The Slavery Question Speech of Hon. John M. Landrum, of La., Delivered in the House of Representatives, April 27, 1860   By: John M. Landrum

The Slavery Question Speech of Hon. John M. Landrum, of La., Delivered in the House of Representatives, April 27, 1860 by John M. Landrum is a historically significant speech that provides deep insights into the heated debate surrounding slavery during the pre-Civil War era in the United States. John M. Landrum, a representative from Louisiana, delivers a powerful oration on the subject, presenting his views on the institution of slavery and its impact on the nation.

Landrum's speech is a well-structured and persuasive argument that reflects the prevailing opinions of pro-slavery advocates in the South during this period. He presents a carefully crafted defense of slavery built on constitutional, economic, and moral grounds. Through his speech, Landrum strives to justify the continuation of slavery as an essential aspect of the Southern way of life and a cornerstone of the nation's economic stability. He argues that the Founding Fathers themselves approved of and protected slavery, pointing to its explicit mention in the Constitution. Furthermore, Landrum emphasizes the economic significance of slavery, suggesting that its abolition would lead to catastrophic consequences for the South's agricultural economy.

While the speech is undoubtedly a testament to the ideological fervor of pro-slavery advocates, it also sheds light on the deeply flawed arguments employed to justify the institution. Landrum's insistence on the supposed inferiority of enslaved individuals and their supposed contentment within bondage reveals the racist underpinnings of his beliefs. However, it is noteworthy that he attributes these views to historical figures such as Thomas Jefferson, subtly connecting his own perspective to the nation's revered founding principles.

One cannot ignore the broader context in which this speech was delivered. The year 1860 was a critical juncture in American history, as the nation stood on the brink of the Civil War. The impassioned rhetoric in Landrum's speech mirrors the escalating tensions between the North and the South, where the future of slavery was at the forefront of political discourse. Understanding this context offers readers a valuable insight into the complexities surrounding the slavery debate during this tumultuous period.

While this book is undoubtedly a valuable resource for historians and researchers examining the pro-slavery viewpoint in the mid-19th century United States, it is important to approach it with a critical mindset. The Slavery Question Speech of Hon. John M. Landrum, of La., Delivered in the House of Representatives, April 27, 1860 presents a reflection of the prevailing attitudes and arguments that fueled the perpetuation of slavery. By examining Landrum's speech, readers gain a deeper understanding of the ideological divisions that ultimately led to one of the darkest chapters in American history.

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Mr. CHAIRMAN: That we are now threatened with great and alarming evils, no one who will take a calm and unprejudiced survey of the condition of the country can for a moment doubt. In the formation of this Government there existed a spirit of harmony and concession from the citizens of each State in this Union towards the citizens of every other State; and this spirit was so plainly exhibited in the convention which framed the Constitution of the United States that it was so adjusted, so adapted to the wants of all the States entering into the Confederacy that it received the almost unanimous support of the Convention. Harmony and concord and good feeling reigned throughout the whole Confederacy. The citizen of South Carolina rejoiced in the prosperity and commended the virtues of the citizen of Massachusetts; and the citizen of Massachusetts responded to the feeling of the citizen of South Carolina. That was the feeling which pervaded the citizens of this common country when the Constitution was formed; and that was the spirit which pervaded it for the thirty years afterwards during which the Government was administered by the fathers of the Republic... Continue reading book >>