LAD #20: The Emancipation Proclamation

  In this rather groundbreaking historical document, Abraham Lincoln declares that on January 1, 1863 all slaves in the Southern states rebelling against the Union are free.  This title will be completely respected and understood by all military and naval personnel.  Secondly, he states that all slaves in Arkansas, Texas, Louisiana,  Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia are thus liberated from their servitude obligations.  This declaration will hold true if they choose to venture North.

LAD #19: Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address

     Lincoln begins by saying that he has much less to say than was said four years ago.  He then mentions that at the time of his first inaugural address, the south was making plans to secede from the union, thus giving the nation no chance of survival.  Their secession led to the civil war which the Union was dragged into in hopes of restoring the nation that had existed since even before the creation of the constitution. Later on, he states that slaves constitute 1/8 of the population, the majority of that portion residing in the south.  They express interest in freedom, but for the moment, the Union seeks only to contain them. Lincoln claims that no party predicted that the war would be as devastating and hard-fought as it was.  Religion is then incorporated into this famed speech as Lincoln states that although both sides wish for the war to end, that blessing is something that relies on God's will.  He ends by saying that the nation must finish the work that it has begun and "create a lasting peace."

LAD #18: Dred Scott Decision

     After reviewing the case Chief Justice, Roger Taney, ruled in favor of Stanford.  He did so because since Scott was a slave, fathered by parents who were emmigrated into the United States, he was not technically a citizen and therefore he was not granted the same rights protected by the constitution.  The privledge of suing in court is one of the many rights that the constitution grants to the citizens of the United States.  Since Scott was not a citizen, he was not given these rights crucial to the outcome of his case.  This case also brought to question the constitutionality of the Missouri Compromise.  The constitution did not distinguish between slaves and other forms of property.  Taney then stated that since the Missouri compromise denied citizends of their right to hold property--slaves--that it was unconstitutional.  Futhermore, Scott hoped that Taney could rule Scott as free because of his stay in Illinoise which is a free state.  However, the case was brought forth in Missouri, a slave state, therefore Scott was still a slave.  Taney dismissed the case and sent it back to lower courts who officially ruled Scott as a slave.

LAD #17: Ain't I a Woman?

In this speech, Sojourner Truth compares herself to a white woman, and their different positions in society.  White women treated with kindness and curtosey.  On the other hand, society fails to treat Truth in this same manner.  Like any woman, Truth has given birth.  Yet, still she does not qualify to be worth of such womanhood.  She goes on to denounce man for believing that women cannot have the same rights as men since god Christ is a male.  Truth argues that sure Christ is a male, but he was brought into this world by a woman!  Finally she says " If the first woman God ever made was strong enough to turn the world upside down all alone, these women together ought to be able to turn it back , and get it right side up again!"

LAD #16: 5th of July Speech

In the 5th of July Speech, Frederick Douglass revealed resentment towards the utilization of slavery in the United States.  He claims that the White Americans are blessed with the right to rejoice on this sacred day of independence.  However, the Blacks cannot celebrate in the same manner.  He reminds Americans that there are still captives in this supposedly free and independent society-the slaves.  He then states that to ignore their cries would be treasonous and ungodly.  Douglass goes on to denounce slavery as the greatest sin in America.  There is no need for these slaves who share many of the same dignified occupations as their white oppresser and puts in just as much effort into the bettering of society that these slaves are not considered men.  It is therefore moraly corrupt to treat these men in such a poor manner, refusing to give them wages and liberties, beating them, and denying them a voice in goverment.  He states that to the American slave, the 4th of July is a reminder of the cruelty that victimizes him.  Douglass concludes by saying that there is no nation in all of the world who implements such a cruel, corrupt, and unjust system as the united states.

LAD #15: The Gettysburg Address

In this famous speech, Lincoln honors the soldiers of the civil war, who sacrificed their own lives so that the union could live.  Lincoln utters one of his most famous lines "The world will little note nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here"  He dedicates the field as a resting place for those who so valiantly fought for their country.  He states that these men should not die in vein and that their efforts should serve as beneficial to the country.

LAD #14: Lincoln's First Inaugural Address

Lincoln begins by assuring the south that there is no reason for apprehension and that the liberties of the southern states are not in danger with his coming of office.  He then states that he has no intentions of abolishing slavery because such would be a violation of states rights.  The principals of the constitution will continued to be used to make government decisions during the Lincoln administration.  He goes on to mention that he knows he will face perils in the next four years due to the tension that threatens the union.  Acts of violence by any state will be regarded as revolutionary and no state can lawfully get out of the union.  Lincoln states that he will use his power "to hold, occupy, and possess the property and places belonging to the Government and to collect the duties and imposts."  But other than that, he will not use force against the people. Throughout the address, Lincoln stresses the importance of unity and how it has held the nation together since the creation of the constitution.  The states, he says, must act to benefit one another.  Finally, he ends by saying "We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies."

LAD #13: John Calhoun's Speech

Calhoun Addressed the Senate in order to discuss an issue that had been threatening the well-being of the Union--slavery.  The 3/5 clause of the constitution originally seemed as a fair way of balancing the power between the North and South.  However, the North later gained more representation, giving them the power to take control of the government.  Calhoun believed that if a particular faction were to gain complete control, they would just need to have the majority of states and the majority of population present in the Senate.   At this time, the Union was about to gain 5 new northern states.  On the other hand, the south was was not gaining any new states, thus shifting the balance to favor the north.  Furthermore, Calhoun states that the tariffs used to collect revenue are also showing favoritism to the north, and strengthening the upper elite.  As a result, the wealthy northerners gained power at the expense of the southern farmers.  Also, the prosperous North attracted a larger amount of immigrants, also making the balance of power lean towards the North.  Perhaps the most important issue, slavery, was crippling the Union.  The North argued that it was an unmoral act whereas the southerners represented by Calhoun stated that it was a necessary aspect of their economy and if removed, would devastate the South.  Calhoun claims that the only way to make the balance of power between the North and South even again is if the North agrees to lend some power back to the South by giving the them rights to represent newly acquired territory and return fugitive slaves.  If this was accomplished, the threat of secession would be drastically reduced.

LAD #12: Polk's War Message

     Polk beings by stating that the tension between the United States and Mexico gavehim the right to bring this issue to congress.  He then claimed that the United States government attempted resolve the issues with their neighboring country by sending an American envoy, John Siddle. John Siddle sought to diplomatically resolve the border disputes and hostilities committed upon American citizens in the southern portion of the country and in Texas by speaking to the head of the Mexican government, General Herrera.  The Mexican government, under revolt, chose to not speak with Siddle and therefore, failed to resolve the existing tensions between the two nations.  Mexico then displayed utter violence toward American soldiers stationed between the Nuces and the Del Norte  in Texas. This region had become part of the Union when Texas was annexed in 1836.  The confrontation with Mexicans in this region resulted in the casualties of 16 United States troops.  President Polk then decided that this gave the United States a good reason to engage in war with Mexico, especially considering the history of Mexican hostility towards American citizens.

LAD #11: The Seneca Falls Declaration

     Written by women's rights activists, the Seneca Falls Declaration alters the preamble to the Declaration of independence by stating that "all men and women are created equal."  It calls for a change in the male-dominated world, by granting more rights to the deserving women of the country.  "Such has been the patient sufferance of the women under this government, and such is now the necessity which constrains them to demand the equal station to which they are entitled."
     The declaration then states all of the limitations and abuses that man has placed upon woman.  This includes the withholding of rights, discrimination if not married, and the allowing of only subordinate positions in various aspects of society.
     Finally, the document states numerous resolutions to this women's rights crisis.  All of the resolutions demand equality and equal participation in society affairs, thus reversing the male-favoring society that has become a prominent feature of the United States.  Clearly, the Seneca Falls Declaration was bold move on the behalf of American women and a huge stepping stone towards achieving equality of the genders.