Selected Writings and Speeches

by H. Lee Cheek Jr., John C. Calhoun, Lee Cheek Jr.

"Constitutions stand to governments, as laws do to individuals. As the object of laws is, to regulate and restrain the actions of individuals, so as to prevent one from oppressing or doing violence to another, so, in like manner, that of constitutions is, to regulate and restrain the actions of governments, so that those who exercise its powers, shall not oppress or do violence to the rest of the community."

-John C. Calhoun, Selected Writings and Speeches

586 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 2003

About the author

Dr. H. Lee Cheek, Jr., is Dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences and Professor of Political Science at East Georgia State College. He received his bachelor's degree from Western Carolina University, his M.Div. from Duke University, his M.P.A. from Western Carolina University, and his Ph.D. from The Catholic University of America. He previously served as Dean of the School of Social Sciences at Gainesville State University (University of North Georgia); Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs at Athens State University in Alabama; and, Vice-President for College Advancement and Professor of Political Science at Brewton-Parker College in Mt. Vernon, Georgia.

Reviews

[Joe Cochran · Rating 4 out of 5]

The edition that I read had 707 pages and I couldn't find that edition on Goodreads. I found in reading Calhoun's writings that he gets into the weeds and often veers off from his main topic. An English teacher would have a heyday with what would constitute as 'run on sentences.' Sometimes it would seem that an entire page would be one sentence.

After reading this book and giving it some thought I could see that Calhoun was a huge constitutionalist, and was a big believer and support of State rights. Where I deferred in his views was on the subject of Slavery. When you imagine that Calhoun passed away in 1850, and the Civil War began in 1861 you really can tell that Calhoun laid the ground work for secession. By his writings you can begin to see that both the Civil War and Slavery were going to meet head-on, it seemed to be a foregone conclusion. It appears that both North and South didn't want to concede and Civil War was in the cards.

Overall, a great read (lengthy, but good). I recommend this to those that wish to dive into history and educate themselves a little more than what they received in school.

[Galicius · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pre-Civil War speeches, heavy on states' rights.