His 143 - Making Value Judgments: Thoreau, Douglas, Polk and the Mexican War

Making Value Judgments:

Thoreau, Douglas, Polk and the Mexican War

Molly Wellbrock

HIST 143-14A

September 28, 2010

The text Making Value Judgments: Thoreau, Douglas, Polk, and the Mexican War gives a depiction of the sentiment in America in the mid-1800’s. Included are three speeches by passionate American men who explain their thoughts of American citizens during wartime. They tell what they believe citizens owe their governments, which rights they are entitled too, what responsibilities the citizens have, and how the citizens can harmonize their personal beliefs with what is right for the nation. The country was young and trying to expand its borders, and conflict over America’s right to the land brought about strong emotions on both sides. The men whose views are displayed are Henry David Thoreau, Stephen A. Douglas, and President James K. Polk. These men were powerful speakers who urged the citizens to see the dilemma of the Mexican War from their side.

Although given eighteen months after Polk’s speech, “Civil Disobedience” by Henry David Thoreau in January 1848 is discussed first in the text. In his speech, Thoreau touches on several points. He lays out his ideas for what government should be and discusses the right of individuals within government. He also gives his opinion on some of his neighbors and how he feels about what kind of relationship a person should have with government. He makes it very clear that he is speaking as a citizen and not as a person affiliated with the government in any way.

Thoreau contradicted himself briefly when he says that the government that is the best is the one that governs the least but then says the best government is one that doesn’t govern at all. As He believes that the government is getting in the way of progress and that is due to a few corrupt men who hold the power.

He has many issues with the current form of government starting with his contention that a government isn’t very strong when a single person can make the government do what he wants. He then compares legislature to “mischievous persons who put obstructions on the railroads” (207). His biggest contention seems to be his resentment of government controlling the land. He believes that a man shouldn’t have to be concerned with the loss of his land and property just because he questions the government. He thinks that riches and honors should be what is held up as shame, not poverty and misery, after all the riches and honors stem from the corrupt government and the poverty stems from civil disobedience.

Thoreau then brings up a good point about the importance of conscience. In comparing

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