Az Eszterházy Károly Tanárképző Főiskola Tudományos Közleményei. 1993. [Vol. 1.] Eger Journal of American Studies. (Acta Academiae Paedagogicae Agriensis : Nova series ; Tom. 21)
STUDIES - András Tamóc: The Politics of a Cast-Iron Man. John C. Calhoun and His Views on Government.
principle was in effect in South Carolina, dividing state law making powers between "upcountry farmers and seaboard planters". 3 0 Moses Waddel's academy and subsequent studies at Yale familiarized him with the works of prominent political theorists ranging from Plato to Adams. The influence of Timothy Dwight, Yale's president, was instrumental in the young Calhoun's personal and political development. His prediction of John reaching the Presidency, not only steered the latter toward a public career but the dual executive system indicated Calhoun's desire for the highest office. Calhoun's choice of educational institutions reflected an appreciation of rigorous discipline and challenging curriculum. Since he became an outstanding student on his own, he grew up to value individualism and forged a personal philosophy of self-reliance. The results of his Presbyterian upbringing and arduous education were unbending mental toughness coupled with extreme moralistic purity. He did not believe in a "golden mean", becoming an incarnation of "Doric simplicity" 3 1 and stubborn rigidity. He learned to value principle over emotion and esteem probity over humanity. Calhoun's view of democracy can be attributed to secondary factors of political socialization as well. His class status as a prosperous planter along with racial and regional determinants led him to protect the interests of his own group. The 1830's and 40's were the time of increasing social and political tensions marking the dawn of the abolition movement. As the South became gradually isolated, Northern anti-slavery forces threatened Dixie's governmental and economic stability. Since the United States government was the embodiment of absolute majority, Southern concurrent majority needed protection from the abolitionist spirit of the federal administration. A Southern president equipped with national veto power over the actions of his Northern counterpart offered the best defense. 3 0 Richard Hofstadter, The American Political Traditon.{New York: W. W. Norton, 1965), p. 112. 3 1 Merill D. Peterson, The Great Triumvirate (New York:Oxford University Press, 1987), p. 27. • 104
