Comments for RCC Honors History Project http://rcchonorshistory.wordpress.com Tue, 15 Dec 2009 06:23:26 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 Comment on Reporting on Nat Turner: The Raleigh Register, Sept. 15 by elsiegonzalez http://rcchonorshistory.wordpress.com/2009/11/16/reporting-on-nat-turner-the-raleigh-register-sept-15/#comment-499 elsiegonzalez Tue, 15 Dec 2009 06:23:26 +0000 http://rcchonorshistory.wordpress.com/?p=3712#comment-499 I find this particular report on the happenings of Turners Rebellion to be much more detailed than the one I had previously read in The Richmond Enquirer titled “The Banditti”. Comparing both of them, this particular document sheds much more specific detail on how exactly things occurred, step by step. For example the article says: “They waited at the house for supper, broke open and destroyed everything they could see…the next house was Nathaniel Francis; there, they murdered 1 man, and recruited their forces…the next house was William Reese’s…” What this article also does is (that “The Banditti” doesn’t) is describe what happened to many of the accomplices of Turner: “The scouting parties through the county have killed 22, without law or justice, as they were determined to show them no mercy. We have sentenced 14 to be hanged…” It surprises me that these people weren’t even given the opportunity for any type of fair trial, some were automatically killed, and other sentenced to hanged without prior trial. I find this particular report on the happenings of Turners Rebellion to be much more detailed than the one I had previously read in The Richmond Enquirer titled “The Banditti”. Comparing both of them, this particular document sheds much more specific detail on how exactly things occurred, step by step.

For example the article says:
“They waited at the house for supper, broke open and destroyed everything they could see…the next house was Nathaniel Francis; there, they murdered 1 man, and recruited their forces…the next house was William Reese’s…”

What this article also does is (that “The Banditti” doesn’t) is describe what happened to many of the accomplices of Turner:
“The scouting parties through the county have killed 22, without law or justice, as they were determined to show them no mercy. We have sentenced 14 to be hanged…”

It surprises me that these people weren’t even given the opportunity for any type of fair trial, some were automatically killed, and other sentenced to hanged without prior trial.

]]> Comment on “The Liberator” -first issue by elsiegonzalez http://rcchonorshistory.wordpress.com/2009/11/24/the-liberator-first-issue/#comment-498 elsiegonzalez Mon, 14 Dec 2009 22:05:06 +0000 http://rcchonorshistory.wordpress.com/?p=3814#comment-498 “Let Southern oppressors tremble; let their secret abettors tremble; let their Northern apologists tremble; let all the enemies of the persecuted blacks tremble.” I absolutely love this statement, his repetition of the word “tremble” allows his argument to become to so much stronger, and shows, like you guys have mentioned, his tremendous passion for the abolition of slavery. I’m getting such a huge sense of strength from this quote, imagine how much more powerful it would be if we would have heard it live! “I do not wish to think, or speak, or write, with moderation. No! no! Tell a man, whose house is on fire, to give a moderate alarm; tell him to moderately rescue his wife from the hands of the ravisher; tell the mother to gradually extricate her babe from the fire into which it has fallen; but urge me not to use moderation in a cause like the present! I am in earnest. I will not equivocate–I will not excuse–I will not retreat a single inch–and I will be heard.” This issue of the Liberator, I think exemplifies Garrison as a writer. The literary devices in this piece are endless… the fire house analogy is great, and he really makes good use of repetition (“I will not…”). This piece has passion & commitment written all over it. “Let Southern oppressors tremble; let their secret abettors tremble; let their Northern apologists tremble; let all the enemies of the persecuted blacks tremble.”

I absolutely love this statement, his repetition of the word “tremble” allows his argument to become to so much stronger, and shows, like you guys have mentioned, his tremendous passion for the abolition of slavery. I’m getting such a huge sense of strength from this quote, imagine how much more powerful it would be if we would have heard it live!

“I do not wish to think, or speak, or write, with moderation. No! no! Tell a man, whose house is on fire, to give a moderate alarm; tell him to moderately rescue his wife from the hands of the ravisher; tell the mother to gradually extricate her babe from the fire into which it has fallen; but urge me not to use moderation in a cause like the present! I am in earnest. I will not equivocate–I will not excuse–I will not retreat a single inch–and I will be heard.”

This issue of the Liberator, I think exemplifies Garrison as a writer. The literary devices in this piece are endless… the fire house analogy is great, and he really makes good use of repetition (“I will not…”). This piece has passion & commitment written all over it.

]]> Comment on Letter: W.L. Garrison to B. Ferris by elsiegonzalez http://rcchonorshistory.wordpress.com/2009/11/17/letter-w-l-garrison-to-b-ferris/#comment-497 elsiegonzalez Mon, 14 Dec 2009 21:33:00 +0000 http://rcchonorshistory.wordpress.com/?p=3748#comment-497 You’re right, I’m curious to know what types of positions in society these abolitionist held. Benjamin Ferris, according to Wikipedia (I’m not sure how reliable this may be), was a was a watchmaker and historian from Wilmington, Delaware. Apparently Ferris was dedicated to preserving the history of Wilmington, and devoted much of his life in research doing so. A similarity I see between Garrison and Ferris, is that they were both scholars. And apparently the “Society of Friends” was a group known for social activism, particularly activism against the slave movement. I am clueless as to the methods these groups employed to fight the evils of slavery. You’re right, I’m curious to know what types of positions in society these abolitionist held. Benjamin Ferris, according to Wikipedia (I’m not sure how reliable this may be), was a was a watchmaker and historian from Wilmington, Delaware. Apparently Ferris was dedicated to preserving the history of Wilmington, and devoted much of his life in research doing so. A similarity I see between Garrison and Ferris, is that they were both scholars. And apparently the “Society of Friends” was a group known for social activism, particularly activism against the slave movement. I am clueless as to the methods these groups employed to fight the evils of slavery.

]]> Comment on Letter: W.L. Garrison to F. Todd by elsiegonzalez http://rcchonorshistory.wordpress.com/2009/11/17/letter-w-l-garrison-to-f-todd-2/#comment-496 elsiegonzalez Mon, 14 Dec 2009 21:16:05 +0000 http://rcchonorshistory.wordpress.com/?p=3745#comment-496 I’m really not sure whether comparing a possible separation of Francis Todd from his family, to what happens to slave families was effective for Francis Todd. But when I read “There is no sacrifice so painful to parents as the loss of their offspring. So cries the voice of nature!”, it made me think of what it would feel like if I were to be separated from my family. I must imagine that these thoughts must have gone through Todd’s head upon receipt of this letter, how could they have not? I also find the line “I am in prison for denouncing slavery in a free country!” incredibly ironic; being behind bars for denouncing slavery in what is supposed to be a free country. America is just one big giant content full of ironies, past and present. I’m really not sure whether comparing a possible separation of Francis Todd from his family, to what happens to slave families was effective for Francis Todd. But when I read “There is no sacrifice so painful to parents as the loss of their offspring. So cries the voice of nature!”, it made me think of what it would feel like if I were to be separated from my family. I must imagine that these thoughts must have gone through Todd’s head upon receipt of this letter, how could they have not? I also find the line “I am in prison for denouncing slavery in a free country!” incredibly ironic; being behind bars for denouncing slavery in what is supposed to be a free country. America is just one big giant content full of ironies, past and present.

]]> Comment on “Anonymus” to Governor John Floyd, 28 August 1831. by elsiegonzalez http://rcchonorshistory.wordpress.com/2009/11/17/anonymus-to-governor-john-floyd-28-august-1831-2/#comment-495 elsiegonzalez Mon, 14 Dec 2009 21:06:32 +0000 http://rcchonorshistory.wordpress.com/?p=3729#comment-495 What interests me about this letter is how quickly an American is to act when there is any kind of slave uprising. And coming back to Seth’s point on the seemingly more important reward, it seems to me that what they want is Turner punished as soon as possible; they bring him dead, the problem is taken care of. They bring him alive, and they’ll take care of the problem either way. They’re objective seems to be to ‘squash’ any threats harming they’re tranquil and controlled environment by any means necessary. What interests me about this letter is how quickly an American is to act when there is any kind of slave uprising. And coming back to Seth’s point on the seemingly more important reward, it seems to me that what they want is Turner punished as soon as possible; they bring him dead, the problem is taken care of. They bring him alive, and they’ll take care of the problem either way. They’re objective seems to be to ‘squash’ any threats harming they’re tranquil and controlled environment by any means necessary.

]]> Comment on Trial of Nat Turner, Southampton County, 5 November 1831. by elsiegonzalez http://rcchonorshistory.wordpress.com/2009/11/17/trial-of-nat-turner-southampton-county-5-november-1831-2/#comment-494 elsiegonzalez Mon, 14 Dec 2009 20:57:14 +0000 http://rcchonorshistory.wordpress.com/?p=3731#comment-494 I agree with Seth, what I also find interesting is “The Court after hearing the testimony and from all the circumstances of the case are unanimously of opinion that the prisoner is guilty in manner and form as in the Information against him is alledged…”. The Court openly admits that the accusations against him are indeed “alleged”, yet they have no difficulty in immediately setting an execution date for him, nor do they have any problem with the fact that it was “unanimously” agreed (based solely on “opinion”) that Turner was guilty . Although these allegations were true, it just surprises me how quickly these people were in demanding revenge for anything threatening done to their surroundings. I agree with Seth, what I also find interesting is “The Court after hearing the testimony and from all the circumstances of the case are unanimously of opinion that the prisoner is guilty in manner and form as in the Information against him is alledged…”. The Court openly admits that the accusations against him are indeed “alleged”, yet they have no difficulty in immediately setting an execution date for him, nor do they have any problem with the fact that it was “unanimously” agreed (based solely on “opinion”) that Turner was guilty . Although these allegations were true, it just surprises me how quickly these people were in demanding revenge for anything threatening done to their surroundings.

]]> Comment on Jackson’s First Annual Congressional Address (12.8.1829) by elsiegonzalez http://rcchonorshistory.wordpress.com/2009/11/16/jacksons-first-annual-congressional-address-12-8-1829/#comment-493 elsiegonzalez Mon, 14 Dec 2009 20:27:48 +0000 http://rcchonorshistory.wordpress.com/?p=3696#comment-493 I don’t even know why this is still surprising to me. The fact that this was an actual congressional address is horrifying. To explicitly admit to the exploitation of people who were rightfully here to begin with is shameless, and to say “doom… surely awaits them …” almost seems like something unthinkable to say, and yet America did! I don’t even know why this is still surprising to me. The fact that this was an actual congressional address is horrifying. To explicitly admit to the exploitation of people who were rightfully here to begin with is shameless, and to say “doom… surely awaits them …” almost seems like something unthinkable to say, and yet America did!

]]> Comment on “Walker died in Boston on June 28, 1830, under mysterious circumstances.” by elsiegonzalez http://rcchonorshistory.wordpress.com/2009/11/22/walker-died-in-boston-on-june-28-1830-under-mysterious-circumstances/#comment-492 elsiegonzalez Mon, 14 Dec 2009 19:30:59 +0000 http://rcchonorshistory.wordpress.com/?p=3798#comment-492 It’s funny how the article kind of leaves you hanging with “he died under mysterious circumstances”. I would really like to know what happened to this man, was he murdered? Did he just disappear and no one ever heard of him again? What happened? This is one of the reasons why history is sometimes so annoying, the answers to your questions are lost in the past with no way of ever figuring it out (unless of course we come across a never before seen document that reveals or gives us some clue as to what happened to Walker). It’s funny how the article kind of leaves you hanging with “he died under mysterious circumstances”. I would really like to know what happened to this man, was he murdered? Did he just disappear and no one ever heard of him again? What happened? This is one of the reasons why history is sometimes so annoying, the answers to your questions are lost in the past with no way of ever figuring it out (unless of course we come across a never before seen document that reveals or gives us some clue as to what happened to Walker).

]]> Comment on by elsiegonzalez http://rcchonorshistory.wordpress.com/2009/11/16/3707/#comment-491 elsiegonzalez Mon, 14 Dec 2009 18:50:57 +0000 http://rcchonorshistory.wordpress.com/?p=3707#comment-491 LOL. The turkey idea as our national bird doesn’t seem like a bad idea! I mean we already eat the poor things for thanksgiving, It would have been nice to have them as our national bird, just to show them a token of our appreciation for their deliciousness. But then again the bald eagle (probably because I’m so accustomed to it and couldn’t imagine any other thing) seems to fit just right. And the whole hypocrisy issue with war & peace symbols isn’t at all surprising coming from America, we did claim that ‘all men were created equal ‘, yet will still had slavery! LOL. The turkey idea as our national bird doesn’t seem like a bad idea! I mean we already eat the poor things for thanksgiving, It would have been nice to have them as our national bird, just to show them a token of our appreciation for their deliciousness. But then again the bald eagle (probably because I’m so accustomed to it and couldn’t imagine any other thing) seems to fit just right. And the whole hypocrisy issue with war & peace symbols isn’t at all surprising coming from America, we did claim that ‘all men were created equal ‘, yet will still had slavery!

]]> Comment on Letter to Garrison from Harriet Beecher Stowe by elsiegonzalez http://rcchonorshistory.wordpress.com/2009/11/17/letter-to-garrison-from-harriet-beecher-stowe/#comment-490 elsiegonzalez Mon, 14 Dec 2009 18:39:46 +0000 http://rcchonorshistory.wordpress.com/?p=3763#comment-490 Yeah, I found this very odd as well. I read Frederick Douglass’ autobiography a long while ago, and it in no way suggested his character to be “malignant” and “revengeful” (although we don’t really know this to be true since Douglass could have easily left out any nasty details about himself). This really makes me wonder what Douglass could have done to make Garrison go to such extremes and speak of him, as Stowe describes, “as an apostate”. Stowe’s letter really makes me curious and makes me wish I could go back in time and find out what was really going on between these Douglass and Garrison. Yeah, I found this very odd as well. I read Frederick Douglass’ autobiography a long while ago, and it in no way suggested his character to be “malignant” and “revengeful” (although we don’t really know this to be true since Douglass could have easily left out any nasty details about himself). This really makes me wonder what Douglass could have done to make Garrison go to such extremes and speak of him, as Stowe describes, “as an apostate”. Stowe’s letter really makes me curious and makes me wish I could go back in time and find out what was really going on between these Douglass and Garrison.

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