The Constitution in Congress: Democrats and Whigs, 1829-1861

• DOI: 10.2307/4486107
• Publication Date: 2010-05-04T04:49:52Z
• Authors: G. Leonard
• Keywords: Argument (complex analysis); Presidency; Habeas corpus; Nullification; Veto; Dissenting opinion

I imagine that most readers of this journal can count on no hands the number reference books they have read cover to with any sustained enjoyment, at least if not yet encountered works David P. Currie. Having examined U.S. Supreme Court's body constitutional work in previous books, Currie has more recently turned collecting and analyzing controversies roiled Congress presidency. The comprehensiveness instant volume (the first two covering antebellum years) absence but broadest sort argument make book chiefly a tool. But simultaneous vigor good humor Currie's prose nearly every page an entertainment, for specialists who follow lawyerly analyses as easily he writes them. Insofar does argument, it is increasingly familiar one implementation Constitution took place nonjudicial much judicial branches and, relatedly, slew political controversies, great small, be recast episodes interpretation. To case (but really take good-natured issue raft long-dead politicians) marches out far evidence than requires, moving from episode fifty-one subchapters teaching us “many little things about particular disputes” (p. 279). He begins Andrew Jackson's Maysville veto (1830), bank (1832), nullification crisis several comparatively obscure growing Democrats' determination destroy Henry Clay's “American system.” With American system dead, remainder devoted “The Kitchen Sink,” collection lively accounts impeachments judges expulsions (or not) congressmen, President John Tyler's run-ins congressional Whigs, navigation technicalities establish Smithsonian Institution Court Claims, dozens episodes. Conspicuously deliberately missing account years 1829 1861 practically anything do slavery sectionalism, compelling reason subject would doubled length book; thus promise second those years.