Abortion. It pits rights against rights, as slavery was perceived to do. It's a deeply moral issue to many. And therefore it's hard to compromise about.
Wasn't Buchanan also faulted when it appeared he had pressured a Pennsylvania Justice, Robert Grier, to support the pro slavery majority? Thus putting his, Buchanan's, thumb on the scale?
Thank you for this excellent piece.
Buchanan was a clever pol and in this instance, too clever for his own or the country's good.
What contemporary intractable political issue reminds you most of the issue of slavery before the Civil War?
Abortion. It pits rights against rights, as slavery was perceived to do. It's a deeply moral issue to many. And therefore it's hard to compromise about.
My thought precisely. Dealing with other issues seems almost easy compared to abortion.
Excellent piece.
Wasn't Buchanan also faulted when it appeared he had pressured a Pennsylvania Justice, Robert Grier, to support the pro slavery majority? Thus putting his, Buchanan's, thumb on the scale?
Definitely. Many Republicans asserted a conspiracy between Buchanan and proslavery members of the court.
Enjoyed it. Good piece.
Wonderfully detailed but terse and informative historical analysis. We expect no less from HWB!