Congressional Record: Defence of the National Democracy Against the Attack of Judge Douglas: Constitutional Rights of the States. Speech of Louisiana. Delivered in the United States Senate, May 22, 1860

Speech delivered by Judah P. Benjamin, Democratic Senator from Louisiana, on the floor of the United States Senate on May 22, 1860. Benjamin responds to a speech by Stephen A. Douglas, arguing against legislation restricting slavery in new states and territories. He cites the Dred Scott Supreme Court decision (1857), which ruled that enslaved people were not citizens and that the federal government could not interfere with states' rights regarding slavery. Benjamin criticizes Douglas's perceived inconsistency on the issue of slavery, highlighting the political divisions within the Democratic Party leading up to the Charleston Convention and the Southern secession from the Union. [np, nd. 1860]

Associated People/Businesses

• BENJAMIN, JUDAH P.

Geography

No geographic information available.

Subjects

• Slavery--United States
• Secession

Physical Location

Arc.MS.56, Box 9