Slavery

Stephens believes that the cornerstone of the new government is the knowledge that whites and blacks are not equal. He argues that the new government does not allow equal rights to all individuals since they are not equal. To him, white people are superior to their colored counterparts and black people are supposed to work as slaves and this has been dictated by nature. To him, the stability of the government relies on the stability the relationship that exists between blacks and whites as slaves and masters.

Stephens argues that blacks cannot be given the same rights as whites. In his argument, he argues that the belief that they should be granted equal rights is based on a wrong premise which holds that blacks are equal to whites. Since, according to him, this premise is wrong and consequently nullifies the entire argument. While Stephens’ argument may seem absurd, it is important to note that Stephens was from the South. The South resisted against ending slavery for a long time and therefore took longer to let go of slavery.

Stephens also argues that trying to promote the idea of equality is tantamount to promoting ideals that are against the code of nature. According to him, the inequality of black people was an inequality that had been determined by the Creator at creation.

He also says that the South has been thus far been on the winning side in the struggle against the abolition of slavery. To him, this is an indication that slavery is a moral idea and should be promoted so as to be fully recognized. While he feels that they have so far won, he also feels that the struggle could do better by having their principle officially recognized and endorsed. He could also be seeking further action from other supporters of slavery towards the promotion of his idea based on the fact that others are opposing it. For this reason, he must promote his idea before it is overtaken by those of others.

He believes that the only thing that has prevented his idea from getting universal acceptance is the fact that it is a new truth. All truths must pass through this phase before they it is universally accepted. He compares it to the ideas introduced by Galileo, Adam Smith, and Harvey. According to him, while some of the concepts promoted by these individuals have come to be universally accepted, it was not always that way.

Stephens however feels that all whites are equal regardless of their level in the society. It is the black people that should be regarded as subordinates in the society. Stephens compares black people with granite which is used in the building of houses. According to him, granite is used as a foundation so that it carries all the materials that are used afterwards. In the same way, black people should be the slaves of white people so that they can bear the weight of all their problems.

Stephens uses the scriptures to further define the role of black people in the society. To him, black people are the rejected stone. Their being rejected however serves to make them one of the most important aspects of the reconstitution of the government. He feels that he is unsure about the forces he is fighting against. Even then, he feels that he must fight and triumph. He feels the success of those who are pursuing the same endeavor as him must keep fighting to ensure that it is universally accepted. By so saying, he calls for unity, an aspect that is largely encouraged in the scriptures.

He discourages the teaching of the Christianity to blacks. In his opinion, the concepts of Christianity are too difficult for them to understand. Instead, he encourages teaching them why they must work to earn a living. Rather than promoting their independence, he suggests they should work as slaves to the rest of humanity. This is controversial to the teachings of Christianity. All Christians who believe in the doctrine of the bible should work to make a living. Failure to do this comprises a departure from them.

The “President’s Inaugural” address is a piece of satire that best describes the situation of the US after Abraham Lincolns inauguration and in the future. In the caricature, the inauguration is received peacefully and the president is awarded with gifts symbolizing peace. However, as the caricatures depict, the peace is short lived and could eventually lead to a war. At the time of the inauguration, the US President was against slavery. At his inauguration, the author of the caricatures thought the President could eventually lead the North to war with the South. One aspect that led to conflict between the North and the South was the slave trade.  Through the inauguration, the author of the cartoon though that only a war would lead to an understanding between the North and the South. He was also of the opinion that abolishing slave trade would a difficult task.