LAD#26: Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream"

Summarize.
King references Lincoln and his Emancipation Proclamation, the first step towards a freedom for blacks that still had not been achieved completely one hundred years later, due to segregation and discrimination. He then speaks of the Declaration of Independence as a promissory note that all men were equal and guaranteed their unalienable rights, a check that African Americans had been unable to cash. He then encourages a sense of urgency, that the time for gradual change has passed, that at this point it would be fatal to overlook it any longer. He states that there will "be neither rest nor tranquility... until the Negro is granted his citizenship rights".

However, he goes on to say that in their urgency, the black people must not succumb to bitterness or violence in their search from equality. The must treat white men as brothers, and maintain a sense of discipline and dignity. But they must not rest until segregation and discrimination are completely demolished, and they have achieved their rightful status as equals with whites, no matter what hardships they have faced or will continue to face.

King then goes on to describe his dream, one deeply rooted in the American dream; that America will one day truly follow it's own belief of all men being created equal, that one day blacks and whites will be brothers, that freedom and justice will come especially to the state of Mississippi, that his children will not be judged by their color but by their character. He dreams that one day black and white children in Alabama will be able to join hands, that the plain will become level for all Americans. He once again urges faith, that though there will be struggle and despair, some day freedom and justice will come out of it all, and freedom will ring across the United States and benefit all, white and black alike.

LAD#25: The Dawes Act

Summarize.
The purpose of the Dawes Act was to provide land allotments to individual Indians and to extend the protection of the law of the United States to them, among other things. On the first purpose, they laid out grounds that reservation land deemed useful agriculturally to be divided into sections, and each head of the family to receive a quarter section, each single person or orphan an eighth section, and each child a sixteenth section. If there was not enough land to do this, it would be divided by availability. In section two of the act, it is described that the Indians shall make their own choice as to where there section lies, and in case of argument the section will be split and both sides allowed to look for additional land according to their allotment. Section five gives the right for the government to negotiate with an Indian tribe for purchase of any land allotted, and this purchase must be approved by Congress and only used for specific settlement ideals. Section seven details the extension of the protection by the laws to the lands and their inhabitants, and that no other law may be passed to deny them this. It also declares that any Indian born on American soil is considered an American citizen will full rights.

However, this act did not apply to the Five Civilized Tribes (Creek, Choctaw, Cherokee, Chicasaw and Seminole), the Osage, the Miami, the Peoria, the Sac and Fox, or the Seneca in New York.

LAD#24: William Jennings Bryan's "Cross of Gold" Speech

Summarize.
Bryan first discusses what brought him to this speech; the fight between those who want a gold standard and those who believe in a silver-to-gold ratio of 16 to 1. He then goes on to speak of businessmen, and how even the lowliest worker is just as much of a businessman as his employer. He says that the job of the representatives in Congress was to represent all these people, especially the workers, as they are the majority. And he believes that bimetallism as opposed to the gold standard is the way to create fairness between the people. He defends it by giving multiple examples, and then refutes counterarguments. He does this by describing how the cities, who are in favor of a gold standard, were destroyed, if the farms were left alone they would recover. But if the farms, who would benefit from bimetallism, were destroyed, the cities will crumble. He also says that just because other countries are on the gold standard doesn't make them right. Finally, he describes how he will fight anyone supporting the gold standard, because as he is a representative of the people, he will protect what would be best for them.

LAD#23: Populist Party Platform

Summarize.
In the 1890's, the populist party, emerging from the farmers alliances of a few decades before, was a formidable third party against the republicans and the democrats. Their main idea was an opposition to industrialism, believing it was the downfall of American society.

In the preamble to their platform, the populists state that they believe they are in the midst of a nation falling apart due to the corruption and greed of a few. These few are becoming the demise of the entire population, and the republican and democratic parties are doing nothing to stop it, even though they are the only ones who in this condition would be able to. The populist party wants to give the power back to the people, and fix the problems within the economy.

In their platform, the populist party believes that labor unions should be a permanent institution, that wealth belongs to those who create it not those on top, and that the government should take control of managing the railroads. Involving the economy, the populists believe silver and gold should remain valued 16 to 1, that more money should be printed, that there should be a graduated income tax, that the government funds should be limited, and that the government should create safe banks for the people's money. They also believe that land should belong in the hands of the people, not owned by corporations in excess or by aliens.

They also demand a free and fair ballot. They condemn opening the borders to just anyone, the standing mercenary army, and any aid to any private corporation for any reason. They also resolve that they will bow to the will of the people.

LAD#22: McKinley's War Message

Summarize.
In 1895, the Cubans revolted against their Spanish rulers, starting a war that the United States would stay neutral to for three years until it gave Madrid and ultimatum that the fighting stop or else. Though the Spanish said they would cease fighting, war spirit flared up in the US and they joined on the side of Cuba.

McKinley first speaks of the affect the war has had on the American people in their attempt to stay neutral. It has hurt trade and investments. He then goes on to say that as the war is going now, it would have to end in either the exhaustion or destruction of one side or the other, which could take immeasurable time. Thus he proposes that the United States intervene either as a mediator or an active ally of one side or the other, and rules out the mediator rule as attempts have been made at it in vain. Then he justifies acting as an active ally as stopping the bloodshed, protecting Americans and their interests in Cuba, and responding to a potential threat to the United States.

McKinley then uses the destruction of the battleship Maine as an example of how bad the situation has become in Cuba. Spain wants what it can never truly have now that Cuba has shown such determination in rebellion, but they will continue a senseless war unless the United States stops it, says McKinley, and he asks Congress' approval of an alliance with Cuba. He hopes that the ultimatum given to Spain succeeds in their giving up the fight, but if not, it is just another justification for entering the war.