LAD # 21

In the late 1800s a man from Scotland, became a billionaire, due to his successful business in the iron and steel empire, this man was Andrew Carnegie. A surprising fact about Mr. Carnegie is that he donated a large portion of his money to charities, he especially favored libraries. Mr. Carnegie states that it is important for some to be wealthier than others, this way they can help society advance by being patrons of the arts. He goes on to say that all men should strive for wealth, and that this wealth can be passed down, donated for the betterment of society, or just spent. He disliked the idea of passing down wealth to ones children, in hope that they would carry on the family’s legacy; he found it distasteful and unproductive. Mr. Carnegie also claims that death taxes are beneficial to society, due to the fact that they prevent people from hoarding their wealth throughout their lives. 

It is in his opinion that the best use of money is to aid society and culture, opposed to holding on to it.  His last point in this was that he argues that the best way to use ones wealth is to spend it on items that are productive. In this idea by passing money to many different hands in society, Mr. Carnegie can help his society and those around him who would wish to live comfortably.

LAD # 20

 President Lincoln's  Emancipation Proclamation  January 1, 1863 

President Lincoln gave his Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863, he opens by asserting that all slaves in the United States are now free, and that their liberty is supported by the United States government and military. President Lincoln states that the executive government will consider certain states in rebellion against the Union and America, if they do not comply with the government and appear in congress by a certain day. With much vigor he then states that the states that are in rebellion are not only against the United States but him and his authority as Commandeer-in-Chief. He then goes on to say that the United States government will support the emancipation of all slaves from said territories and that these slaves should begin to work for reasonable wages. Then very proudly Lincoln declares that we would gladly put these liberated slaves into military garrisons. At the end of his Proclamation, he concludes with that he has fixed the motion of America by moving his hand in this Constitution-warranted direction.

LAD # 19

Abraham Lincoln's  Second Inaugural Address  1865

 President Lincoln starts off his second Inaugural Address by saying that there is little new information and that this address will be much shorted than his previous one. He then went on to say that in his previous address he recognized the two groups that had emerged, the ones who desired to secede and the ones who would take on a war if that meant protecting the union. Even though the government had not desire to take away slavery, the Southern Confederates still waged a war for secession. Lincoln then goes on to say that no one could have foreseen the strength or duration of this war. Also, President Lincoln referrers to God many times throughout his address. It is his opinion that both sides have asked for God’s help, but neither side’s prayers have been answered. He states that if God wanted there to be the destruction of slavery, it will be so. Then very politely, he closes by saying that the United States shall repair its wounds and hold "malice towards none" after this horrible war.

LAD # 18

After some confusion between Justice Roger Taney and other Justices about his Scott vs. Sanford Court case decision, this was a man who elected to jive the common mans opinion. He gave a very harsh response to this case. Taney addressed three main issues, first the right of Scott to sue in a federal court, second the constitutionality of the Missouri Compromise, and third was the idea of slaves as property. Taney first argued that due to the fact that Scott was a black, he was not legally a citizen and did not have the right to sue the federal court. Second he argued that the Missouri Compromise was unconstitutional due to the fact that it deprived many citizens of their right to property. Since slaves were considered property at the time, this was unconstitutional, because it did deprive citizens of there property. Lastly he argued that even if a slave was to move into a state where it was banned, they were still there owner’s property and must be returned to their owners. In conclusion, Scott went back to involuntary servitude as a slave. Ultimately, Taney referred the case to a lower court for lack of federal jurisdiction.

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.