The Righ to Fight: Black Soldiers in the Civil War

It was not until 1863 two years after the Civil War began that black soldiers were recruited by The Union. “A war undertaken and brazenly carries on for the perpetual enslavement of colored men, calls logically and loudly for colored men to help suppress it,” Stated Frederick Douglas. It took massive bloodshed of military volunteers and soon a draft, in both cases of white soldiers for black soldiers to be considered and finally allowed to enlist. Fighting would allow for the hope of the enslaved in the South when they see black soldiers coming to their rescue, and allow them to fight for “Liberty justice & Equality.”  Discrimination within the Union army was evident; black soldiers had to often do manual labor instead of actual fighting. Equal pay became a major plight of black soldiers as well. The 54^th Regiment in which James Henry Gooding were significant figures in this plight;  Gooding wrote to President Lincoln and said “Now the main question is, Are we soldiers, or are we Labourers?...Now your excellency, we have done a Soldier’s Duty. Why can’t we have a soldier’s pay?” Congress made black and white soldier’s pay equal in June of 1864.  After serving they believed not only in their freedom but in their right to civil and political freedom. “We want two more boxes besides the cartridge box- the ballot and the jury box.” Serving in the war allowed black soldiers to learn to read and write; resulting in many becoming teachers, and politicians.  

Questions

Prior to June 1864 black soldiers were given less than equal pay to white soldiers and were subject to manual labor instead of fighting. If you had been a free black in the North would you have joined the Union, once blacks were given that right? Explain.

Had James Henry Gooding not written his eloquent letter to Lincoln and the 54^th Regiment not taken a stance against unequal pay; do you believe that Congress would have equalized pay as early as 1864 or at all? Explain.

First Inaugural Address of Abraham Lincoln

1.    What is the author arguing?

This document is Abraham Lincoln’s Inauguration speech. He is addressing the United States for the first time as the leader of this country. Within in the speech he speaks of his intentions on vital topics of the day that may be of concern to civilians. “I do not consider it necessary at present for me to discuss those matters of administration about which there is no special anxiety or excitement.” He is arguing for the importance of the Constitution and his belief that it should be followed.

2.    How does the author appeal to logos (logic), pathos (emotional quality), and ethos (the writer’s perceived character) with their argument?

Lincoln approaches his speech in a very much assertive yet reassuring way to his countrymen. He is speaking from a place of leadership but respect for the people of the country and the Constitution it was built upon. “I take the official oath to-day with no mental reservations and with no purpose to construe the Constitution or laws by any hypercritical rules..”

He also demonstrates this at the beginning of his speech when addressing the South. “Apprehension seems to exist among the people of the Southern States that by the accession of a republican administration their property and their peace and personal security are endangered. There has never been any reasonable cause for such apprehension.” He then goes on to state the quote bolded below that he had stated in a previous speech.

 He uses logic with the speech when addressing the Constitution. He cites it as the basis for lawfully making decisions. “All members of Congress swear their support to the whole Constitution..”

While addressing the topic of slavery he is both logical as well as shows respect and uses a great level of ease and comfort (emotional quality) when stating “ I have no purpose, directly or indirectly, to interfere with the institution of slavery in the States where it exists. I believe I have no lawful right to do so, and I have no inclination to do so.” This quote also speaks to his perceived character of honest Abe.

Lincoln’s speech had constant theme of putting the minds of weary countrymen to rest, this is demonstrated when stating that “The power confided to me will be used to hold, occupy, and possess the property and places belonging to the Government and to collect the duties and imposts..”

When speaking of the issue of civil war Lincoln comes at it once again in a respectful way. Yet ends the quote making the listener feel weary and unsure of how they may feel on the issue. “In your hands, my dissatisfied fellow-countrymen, and not in mine, is the momentous issue of civil war. The Government will not assail you. You can have no conflict without being yourselves the aggressors. His speech is full of statements in which the idea is the countrymen rule or makes the decisions and his sole role is to enforce the Constitution. He goes on to finish his statement “You have no oath in heaven to destroy the Government, while I shall have the most solemn one to ‘Preserve, protect, and defend it.”

3.    What is the historical significance/relevance of this document?

At this point in history America was on the brink of Civil War.  The Republican Party was fresh on the political scene and this left many mostly the South apprehensive. For in the Presidential race the South had not even put Lincoln on their ballot. He won the North therefore overtaking the majority and assuring victory. The issue of Slavery was still on the forefront of everybody’s minds. To whether it would be abolished or continue to spread to new territories or states.

4.    Do you find the author’s argument convincing? Why or why not?

Lincoln approached his speech in a very diplomatic way, as to not immediately ruffle anyone’s feathers. The whole speech is very democratic. He is sure not to come off as a dictator and states within the speech that decisions concerning the country are in the hands of its people. He comes off as a protector and enforcer of the Constitution. He seems to speak both with logic and concern for his Country men’s opinions and emotions. He went right into the issues that were hot topics of the day and gave assertive responses as to how he planned to address them. So I did find his Inauguration speech both convincing and reassuring.

The Telegraph: "The Wonder Working Wire"

The creation of the telegraph provided Americans with the capability to quickly and efficienty communicate over great distances in the nineteen century. Samuel F.B. Morse patented the telegraph on June 20, 1840. Thus he is credited as the inventor of it, although the telegraph was developed through scientific knowledge gained by a variety of scientists who layed the groundwork in the field of electromagnetism and experiments of sending messages electronically through wire in the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. The telegraph was a machine that electronically transmitted messages through wire. The messages sent were refered to as Morse code, each letter and number were symbolized by a dot or a dash. By tapping the key of the machine operators were able to send electronic pulses to communicate a message to a receiver. On May 22, 1844 the first telegraph message was sent and became "a stunning technical success...for the entire nation stood awed by the speed and precision of the 'wonder working wire." Telegraph wires began to parallel railroad lines, changing the American government, newspapers, buisnesses as well as everyday life through cheap and efficient communication over large distances. The wire began changing the world in 1866 when the underwater transatlantic cable linked communication between the United States and Europe. This was a grand accomplishment for an acclaimed painter who was not a scientist but devoted himself to creating this revolutionary machine.

Questions
1. Although Samuel F.B. Morse patented the idea of the telegraph, do you believe that his receiving sole credit for the invention was fair given the scientific groundwork others had provided closely related to his invention? explain.
2. Given what an impact the telegraph made on communication, if Morse had not created it how do you think buisnesses, the government , railroads, and the lives of everyday people would have been effected? How long would it have taken our Nation to find other ways to become united (through communication)?

Declaration of sentiments, American Anti-Slavery Society, 1833

1. What is the author arguing?
The author William Loyd Garrison argues for the freedom of slaves using " moral, legal, and biblical terms." He argues that the slaves shall be emanicipated immediatelly and that the owners be given no compensation for their release. If anyone should receive compensation it would be the emancipated slaves themselves. "We also maintain that these are, at present time, the highest obligations resting upon the people of free states remove slavery by moral and political action, as prescribed in the Constitution of the United States."

2. How does the author appeal to

The author uses both logic and ethos when stating "at present time at least one-sixth part of our countrymen are recognized by law, and treated by their fellow beings , as brute beasts; are plundered daily on the fruits of their toil without redress; really enjoy no constitutional not legal protection from licentious and murderous outrages upon their persons..." also when he states that "...man cannot hold property in man: Because slavery is a crime, and therefore not and article to be sold." when justifying why no slave owner should receive compensastion.

The quote I used in question one appeal to the emotional quality of the readers of this documents in the free states as well as logically using the Constitution of our Country as reason enough to abolish slavery.

Garrison uses pathos when he states " Our fathers were never slaves-never bought and sold like cattle-never shut out from the light of knowledge and religion- never subjected to the lash of brutal taskmasters."

Garrison's character is portrayed as a very moral man. He once again appeals to ethos when he writes; "in view of the civil and religious privileges of this nation, the guilt of its opression is unequalled by any other on the face of the earth; and, therefore, that it is bound to repent instantly, to undo the heavy burdons, and to let the oppressed go free..."

3. What is the historical significance/relevance of this document?

This was a time when our Nation was split between free states and slave states. The document is arguing for all to be free. The arguments used to condemn slavery by the author are the same arguments in which southern preachers used to justify slavery. The American Anti-Slavery Society in its first five years had a quarter of a million members. During this time women were begining to voice their opinions and petitioning for what they believed to be moral and just. This became a time for great debate not only amongst political figures and countries, but amongst countrymen and women alike.

4. Do you find the author’s argument convincing? Why or why not?

I found Garrison's argument convincing. His strong emotional and moral plea gave enough reason to prove that slavery infringes on the rights of American Citizens enslaved. He provided sound arguments that slavery is inhumane, and unjust. His passion and strong believes are very evident and makes his argument stronger.
logos (logic), pathos (emotional quality), and ethos (the writer’s perceived character) with their argument?