LAD#16 - Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation.

The Emancipation Proclamation was put into effect on January 1st, 1863. Stating that all slaves within any state or designated part of a State were freed. That the government, including military and naval authority would recognize and maintain this new found freedom, and would not repress them in any efforts they make for their actual freedom. It was also declared that for a period of one hundred days, the states, which were in rebellion against the United States, would be left precisely as if the proclamation was not issued. Lincoln urged the newly freed slaves to abstain from all violence unless in self-defense, and labor faithfully for reasonable wages. Also, he declared that such persons would be accepted into the military service to "garrison forts, positions, stations, and other place, and to man vessels of all sort sin said service". Lincoln tells the people that he issued this Proclamation since he sincerely believed it to be an act of justice, backed by the Constitution and the favor of God.

LAD#15 - Lincoln's 2nd Inaugural Address.

Abraham Lincoln delivered his second inaugural address on March 4th, 1865. It mainly concerned the Civil War which was in full swing at the time. At his first inauguration all thoughts were directed to an impending civil war. Yet insurgents were bent on destroying the Union. Two parties emerged, but one would make war that than let the nation survive, while the other would accept war rather than let it perish, and the war came. The interest of slaves who were 1/8 of the population, thought localized in the south, was somehow the cause of the war. Neither party anticipated that the war would last for as long as it had. Nor that the cause might cease with or even before the conflict itself should cease. (Lincoln is referring to the Emancipation Proclamation of 1863) It was ironic that both sides prayed to the same God and read the same Bible. Each invoking His against the other yet, both can not be answered. Lincoln hoped that the war would speedily pass away in favor of completely destroying the brutal institution of slavery. He concludes with urging the people to work together to achieve “a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations.”

LAD#14 - Taney's Decision in the Dred Scott vs. Sanford Case.

The Supreme Court met on February 14th, 1857 for the first time to discuss the case of Dred Scott vs. Sanford. It favored a decision in favor of Sanford but did not consider the issues of Negro citizenship and the constitutionality the Missouri Compromise. Though the Court first elected Justice Nelson to write the majority decision, his decision was thrown out when it realized, that Nelson's ideas were the minority, and Chief Justice Roger B. Taney was instead elected to write the majority opinion. An opinion that would address all aspects of the case, and issues linked to it. President - elect James Buchanan contacted the Court in early February of 1857. She wanted to know since he needed to address such an issue in his inaugural address on March 4th. By inauguration day, Buchanan knew of the decision, and decided to support the Court in his address stating that: The issue has risen of when the people of a territory should decide the question of slavery for themselves. Though it has little practical important, it is a judicial question that is rightly being handled by the Supreme court, and that I (Buchanan) support whatever such decision will be. ON March 6th, 1857 a feeble Taney delivered the decision of the court; he questioned whether Negroes should even be considered citizens. That only citizens were granted the power by the Constitution to sue in a court, and Negroes, whether enslaved or free, were not citizens. Therefor concluding that Scott had no right to sue in a federal court. Then turning to the question of constitutionally of the Missouri Compromise, Taney said that Congress could not deny the citizens of the new territory freedom of speech. That an act which deprives a citizens of his liberty of property, just because he brought such property into a territory, is not justifiable. Taney also stated, the Constitution made no distinction between slaves and other types of property. The case was dismissed for lack of jurisdiction in the Court and in the lower courts, ruling in favor of Sanford.

LAD#13 - Lincoln's Ghettysburg Address.

The Gettysburg Address was delivered by President Abraham Lincoln on November 19, 1863,during the Civil War, at the blood-stained battlefield of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Lincoln essentially said:
"A nation built on liberty and equality is now engaged in a civil war, to see whether a nation conceived under such principles can endure. Though the land here is to be dedicated to those whose blood has been shed, it should be the living that should be dedicated here. Since it is up to the living to honor the dead and resolve that they shall not have died in vain. It is the duty of the living to conceive a "new" nation under God that will preserve the freedom of the people and that a government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not be destroyed."

LAD#12 - Lincoln's 1st Inaugural Address.

President Abraham Lincoln delivered his first inaugural address on March 4, 1861, thus becoming President of a divided nation. The main ideas of Lincoln's address concerned sectionalism and slavery. He addressed the fact that many people of the Southern States felt that their property, aka slaves, their peace, and personal security were endangered. Yet he continues to say, he will have no purpose to interfere with the issue of slavery in the States, since Lincoln believes he has no right to do so nor the inclination to do so. It was the right of each State to order and control its own institutions accordingly. When addressing the controversy of runaway property, he assures that the property, peace, and security of no section are to be any ways endangered. He refers to the Constitution, reading a clause that says in a nutshell, any fugitive slave (property) will not be freed but delivered up on the claim of the owner. Lincoln acknowledges that there is some difference of opinions whether this clause should be enforced by national or by State authority, but he calls such difference, not very material. Yet it should not matter who enforces such a clause, but more of should the clause even be enforced. Lincoln urges the nation to stay remain as one. Making historical allusions, to previous presidents and the founding of the nation. If the destruction of the Union should take place, than it is less perfect than before the Constitution. He assures that he will do everything in his power derived from the Constitution, to execute the laws of the Union in all states. Though there is no need for bloodshed or violence, there will be none unless forced upon the national authority. He implores those who wish to disrupt the Union, to consider the whole Union as well, and not just of their own securities. "Physically speaking, we can not separate" supports his statements that the United States of American must not become dis-united. Lincoln closes his speech in saying the American people that the issue of civil war is in their hands and that sections must not be enemies but friends.

LAD #11 - John C. Calhoun

John C. Calhoun in his speech, read by another senator, said he has tried without success to adopt some measure to prevent "such a disaster", aka the possibility of succession or Civil War. Calhoun asks the Senate: "How can the Union be preserved?" Evidently the roots of division between the different sections of the United States were slavery and sectionalism, primarily in the North and South. In addition to slavery, the warring political parties in the South were pushing the Union farther apart. The South was unhappy because the North had more power and was therefore the dominating power in most political decisions. At the birth of the nation, power was equal between the North and South. As years wore on, the United State began to expand to the West, creating a unfavorable balance in population and political power. Consequentially, the North contained about 3/4 of the nation while the South only had 1/4. Also the South vehemently opposed tariffs, since they were the ones who bought the most British goods and therefore the section who paid the most according to the tariff. Calhoun believed that one disagreement cannot lead to the destruction of the Union. Yet, the United States was suffering from multiple symtoms. So thus according to Calhoun, the only way the Union could be preserved was if the larger, more dominant power, the North, became the bigger person, and satisfied the wants and needs of the lesser section, the South. Essentially giving up some of its holdings, in order to preserve the country as a whole.

LAD #10 - President Polk's Presidential Message

President Polk addressed the Senate and House of Representatives on May 11, 1846 regarding foreign relations with Mexico. Both nations wanted to work together for better relations. Mexico and the US did not come to this conclusion without putting a great deal of time and consideration into such an important treaty. In fact American Diplomats were sent to Mexican Territories in order to establish the best regulations for the treaty. These negotiations though well wanted were hard to achieve. Yet border disputes were settled; the Rio del Norte became the accepted northern border of Mexico and the southern border of the US. Polk k supported military presence in the area in just case, to secure the country against invasion. Yet this alliance with Mexico soon fell apart, when Mexico revealed their intentions to take over Texas. ON April 14, the Mexicans attacked and sixteen were killed or wounded. Following this foreign relations with Mexico declined immensely. Economy was affected since commerce could no longer take place peacefully. Polk assures the public that he will do everything in his power to protect and secure the rights and lives of the American people. Yet should war occur, the nation would be called upon to uphold the honor, rights, and interests of the country. He asks Congress to recognize the existence of war and prosecute the war with vigor, thus hastening the restoration of peace

LAD #9 - The Seneca Falls Declaration.

The Declaration of Independence is widely known as one of the most important documents in American history. Its' sister, the Declaration of Sentiments paved the way for the women's rights. The 1848 Seneca Falls Convention gave birth to the Declaration of Sentiments and was signed by sixty-eight women and thirty-two men. The first paragraph is essentially the opening of the Declaration of Independence but adapted to fit the call of women's rights and equality in a male-dominated society. Following this is a list of women's grievances caused by man. They are examples of how society and men have oppressed women in spirit and equal liberty. That men have restricted women's rights, ability to own property. Also included was how men have impeded women's equal opportunity away in the home, society, and Church. These strong-willed women acknowledged that they will face opposition to achieve these rights, but will continue to do so until their status is equaled to that of a man. The Resolutions part of the Declaration of Sentiments stated that women were equal to men under God and society. In the subject of morals and religion, it is the right and duty of women, equally with men, to promote every righteous cause by every righteous means.