LAD # 17

In 1851 at a Women’s Convention in Akron, Ohio, Sojourner Truth gave a powerful speech, despite her lack of an English Education. Sojourner begins her speech by saying that between blacks’ rights and women’s rights; a conflict is bound to occur at any time. In response to a man’s statement saying that women were meant to be helped and not do anything for themselves. She shares scaring stories of her own enslavement. She remind the people in the audience that she was beaten and whipped along with working long painful hours as a slave, and give not receive any help from a man. She them argues back to this narrow mined man, that because she was a women and survived these hardships, that this man’s statement is incorrect. Adding on to that she says that even if a women or black has less intelligence that they should still be able to use whatever amount no matter how small. Her last point was that the Virgin Mary gave birth to Jesus, forever changing the world, clearly eliminating the argument that females cannot make any difference. After that with true southern hospitality Sojourner thanks the people for their time.

LAD # 16

On Independence Day in 1852 Frederick Douglass was asked to give a speech. He started off by stating that although it was an independence day for whites, many African Americans around them were still bound to involuntary servitude. Douglass questions the very white men who asked him to speak, wondering if they have called upon him to simply make fun of the fact that his own race does not have the same freedoms as the whites. He then argues that for some one to celebrate this day was treason, due to the fact that a large number of blacks were still in servitude. He expressed his anger towards the fact that even though blacks participate in the same life activities, including religion, they were not given the same rights as them. Douglass calls Independence Day a “sham” and that god would see this day in no other way. He says it’s the white men who are savages for enslaving blacks. Douglass then concludes by stating the US is the most savage nation that ever existed in the world.

LAD # 15

                            

The Gettysburg Address

President Lincoln opens his Gettysburg address by thoroughly reminding the American people that the main goal and purpose of the United States is for equality and democracy. He then continues on saying that the United States is entangled in a horrible Civil War, with many men dying, dying and making American soil their final resting place. With much exuberance he exclaims that these men who have passed will not die in vain. Then he says that the world may not remember this speech, but the world will always remember the sacrifices these men made. In end he states that America "shall have a new birth of freedom", that our great nation will come out of this horrible war as a stronger more united nation.

LAD #14

President Abraham Lincoln's First Inaugural Address

President Lincoln started his first Inaugural address by stating some clarifications. His first statement was that he had no intention of abolishing slavery, and that he south can relax on this subject. President Lincoln then quoted the American constitution, in which he reminded the Americans that any run away slave is to be returned to their owner across state lines. He then made the specific point in saying that the union will survive and no states will be allowed to secede, due to the fact that it would go against the constitution. Then he also stated he has no plans of using his powers to limit the power of any of the states. These statements established him as a very strict constitutionalist, he clarifies by saying since the constitution does not give any one in the federal government the right to interfere with slavery, that he will not do so. After that he states that the minority will follow the will of the majority, because the result would be anarchy if they did not. He goes on to say that it goes against logic for the union to break apart, but he does encourage the people to use their power to amend the government. He says the government exists to serve the governed. He ends his first Inaugural address by saying that the United States are close to a civil war and that he hopes the American people can become friends again, and forget their enemies.

LAD #13 - John Calhoun's Speech

In John Calhoun's speech he argues the cause of the current sectionalist tensions felt in the country. He discusses many topics such as the issue of slavery, the equilibrium in the senate and the tariff, plus many other topics to what he thinks the cause of this sectionalism is. To the greatest extent Calhoun believes that the issue of slavery is the biggest cause of this tension. In the North, their states are increasing in numbers and will ultimately lead to an imbalance in the senate. As a result of this imbalance, the government that created this equilibrium will in the end destroy it. Calhoun also claims that the exclusion form the North to the South form gaining as much land as the north is one of the primary concerns for the current political factionalism. Calhoun continues on stating that the tariff, which is used to protect the manufactures of the north, is in fact deadly to business in the south. This, along with the recent increase in the North's population, has also lead to increased sectional discontent and even more grumbles from the south. Best explained by Calhoun is that if the south is continuously faced with the hard decision between abolition and secession, the Union, as we know it with fall to piece and result in some sort of armed conflict. He explains that in order to resolve these tensions, the North will have to make concessions including restoring balance in the Senate, allowing the South to claim land, and accepting slavery.  With these concessions it will allow the south to love peacefully within the union. Almost done with his speech Calhoun concludes by stating the North must take these actions and allow the South to gain California, or else it would become clear the North strongly dislikes the south. Then finally in his last breath of his speech he ends it by saying he has fulfilled his duty by expressing his own opinion and is now free of that responsibility. Then less than one month later he actually took his last breath, and died.

LAD #12 President Polk's War Message

To start his war message to congress President James K. Polk explains that he had recently tried to seek peace the Mexican government, and in his efforts the Mexicans rejected the offering, and then went out and attacked some nearby American Settlements. Polk went on to say that the Mexican government originally approved the American peace envoy, but when John Slidell arrived they soon rejected them.  President Polk also stated that the men who originally approved this envoy were in the ranks of General Herra's army, which now was under control of the revolutionary party, who had to desire to negotiate with America.

The revolutionary part under General Paredes felt no need to follow the example of his predecessor. Polk then explained to congress that he had troops positioned around Texas to protect the Texans and maintain their rights. Polk then addresses two more grievances to Congress; one was that Mexico was unable to stably communicate with America and failed to adhere to their treaties. He then reminds Congress that the American commerce has been hurt, even with America looking to make peaceful amends with Mexico. In the End President Polk ends his message to congress by stating that because Mexico has showed such violence against America, America must declare war on Mexico for the safety of our own citizens. 

LAD #11 - Seneca Falls Declaration

             The Seneca Falls Declaration was brought up by the people who wanted to make change happen. These people couldn't stand with what they were living with and wanted to make the best out of an occupation that was often not glamours. The people who participated in sharing there options were Frances Wright, Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Ernestine Rose, plus many other influential women. These women wanted to be treated as equals, these women expressed how poorly they had been mistreated and abused by men. An example is how men take women as property along with the women's own money. These role model women then came up with ideas on how they could become equal to men. They spoke up and and stated that god had intended all men and women to be equal and that it was the women's responsibly to speak and encourage teaching. These women played an important role in society and the Seneca Falls Declaration was the first step in a long journey for women gaining equality. 

"We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men and women are created equal"