Question

Read the excerpt below and answer the question.

There is a Unionist, – there is a strict constructionist for you. He believes in the Union of the States, and he conceives that the only obstruction to the Union is Slavery, and for that reason, as a patriot, he works for its abolition.

Emerson refers to John Brown as a "strict constructionist" because _____.

A)he believes that laws should be applicable in every state in the nation

B)he believes only the Federal government has the power to allow slavery

C)he believes it is a man’s duty to remove obstructions in the way of liberty

D)he believes what is written in the Constitution is not open to interpretation

Answer 1

The answer is:

C) he believes it is a man’s duty to remove obstructions in the way of liberty

In the excerpt from Ralph Waldo Emerson's speech, he refers to John Brown as a "strict constructionist" because he considers the States should be joined together. For that reason, Brown assumes the only impediment to unite the States is slavery. As a consequence, Brown is strongly determined to pursue abolition so that the Union of the States can occur.