John C. Calhoun: "Slavery a Positive Good" - Milestone Documents

John C. Calhoun: “Slavery a Positive Good”

( 1837 ) Commentary by Kirk H. Beetz, UC Davis, Emeritus
  • “We of the South will not, cannot surrender our institutions. To maintain the existing relations between the two races, inhabiting that section of the Union, is indispensable to the peace and happiness of both. It can not be subverted without drenching the country in blood, and extirpating one or the other of the races.” - "Slavery a Positive Good"
  • “I hold that in the present state of civilization, where two races of different origin, and distinguished by color, and other physical differences, as well as intellectual, are brought together, the relation now existing in the slaveholding States between the two, is, instead of an evil, a good—a positive good.” - "Slavery a Positive Good"
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John C. Calhoun (Library of Congress)

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