LAD #26: MLK I Have A Dream Speech

In honor of Martin Luther King Jr., we see fit to listen to his famous words during his "I have a dream" speech on the day named after his work for civil equality.  Addressing the masses who attended his speech in front of the Lincoln Memorial, King speaks of the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation that had ensured the freedom of the black slaves from the perils of social status under the white supremacy.  He goes on to declare that even though the laws laid forth by the famed president in media res of the Civil War, the "Negro is not free," and has become an exile in his own land. King (and all those whom followed him) therefore have come together at the nation's capitol to "cash their check."  A check promising the protection of ALL men, unalienable rights - life liberty and the pursuit of happiness - to ALL men; no more segregation.  King hopes that one day justice will come and denies all doubt of impossible equality; he has faith in the American people.  Yet, King also makes clear that violence is never the answer.  Instead, he orates that people must affirm their beliefs of justice with patience, not hatred.  In order to progress in the rights movement, the rights of white men must first be upheld before they can fully seek gratitude and equality.  King then goes on to explaining his idealistic vision of the future: dreaming of the day when the sons of formers slaves and slave owners can congregate without feud; a day when little black and white boys and girls can hold hands as sisters and brothers.  In order for this to be a reality people must dedicate themselves to liberty and freedom, giving the phrase the deserved awe and respect it demands: "let freedom ring."  For it must ring from all throughout the United States, in both the lands free of hatred and the sweltering hot spots of racial contention in the South, from ever "hill and molehill of Mississippi." When that becomes a reality, then the people of the nation may move forward together as prophesied in King's noble dreams.

LAD#25: The Dawes Act

Approved on February, 1887, the Dawes Act was created to continue the US's policy of abiding by the rules of Indian reservations.  To implement this goal, government created a set of steps that would section out tracks of land for ownership to the Indian families -- even though the US still owned it.  To populate these reserves more cooperatively (no force), the Dawes Act claims that land will be siphoned out as such: 1/4 to each head of family, 1/8 for any person over 18 or any orphan under 18, and 1/16 to any person under 18 born prior to the rules of allocation.  Additionally, there are much more beneficial factors to the Dawes Act dealing with land allocation (grazing land for animals).  Furthermore, to prevent conflict between tribes, provisional lines would be made to assure that every one's land is completely equal to what they are entitled.  Yet, if suitable lines are not drawn by the landholders themselves, an agent of the tribe IS allowed to draw a fair boundary line as directed by the Secretary of the Interior.  Also, covering the issue of non-reservation Indians, they can still be given land as long as they apply to the local land office.  Patents can be handed out to ensure that the Indian lands are owned for 25 years.  Extensions, selling, or purchasing lands will be regulated by the Secretary of the Interior.  The US also has the right to use sold Indian land for the distribution of settled homes, education, etc..  Any religious organizations will be given 160 acres automatically.  Finally, citizenship is offered to any Indians who follow this act as no law can be to deny the Indians' personal protection without processing that any Indian born in US territory has been given land shall become a US citizen.  Yet, this act does not apply to all such as the many displaces nations due to the Trail of Tears as well as those being from the Seneca Nation of NY.  Also, this act holds no protection of Indian lands from being cut through by railroads, telegraph lines, or public uses as decreed by Congress.

LAD #24: Cross of Gold Speech

William Jennings Bryan was able to successfully integrate the values of the Populist Party in his "Cross of Gold" speech to the Democratic Convention in Chicago in 1896.  Most notably concerning the platform of bimetallism (both gold and silver should be coined by the U.S. mint), Bryan begins by saying that the money question is the issue of the hour -- asserting that silver Democrats are not here to deliberate their stand on this issue. He wished to clarify that there was no plan of hostility of the Democrats against the Republicans (even though it drastically conflicts the ideas of the Republican platform). He then defends his platform against Republican accusations -- the first of which say that bimetallism would interfere with their big business -- responding that the Republican practices have interfered with the "common man's" business. Further Republican accusations involve the Democrats passing an alleged "unconstitutional" graduated income tax law -- Bryan merely holds that he is indeed supported of such a cause (it accurately represents the Democratic ideals upon which the nation was founded - that every man must contribute his own share in order to fully deserve to enjoy their protection). Republicans also condemned the Democrats' opposition to the national bank's currency (which Bryan accepts) comparing their stand to that of Andrew Jackson's against the conspiracy that was the BUS. He also compares himself to Jefferson (he thinks that money is a function of the government, not up to the banks to be printed/ distributed). Bryan then looks at the inconsistencies of the Republican party, saying that the platform on which McKinley was elected called for a gold standard until bimetallism was achieved... if the gold standard is as beneficial as the Republicans claim, why are they waiting to replace it? Bryan thus successfully orates his position on the gold standard, combining the Populist and Democratic Parties.

LAD #23: Populist Party Platform

In general, the Populist Party Platform is a reaction to big business throughout the industrial age of America.  Similar to Thomas Jefferson's famous document of 1776, the Populist platform adopted a 'Declaration of Independence.'  Following the preamble (which unveils the true status of the slum-stricken cities) the document reveals the true problem of the economic social gaps and growing poverty on big business.  Furthermore, they demand a switch from the traditional gold standard of money to a more acceptable (for them) and attainable silver standard.  To back up this statement, they vocalize that even though agriculture rakes in billions upon billions of dollars for exchange annually, the current currency system fails to successfully implement this process.  Consequently, the workers of these man-made products are forced into poverty which therefore lead to falling prices, and therefore form corruptness within the economy.  Their overall intentions were to restore the government into a true Democracy, leaving the hands in the power of the people.  Their next cause of actions was the declaration of their beliefs of what the true economic standings should be: legal unionizing of labor forces, coinage of silver and gold in currency at a value ration of 16:1, and government ownership and operation of the railroads, telephone, and telegraph. Additionally, monopolization should be outlawed, allowing the rightful owners the right to the land that they rightfully own. Lastly, they resolve for free and fair ballot, fair and liberal pensions for ex-Union soldiers, and stand for an overall sympathy with labor organizations and pleas: shorter workday, better pay, better conditions. 

LAD #22: McKinley's War Message

When President McKinley addressed Congress in April of 1898, he advocated his belief that the Cuban-Spanish War should be ended as quickly as possible, "in the name of humanity, in the name of civilization, in behalf of endangered American interests which give us the right and duty to speak and to act."  Eventually noticing the harmfulness of these uncivil insurrections in American trade, capital, and the mindset of many fearful and head-strong U.S. citizens, President McKinley persuaded Congress to end the war by any means possible -- including the means of a neutral intervention that could cause agreement between the two OR completely sponsoring one side (as long as any forceful actions were avoided at all cost).  When mulling over the rationality and arguments behind his cause, McKinley realizes that the entire endorsement of one side is inevitable as is the eventual consequences and violence of war.  The difficulties of neutrality are that even though it is much more justifiable, it would require much more diplomatic involvement and be much more highly improbable. The fist two steps involve the U.S. recognizing its relationship with the two's conflict as both close in proximity and politics -- Cuba's people also have the rights to land, liberty, and property.  Thirdly, this call to aid is legalized by any injuries on the country itself (ex. trade, U.S. bloodshed etc.). Finally, the U.S. is called in to end hostilities when the values of the United States are in jeopardy. The two nations, being so intertwined in both economic and social spheres are related politically and it is the United States' duty, in light of disturbances and injuries such as that of the Maine explosion, to pacify Cuba. However the manner in which this goal is to be attained is ultimately left up to Congress.