Question

car present condition... illustrates the american idea that governments rest upon the consent of the governed, and that it is the right of the people to alter or abolish government... we cannot appeal to the ballot box declared that as far as we southerners were concerned, the government created by the constitution should cease to exist come to an end.

• jefferson davis, inaugural address (1861)

how did jefferson davis justify the southern states in this excerpt?
o the balance of power between slave states and free states
o the continuation of slavery
o states rights and popular sovereignty
o enforcement of the fugitive slave act
clear my selection

Explanation:

The excerpt mentions that governments rest upon the consent of the governed (popular sovereignty) and the right of the people to alter or abolish government (related to state - level rights as in the context of states' actions). The first option about balance between slave and free states is not directly supported. The continuation of slavery is a more specific issue not as clearly tied to the general principle in the text. The Fugitive Slave Act is not mentioned.

Answer:

C. state rights and popular sovereignty