LAD #20: Emancipation Proclamation

         The Emancipation Proclamation, Lincoln essential says two things. He says that all slaves held in southern states, or states that were currently in rebellion, were declared free in the Union and would be respected by the military and navy. Secondly, he lists all that states that were in rebellion and that the proclamation applied to. Lincoln was very specific in excluding some areas of Virginia and Louisiana but rattled out Arkansas, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia. Any slaves in these states were free and would have their rights maintained in the North.

LAD #19: Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address

       As he spoke to the crowd that had gathered, Lincoln's second inaugural address had a different tone and objective than the first. He begins by stating the situation of the war, which according to him and the majority of the population, is satisfactory. Then moving to the divisions caused by slavery that had led to war. Unlike many believe, neither side wanted war but rather went to that extreme as they saw it as their only option. Secessionists saw it as the only way for their demands to be met, and the Unionists saw it a the only way to preserve the union itself. Perhaps not speaking entirely as a president but as someone angry with the evils of slavery when talks of those who "[wring] their bread from the sweat of other men's faces, but let us judge not, that we be not judged." He goes on to make more important points when he talks of the will of God when it comes to the war. He believes that the Southerners have committed an offense against God, and that they should not go to Him for protection. Though he also says that if the will of God is to continue to use of slavery to build up wealth, that they would have to follow Him. In conclusion, Lincoln believes that with the end of the war the nation should heal the wounded and enjoy peace.

LAD #18: Dred Scott Decision

       As the appealed case of Dred Scott v. Sanford came to an end, Chief Justice Taney sided with Sanford. Scott, a slave and the son of immigrants, was decided as not a legal citizen of the United States and therefore was not guaranteed the rights each citizens are given in the Constitution. Taney saw no distinction between Scott and other forms of property, so technically Scott never could have claimed his rights had been violated. And more disturbingly, Scott was not allowed to sue in State or Federal Courts. Sanford, as the owner and a citizen of the United States, was entitled these rights under the Constitution as the government cannot interfere with a citizen's property. As a result, the court had to ensure Sanford's ownership over Scott. This essentially discarded the Missouri Compromise, as now it seemed that the line established held no more power. Scott had entered the free state of Illinois and was still considered property, and in turn could not sue as he did not have the right. In the end, Taney found that the Compromise was unconstitutional.

LAD #16: "What to the Slave is the 4th of July?"

      Contrasting the celebrations of the 4th of July, Frederick Douglass asks a sobering question. As people celebrate the birth of our nation he wonders whether or not the quintessential rights listed in the Declaration of Independence apply to slaves and African-Americans. The jubilee that comes with independence is not shared with the slaves and blacks, and as a result both races seem to grow distant. "The rich inheritance of justice, liberty, prosperity, and independence bequeathed by your fathers is shared by you, not by [him]." This resentment felt by the slaves and free blacks hurt was born from the United States shameful past. A past where slaves were beaten an bloodied and the ideas of the Constitution and Declaration of Independence are trample on. They lived in the land of the free and the home of the brave, and yet only a select few enjoyed freedom. Blacks were void of rights and cast down as inferior, but then Douglass asserts that blacks and whites are equal. While the slaves were working in the fields they were not only cultivating cotton but minds, as there were lawyers, teachers, poets, and Christians among them. They were "engaged in all manner of enterprises common to other men," and believed that their equality logically would follow. As Douglass is nearing the end of his speech, and about to prove his point. The 4th of July is not a celebration but a sham. The independence Americans claim is not real, and is in fact the largest hypocrisy on Earth where horrible atrocities have been committed against a race that was only asking for equality.

LAD #17: "Aint I a Woman?"

         The Woman's Convention in Akron, Ohio was thes stage for Sojourner Truth to chastise society for its sexist and racial prejudices. She realizes the change that will come from Northern women and slaves. Seeing some women gaining ground on the basis that women "need to be helped into carriages, and lifted over ditches", Soujourner asks a somewhat paradoxical question. No one "helps me into carriages, or over mud-puddles, or gives me any best place!", but isn't she a woman? By questioning logic, Soujourner reveals that men do not view her as a lady but almost a creature of a lesser race. They hold prejudices against her because she is a slave, and does not deserve the helping hand that white women receive. She even defends womanhood by explaining the power she and other women have. She has "ploughed and planted, and gathered into barns," and "borne thirteen children, and seen most all sold off to slavery." When she cried out in protest "none but Jesus heard [her]!" And while some had argued that women and slaves should not have rights because they lacked intellect, she rebutted by explaining that it intelligence should not be a way to measure the amount of rights a person can have. In the face of the religious traditionalists she concludes by explaining that it was after all God and a woman that birthed Christ, as "Man had nothing to do with Him."

LAD #15: The Gettysburg Address

      As blood was still wet on the fields at Gettysburg, Lincoln addressed a nation that was in its darkest hour. In the the Gettysburg Address, the president commemorated the soldiers who had just given their live while emphasizing the fact that the preservation of the Union was at the forefront. While he talks of grave matters, Lincoln can not add any value of worth to the sacrifices the Union soldiers just made. They had, by giving their lives, consecrated the lands with their blood. He continues by saying that the living cannot merely remember the dead, but justify their death by continue to pursue the goal had led to their demise. The goal to preserve a free government created of, by and for the people, one that will continue to protect the rights of its citizens as intended by the Founding Fathers.

LAD #14: Lincoln's First Inaugural Address

      
      In his first inaugural address, Lincoln addresses the issue of slavery which had become a serious problem. He makes it very clear that he has no intention of interfering with slavery in the South, and that his goal is in fact to preserve the Union. Looking to the Constitution for guidance, he asserts that the question of slavery should be answered by the individual states. As is stated in the Constitution, if a person is held to service of another in one state they cannot be free of their labor by entering another state. This applies to fugitive slaves who ran to the North for their freedom. He later mentions this as he tells the North to not return all slaves, as the South was partaking in illegal international slave trade. Lincoln sees that these problems may never be solved, and believes that a disagreement on the issue of slavery and growing disagreements on it would cause even greater problems. He emphasizes the fact the importance of the unity that the states have had since before the constitution. If they engage in hostile or friendly relations, the states should nonetheless interact for a mutual benefit. The harmful act of succession would lead to anarchy, and even more disturbingly despotism. Lincoln ends by saying that Americans should not be enemies, but friends with an emphasis on, "we must not be enemies."

LAD #13: The Clay Compromise Measures

     

         In his speech to the Senate, Calhoun makes several points explaining how the nation was becoming divided and controlled by certain sections. Firstly, he brings up the issue of slavery which had plagued the United States since its conception. Slavery was an industry that was largely centered in the Southern states. In an attempt to balance the population of slaves to the free the 3/5 Compromise was added to the Constitution. Soon though the creation of more states, which mostly became free, began to upset the balance of free to slave states in the Senate and the increase of population would skew the House of Representatives. He believed that one group of people could win government control, and exercise its authority on those who opposed it. Essentially bring back up the disturbing thought of factions gaining control of the government. Secondly, he cries out against the harmful tariffs that were being placed upon Southerners which in turn benefited the North. This unjust collection of revenue was furthering the deepening the divisions in the United States and cementing the image of the Northern elite. Along with growing immigration to northern states, it seemed that it was only a matter of time until the North could impose its will over the entire nation. Thirdly, and most frighteningly, Calhoun addresses the future of the Union. In Calhoun's eyes the differing ideologies of the North and South are pushing the South either to accept abolition, or succeed. The southern way of live depended on slavery to sustain it, and its abolition would cause a disaster. But to maintain the Union there would have to be cooperation on both sides. The stronger party, or that of the North, had to see the problems the abolition of slavery could bring and they had to come to the South's defense. Only with the help of the North could the South finally get its claim to new territories, return fugitive slaves, and cease the agitation over the issue of slavery. If this could be done, the Union would be preserved.

LAD #12: Polk's War Message

      During the Mid-19th century, the United States was troubled by its unruly Mexican neighbor. Disputed boundaries along with the aggressive actions of the Mexicans against American settlers caused Polk to respond. Initially, he pursued a policy of diplomacy by sending John Slidell to negotiate boundaries and rights of Americans. During this time period, the United States and Mexico attempted to hold an amicable relationship. This soon changed, when a military revolution gave the power to General Paredes. Unlike his predecessor, General Herrera, Paredes closed Mexico to Slidell and his envoy resulting in the end of diplomacy. Soon hostilities arose between troops stationed between the rivers Rio del Norte and the Nueces in Texas. This was a problematic area as it was annexed by the United States in 1836, furthering border disputes. The motives of both sides were unclear to the other, resulting in 16 American casualties and the beginning of a war. A war caused from rising tension and obscure borders, and that was further perpetuated by Mexico which had a history of civilian hostility.

LAD #11: Declaration of Sentiments

        Similar to the Founding Fathers, women during the mid-19th century felt as though they were being unjustly treated. In the case of the women who wrote the Declaration of Sentiments, they felt as though they were being controlled by men. So as their revolutionary fore fathers had done, these women framed their document in a similar form as the one that had created our nation. They emphasize the ideas that are embodied in the Declaration of Independence, the rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. They continue by stating they too believe in the right of the people to overthrow tyrannical governments, and in their opinion it is the male gender. They include a list of grievances which include: "has compelled her to submit to laws, in the formation of which she had no voice", "He has taken from her all right in property, even to the wages she earns",  and "He has denied her the facilities for obtaining a thorough education, all colleges being closed against her." They believed their most basic of rights were being violated, so at the end of the document, the women include a list of resolutions and examples of the rights of women. They emphasize their unalienable rights, which up until that point had been severely violated.