommend it.
July 6, 2020
It’s often said we are headed for another civil war. This is a clear and concise look at Antebellum Congress. We are far from this level of turmoil. Excellent book on a period of history I know little about.
May 15, 2019
Enjoyed reading more of Henry Clay.
August 4, 2019
The reading level felt too low and a little patronising, and at times it felt like hagiography.
April 4, 2022
Very interesting, but on the textbook side of readability/depth.
March 27, 2024
What price unity? How can we balance fundamental and competing values? Is “Compromise” inherently surrender – “compromising one’s values,” “he was compromised?”
Writing in the context of our strained, politically bifurcated, early 21st century situation, Robert Remini, fast becoming one of my favorite historians and one of my guru’s in attempting to understand the politics of the U.S.A. in the early 1800’s, has provided us with a succinct and fascinating study of the processes and effects of compromise in the tendentious years between the War of 1812 and the Compromise of 1850. In his Preface, Remini summarizes:
“The Compromise of 1850 is a prime example of how close this nation came to a catastrophic smash-up, and the way the power brokers of that period avoided that disaster – just in time. The Compromise gave the North ten years to build its industrial strength and enable it to overpower the South when war finally broke out. It also gave the North ten years to find a leader who could save the Union. His name: Abraham Lincoln.”
The book paints a picture of how that summary came to be:
• overwhelming support for the expansion of the territory
controlled by the US – the emergence of Manifest Destiny as a
basic principle;
• the rise of sectionalism from the early arguments over the
statehood of Missouri (leading to the Clay-crafted Missouri
Compromise of 1820) onward;
• tariffs and Nullification arguments over state vs. federal
dominance;
• President Jackson’s 1832 proclamation that he would “not
tolerate defiance of Federal Law;”
• annexation of Texas and the battles over its status as
possible state;
• war with Mexico and the assimilation of the territories west
of Texas – and battles over the role of slavery in any of
those territories to become states – California, New Mexico;
• the heroic political labors of the once-retired Speaker of the
House, now Senator Henry Clay to find a compromise that would
meet Calhoun’s challenge – Can the Union be preserved? Yes,
but only by the North granting to the South:
o “an equal right to the acquired territory” (i.e., territory
admitted as slave states);
o Commitment to assist in recapture of fugitive slaves; and,
o A constitutional amendment to assure that the South could
protect itself against “majority rule” intrusion into the
rights of the states (undefined, but clearly including the
right to protect and regulate property in slaves)
• the political-legislative battles between The Great
Triumvirate (Clay, John C. Calhoun, Daniel Webster);
• Clay’s well-structured Compromise failing passage, Clay’s
despair; and,
• The Compromise of 1850 resurrected, reconstructed and carried
through to passage by Stephen Douglas.
Heady times, high-stakes confrontations, and disaster staved off for another decade. Remini has sent me scurrying to find his full-length biographies of Clay and Webster to continue feasting on this fascinating period of our history.
Writing in the context of our strained, politically bifurcated, early 21st century situation, Robert Remini, fast becoming one of my favorite historians and one of my guru’s in attempting to understand the politics of the U.S.A. in the early 1800’s, has provided us with a succinct and fascinating study of the processes and effects of compromise in the tendentious years between the War of 1812 and the Compromise of 1850. In his Preface, Remini summarizes:
“The Compromise of 1850 is a prime example of how close this nation came to a catastrophic smash-up, and the way the power brokers of that period avoided that disaster – just in time. The Compromise gave the North ten years to build its industrial strength and enable it to overpower the South when war finally broke out. It also gave the North ten years to find a leader who could save the Union. His name: Abraham Lincoln.”
The book paints a picture of how that summary came to be:
• overwhelming support for the expansion of the territory
controlled by the US – the emergence of Manifest Destiny as a
basic principle;
• the rise of sectionalism from the early arguments over the
statehood of Missouri (leading to the Clay-crafted Missouri
Compromise of 1820) onward;
• tariffs and Nullification arguments over state vs. federal
dominance;
• President Jackson’s 1832 proclamation that he would “not
tolerate defiance of Federal Law;”
• annexation of Texas and the battles over its status as
possible state;
• war with Mexico and the assimilation of the territories west
of Texas – and battles over the role of slavery in any of
those territories to become states – California, New Mexico;
• the heroic political labors of the once-retired Speaker of the
House, now Senator Henry Clay to find a compromise that would
meet Calhoun’s challenge – Can the Union be preserved? Yes,
but only by the North granting to the South:
o “an equal right to the acquired territory” (i.e., territory
admitted as slave states);
o Commitment to assist in recapture of fugitive slaves; and,
o A constitutional amendment to assure that the South could
protect itself against “majority rule” intrusion into the
rights of the states (undefined, but clearly including the
right to protect and regulate property in slaves)
• the political-legislative battles between The Great
Triumvirate (Clay, John C. Calhoun, Daniel Webster);
• Clay’s well-structured Compromise failing passage, Clay’s
despair; and,
• The Compromise of 1850 resurrected, reconstructed and carried
through to passage by Stephen Douglas.
Heady times, high-stakes confrontations, and disaster staved off for another decade. Remini has sent me scurrying to find his full-length biographies of Clay and Webster to continue feasting on this fascinating period of our history.
September 16, 2013
Although not the most readable of books (or listenable of audiobooks), I found it very interesting because so many important issues and decisions were illuminated. Henry Clay, Daniel Webster and John C. Calhoun, the great triumvirate of the Senate, were trying to hold the young nation together, as slavery issues threatened to pull it apart.
Henry Clay worked out a great compromise that would solve many issues in one package, including the boundaries of the soon-to-be established state of Texas, and statehood of California, Utah and New Mexico. His great speech came close to achieving his goals, but then the compromise unraveled. Clay was devastated.
Eventually after the death of President Taylor and modifications, several individual bills were hammer out and passed under the guidance of Stephen Douglas. They created the states of Texas and California and the territories of New Mexico and Utah in a manner that satisfied both the Northern and Southern contingents.
Clay felt he had failed, but his efforts and speech were critical is the ultimate resolution of the issues. The country was held together for another ten years, during which time the industrial north gained the strength it would need to hold the union together. This was a history lesson worth learning.
Henry Clay worked out a great compromise that would solve many issues in one package, including the boundaries of the soon-to-be established state of Texas, and statehood of California, Utah and New Mexico. His great speech came close to achieving his goals, but then the compromise unraveled. Clay was devastated.
Eventually after the death of President Taylor and modifications, several individual bills were hammer out and passed under the guidance of Stephen Douglas. They created the states of Texas and California and the territories of New Mexico and Utah in a manner that satisfied both the Northern and Southern contingents.
Clay felt he had failed, but his efforts and speech were critical is the ultimate resolution of the issues. The country was held together for another ten years, during which time the industrial north gained the strength it would need to hold the union together. This was a history lesson worth learning.
November 2, 2016
A good book covering the Compromise of 1850, but more broadly looking at the series of compromises reached throughout the mid-1800s which delayed but did not ultimately prevent the Civil War. Though the book claims to be about Henry Clay, and does cover his political career, it is just as much about Daniel Webster and John C. Calhoun, each representing the two sides of the debate. However, the final 1850 compromise was really the work of the politically savvy Stephen Douglas, who pushed forward separate bills vice one whole omnibus, thus permitting individual members the freedom to vote as needed.
I wanted to walk away from the book with an understanding of how such additional peaceful measures could have averted the Civil War. But instead I realized that these various political moves were the moderates and reformers reaching (sometimes mutually distasteful) agreements and continuing the Nation's forward progress in the face of stiff but ever weakening reactionary Southern opposition. The books stages the Civil War as a last-ditch military reaction to a foregone political and economic defeat; a reaction which was predicted through the South's espousal of Nullification and continued secession movements.
I wanted to walk away from the book with an understanding of how such additional peaceful measures could have averted the Civil War. But instead I realized that these various political moves were the moderates and reformers reaching (sometimes mutually distasteful) agreements and continuing the Nation's forward progress in the face of stiff but ever weakening reactionary Southern opposition. The books stages the Civil War as a last-ditch military reaction to a foregone political and economic defeat; a reaction which was predicted through the South's espousal of Nullification and continued secession movements.
August 17, 2011
Remini, the Librarian of the House of Representatives, here examined the Compromise that is accorded to Henry Clay for having postponed the Civil War. Remini demonstrates that History can be written clearly; so clearly that the reader may conclude as I did, that the Missouri Compromise, credited to Clay, should have been credited to Stephen A Douglas. If you like clearly written history of a limited portion of the machinations that characterize the House of Representatives, Irecommend this book.
October 31, 2014
Interesting history of Henry Clay's working to keep the states together a decade before the Civil War. A unique moment of history, and a great American statesman. In his time he helped work on the compromise of 1850, even though his bigger bill didn't quite make it. It delayed the war 10 years, and probably saved the country. The USA in 1860 had Lincoln. If the split had come with Taylor, Pierce, Fillmore or Buchanan there would be 2 countries right now. Thank you Henry Clay. Good book.
September 29, 2020
This book is about the most powerful congressman in the 19th century: Henry Clay. He demonstrated the power of compromise in getting issues through Congress...a skill that I wish some had today. Henry Clay, Daniel Webster and John C. Calhoun, the great triumvirate of the Senate, were trying to hold the young nation together, as slavery issues threatened to pull it apart...the great compromise of 1850. Honestly, the book is boring in places and enlightening in others. I read it to enjoy the history and not the politics.
June 5, 2016
Ágætt innlegg í aðdraganda borgarastríðsins í Norður Ameríku. Remini gerir mikið úr pólitísku hlutverki Clays við að finna málamiðlanir til að sætta stríðandi fylkingar þegar allt var við það að sjóða upp úr 1850. Remini telur sennilegt að Suðurríkin hefðu unnið stríðið ef það hefði brotist út á þessum tíma því hvorki voru Norðurríkin nógu iðnvædd né var Lincoln orðinn forseti. Hann styður þessi rök sín þó lítið.
January 5, 2012
This slim volume tells a big story in clear, concise prose. Remini gives plenty of space to Henry Clay — his main subject, obviously — and sufficent portraits to a number of other men involved in the precipice. He defines the background and all in all does an expert job of presenting this slice of the past.
June 11, 2012
This one's pretty much an introductory text to the subject of the Compromise of 1850. It's a mighty thin work, brings nothing new to the discussion, and is written at an easy reader level. Remini also tends to undue hagiography especially in the cases of Henry Clay and Stephen Douglas. I would urge serious students to seek more substantial treatments of the period.
December 23, 2012
a curious read, as compromise produced horrid results--generations continued under slavery, armies strengthened yielding 800K+ deaths, when the issue should have been dealt with 80-100 years sooner. Compromise is pathetic and frequently 'kicks a broken can down the road' further. Serious dialogue and candid discourse, are preferred. This book will help you see the fallacy of compromise.
October 24, 2011
Excellent detailed study of the history and style of The Great Compromise. It ought to be mandatory reading for todays politicians. Nevertheless, it's worth remembering that even Clays great compromise was only temporary in its effect.
January 13, 2013
Really good book!!! I suggest that everbody read this!!! I also think the author should send a few boxes of the book to the current congress so they can see what happened when their predessors had to compermise back in the day!!!!
June 6, 2016
Describes a history of the great legislative comprises over slavery that preserved the union for 50 years until the Civil War. This period was so vitriolic, it is apparent that the violent secession of Southern states was an inevitable event.
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