LAD #26: "I Have a Dream"

Martin Luther King Jr. starts his speech similarly to Lincoln's Gettysburg Address saying that five score years ago the emancipation proclamation was signed freeing all slaves. He then goes on saying that nearly one hundred years later these "free" blacks are not free at all or treated fairly. He continues describing the bad conditions that the blacks live in today and preaches that now is the time to open the doors for God's children. He assures people that they will not turn to violence but will not be satisfied until they get what is desired. Then King goes on talking about his dream for blacks living in this country; a dream where they will live peacefully alongside whites, and the nation will uphold it's promise to let men live freely.

LAD #25: The Dawes Act

The Dawes Act of 1887 was primarily calling for the protection of Indian reservations. The government  carried the Dawes Act out peacefully by allowing the natives to maintain a large enough section, which was based upon age and family size. The Dawes Act created provisional lines that allowed for each tribe to maintain a certain amount of land which limited the number of tribal disputes. The U.S. government in order to ensure complete Native American happiness gave them patents saying the land would remain theirs as long as they did not leave the Country. During this time their economic activity would be watched carefully and the Government could distribute land for homes, irrigation systems, and educational facilities. Finally, citizenship was offered to all Natives who agreed to follow the act followed the laws, and were born within the borders of the United States. Unfortunately, the act did not apply to all native tribes, specifically, the tribes moved by Jackson and the Seneca Nation in New York. 

LAD #24: The Cross of Gold

William Jennings Bryan delivered the "Cross of Gold" speech to the Democratic Convention in 1896. He integrated the values of the Populist Party and agreed with their views on the coinage of silver and gold. The only issue he says he wants to discuss during this speech is the question of money and the protection of the common man from big business and government. He says that the Republican economic views have favored the entrepreneurs and robber-barons for far too long. Bryan also brings up the issue of the income tax law. He believes that if individuals are to partake in such a law that their security must be guaranteed by the government as it is clearly stated in the United States Constitution. Bryan is compared to Jackson because the have similar views on the B.U.S. and the income tax law, as well as Jefferson in regards to his belief that money is a function of the government and not the banks. Bryan effectively argues for the introduction of the gold standard, successfully merging the Populist and Democratic parties. 

LAD #23: The Populist Party Platform

In reaction to the rise of big business within America the Populist Party Platform, the party devised a "Declaration of Independence" condemning the atrocities present within cities and hopes for self-protection by the abuses of big business. They were claiming to represent the political desires and rights of the common working man. He argues that agricultural productivity allows for billions of dollars to be generated on account of crops, but these crops lower the value of the dollar, leaving those that produce the raw materials for finished goods in a ring of depression and falling prices, prompting poverty. They are against the use of silver and gold coinage, legalizing of union labor forces, and government ownership of industries such as railroads, telegraph, and telephone. Their main concern is for fair voting rights and political safety. 

LAD #22: McKinley's War Message

In his Message to Congress in April 1898, President Mckinley states his belief that the War between Cuba and Spain should be brought to a close as quickly as possible. He says the constant clashes between Cuba and Spain are harmful to American trade and their capital investments in those countries. Mckinley urges Congress to try and end the War by any number of means necessary. He said even neutral intervention would be ok as long as forceful annexation can be avoided. When Mckinley looks at the big picture and see's that he will most likely be forced to side with either the Cubans or the Spanish he said he would side with the Spanish to end the hostile and revolutionary acts of the insurgents. Lastly, the United States would be called in to eliminate any hostilities that would endanger the well being of America itself. In conclusion, the two nations, having spheres of influence both economically and socially with America, the United States had a duty to pacify Cuba in the end.

LAD #21 Carnegie's Gospel of Wealth

Being one of the wealthiest men of all time, Carnegie's Gospel of Wealth talked about the gap between the rich and the poor in society. He discussed how the gap between those in poverty and those living well off was growing and his plans to fix that in order to create a middle class. Carnegie did not believe in inheriting wealth, and instead thought it was bad for the economy. His plan to equal out the wealth was first he brings up the primogeniture ideal of Europe. Even though it positively promotes money circulation, it creates numerous restrictions and limitations. Secondly he addresses that when the wealthy die, there should be death taxes placed on his wealth so that his unused money gets into the hands of many not just staying with one. His main belief was people should spend money in order to benefit society.

LAD #20: Emancipation Proclamation

The Emancipation Proclamation states two things very clearly. First it says that  any black people currently bound by the institution of slavery in the Southern states are to be forever free in the Northern Union and that they are to be fully respected and deemed as such by military personnel. Second, it lists the states where the Proclamation applies. Despite the fact that some areas in Louisiana and Virginia, such as Nawlins, did not have to follow the contents of the legislation the list of states composed of Arkansas, Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia. All those states had to free all there slaves, which would crush their economy, and those slaves would be forever free and to be treated equally. Lincoln claimed the slaves once indebted to the institution of slavery are now fully freed and have rights to be fully maintained in the North.