Slavery: What it was, what it has done, what it intends to do Speech of Hon. Cydnor B. Tompkins, of Ohio

About this book

In the early 1860s, as the nation grappled with the moral and political turmoil surrounding slavery, Hon. Cydnor B. Tompkins delivered a powerful speech in the House of Representatives titled "Slavery: What it was, what it has done, what it intends to do." This pivotal document confronts the institution's devastating impact on society while articulating a vision for a more just future. Tompkins highlights the inherent contradictions of "unalienable rights" and challenges the complacency surrounding the Second Amendment's implications for freedom. Ideal for students, civic activists, and historians, this speech serves as a crucial examination of the moral dilemmas that shaped America’s conscience and urges readers to reflect on the enduring legacy of slavery.