LAD #20: Emancipation Proclamation

The Emancipation Proclamation, in general, states two central ideals. One: that any blacks that held as slaves in the Southern Seceded States, currently joining the rebellion with the Union, are considered "forever free" and are to be fully respected and considered a citizen with the social liberties, freedom, and respect of any other -- this was prominent in the military (blacks were to be considered regular soldiers and were to be held in the same standards as any other, white or black).  The second ideal explained the extent to which these ideals were to be implied (what states the proclamation applies to).  Even though some regions in Louisiana and Virginia do not have to comply to Lincoln's emancipation (an example would be Nawlins), the following states of: Arkansas, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia have to stand by the freedoms that Lincoln expresses in his speech.  Anyone considered a slave that resided in these states were to be, from then on, considered free men, liberated from their perpetual servitude.

LAD # 19: Lincoln's Second Inaugural

In his Second Inaugural Address, Lincoln expresses his view of the Civil War and the Union whilst portraying the nature of two and their similarities.  He talks about how neither side (Unionists nor Secessionists) wanted a war, for there had been much appeasement and diplomatic disagreements between the two that had been bloodless and relatively peaceful (yet still proving to divide the nation).  Antebellum America was basically a peaceful war between the two opposing sides -- there were fights and arguments, but no bloodshed.  But, the extremism on both sides -- which resulted in the war -- was eventually accepted and rallied upon by both sides.  The surprising factor was the unexpected brutality and length that the war undertook.  Neither side saw the ominous and foreboding future until it had already befallen them.  However, this naivety portrays all of the similarities between the seemingly polar opposite forces.  Each side looked to the omnipotent and Almighty God to aid them against their foe.  Yet Lincoln refutes this statement explaining that no such prayer has been or will ever be answered, for God has his own priorities and agenda when it comes to war.  He may desire a short, brief, war with minimal blood spilt, or may convene the two forces until "every drop of blood drawn with the lash shall be paid by another drawn with the sword."  The overall purpose of his speech is more meant to expose the natural destiny of the country as an organized Union, and to press the people of the North to continue their efforts to ensure that America remains as such.

LAD #18: Dred Scott Case

In lue of the Supreme Court's decision of Dred Scott vs. Sanford, Chief Justice Roger B. Taney agreed with Sanford.  His decisiveness was the causation of the fact that Scott, being a slave born of parents who emigrated to the United States from a foreign country, was not an American citizen and therefore not guaranteed any basic Constitutional rights.  Taney loosely interpreted that America's prized document made no clear distinctions between slaves and property -- technically Scott was never in position or viable to claim his civil and liberal rights as a person, much less present his case to a court (State of Federal).  Moreover, Scott's owner (Sanford) -- who was a legitimate and legal citizen of the United States -- was protected and backed by the Constitution.  Since Scott was a slave, the property of Sanford, the Courts were left with no other option than to hand over Scott to Sanford.  Yet, this challenged and rivaled the authority and written consent of the Missouri Compromise because despite Scott's habituation in Illinois (a free slave state) as a free man, he was still considered the property and belonging of Sanford and therefore had no basis to sue in a slave-state (Missouri).  In the end, Taney found the Missouri Compromise to be unconstitutional.

LAD #17: Sojourner Truth's "Ain't I a Woman" Speech

Sojourner Truth's famous speech in Akron, Ohio rotates around the injustice that despite womens' frequent proof that they are equal and just as capable as men, they are denied the same rights.  Contrary to the infamous stereotypes, "Nobody ever helps [her] into carriages, or over mud-puddles, or gives [her] any best place! And ain't [she] a woman?"  She expresses to the listeners that she plows and works in the field, just like a man, and eats as much but she's still a woman.  Everything that she does in her life is equal. or greater, to that of a man, and she's still a woman.  Later, she questions that despite their lack of intelligence, what does intellect have to do with womens' rights?  "If my cup won't hold but a pint, and yours holds a quart, wouldn't you be mean not to let me have my little half measure full?"  She lastly reasons with the beliefs of Christianity and the belief that Christ was a man -- not a woman.  Yet he must have came from a woman.  She voices that men have been, and will always be, nothing without women -- so why can't they be equal.

LAD #16: Frederick Douglass' "5th of July" Speech

"What to a slave is the 4th of July?"  This was the centerpiece to Frederick Douglass's "5th of July Speech" taken place in Rochester, NY in 1852.  Deciding to speak with his enslaved brothers of the South, he expresses his dislike for the practices of slavery within the United States and illustrates that these feelings are only magnified by Americans' celebration of Independence day -- their sovereignty and liberation from the British tyranny.  However, he also finds it essential to remind the country that amongst their joyous festivities, the forgotten and neglected African Americans feel that much more adamant about the injustices of America.  To take away one's right to freedom, to strip them of their inalienable rights, to beat, whip, burn, and/or starve them into obedience, to separate them from their family, etc., exemplifies the idea that African Americans are less than their fellow men. Yet Douglass reminds America, such a notion is ridiculous being just as successful as their white counterparts.  Occupations such as, "erecting houses, constructing bridges...capturing the whale in the Pacific, feeding sheep and cattle on the hillside, living, moving, acting, thinking, planning, living in families as husbands, wives, and children, and above all, confessing and worshiping the Christian's God." Lastly, Douglass puts forth that while no other nation in history has made such noble claims for independence there is no other country on Earth that has allowed the injustices on human lives (slaves) compared with this free and independent America.

LAD #15: Lincoln's Gettysburg Address

Lincoln's Gettysburg Address was created to both commemorate the soldiers of the civil war who gave their lives to preserve the Union and to stress the importance and gravity of such a demanding cause. However, Lincoln understands that by no means could any value of worth be added to sacrifices that these Union soldiers made by mere words alone. By paying the ultimate price they have consecrated the lands with their blood and the living cannot serve the dead merely by commemoration, but by their will to continue with utmost devotion the cause the martyrs chose to protect: a free government "of the people, by the people, [and] for the people...four score and seven years ago."

LAD #14: Lincoln's First Inaugural Address

In Lincoln's First Inaugural Address, he focuses on the issue of slavery (which was the main cause of the schism between the North and Southern states).  Lincoln begins by refusing to choose a side on the issue -- he made it clear that his only goal was preserve the unity of the States as a unified nation.  Furthermore, he exemplifies that he has no lawful right, desire, nor inclination to interfere with either factions beliefs in slave holding policies.  He turns to the Constitution for the final judgement of the matter.  In its accordance, any person who is issued into service or labor in one state can be liberated in another.  This is the basis for the fugitive motive to make it to the North --  if they can make it there then they are guaranteed freedom and is also why Lincoln stressed to the North to not fully return all the fugitive slaves (an action which is countered by the South's infrequent engaging with illegal international slave trade).  Despite Lincoln's belief that these problems will never be fully solved, he strengthens the case that if the nation splits over the cause then minor problems will become worse, and all conflicts or feuds between the two factions will never be mended. Lincoln also stresses the importance of the Unity that has held together the United States since before the creation or ratification of the Constitution. The states, whether they engage in hostile or amicable relations with each other, must interact for mutual benefit -- any act of secession would lead to anarchy, or worse: despotism.  He concludes that we must not be enemies but friends.

LAD #13: John Calhoun's Speech (Clay's Antebellum Compromise)

In Calhoun's speech, he brings up the controversial topic of slavery that, at the present time, has plagued and divided the union.  Despite the agreeable compromise of 3/5 representation that the South had been using ever since it was created in 1787, the North had slowly been gaining the upper hand of representation and was ready to assume complete control of the government.  Calhoun states that all that is needed for a political party/faction to take command is the majority of population and states represented in the Senate.  This is further solidified because the Union is about to admit five new northern states based off of the newly acquired territories in Oregon, Minnesota, and land ceceded from Mexico. However, in the South, there are no new states are open for acceptance into the union.  Population wise, Calhoun believes that the import tariffs used to collect revenue are augmenting the split in favor of the North, not only by contributing to their wealthy elite (at the expense of Southern farmers no less) but by also making the North a prosperous  attraction  to immigrants (which would further tip the scales).  Finally, the hostilities between the two sections on slavery are further straining the Union. While Northern abolitionists scream at slavery's supposed immorality, Calhoun states that it has been a fundamental institution to the social and economic status of the South -- its relinquishing will cause ruin and devastation. Calhoun affirms that the only way the Union can be preserved is if the stronger party, the North, is willing to give the South its rights to represent newly acquired territory, return fugitive slaves, and cease agitation over the morality of slavery. This way the political equilibrium of the North and South will be at ease, decreasing the threat of secession from an integral part of the Union.

LAD #12: Polk's War Message

Polk's War Address identifies the causes surrounding the United States' impending involvement in war with Mexico.  Originally seeking a diplomatic and peaceful resolution to the problems, President Polk sent an envoy to peacefully negotiate terms with Mexico's head of government, General Herrera, to resolve the border disputes and numerous injustices of the Mexican Government against American settlers.  However, after a revolution in Mexico, its political and social relations with the United States shifted with its shift in power, and the government no longer sought peaceful appeasement.  They did not associate themselves with the American envoy, John Slidell, and refuted any attempts of peace.  In fact, the Mexican government actually engaged in hostile relations with American soldiers and settlers along both the Rio del Norte and the Nuces River -- these actually became part of Texas when it was annexed in 1836.  With the uneasy regards of both sides, the Mexican hostilities towards the U.S. troops provided him a complete justification against a nation already with shaky relationships.

LAD#11: Seneca Falls Declaration

The Seneca Falls Declaration of Sentiments and Resolutions is a fantastic example for claims to one's civil liberties and rights in respect to the public.  Modeled after America's prized document -- The Declaration of Independence -- the Seneca Falls Declaration shows the desire for equal and inalienable rights in both men and women.  The document then follows suit with the Declaration and goes on to explain that the government is supposed to protect and enforce these equal liberties and rule in the consent of the governed.  However, according to the Seneca Falls Convention, history has shown that government has not been able to illustrate this belief for equality; women have always been subordinate to men.  Furthermore, a list of grievances is listed that explains the 'tyrannical' and sexist acts of men towards women, such as: denial of suffrage, denial of property and wages, prevention of a high education, creating a different moral code for men and women, etc.  Yet, the document ends on a high note, explaining resolutions that would gain women a balance in the equality of men, further asserting their civil rights to that of a man that have been unjustly taken away.