American Eloquence, Volume 2: Studies In American Political History (1896)

"American Eloquence, Volume 2" by Alexander Johnston and James Albert Woodburn is a collection of historical speeches and studies focused on American political history, likely written in the early 20th century. This volume delves into the complex and contentious issue of slavery in America, specifically during the time leading up to the Civil War, showcasing significant speeches from political figures who debated the morality, legality, and future of slavery in the United States. The opening of this volume provides an overview of the growing tensions between the Northern and Southern states regarding the institution of slavery, primarily through debates surrounding the Missouri Compromise and the broader anti-slavery struggle. It begins with a historical account of how slavery became institutionalized in the American colonies and progresses through key moments in political discourse, highlighting how significant speakers, including Rufus King, John Quincy Adams, and Wendell Phillips, articulated their divergent views on slavery and states' rights. The text sets the stage for a detailed examination of the ideological divisions that characterized antebellum America, emphasizing the escalating conflict over whether new territories should permit slavery, ultimately leading to deeper national discord and the eventual outbreak of war. (This is an automatically generated summary.)