LAD #26

On August 28, 1963 Martin Luther King Jr., gave an influential speech on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial.  Martin Luther King Jr., started his speech with the ever-powerful statement "I have a Dream". Throughout his timeless speech he repeats this statement, thus bringing passion to the audience. His dream was a day when all men are judged by the "content of their character", a day when his black children could play with whites. His speech was about treating some one differently just because of their race, age, gender or any other characteristic that is insignificant and how that is inhume and disgraceful. Mr. King alludes to the constitution when he says to the audience, "all men are created equal", he by doing this means that all black men and all white men are equal.  He dreams of a day were pervious wrongs have been righted, where previous slave owners would sit down with there former slaves and have a civilized dinner. Mr. King had a powerful dream that was herd by millions.  

He is still remembered today and will never be forgotten.

Happy MLKJ Day America!

LAD #25

In February of 1887, the Dawes Act was approved by congress. This Act provided for the relocation of Native Americans onto specified reservations. According to the Dawes Act, all Native Americans would be reassigned to a section of land to live on; this land would also be surveyed at any time. This act then continues on to designate how much land each Indian would be given out. Of course, the head of the family is to receive the most land. It then says that if an Indian was not given any land on a reservation then they were aloud to live anywhere else in the country. This act was specified to only be binding for 25 years. At the end of the 25 years, the president could make the decision to extend or not the act. This act entitles the Indians to the benefits of being under the American law, this included equal rights. One catch was that the government could use the reservation land for public use is deemed necessary to the country.

LAD #24

In 1896 on July 9th William Jennings Bryan made a speech about his support of silver currency being used in the American economy in a valued ratio of 16 to 1. By having this currency it would help the farmers in debt by increasing the amount of currency that is in circulation. In Bryan’s mind he appealed to his “holy” cause as being what is truly humane and righteous for the country to do. He argues that he is not here to fight, but to calm the situation. The idea of the coinage of silver is a matter of principle. Bryan believes that the United States is supposed to be a country for the people, which are what the country was founded on. He also argues that he himself represents the masses when he is showing his desire for the coinage of silver. He also points out hat he is in favor of having an income tax. He also believes that the nation needs a leader that will end the concentration of wealth in the fans of the few that are powerful. He then goes on to recognize that many of the city inhabitants think that the gold standard should be in place. But, then reminds them that their lovely wealth comes from the hard work of the poor and in order for the poor to continue on with their lives they need the coinage of silver. Then with much dramatic flair he closes he speech with the powerful statement “You shall not crucify mankind upon a cross of gold.”

LAD #23

In the election of 1892, the Populist Party represented a potentially viable option for the presidency. As a response to Gilded Age and its big business, the populists were against the concentration of money. In their preamble, the populists stated that America is in ruins and that all corruption must be put to an end. In their argument they argued that silver has always been used as currency, and that it must be used again as currency to scare of creditors. The “plain people” are whom the populists are fighting for. They claimed that they must increase the control of the government in ordered rot regulate the corrupt big business and their practices. And allow silver to become currency again. Again, they talked about their desire for silver money, a graduated income tax and an increase in the circulation of wealth. Also the idea that there should be a permanent union of labor workers along with many other things. Their desired graduated income tax revenue would be directed to decrease other taxes. This group was also against long hours and government subsidies to private business. All in all the populists wanted more power for the average working man.

LAD #22

           In 1898 President McKinley gave his war message to congress. He believed that the war occurring in Cuba at the time had to end due to four main factors. He wanted America to end the barbarity, that America owes Cuba the protection. Also that Americas Economy is being hurt by the Cuban missile crisis, and that a war is a threat to American peace and neutrality. McKinley didn’t specifically blame the issue on Spain; he argued that the destruction of the USS Maine was evidence that this conflict was extremely dangerous to America.  McKinley begged congress to allow him to end this war by means of force. He said that after Cuba has been pacified American support would continue.  He went on to state that this decision was in the hand of congress. Quickly in his last point, He mentioned that Spain had recently made America aware that they wanted to end hostilities. If their efforts were not successful, the problem of the conflict with Cuba would still exist.