In the case of Scott vs Sanford, Chief Justice Roger Taney made two important court decisions that would anger abolitionists and anti-slavery activists across the nation. He stated that Negroes did not receive the full benefits of the Constitution as they had come from another country as slaves. And, thereby could not sue in a federal court. Second, Roger Taney declared the Missouri Compromise unconstitutional, saying if a citizen takes his slaves into a free land, he cannot have them removed as that would be denying that citizen his property. Taney finished with crushing Scott's last hope for freedom by saying that if a slave runs away to a free state it is based on the laws of that state whether or not to send him back. The overall outcome of this case was that the court was in favor of Sanford and the Missouri Compromise was declared unconstitutional.
Frederick Douglas states in his speech that Americans celebrating the 4th of July is absurdity, since the celebration is all about being free from tyranny while whites still hold power over black slaves. He also states that as long as the blacks are property of the whites, America will continue making a mockery of itself as a country who lives a lie, claiming freedom for all but still supporting slavery. Douglass concludes by saying that at the very least black's must be made equals as they have carried on for decades doing the jobs as white men have while still having to prove their equality.
In Sojourner Truth's Ain't I A Woman Speech, she keeps herself relaxed while still making her case for women's and negros' rights. She states that she can do just about anything as well as a man but is still not given the same treatment, while also doing things men do not do, such as childbirth and child rearing. She dismisses all the reasons she has been told as to her why women are not or cannot be equal. She defeats each argument, whether religion or reason with logic and calls those who refuse to accept equality for all ignorant, racist, and even sexist.
In his Gettysburg address, President Lincoln reminds the troops of what they are fighting for: a single unified nation. He goes on to state that there is no commemoration possible that will honor what those fighting have died for. This address is the best possible way to commemorate those already fallen while convincing the remaining others that the outcome will remain worth the effort. Also, that their victory will signal a return of their nation to what was envisioned by the founding fathers and the nation will return to its former glory, now in danger of being lost in this vicious war.
In his First Inaugural Address, Lincoln stated that he never did or would intend to do anything about the slavery issue in the south. He did not view it as his duty as president to deal with the problem. He believed it was Congress' duty as the representatives of the nation, and that they should decide whether or not to outlaw slavery. President Lincoln did make another comment on the issue, saying that many states were in favor of the fugitive slave law even though there was still some controversy on the issue of whether the duty of capturing them resided with the federal or state government. He stresses in this Address that his major goal as president would be preserving the union of the nation and that he will carry out that duty as he sees fit, using force only when required. He then goes on to state that his administration will strive to pass or modify laws that will try to cede some provisions to the minority opinion as well, even though (he says) no law can please every individual. This is the case with the slavery issue where some states support abolition of the slaves and others do not. He closes by urging the nation to think hard on the slavery issue, reminding them that it was even before the constitution the nation was held together only by unity and even now, without they will be destroyed. He finishes by stating that he will neither 'condemn nor condone' their actions towards each other as long as it is within his power to "preserve, protect, and defend" the nation from itself.
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