November 26,2013

"I think the authors of that notable instrument intended to include all men, but they did not intend to declare all men equal in all respects. They did not mean to say all were equal in color, size, intellect, moral developments, or social capacity. They defined with tolarable distinctness, in what respects they did consider all men created equal - equal in "certain inalienable rights, among which are life, liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." I chose this quote of Lincoln's from his speech on the Dred Scott Decision. I agree with Lincoln that our forefathers meant that all men were created equal. Lincoln in one of his most famous speeches is quoted as saying "A house divided against itself cannot stand...this government cannot endure permanently, half slave and half free." Thomas Jefferson even though a slave owner knew it to be wrong and believed that slavery would eventually end. The Dred Scott decision would be a catalyst to the beginning of the Civil War. "Lincoln first sought to prevent secession and then to end slavery with compronise and compensation." Julia Ward Howe, a white abolitionist, felt that there should be more positive lyrics to the tune of "John Brown's Body Lies A Moldering in the Grave," so she wrote the words to the "Battle Hymn of the Republic," to be used with the same tune. Howe's hus band had entertained John Brown in their home. The Supervisory Committee for Recruiting Colored Regiments published this broadside with the lyrics. Julia Ward Howe. "Battle Hymn of the Republic." Published by the Supervisory Committee for Recruiting Colored Regiments. Broadside. Rare Book and Special Collections. (4-20) I chose this article because I used to play John Brown's Body on the piano and never realized it was the same tune as the Battle Hymn of the Republic' It is indeed fitting that John Brown's heroism is commemorated in a song with better lyrics than John Brown's body lies a moldering int he grave to Glory glory halleluah his truth goes marching on. An African American Medal of Honor Winner Christian A. Fleetwood. Diary, September 24, 1864. Holograph manuscript. Christian A. Fleetwood Papers, Manuscript Division. (4-14) These pages of Christian Fleetwood's diary detail his actions during a battle at Chaffin's farm near Richmond, Virginia, on September 29, 1864, which led to his receipt of the Congressional Medal of Honor. Fleetwood was one of fourteen African American men who received the medal for meritorious service during the war. Christian A. Fleetwood in uniform. Albumen print, carte de visite, 1884. Manuscript Division. (4-15) Fleetwood's regiment, the 4th U. S. Colored Infantry, saw action in Virginia. His diary also documents North Carolina campaigns and President Lincoln's visit to the front lines in June 1864.