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Written after the resolution of the riots that took place at the University of Mississippi over the enrollment of Black student James Meredith.
It criticizes Alabama's governor-elect, George Wallace, for his confrontational approach to resisting integration, particularly his calling on the state police for support, which would pit them against other law enforcement brought in by the federal government.
Note: The title is a reference to the 19th century dispute between the U.S. and Britain over Oregon Country. The slogan "Fifty-four Forty or Fight!" was a call for the U.S. to claim not just that territory but to annex everything up to parallel 54°40′ -- that is, territory which is now Canada, up to the southern border of Alaska. In 1846, the boundary was settled at the more moderate parallel 49°.
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Written around the time of the integration of the University of Mississippi by James Meredith and the riots that followed.
It reflects on the initial success of the Mississippi governor in keeping Meredith out, viewing it as a dangerous precedent. It cautions that bowing to "the bigot or the demagogue" would not stop at preventing Black people from being in a place they are not wanted but would be turned on other minority groups to do the same.
Note: The title, as indicated in the piece, refers to a line from a 1623 meditation by the poet John Donne, which argues that everyone is part of mankind and thus has a responsibility toward others.
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Written after the victory of George Wallace in the Democratic party primary for governor of Alabama; with no Republican opposing him, he was virtually guaranteed to win the general election.
It addresses Wallace's campaign promises, particularly his pledge to "stand in the schoolhouse door" to prevent integration of schools. It imagines what would happen if he took this "stand" and implores him to bring about his aims without violence, for the sake of the state's reputation.
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Written after the Alabama Association of Education rescinded the speaking invitation of poet John Ciardi, based on a magazine article he wrote about the Jim Crow South.
It argues that the cancellation of this speaking engagement was unnecessary (Ciardi would likely have spoken about literary topics) and moreover only proved Ciardi's point from the article: that people in the South cannot have a rational discussion about race.
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Written after and in response to news of the application of six Black students to the University of Alabama's Montgomery extension center.
It attempts to clarify the situation -- that there is no reason to think the main campus will be desegregated -- and says it hopes to see no violence in response.
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Written after a cross was burned on campus.
It conjectures that the deed may have been a prank, but as a symbol it will "only add fuel to the already-burning fire in the South." It also references Autherine Lucy's enrollment in 1954 and cautions against the kind of violence that came in reaction.
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Written in response to related two local incidents: the Ku Klux Klan erecting a sign on a major highway and a student later covering it with paint.
The author, the newspaper's editor, Bob Cohn, identifies himself and explains that he is Jewish. It is his reflection on how to cover these stories for the newspaper.
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Written after an in response to the suspension of racial integration at Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas.
It argues that forced segregation has in general caused tension, and that allowing the South to move in this direction at its own pace is best.
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Written in response to several cases "handed down by the high court in recent weeks." (See note below.)
It argues that the U.S. Supreme Court needs to be brought back into balance with the other branches of government. It specifically mentions the 1954 Brown v. Board of Education decision, calling it "an encroachment on the powers of Congress and on the basic rights of the individual states."
Note: It is difficult to know which specific case(s) this was written in reaction to. On June 17, several decisions were announced that put communists and socialists on the winning side, particularly Yates v. United States, which clarified First Amendment protections for radical speech, and Sweezy v. New Hampshire, which involved academic freedom of speech. It may also be a general response to the liberal nature of the Court under Chief Justice Earl Warren.
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Written after an altercation between students at a debate forum and a local Ku Klux Klan group.
It contrasts the motives and behavior of the two groups.
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Written days after Autherine Lucy's attempt to integrate the University and the riots that followed.
It shows sympathy with most people attending the violent protests, laying the blame on the "zealots" in the crowd and its leadership. It also calls for students to listen to President Carmichael.
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Written soon after the Supreme Court decision in Brown v. Board of Education II.
It reflects on the role of higher education in dismantling segregation.
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Written in response to the recent Supreme Court decision in Brown vs. Board of Education II, which clarified that district courts would be tasked with carrying out integration and that it should happen "with all deliberate speed."
It argues that the task will be difficult, but, no matter the outcome, everyone should behave within the law.
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Written a few months after the Brown v. Board of Education decision that found racial segregation in schools to be unconstitutional.
It reflects on the likely changes coming in the future and calls for gradual integration. It argues that while for many whites "Negroes as a group have an unfavorable connotation," specific Black people typically do not. Therefore, letting individual Black students prove themselves is a better option than a "sudden flux."
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Written as commentary on the possible entrance of Black students to the University of Alabama and the attitude of white Southerners to Black people.
It argues that white Southerners do not want to be forced into such changes, but that contrary to hating Black people, they want to "provide special places and buildings for Negroes" as a means of protecting their rights. In the event that Black students are admitted, it calls for rational, measured behavior.
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Written after and in response to the enrollment of a Black student to the University of Tennessee's Law School.
It argues that the University of Alabama will soon probably face something similar, adding, "And like it or not, we might as well get ready." It also indicates that while there may be initial backlash, the fact that white Southerners share spaces with Black Southerners on a regular basis indicates they will eventually accept this.
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$25 REWARD.
RUN AWAY on the 12th day of March last, from the subscriber living in Monroe county East Tennessee, a negro man named NED, of a very light complexion; remarkably white or blue eyes; about 5 feet high; 23 or 24 years of age; weighs about 125 pounds; slim, and his a very flat foot; had on when he eloped a blue broadcloth coat, common white cotton pantaloons, a chipped hat and various other clothing. He went off in company with Jeremiah Lillard's negro FOUNTAIN, a dark mulatto boy 19 years old. The procured a canoe in Rhea county and proceeded down the Tennessee river to Ross's, where they left the canoe and directed their course of the Lookout Mountain to the river, and again embarked in another canoe, keeping on the South side of the river. The probability is that they are aiming for the State of Illinois; therefore the subscriber would beg Captains of Steamboats, commander of flat boats and all others, to keep a look out for these runaways. The above reward will be paid if delivered to the subscriber or secured in any jail so that I get them again, and all reasonable expenses paid.
April 19th, 1833
ISAAC MURRAY.
P. S. Letters giving information of the above negroes may be forwarded to Florence A. for the next 10 or 12 days, where he will remain for that length of time; after which, all communications on the subject must be directed to Madisonville, Monroe county, East Tennessee.
ISAAC MURRAY.
Fariss, printer.....Advocate Office, Huntsville.
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Statement of Moses
The history of the beating, as given by Moses, is this; --
Early, on Thursday evening, Luke Whitfield went to his house, to get a handkerchief washed, & to call him over to Jeff[erson dormitory] to brush his boots, -- pretending that he was going to a party. -- When he was done that, G. W. Foster called him into his room, 3 Jeff., to brush his boots, for a similar reason. While so engaged in Foster's room, there was a great deal of whispering in the company that was in the room. Foster, at length, stepped out, -- and Robt. H. Cochran came in with a rope, directing Moses to cross his hands. Moses asked what for? - R. B. Walthall then struck him with a stick. - S. V. Webb came to their assistance. At this moment, the lights were blown out; and they beat him with sticks, & otherwise maltreated him; -- Then they tied him & brought him down into the campus before the building, -- and there he was whipped by Dick Walthall & by Robt. Cochran. Although he was blind-folded, before he was whipped, he knew by their voices, and by the students around calling their names & encouraging them, who it was that inflicted the blows.
(Tutor Henry heard it all - and thought the blows were about 50.)
G. C. Johnson, at length began to cry, and told them to quit. -- Thus the matter ended -- and Moses came directly to me. --
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Fourth
Punishment
It is my rule that all discipline and punishment should be enforced by the overseer himself and not by or through his leaders; and shall be inflicted by a broad leathern flail or strap and not by whips, switches or cow-hides and all punishments should be administered for the purpose of humane discipline and free from passion.
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Sale of Ben
Sat. Feb. 22. Under a full persuasion that my negro boy, Ben, brought by me from North Carolina last summer, requires a different kind of discipline from that which he will get while I continue to own him, and that, in short, his faults are likely to be such that he might become valueless to me, I have this day sold him to Jo. W. Turner and Howell Dr. Peterson; and taken their obligations as follows -- Jos. W. Turner gives me a note for $450; and to secure the payment he has executed to Mr. D. J. Slade for my benefit a deed in trust on the lots on which his carriage shop and blacksmith's shop are situated - together with his tools. -- H. D. Peterson has given me a note on Jos. P. Turner for $304.37 of Dec. 31. 1851 -- on which there is a credit of $30 paid on Feby. 18. 1851, also his due bill for $22.39 and his note for $150 - The notes are made payable on the 5th day of March, AD. 1852. If paid, I will get $900. for Ben, with interest on that from this day. --
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[Not a strict transcript. Reformatted so as to more clearly render tabular data, with some abbreviations spelled out for clarity.]
York (Preacher), owned by B. B Fountain
Jack (Class Leader), owned by Dr. Guild
Jack (Exhorter), owned by Capt. Dearing, License taken away July 24th 1831 - and expelled Jany 17th 1833 for immorality
Simon, owned by Capt Dearing, expelled
Prince, owned by Capt Dearing
Daniel, owned by Capt Nickels, Dismissed by letter May 25th
David, owned by Capt Nickels, Expelled May 25th Intemperance
Midie, owned by Perry, Died [?] Nov. 1831 - In [?] -
Aaron, owned by Brower
Harrison, owned by Brower, Removed
Williams, owned by Brower
George, owned by Colgin, Leader
Peyton, owned by Colgin, Removed by letter
Manuel, owned by Colgin, Removed
Flemin, owned by Colgin, Removed by letter
Cap[?], owned by Colgin, Removed
David, owned by Tanner, Removed
David, owned by Fears, Removed by letter 19th July 1832
Manuel, owned by Perkins, Expelled Jany 17th 1833 Immorality
Johnson, owned by Banks, Leader
Peter (Preacher), owned by Banks
Caleb, owned by Banks
Webster, owned by Banks
Harry, owned by Banks, Removed
Kitt, owned by Banks
Larkin, owned by Banks
Thomas, owned by Banks
Bugg, owned by Inge, Expelled May 5th Intemperance
Daniel, owned by Inge
Samuel, owned by Cocks
Ned, owned by Cocks
Saba, owned by Cocks
Miles, owned by Edw. S[?], Expelled
Sandy, owned by Dr. J. Owen, Expelled July 1st 1832
David, owned by Parish
Abram, owned by Dr. S. Meek, Expelled Oct 9th 1831 [this entry repeats, without a date listed the second time]
Thomas, owned by Dr. S. Meek
Harrison, owned by Dr. S. Meek
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[page] 355
1845
Purchase of Nancy
Tues. May 20. This day I went up to the house of Jesse Latham, living near the 14 mile post, on the road leading to Centreville by the residences of Rev. Wm. S. Meek, Hardy Clements, &c and purchased from him (Latham) a negro woman by name Nancy - of yellow complexion. She is now between 40 & 45 years of age. -- I wish her as a nurse for my younger children. The price was $200. in specie. I paid $210 in Ala. currency - and am to adjust the actual rate of exchange, as this time, on some future day. --
The woman was born in Charleston, was in the family of Col. Gadsden, when he was murdered in the streets of Charleston by two Irishmen, brothers, by the name of Martin & Michael Toohey. -- She was sold by his son, with a gang, (Thos. N. Gadsden) the year of a remarkable eclipse of the sun (total) occurring on a Sunday afternoon. -- She was taken to Morgan County, Georgia, & there has gradually worked her way over to Ala. She was a nurse in the family of Capt. D. H. Bingham, Engineer, & was taken by the Sheriff for his debts, & sold. A man named Howard, living in Fosters' Settlement, bought her. On his death, not long after, Latham his brother in law bought her; & took her over to Maplesville, or the neighborhood. The past winter, he moved to the place of his present residence. I know not how this purchase is to turn out. --
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[Not a strict transcript. Ditto marks (") and notation (Do.) replaced with text for clarity, and monetary amounts rendered in standard form.]
Mrs. Mary Cocke
1848 To W. T. Webb Jr.
July 15th Call visit to Sukey $2.00
July 20th Visit to Sukey $1.00 Milage $2.50 [total] $3.50
July 20th Per vaginam examination $5.00
Aug 2th Visit to Sukey $1.00 Milage $2.50 [total] $3.50
Aug 8th Visit to Sukey $1.00 Milage $2.50 [total] $3.50
Aug 8th Per vaginam examination $5.00
[grand total] $22.50
Several visits made to Sukey after the above date without charge $00.00
Rec [?] of J. Cocke agent $22.50
Feby 5th 1850 W. T. Webb
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[page] 6
1847
Birth
Mon. Mar. 1. This morning, about 8 o'clock, my woman Mary, Larry's wife, was safely delivered of a son. Mother and child are doing well. His name is
(death)
The little child, just born, died on Monday night, March 8th, about midnight. Dr. Haywood thought it was probably overlain and crushed.
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[page] 259
1842
Servants from Z. Rudolph
Tues. Jan. 11 I find that my good old Father Rudolph has sent me 5 servants, old & young - viz - Jack 51 years old, Molly 49, Lydia 21, Ben 13, & Hetty, child of Lydia, born Nov 10th 1840 - These servants are a part of my wife's portion of his estate.
