Slavery 4
For purposes of this discussion, it is the intent of this author to assess the plight of African Americans at a time when they were merely slaves, captives taken forcibly by rich white American merchants to a new and strange land called America. Right from the very beginning, slavery was a controversial issue. It was fraught with the constant reminder of man's inhumanity to man. This was evidenced in the literature as well as movements such as the abolitionists, and one most notably John Brown, who has been portrayed as a kind of maniacal character, who would stop at nothing to see this God given mandate carried out. Similarly, books such as "Uncle Tom's Cabin" by Harriet Beecher Stowe did much to fuel the controversy that was slavery in the United States. Of course we now know that slavery as it was understood in the 19th century lasted up until the officiation of the Emancipation Proclamation, or slaves, or now newly pronounced African Americans were given their freedom, and their struggle assumes a new direction in attempting to gain equality for themselves. This is a struggle which continues today, and is not much less controversial. Nevertheless, for historical purposes, I should like to further attempt to dissect eve
What was Abraham Lincoln's role in this? Mr. Lincoln is sometimes claimed as an example of a ready made ruler. But no case would be less in point, for, besides that he was a man of such fair mindedness as is always the raw material of wisdom, he had in his possession a training precisely the opposite of that to which a partisan is subjected. His experience as a lawyer compelled him not only to see that there is a principle underlying every phenomenon in human affairs, but that there are always two side to every question, both of which must be fully understood in order to understand either and that is of greater advantage to an advocate to appreciate the strength than the weakness of his antagonist's position. Lincoln is more remarkable than the unerring tact with which, in his debate with Mr. Douglas, he went to the straight to the reason of the question; nor have we had a more striking lesson in political tactics that the fact, that, opposed to a man exceptionally adroit when using political prejudice and bigotry to his purpose. No doubt slavery was the most delicate and embarrassing with which Mr. Lincoln was called upon to deal, and it was one which no man in is position, whatever his belief, could evade; for, though he may withstand the clamor of partisans, he must sooner or later yield to the persistent importunacy of circumstances, which thrust the problem upon him at every turn and in every shape. It has been brought against us an accusation aboard and repeated here by people who measure their country rather by what is thought of it than by what it is, that our war has not been distinctly and avowedly for the extension of slavery, but a war rather for the preservation of our national power and greatness, and with the emancipation of the Negro has been forced upon us by circumstances and accepted as a necessity. (Lowell, p. 19) After the conclusion of the Civil War and the emancipation of the Negroes, Blacks were essentially on their own. In fact, many chose to stay on the plantation, while others braved racism, prejudice and all the other disadvantages that go wit
Some common words found in the essay are:
Abraham Lincoln's, African American, African Americans, John Brown, Thomas Jefferson, DuBois Education, Dixon Line, Lloyd Garrison's, Negroes Blacks, DuBois Negro, civil war, african american, african americans, uncle tom's cabin, uncle tom's, web dubois, tom's cabin, americans lived, john brown, south north, negro race,
Approximate Word count = 1405
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)
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