LAD#20: Emancipation Proclamation

Summarize.
Lincoln proclaimed on September 22^nd 1862, that on the first day of January in 1863, all slaves, in any state especially those at the time rebelling, would be considered freedmen. The government and military, if need be, would enforce this proclamation.  Lincoln urges these freedmen to abstain from violence unless it is in self-defense, and to work for reasonable wages. He also declares that the freedmen may choose to join the army as well. He closes by saying that he believes all of this act to be an act of justice allow by the constitution.

LAD#19: Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address

Summarize.

Lincoln starts by saying there is little new to say as there was in his first inaugural. Unlike the first, where half the nation was desperately trying to save the union without war and the other half trying to break from the union, now they were in the middle of it. He attributes the issue of slavery as a major component of the war, as the southern insurgents wished to extend it while the government merely wished to restrict its territorial enlargement. No one thought slavery would end, due to the emancipation proclamation, before the fighting did, but then again God did not fully answer either side’s prayers. Lincoln continues to speak of God, indirectly praying that the conflict should soon come to an end but accepting that if it were to continue, that was His will. He ends by not wishing malice upon anyone, only peace, and for the nation’s wounds to be healed.

LAD#21: Carnegie's Gospel of Wealth

Summarize.

Carnegie believes that in earlier times, there was little difference in the situations of the rich and poor. Now that there is, he argues, it is for the better that some live in more comfort than none do, and it is essential for the progression of civilization. He believes that it should be the aim of all to acquire a moderate wealth to live comfortably. He finds a surplus of money can be disposed of in one of three ways; left to decedents, left after death towards public purposes, or given away by the possessor during his life. He believes the first way to be unjust, pointing to the high class in Europe who have become impoverished due to their own mistakes or a fall in value of land, believing that it is of no benefit to the receiver to simply be given such wealth. The second he also believes to be questionable, for the wealth may not be used as the giver intended as he would no longer have any say in it. However, he does believe in taxing a wealthy estate after death, since a selfish millionaire in life should be condemned by the state at his death, and would encourage a rich man to administer his wealth during his lifetime. This is the third point, of which Carnegie believes is the best and only way to use fortunes. He believes it is the best antidote for the temporary unequal distribution of wealth that differs from a communist overthrow of a system but is instead a further evolution of it. The surplus wealth of a few will thus become the property of many when the individual administers it for the common good, as when it passes through the individual the wealth can be a bigger force than small sums distributed to the masses.

Finally, Carnegie believes it is the duty of the wealthy to set an example of modest living, not of extravagance, but to provide moderately for those dependent upon him, and to administer any surplus towards the common good in a philanthropic and intelligent manner.