The conflict between power and liberty in a free government was the passionate concern of this most articulate, and often prophetic, orator and writer.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you will see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you will see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work. This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

AN INFLUENTIAL THEORY OF MINORITY RIGHTS "In Calhoun's last years he drafted two essays that set forth his ideas on political theory. The first and shorter essay, 'The Disquisition on Government, ' is the more significant in that Calhoun sought to develop a consistent theory of minority rights within the context of majority rule. He urged universal recognition of the inequality of mankind and the diff erentiation of social and economic concerns. For an organized society to work in a harmonious and practical sense, these differences, Calhoun contended, had to be recognized and then institutionalized. He was, of course, arguing for his section and its 'peculiar institution, ' but nowhere does he mention slavery in the essay. Calhoun's thought as developed in the "Disquisition," and to a lesser extent in his 'Discourse on the Constitution, ' remains an original contribution to the history of political theory. His assertion of pluralism in political representation has influenced diverse critics of society, including liberal supporters of civil rights and conservative defenders of special social and economic interests." --JOHN NIVEN, "JOHN C. CALHOUN," American National Biography 4:215-216 Secretary of war and state, a two-time vice president and one of the more notable senators in U.S. history, JOHN C. CALHOUN [1782-1850] was one of the greatest American statesmen of the nineteenth century. An important political theorist and inspiration to the secessionists, he advanced sophisticated and impassioned arguments in favor of slavery, limited government and states' rights.