History Plays for the Grammar Grades Part 11

_End of Act III._

ACT IV

INTRODUCTION:

It was in 1848 that our country declared war on Mexico and won it with a great victory for the American Army. The treaty of peace with Mexico gave the United States all the territory then known as Alta (Upper California) and New Mexico.

The North and the South disputed over this territory. The South said: "It must be open to slavery." The North said: "It must be free." The quarrel grew so bitter that many men thought the Union would be destroyed.

Kentucky legislature sent Clay back to the United States Senate by a unanimous call, Democrats as well as Whigs joining in the vote. It was a proud moment for the old man.

Webster then went back to the United States Senate where he joined Clay in supporting the great Compromise of 1850. Calhoun opposed the Compromise.

The last act will be Clay, Webster and others talking on the Compromise of 1850.

SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE: Gentlemen, for many days we have been debating on the serious question of the danger of the South leaving the Union.

Mr. Clay will read his Compromise.

(Mr. Clay enters on arm of friend. He is an old man now).

MR. CLAY: Mr. President and Gentlemen: I believe that the Union is in danger of destruction but if we can again compromise, I think it can be saved. This is what I propose: First that California shall be admitted as a free state. Second: That the slave trade be stopped in the District of Columbia. This should please the North. To please the South, First: I propose that all Federal Officers be given authority to hunt for slaves that have escaped to the North and without trial or jury be returned to their masters. Second: I propose that the new territories coming in as states decide for themselves whether they shall be free or slave.

MEMBER OF CONGRESS: The fugitive slave law reads thus: 'Any slave escaping to the North might be seized wherever found and brought before a United States judge. He cannot give testimony, or prove that he is not a slave. All citizens are commanded to aid in the capture of the fugitive.' Are we willing to accept Mr. Clay's clause in this Compromise? As for myself, gentlemen, I think not.

MEMBER OF CONGRESS: No, gentlemen, I do not think that we should accept this. Many of these people have escaped into the North and are living peaceably as free men. If this law goes into effect we will have men who for money will go into the North and return these people to slavery. There is a higher law even than an act of Congress. It is the Golden Rule: 'Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.'

MEMBER OF CONGRESS: I say, Sir, we should have our slaves returned.

We need our slaves badly.

(Mr. Calhoun's speech is read).

MR. CLAY: I believe from the bottom of my soul that this measure is the re-union of the Union.

MEMBER OF CONGRESS: Mr. Clay's country is Virginia. He does not understand that we of the South need slaves. If we of the South can't keep our slaves, we will leave the Union.

MR. CLAY: The honorable Senator speaks of Virginia being my country.

This Union is my country, but even if my own state should raise the standard of disunion I would go against her. I would go against Kentucky much as I love her.

Mr. Calhoun's speech, Mr. President.

Mr. Calhoun is ill, I have a speech he wishes to be read.

MR. PRESIDENT: Honorable Senator, read Mr. Calhoun's speech.

(Mr. Calhoun's speech).

Gentlemen of Congress: The Union is in danger today on account of the Abolitionists. They have stirred up strife. All agitation against slavery should be stopped. The relation existing between the two races has existed for two centuries. We cannot permit it to be destroyed.

'Slavery is a good, a positive good.' There should be an equal division of territory between the North and South. If you of the North will not do this, then let our Southern states separate and depart in peace.

Having faithfully done my duty to the best of my ability, both to the Union and my section, I shall have the consolation that I am free from all responsibility.

MR. WEBSTER: Mr. President.

MR. PRESIDENT: Mr. Webster.

MR. WEBSTER: I wish to speak today not as a Ma.s.sachusetts man nor as a Northern man, but as an American and a member of the United States Senate.

I speak today for the preservation of the Union. Hear me for my cause.

I speak from an anxious heart for the return of the peace and quiet of this Union. I should rather have heard that this Union should never be dissolved than that word secession. Secession, peaceable secession.

Sir, your eyes and mine will never see that miracle. Sir, I see as plainly as I see that sun in Heaven that secession means a war. It means a war, a war I cannot describe.

_End of Play._

THE STORY OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN

ACT I.

INTRODUCTION:

Abraham Lincoln was born in Hardin County, Kentucky, February 12, 1809. His parents were very poor. When he was seven years old his parents moved to Indiana. (He educated himself. Whenever he came in from work he read a book. He read the Bible, aesop's Fables, Robinson Crusoe and other books). He loved his mother very dearly. She died when he was very young. Her last words to him were: "Try to live as I have taught you and to love your Heavenly Father."

Many years after he said, "All I am or hope to be, I owe to my angel mother."

The first act will be Abraham Lincoln and John Hanks coming in from work.

HANKS: Gee, I am tired, aren't you?

LINCOLN: Yes. (Goes to cupboard, takes bread to eat, picks up book and begins to read).

HANKS: (Gets bread and lies down). What you reading?

LINCOLN: O, a story of George Was.h.i.+ngton.

HANKS: Tell us about him.

LINCOLN: After a while.

HANKS: All you do is to read and cipher anyway. I am going to take a nap.

_End of Act I._

ACT II.