Post #8

It is amazing to me how people who lived during the same era, and who considered themselves American, have very different ideas on life in America. After reading all of the stories and writings from volume 1 of the Bedford Anthology, I am finding that conflicting ideas of the American dream were a common occurrence during the nineteenth century. Henry Highland Garnet’s From a Memorial Discourse, and Mary Boykin Miller Chestnut’s A Diary from Dixie April 19-22, 1865 is a clear example of how Americans were divided on the issues of freedom and the American dream. Garnet’s speech is articulate, passionate and makes a powerful argument to congress that there is still work to be done in ensuring the equality of men. He uses the civil war as a way to persuade his audience to continue the cause of freedom. Garnet says, “…the men who endure the sufferings and perils of the battlefield in the defence of their country…”Grant also uses Christian principles, as another way to persuade his audience to continue the cause for freedom. He says, “Let slavery die. It has had a long a fair trial. God himself has pleaded against it. The enlightened nations of the earth have condemned it. Its death warrant is signed by God and man.” Grant’s speech expressed ideas that made sense to many fellow Americans, but not everyone agreed with his views. Chestnut’s writing painted a picture of how many Southerners did not share Grant’s views during this same time period. Chestnut also speaks about the civil war, but in a very different way. Chestnut gives a personal account of how the war has affected her life. She does not comment on the lives that were lost for the cause of slavery and freedom in the war, but instead speaks of the war in the terms of North against the South. “They are perfectly willing to have three killed for our one.” She also comments how Northerners have gotten rich off the war. She also speaks of how her home has been disrupted by the soldiers and neighbors who frequently have to take up residence in her home. She also writes that she hardly sees her husband and even comments how she lacks furniture. Even though Chestnut mostly speaks of current events on a personal level she makes a strong comment about Lincoln’s death. “The death of Lincoln I call a warning to tyrants. He will not be the last President put to death in the capital.” Chestnut and Grant both write about the same period of history, but clearly do not share any common ground. I believe Grant’s speech is much more persuasive than Chestnut’s writing. Grant makes such a strong argument about continuing the cause of equality for all Americans that I believe even Southerners would have to agree on some of the points he brings up in his speech. Chestnut’s comments on life in the South during the war lack emotion and feeling. I do not think slaves or Northerners would be persuaded to empathize with her. People were fighting and dying for freedom, not for comfort or material possessions.