Laura+Blackerby

=Name: Laura Blackerby = = =

// A Brief Biography.... //
My name is Laura Blackerby. I am the wife of a wealthy plantation owner, James Blackerby, and live on a mansion that is surrounded by our cotton fields in a small corner of Charleston. I am the mother to thirteen children, nine girls and four boys, that are ages one to seventeen. We obviously have slaves on our plantation, and though I know we need them to make money, I disagree with the harsh treatment that some owners use. However, since I am a woman and my opinion does not matter to my husband or any other planters. The conflict developing between the north and south on slavery could be the downfall of our great country, though not everyone can get what they want.

// **My Perspective on Abraham Lincoln's Election;** November 6, 1860, //
Today, Abraham Lincoln was elected president. My husband is currently walking around our great plantation house cursing because he believes that Lincoln will cause a downfall for our southern plantations by abolishing slavery and if that happens, we will lose our fortune and our place in southern society. I would be nothing but a worthless wife of a poor man with no fortune. While I can understand why someone would want to abolish slavery, I think he should also consider the rest of the country whose lifestyle very much depends on slavery and the plantation economy. How would I feed my family without our cotton profit?! I have thirteen, children seven of which are not old enough to work! They can't abolish slavery without a proper solution for everyone. I think any man elected to be the leader of the United States should consider the well-being of all the citizens. I think it's selfish to only do what the north wants instead of making a mutual decision. Now there is talk of a new nation. A __confederate__ nation. I hope it surely won't come to that. Perhaps, if we're lucky, "Honest" Abe will be impeached for some treacherous act and we won't have to deal with him for God knows how long. = // The South Carolina Secession; December 24, 1860 // =

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This is perhaps the lonliest Christmas eve I have ever experienced. Even when my family is all around, I can't get over the fact that officially today, South Carolina is all alone. //**The Declaration of the Immediate Causes Which Induce and Justify the Secession of South Carolina**// was issued today and signed by many important congressmen in hte statehouse. Everyone I see walks around with pride. They stand tall and have a smug expression on there face. I sit here bewildered and ask myself, '//What are they thinking? This can't lead to anything good... We can't possibly make// another //country.'// Even worse I'm terrified a war will start. And all of this because of slavery!===== I spoke of this to my husband, but James only shrug it off and said, " If a war is the only way for this disagreement to be settled then perhaps war would be a good thing." My younger brother, John, who was in earshot, lit up with excitement. " Yes!" he beamed. " I would certainly go to war and fight for our good ol' southern way of life! I'd be the first to sign up!" I frowned at him not hiding an ounce of my disappointment. "Come on Sissy! This is home. And I would do anything for it...." " I just don't want you fighting in a war that has no real point. I much rather see all my slaves free and us living in a ditch than go to your funeral." I said quite seriously. John and James both looked at their feet as if they were considering the price of their own lives. If and when the war comes because my stubborn state won't change and find news ways to live, and I lose my sons and brother to the battlefields. I might move up north like the Grimke girls.

// The Mysterious Moses; March 16, 1861 //
We went to have breakfast at the Edwards' house this morning at about seven o'clock since we had to be at the church by eight thirty. We were surprised when we were greeted at the door by one of the slaves, when usually we are greeted by Kaitlyn Edwards, or one of her daughters. The slave, Missy, seated us in the parlor, and told us that her master would accompany us shortly. We waited for ten minutes.... Twenty..... Twenty-five Thirty minutes. . . . . . . . "Well something must to have happened. I hope it's not too serious." James said. 'But we might have to leave soon so-" Then Charles Edwards, the plantation owner, walked through the door red faced. " Greetings... I hope you are having a much better day than me..." he grumbled. " Well unless you also had property stolen from you last night, but by the shocked look on your faces I suppose not." "Property stolen?" I asked quietly. " What object was taken?" "Objects.... And eight of my best workers." Charles poured himself some brandy and gulped it down without a single flinch. I got a feeling like maybe I shouldn't sit near them during church. " Yep," he continued, " And to add to the joy I can't put on a search for them till tomorrow. Everyone is worshipping today. All the trackers refuse to even speak to me, and the rest of my slaves won't tell me a thing about who took them! Except it was 'Moses.' Who could that be? What man would dare intrude on another like that?!" " It must be a free black man tryin' to seek out revenge for their family that died working..." James pondered. "Or a woman. . ." I whispered quietly. Behind me I heard a small chuckle. I turned and saw Missy run off. She had heard our entire conversation. And she laughed because maybe...... I was right? This Moses was a woman. And even though it's my place to be on Charles side, enraged and steamed that someone stole his slaves, I felt amused and proud that a woman, someone who's "only good for housework and children," could change the course of eight fugitives lives. She could make an ingenius plan to outsmart all southern white men. She could change the world. And later that morning in church, I prayed for her safety and that she didn't get caught.

1. How does one's understanding of slavery affect his understanding of the people and events of the 1850s and 1860s?
People were torn apart during the civil war because if slavery was to end in the South, it would greatly effect their economy and many planters would suffer. However, Northerners were questioning whether or not slavery was a good, moral, Christian thing to do. I think if plantation owners were in a Northerner's shoes they wouldn't have the same beliefs. The different opinions on slavery depended on who you were in society and how you were taught when you grew up.

2. Why would slavery ever be condoned in the United States?
It could be condoned by the understanding that, even when people started realizing it was wrong, planters needed workers to grow cotton, indigo, and rice. If abolishing slavery was a quick act it would grealy effect the southern economy. Like for most things, change takes time.

3. Was the Civil War the only means to end slavery in the United States?
I believe that it could have been solved in a better way. For instance, if the south had won the war, slavery might still exist. Instead I think the north and south should have come to an agreement and let poor whites and free blacks work on plantations with a small pay so that the crops wouldn't suffer.

4. What are some of the long-term effects of slavery that are linked to the people and events of the past?
Long term effects of slavery would be like racism that still exists in the south. It took a hundred years after abolishing slavery before segregation was ended. A good benefit from slavery is the pride for the african-american culture and how far they've managed to come. (Like the White House!!)