The national crisis that erupted in Born Blind intensifies as Tennessee's petition to withdraw from the Union goes to trial before the Supreme Court. The President and the Congress strive to pre-empt the Court's verdict ahead of the elections of 1860. Every check and balance crafted into the Constitution is employed by the competing forces.
Does the Constitution dictate that the votes of only five justices can validate Tennessee's withdrawal? Or does the vote of the people and the Congress trump the power of the judiciary?
Did the wisdom of the founding fathers enable the states to resolve their differences peaceably under the rule of law? Or did their compromises ensure that this constitutional case will be tried on the battlefield?
