Lincoln (Part 1)

Assignment # 9 Due 11-26-13

“The Constitution was ordained and established by the people of the United States, through the action, in each State, of those persons who were qualified by its laws to act thereon in behalf of themselves and all other citizens of the State. In some of the States, as we have seen, colored persons were among those qualified by law to act on the subject. These colored persons were not only included in the body of `the people of the United States,- by whom the Constitution was ordained and established; but in at least five of the States they had the power to act, and, doubtless, did act, by their suffrages, upon the question of its adoption.”

Abraham Lincoln

Speech at Springfield, Illinois

June 26, 1857

In this passage Abraham Lincoln is discussing the United States Constitution and the lack of rights and freedom that African Americans had. As Lincoln stated the constitution was designed and created by the people of the United States. Included in those “people” were African Americans. African Americans participated in the establishment of the United States constitution. In five states that granted them the right to vote, they voted for the adoption of the Constitution therefore, they should be included in the “people” when one refers to the Constitution and its laws.

I chose this passage because it does not make any sense that individuals did not consider African Americans citizens of the United State even though they voted in five of the states for the adoption of the United States Constitution and they lived in the United States when the Constitution was established. Lincoln made a solid and valid point when he discussed how African Americans were qualified by law to vote on the adoption of the Constitution, therefore making them citizens of the United States with rights and freedoms.

From the African-American Odyssey website, from the Civil War section, choose two parts, and summarize and explain them. If they include pictures, copy and paste the photo or image in your paper

 29th Regiment from Connecticut

African American volunteers were in readiness to serve in the Civil War when the Union called them. President Lincoln and Union leaders vacillated greatly on the question of the abolition of slavery and the employment of black troops. The Emancipation Proclamation put an end to these questions. Effective January 1, 1863, the Proclamation emancipated Confederate slaves and authorized the use of black soldiers by Union troops. By the end of the war about 186,000 African American men had enlisted.

Freedom's Eve--Watch Night Meeting

On New Year's Eve many African American churches hold prayer and worship services from the late evening until midnight when they welcome the new year with praise, thanksgiving, prayer, and confession. These services are called watch night meetings. December 31, 1862, was a very special evening for the African American community, because it was the night before the Emancipation Proclamation took effect, freeing all the slaves in the Confederate states.