Question

John C. Calhoun wrote an essay entitled "Disquisition of Government" in which offered a moral defense of slavery, arguing that

A slavery would gradually fade out on its own without any government intervention.
B slavery was a necessary evil to preserve the traditional southern way of life.
C It was not the government's job to eliminate slavery, but rather the role of a moral public.
D slavery was a more humane way of organizing labor than the industrial wage system.

Answer 1

C. It was not the government's job to eliminate slavery, but rather the role of a moral public.

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In his essay "Disquisition of Government," John C. Calhoun did argue that it was not the government's role to eliminate slavery. He believed that slavery was a positive good and that it was essential for the stability and prosperity of Southern society. Calhoun contended that the federal government should protect the institution of slavery and that any attempt to interfere with it would be a violation of the constitutional rights of the Southern states.

Option A is not accurate because Calhoun did not believe that slavery would fade out on its own without government intervention. He actively advocated for the preservation and protection of slavery.

Option B is not entirely accurate, as it does not capture the full essence of Calhoun's argument. While Calhoun did view slavery as necessary for preserving the Southern way of life, he also went further and argued that slavery was a positive good for both slaves and slaveholders, dismissing the idea that it was merely a necessary evil.

Option D is not accurate either. While Calhoun defended slavery, he did not make the comparison to the industrial wage system. Instead, he focused on defending the institution of slavery itself.