Source: Governing Texas Anthony Champagne, Edward J. Harpham, Jason P. Casellas Fourth Edition W.W. Norton & Company NY & London. ISBN 9780393644302
Instructions
There are 4 sections of the course (Section 1 Principles, Section 2 Federalism, Section 3 Political Policy, Section 4 Political Participation).
1. Choose a quote (phrase or sentence) from the “Reading” that best connects to each section.
2. As it applies to that section, your reasoning of how the quote from the reading is connected.
3. Provide historical evidence from the course material (textbook and or video presentations) and citation to support your connection.
4. Do not use the same phrase or sentence from the reading, or evidence for more than one answer.
5. Submit a separate document.
6. Number each answer as numbered in this document.
7. Write only the answer, not the question.
8. Use complete sentences.
Format
Name:
Course and Section:
Date:
1. Heading on the left hand side
2. 1 inch margins all around
3. double spaced
4. font 12 pt.
“Reading”
Speech of Sam Houston
The Argument Against Secession before the Civil War
Austin, September 22, 1860
[I]n 1836, I volunteered to aid in transplanting American liberty to this soil (Texas), it was with the belief that the Constitution and the Union were to be perpetual blessings to the human race,—that the success of the experiment of our fathers was beyond dispute, and that whether under the banner of the Lone Star or that many-starred banner of the Union, I could point to the land of Washington, Jefferson, and Jackson, as the land blest beyond all other lands, where freedom would be eternal and Union unbroken. I have seen this mighty progress, and it still remains free and independent. Power, wealth, expansion, victory, have followed in its path, and yet the aegis of the Union has been broad enough to encompass all. Is not this worth perpetuating? Will you exchange this for all the hazards, the anarchy and carnage of civil war?
Our forefathers saw the danger to which freedom would be subjected, from the helpless condition of disunited States; and, to “form a more perfect Union,” they established this Government. What is there that is free that we have not? Are our rights invaded and no Government ready to protect them? No! Are our institutions wrested from us and others foreign to our taste forced upon us? No! Is the right of free speech, a free press, or free suffrage taken from us? No! Has our property been taken from us and the Government failed to interpose when called upon? No, none of these! The rights of the States and the rights of individuals are still maintained. We hear of secession—“peaceable secession.”
No; but the stipulation to their recognition will be, the abolition of slavery. Sad will be the day for the institution of slavery, when the Union is dissolved. Its permanency, its security, are coequal with the permanency and the security of the Union under the Constitution. Do you wish to exchange your present peaceful condition for the day of standing armies, when all history has proved that a standing army in time of peace is dangerous to liberty?
I come not here to speak in behalf of a united South against Lincoln. I appeal to the nation. I ask not the defeat of sectionalism by sectionalism, but by nationality. Talk of frightening the North into measures by threats of dissolving the Union!
As well might the Abolitionists expect the South to abandon slavery, through fear that the North would go out of the Union and leave it to itself. No, these are not the arguments to use. I would appeal rather to the great soul of the nation than to the passions of a section.
But if, through division in the ranks of those opposed to Mr. Lincoln, he should be elected, we have no excuse for dissolving the Union. The Union is worth more than Mr. Lincoln, and if the battle is to be fought for the Constitution, let us fight it in the Union and for the sake of the Union. A new obligation will be imposed upon us, to guard the Constitution and to see that no infraction of it is attempted or permitted. If Mr. Lincoln administers the Government in accordance with the Constitution, our rights must be respected. If he does not, the Constitution has provided a remedy.
Where is the spirit of sacrifice and patriotism which brought the Union into existence, and maintained it amid privation and danger? Look at the men who are crying out disunion, and then ask yourselves whether they are the men you would choose to create a new government? Do they combine that wisdom, prudence, and patriotism which would inspire you with confidence and lead you to trust the destinies of a nation in their hands? Where are the proofs of their patriotism?
Whenever an encroachment is made upon our constitutional rights, I am ready to peril my life to resist it; but let us first use constitutional means. Let us resist, as our fathers did, with right on our side. They exhausted all legal means of remedy first. When submission to tyranny or revolution was all that was left them, they tried revolution. It was the same in Texas. The people fought to uphold the Constitution of 1824. When it was again violated, they sent petitions to the Central Government. Their agent was imprisoned, and an army was sent to disarm them. Then they raised the standard of revolution. In the share I have borne in these things I claim nothing more than the right to love my country in proportion as I have done my duty to it; but I may ask, what higher claim have these men, who would inaugurate revolutions before their time?
Final Exam Questions
Section 1 Principles
1. Quotation from the Reading. 1pt
2. As it applies to this section, your reasoning of how the quote from the reading is connected. 2p
3. Provide historical evidence from the course material (textbook and or video presentations) and citation to support your connection. 2pt/1pt without citation
Section 2 The Federalism
4. Quotation from the Reading. 1pt
5. As it applies to this section, your reasoning of how the quote from the reading is connected. 2p
6. Provide historical evidence from the course material (textbook and or video presentations) and citation to support your connection. 2pt/1pt without citation
Section 3 Political Policy
7. Quotation from the Reading. 1pt
8. As it applies to this section, your reasoning of how the quote from the reading is connected. 2p
9. Provide historical evidence from the course material (textbook and or video presentations) and citation to support your connection. 2pt/1pt without citation
Section 4 Political Participation
10. Quotation from the Reading. 1pt
11. As it applies to this section, your reasoning of how the quote from the reading is connected. 2p
12. Provide historical evidence from the course material (textbook and or video presentations) and citation to support your connection. 2pt/1pt without citation
