LAD #16 Lincoln's 2nd Inaugural Address

On Saturday, March 4th, 1865 President Abraham Lincoln held his second inaugural address. In the address he primarily discusses the Civil War. America had tried to avoid the war for years, and they were successful, but now it was reality and it had to be dealt with. Lincoln said that there were people who were trying to destroy the Union and it would be worth a war to keep the nation whole. The Civil War ensued because of the differences between the north and the south. Both sides, however, read the same Bible and pray to the same God. But he cannot answer the prayers to both sides. They all hope that God will allow the war to have a speedy finish but it is Gods will to keep the war continuing if he so chooses. And if it must be that every man dies in this battle and that it last hundreds of years, ‘the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.’ This nation must finish what it has started, heal its wounds, and strive for peace amongst them.

LAD #15 Emancipation Proclamation

The Emancipation Proclamation was given on the first of January 1863. This stated that slaves in all of the rebel states are forever free. The Executive Government and all military and naval forces will recognize this. Also any state that is still with America will have representation in congress. As President and Commander-in-Chief Lincoln says that necessary measures will be taken towards the rebelling states and parts of states. Lincoln listed all rebelling sections. In all of the mentioned areas the slaves are now legally free. This act is sincerely an act of justice warranted by the Constitution. The Emancipation Proclamation would surely anger the south. Lincoln freed the slaves, this was a huge reason why the war was fought over to begin with. Lincoln made a bold move with this. It truly showed his intentions and his beliefs in the situation of American during this time

LAD #14 Dredd Scott

The infamous Scott v. Sanford case would not only give a ruling on that particular law suit, but it would also bring into play the issues of Negro citizenship as well as the constitutionality of the Missouri Compromise. On James Buchanan’s inauguration day he knew what the verdict of the case was and he used this knowledge in his speech. Two days after his inauguration, the nine judges, led by Chief Justice Roger B. Taney, addressed the question of Negro citizenship for both black slaves, and free-blacks. It was determined by Taney that blacks, free or slave, were not U.S. citizens and therefore did not have the right to be suing. Also it was determined that the Missouri Compromise unconstitutional because it denied slave-owners of their property in those regions. Taney sent the case to a lower court due to lack of jurisdiction and the verdict of the Missouri Supreme Court was upheld, in favor of Sanford. This case was a very important point in American history, it deemed the Missouri Compromise unconstitutional, and more importantly it made it clear that all slaves were seen as property and had equal rights as a chair does.

LAD #13 Lincoln's Gettsburg Address

Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address is possibly his most famous speech. In the midst of civil war President Lincoln gave this speech to his nation. He spoke that our nation of liberty was now engaged in great civil war that would test the strength of America. Many people were dead amongst them, people who have fought to keep this great nation together. To the rest of the soldiers, Lincoln made it clear that they must not let them die in vain; they must fight to save the Union. Lincoln told them that their actions would be remembered forever, they need to keep the nation that their forefathers fought so hard to create. Winning this war will give this nation a new birth and it ‘shall not perish from this earth.’ This speech is inscribed within the Lincoln Memorial across the left wall.

LAD #12 Lincoln's First Inaugural Address

On March 4, 1861, new President Abraham Lincoln made his first inaugural address. His biggest point throughout the address regarded the peace and security of the South. The President did not want to interfere with the slavery that was already instituted in the South and he intended to return any runaway slaves back to their owner as it is written in the Constitution to do so. Lincoln stressed the importance of protecting the citizen’s rights under the constitution. It is the constitution that holds the nation together and it must me taken seriously. Also if any states may decide to secede, they will not be able to without a fight. Lincoln remarked that he was pro peace, but if the Union was threatened in any way he would resort to war. He would run the nation the way he wanted it to be ran until he could run it no longer. President Lincoln knew that there would be different interpretations of the very vague Constitution, on issues such as slavery and new territories but that is not reason for the Union to fall. Also he noted that the North and the South will never agree with each other, but if they were ever separate nations the disputes would be far greater. But he would not let it come to that. Lincoln would preserve, protect, and defend the Union no matter what it took.

LAD # 11 Calhoun

John C. Calhoun, a senator from South Carolina and the preeminent spokesperson for Southern exclusionism, was so ill at the time of this speech he had to ask someone else to deliver it. Calhoun strongly disliked the way the north was acting in that they were making the north much stronger than the south. The equilibrium was destroyed. He felt that the south could no longer be apart of the nation. The north has also been taking control of most of the new territory that the nation has gained, and if this continues in the new acquisitions then the south will take up about ¼ of the nation. Furthermore, the north was getting much more of the nation’s money than the south. Calhoun felt that the money should be going into the treasury rather than into the pockets of the manufacturer, as he put it. Due to the vast differences and the hostile opinions towards each other, Calhoun felt that it is the best thing, and the necessary thing for the south to secede. Unless something drastic is done the south will remove itself. They will choose secession over abolition. Calhoun also believed that the Union should be separate sovereign states in one confederation. But also he stated that the Union can still be saved. He even put it that if the North truly loves this nation they will do what is demanded to save it.

LAD #10 Polk

The reason for Polk’s address to Congress was that he was pointing out the offenses of the Mexican Government against the citizens of the United States. Polk had attempted to have diplomatic relations with the Mexicans and eventually wanted to establish peace with them, but this failed. Conflict between the Mexicans was avoided at all costs. The Mexican Government would not recognize our attempts for peace and they continued to invade territories and kill Americans on their own soil. The Mexican minister finally agreed to settle the disputes between Mexico and the United States in 1945. The only thing was that the military had to removed the naval force from Vera Cruz, but this was a small price to pay for peace, and was removed immediately. One of the issues needed to be address by leader of the envoy, John Slidell was the boundary of Texas. When this was brought up the Mexican’s wanted nothing to do with this issue and made it clear they wanted no negotiations with the United States. Mexico refused to authorize any of these requests to Slidell. Within the next few days the Mexican Government was handed over to General Paredes who Slidell was now working through. Although he was rejected once again, Slidell’s attempts to reason with the Mexicans were unsuccessful. Because no peaceful decisions had come about, Polk ordered troops to set up between the Nueces and Rio del Norte in order to protect Americans from Mexico hostility. Shortly after, Texas annexed herself into the Union, since Texas was now part of the Union; the Rio del Norte was the southern boundary. Americans still wanted to have a peaceful relationship with the Mexican’s and were trying everything possible to acquire this, even war. Polk asks Congress to recognize that war is inevitable if they ever want the Mexican’s to listen, therefore war was declared on Mexico soon there after. Polk shared openly that as soon as the Mexicans were ready to negotiate with him, he was ready.

LAD# 9 Declaration of Sentiments

In the Seneca Falls Declaration of Sentiments and Resolutions the issue of women’s rights the deeply addressed. This was all started when some female delegates felt that they were being mistreated and excluded. They were entitled by God to hold the same rights as men and they needed to do something about this.
Part One of the declaration listed the sentiments that the women had towards their rights and how they were being treated. In the opening of Part One, they took words directly from the Declaration of Independence and incorporated new ideas that included Women. “We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men and women are created equal…” After rephrasing the declaration, there was a list of injustices towards women that have been repeated over the years. Amongst these were the basic rights that women should hold. The women could not vote and had no voice in law, since they were American citizens this was unfair and it put them under the influence of men at all times. Also the women had a very unequal situation with marriage. It was stated in the Declaration of Sentiments that once she was married, in the eye of the law, she was civilly dead. This meant that she held no rights and everything were passed on to the husband including her property and her wages. Also in the issue of divorce, the men received almost all compensation. Basically women were thoroughly deprived of all their rights that were rightfully theirs.
The next part of the declaration was a list of resolutions, from this point on the issues of women’s rights were supposed to be resolved in the circumstances that were listed. It was resolved that women hold the same rights as men as the creator intended. Also women are to be seen, and respected under the laws of which they live. Women are also to be presented the same opportunities to speak and teach. It is also to be acknowledged that women have been too long been neglected by the corrupt views of the men and that it is time for that to stop. It is the duty of all the women in the country to secure and fight for these rights and to not let them be treated as unequal.
In conclusion women have the same rights and equal opportunities as men. Under the eye of the law they are not to be seen as inferior. This document was the beginning to the equality of women, and that’s the way it should be for all of American history.