LAD #14: President Lincoln's First Inaugural Address

Throughout Lincoln's First Inaugural Address, the primary issue that is examined is the continual division of the North and South through ideological differences regarding slavery. The President wisely refuses to take either side for the conflict, stating that the preservation of the Union is his only goal. He looks towards the United States Constitution in order to guide him to make a decision and, after consideration, he firmly believes that he has no lawful right or inclination to decline the Southern States' rights to slavery. As stated in the Constitution, if an individual is held to labor or service in one state they cannot free themselves from this bondage by entering another. This, clearly, does not make slaves free if they desserted the South to enter a new life in the North. Yet, this does not incline the North to return all fugitive slaves back to their respective owners, for many Southern plantation owners dependent upon slave labor have participated in illegal international trade to acquire such resources. Although Lincoln asserts that this fundamental issue may never be solved, he states that the division of the Union over this issue would not only increase hostilities between the regions, but also make the problem never able to be solved. In this, Lincoln once again stresses the Union of the United States, the very thing that has brought this sovereign nation through a revolution as well as the creation and ratification of the Constitution. The states must interact in a manner that is beneficial to both aspects, regardless of hostile or amicable relations with one another, in order to prevent anarchy from occuring within the states. Lincoln concluded by stating that the North and the South iof the Union must remain friends and refrain from becoming enemies with one another.

LAD #13: John Calhoun's Speech

John Calhoun focuses primarily on the issue of slavery in regards to the unity of the nation throughout this speech to the Senate. Despite the original effectiveness of the 3/5 clause in balancing governmental representation due to population, Calhoun has come to recognize that the North has now gained the upper hand and is thereby in a position to secure control over government action. Calhoun boldly states that all that is necessary to control the government of the United States is a populous majority and a control over most states found in the Senate. This issue is primarily due to the fact that the Union is on the eve of admitting five new Northern states into the nation by recently acquired lands in Oregon, Minnesota, and land from the secession of Texas from Mexico. Regardless of this, no new land has been offered to the southern states. With regards to population Calhoun believes that the tariffs of the past years on imports have been geared towards favoring the upper class, aristocratic elites of the north, giving little in return to southern farmers, thus drawing hopeful immigrants to settle in regions under northern influence. Lastly, the issue of slavery is continually straining national unity due to different ideological views. With the northern abolitionists proclaiming the immorality of slavery, Calhoun defends it as a key component to the social and economic well-being of the South. If slavery were in fact to be abolished, so would the economy of an otherwise prosperous South. He asserts that the only way to preserve the unity of America is for the largely favored North to protect the rights and liberties of the South in representation throughout the new territories, returning fugitive slaves, and halting their efforts to abolish slavery throughout the Union. In this, balance will be restored to an otherwise lopsided democratic system, largely decreasing the threat of secession from such an integral component of the Union.

LAD #12: Polk's War Address

Throughout Polk's War Address, the causes surrounding America's engagement in war with Mexico is explored. Originally, Polk sought to identify a diplomatic solution to the issues surrounding border disputes as well as the many falicies of the Mexican government against American settlers throughout the southern regions of the country and Texas. He ultimately sent an envoy of peaceful negotiators to devise peaceful solutions with the head of the Mexican government, General Herrera. However, a revolution in Mexico precipitated from a shift in power and the thoughts of Mexican government in terms of diplomatic relations with the United States. In this, the Mexican government chose to not accept nor delegate with John Slidell, the American envoy, and no proposals were made between the two nations. Too, Mexico began to engage in hostile attacks with American troops that were sanctioned between the Rio del Norte river and the Nueces in Texas, a region that had become an official piece of the Union following annexation in 1836. Uncertainties between the two military groups grew and resulted in the casualties of 16 U.S. troops, along with Mexican hostility increases, permitting Polk to justify War against Mexico given their history of civilian violence in the past.

LAD #11: Seneca Falls Declaration

An ideal example of an individuals claim to their own right to public respect and civil liberty is embodied in the Seneca Falls Declaration of Sentiments and Resolutions. This example was modeled around the contents of the Declaration of Independence describing that both men and women have inalienable rights, being that they are created equal. It repeats the Declaration of Independence by stating that a governmental system serves the purpose to protect these rights from oppressment and allow for the betterment of the public. According to the Seneca Falls Declaration, both society and government as a whole has ultimately failed at effectively doing this for women, a necessary and integral part of the American community. In this, a similar list of grievances is devised here which explicitly states the injustices found throughout sexist and tyrannical acts towards said women. Some of the grievances provided are that women are denied the right to vote, their rights to property and fair wages, creating a different moral code for men and women, denying women proper education, and supporting the idea that women are mainly morally unjust beings. Conclusively, the Seneca Falls Declaration ends with a list of proper solutions to these issues, citing examples for the equality of men and women, further asserting the rights that these women seek to enjoy.

LAD #10: Monroe Doctrine

In the Monroe Doctrine, in order to satisfy the agreements made with the governments of imperial Russia and Britain, President Monroe initially declared that the American continents are free and independent of any chance of being colonized. From this, Monroe then transitions onto the issue of international alliances given the Civil Warfare in Spain. The United States is ultimately forced to once again choose neutrality, while recognizing the claims of the Spanish rebels for independence while also justifying that they are not a legitimate government in themselves. This, in turn, allows America to not interfere with the concerns of "de-facto" governments. Too, this neutrality guarantees that this still vulnerable nation will not become absorbed in the conflicts and allied systems throughout the European Union, as the policies of the Eastern hemisphere often do not parallel those of the Western world. Monroe claims that this is because America now holds the power to act only when individual rights and liberties are no longer being protected under a governmental system on this side of the Atlantic Ocean. Thus, America is allowed to prepare their defense against such oppressions. Lastly, Monroe designates that any involvement with the allied systems throughout the European powers will only result in conflict and unhappiness, allowing neutrality to be the only logical option.

LAD #9: Jefferson's First Inaugural Address

Thomas Jefferson modestly accepts the task as president in his first inaugural address. In this, Jefferson remains adamant that this duty may be far too great for his talents as a politician. Yet, he continually promises the people of America that he will discover resources of zeal and wisdom through which he will be able to resolve the physical, commercial, and industrial issues presented through the countries recent expansions. Defined by Jefferson, in order for the nation to be successful the people of this sovereign land must unify their efforts for the common good of American society. He continually advocated tolerance, stating that, although individuals within the nation will undoubtedly differ in their opinions, they will at least uphold the same ideologies in respect to virtue. Even with issues to this tolerance movement being proposed by social opinions idolizing Republicanism, as will inevitably occur with minorities present, Jefferson states explicitly that they are entitled to disagree with the viewpoints of others. In this, the examples and experiences of history, rather than the actions of a current era, would act as the model for which changes to society could be made. With European influence being suppressed by a unified movement towards social independence rather than simply the Atlantic Ocean, individuals could now make significant strides towards the development of Republicanism and Federalism. Now, sovereign in its truest form, America has been placed into a state of political growth, forever forging a sort of "religion" through political expression in favoring the virtues of honesty, gratitude, temperance, and love for all of man kind. Every man is now guaranteed "equal rights to the use of their faculties"but, despite the viewpoints of many, honor and confidence are not something bestowed upon you at birth, rather they must be grown through these civic virtues. Too, the government now has been given the responsibility to ensure these liberties are not denied to any man. With these virtues of the public in mind, Jefferson then transitions into a state of promise. Expressing his own political priorities, Jefferson seeks to provide for the social equality and liberties of all men despite their opinions regarding politics or society; he seeks to support the domestic policy rights of State Governments while also offering support for the Federal Government's efforts towards peaceful foreign policy; he seeks to offer his full agreement with the wishes of the majority; he seeks to maintaining a well trained militia until a full time army can be established; he seeks to advocate for the supremacy of an agricultural society while also ensuring that an individuals rights to speech, trial by a jury, and press are not infringed upon; finally, but all the more importantly, he promises to uphold all of the ideals stated above to the best of his ability but, in his humility, seeks the forgiveness of the American people if he, despite all of his positive initiatives, fails. In the end, despite any ill judgments that he may make, his primary concern is to provide for the liberties and happiness of the American people.

Columbus Blog #8

Upon Columbus' arrival in the New World, a truth that would ultimately lead to the prosperity of numerous world powers for centuries to come, was paralleled by the demise of the unsuspecting Arawak Indians. The vast atrocities committed by this early explorer, a truth often overshadowed by the celebration which is placed upon his accomplishments, exemplifies the essence of human nature in regards to history. Now, there are multiple opinions on this rather controversial issue; either we, as individuals of a nation who celebrates a national holiday in the name of this nation's "founder,"are far too half-hearted when it comes to punishing those who made developments for this country or we, once again, just feel as though the atrocities committed in the name of progress were necessary, a reoccurring reality which has plagued history since its initial documentation. Despite the reality that the world as we know it would be vastly transformed from the one witnessed today without Columbus' contributions, is that enough justification to permit the praise of such a villainous being? I cannot and will not submit myself to such uninformed conclusions. For, although many often view this historical figure as a discoverer and a founder of this sovereign nation primarily out of their neglect for the truth, I desire to erect for all to see the facts regarding the life fulfilled by this man. According to Zinn, Columbus and all of his deeds were equivalent to that of Pizarro and Cortez, for, through his own internal greed for gold and kleos, forever glorifying himself in history books, this man enslaved and killed entire Native American populations. In the name of God he conducted these treacherous acts, setting this precedent for all explorers of this new frontier to do the same. Ultimately, reality set in for Columbus; his ambitions and imaginations of locating vast gold reserves for the benefit of his European brethren had failed and soon he turned to a new source of riches for his nation. This new source, obtained through loading his ships with kidnapped Indians proved to be inefficient as many of them died on the way back to Europe through disease and mistreatment. Again, in a desperate and pleading attempt to find the gold, he made orders for the natives to follow. He ordered them, as his slaves, to locate the gold in return for the payment of copper trinkets, in turn freeing them from the harsh punishment of losing a hand for their disobedience. However, when little gains were made and the punishments proved far too harsh to endure, many of the natives fled inward where they were often killed by the Spanish seaman and their dogs. If these truths do not solidify this highly exalted individual as anything other than a villain, a man so possessed by greed that he was willing to commit actions of malice and ignorance towards a native population, it is then that I will truly fear for mans judgment of character.