Thus the constituted compact has been deliberately broken and disregarded by the non-slaveholding States, and the consequence follows that South Carolina is released from her obligation.
After reading that South Carolina thinks the North broke the deal first, maybe it proves that compromise had been falling apart for years before this even happened.
We assert that fourteen of the States have deliberately refused, for years past, to fulfill their constitutional obligations, and we refer to their own Statutes for the proof.
After reading this, it proves that South Carolina thinks the deal was already broken before they left. They thought that the North stopped following the Fugitive Slave Law for years.
They have no dread of the future no fear of want. A state of dependence is the only condition in which reciprocal affection can exist among human beings the only situation in which the war of competition ceases, and peace, amity and good will arise….
After reading this, it seems that Fitzhugh tries to make slavery sound kind, like the master takes care of the slave out of love.This is really just a way to make total control over another person sound good.
we have conclusive proof that liberty and equality have not conduced to enhance the comfort or the happiness of the people. Crime and pauperism have increased.
After reading this, it seems that Fitzhugh is saying freedom actually makes people worse off, not better. This take is different from everyone else in the chapter as he is not just keeping freedom away from certain people, he's saying freedom itself is bad.
Little did they anticipate, that when taught to think and feel as the American citizen, and to have with him a common interest, they were to be despoiled by their guardian, to become strangers and wanderers in the land of their fathers, forced to return to the savage life, and to seek a new home in the wilds of the far west, and that without their consent.
After reading this, it seems that the Cherokee call the U.S. their guardian but instead the U.S. government took their land and left them with nowhere to go. Looks like the people they thought were supposed to protect them ended up hurting them the most.
the United States solemnly guaranteed to said nations all their lands not ceded, and pledged the faith of the government, that “all white people who have intruded, or may hereafter intrude, on the lands reserved for the Cherokees, shall be removed by the United States, and proceeded against, according to the provisions of the act, passed 30th March, 1802,
After reading this, it seems that the U.S. wrote down in an actual treaty that they would protect Cherokee land, and they broke that promise anyway. It seems that even having it in writing did not stop them from getting kicked out.
They had them driven up. ‘Ladies, do either of you own these horses ?’ ‘No; they partly belonged to father and Mr. Smilie!’ ‘Well, ladies, as they are not your property, we will take them! “‘
While reading this I was very frustrated. The soldiers use the fact that women couldn't legally own property as an excuse to steal from them. The soilders were exploiting the women and taking advantages of their lack of freedom.
I had no time for thought – they were up to the house – entered with drawn swords and pistols in their hands: indeed they rushed in in the most furious manner, crying out, ‘Where are these women rebels?’ That was the first salutation!
After reading this, it seems that women were seen as part of the resistance too. Even without political rights, women were still treated like enemies.
But it is not in my power to describe the scene: it was terrible to the last degree; and what augmented it, they had several armed negroes with them, who threatened and abused us greatly.
After reading this, it proves how enslaved men were now caught up in violence, which proves this situation wasn't fully free or simple for anyone involved.
They then began to plunder the house of every thing they thought valuable or worth taking; our trunks were split to pieces, and each mean, pitiful wretch crammed his bosom with the contents, which were our apparel, &c…
After reading this, it proves how so-called civilized both sides claimed to be and what actually happened to regular people. Even though the British tried to avoid direct attacks on civilians, this proves civilians still suffered a lot in reality.
As to your extraordinary Code of Laws, I cannot but laugh. We have been told that our Struggle has loosened the bands of Government every where.
While reading this, it was frustrating. This is because Abigail brings up a real issue about women's rights, and John just laughs it off, even though he takes his own fight for rights very seriously.
We dare not exert our Power in its full Latitude. We are obliged to go fair, and softly, and in Practice you know We are the subjects.
After reading this, it seems that John is basically admitting men don't have as much control as they claim. Altough, he still won't give up any real power. This proves he knew that there was inequality but didn't want to fix it.
nd by the way in the new Code of Laws which I suppose it will be necessary for you to make I desire you would Remember the Ladies, and be more generous and favourable to them than your ancestors.
After reading this, it seems that Abigail is asking for real legal change here, not just a better role, which shows women wanted actual rights, not just a better version of the unequal system.
I have sometimes been ready to think that the passion for Liberty cannot be Eaquelly Strong in the Breasts of those who have been accustomed to deprive their fellow Creatures of theirs.
After reading this, it seems that Abigail is saying the same people fighting for their own liberty are keeping others, like enslaved people and women, from having theirs. She is trying to point out the hypocrisy.
O ye that love mankind! Ye that dare oppose, not only the tyranny, but the tyrant, stand forth!
After reading this, it seems as if Paine talks about this like it's a fight for everyone and not just colonists. Although, in reality, this didn't include enslaved people or Native Americans, proving that his words sounded a lot more inclusive than they actually were.
Freedom hath been hunted round the globe. Asia, and Africa, have long expelled her. — Europe regards her like a stranger, and England hath given her warning to depart. O! receive the fugitive, and prepare in time an asylum for mankind.
After reading this, it makes me wonder if Paine is being ironic without realizing it? He wants America to be a safe place for people to have freedom, but slavery, which is the opposite of freedom, was still legal in every colony for some reason.
For all men being originally equals, no one by birth could have a right to set up his own family in perpetual preference to all others for ever, and tho’ himself might deserve some decent degree of honors of his contemporaries, yet his descendants might be far too unworthy to inherit them
After reading this, it seems that in the past, land and power stayed in one family through inheritance but Paine is arguing against that. Even though Paine was opposed to that, wealthy families still kept their power after independence anyway.
MANKIND being originally equals in the order of creation, the equality could only be destroyed by some subsequent circumstance: the distinctions of rich and poor may in a great measure be accounted for, and that without having recourse to the harsh ill-sounding names of oppression and avarice.
After reading this, it seems that Paine says that everyone starts out equal and it's society that ruins that. Even though this is a good idea of how things came to be, knowing what happens later with slavery and women's rights, the equality clearly didn't apply to everyone in real life because many innocent human beings had to face harsh, unfair conditions.