But an increasing hostility on the part of the non-slaveholding States to the institution of slavery, has led to a disregard of their obligations, and the laws of the General Government have ceased to effect the objects of the Constitution.
This passage shows why compromise had broken down by 1860. South Carolina said that the Northern states had violated the constitution because they refused to enforce the Fugitive Slave Act. This went against many of the moral beliefs of the Northerners.
In looking forward to the moment which is intended to terminate the career of my public life, my feelings do not permit me to suspend the deep acknowledgment of that debt of gratitude which I owe to my beloved country for the many honors it has conferred upon me…
Discussion question: In his Farewell Address, Washington warned people of the dangers of political parties and involving in foreign affairs. Do you thing his ideas were realistic or inevitable?
We have only the Name of Masters,
Here, John makes a joke of Abigail's points, showing that enlightenment ideas did not apply to all groups of people, especially women.
Depend upon it, We know better than to repeal our Masculine systems.
John Adams jokes that men will not give up their power. He states that many other rulers did well while keeping the power.
Laidies we are determined to foment a Rebelion, and will not hold ourselves bound by any Laws in which we have no voice, or Representation.
Abigail compares women's call for rights to how the colonists acted towards Britain.
Do not put such unlimited power into the hands of the Husbands.
He seems to be really passionate about women's rights. He believes women should have legal protections.
Remember the Ladies, and be more generous and favourable to them than your ancestors.
I didn't know Abigail supported women's rights. Most people in the time period did not care about women at all. It also shows that women wanted equality badly.
the passion for Liberty cannot be Eaquelly Strong in the Breasts of those who have been accustomed to deprive their fellow Creatures of theirs.
Abigail argues that all people deserve equality, not just a small group of people. He thinks slaves and women deserve rights too.
O ye that love mankind! Ye that dare oppose, not only the tyranny, but the tyrant, stand forth!
This document was meant to inspire readers to cause change and this is his call to the reader. It is powerful.
To the evil of monarchy we have added that of hereditary succession; and as the first is a degradation and lessening of ourselves, so the second, claimed as a matter of right, is an insult and imposition on posterity.
Paine believes that power should not be passed down through blood. This reminds me of the Sunni branch of Islam, where they believed the successor of Muhammad should be anyone fit to rule, not just a blood relative.
But there is another and great distinction for which no truly natural or religious reason can be assigned, and that is the distinction of men into KINGS and SUBJECTS.
I agree with Paine here, Monarchy is bad and no one is born to rule others.
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.
He says all people are equal, even though slaves did not earn freedom after the revolution.
Society in every state is a blessing, but Government, even in its best state, is but a necessary evil…
Paine believes in enlightenment ideals, as he thinks governments should only exist to protect people and have limited rights.
The cause of America is in a great measure the cause of all mankind.
Here, Paine argues that the American cause is about the freedom of everyone, not just the colonies.