"I heartily accept the motto, 'That government is best which governs least'; and I should like to see it acted up to more rapidly and systematically."
Upon seeing the quote, I was reminded of the laissez-faire policy in which there is minimum governmental interference in the economic affairs of individuals and society. Henry David Thoreau carried this belief, stating that all governments are sometimes inexpedient, or not suitable. He requested that there be a better government, rather than all at once there be no government. In the present day American society, many can testify on how corrupt the government is with all its lies, dishonesty, and underlying filth. Thoreau himself, who is an outspoken critic of slavery, also thought it difficult to recognize his government as the same that governs slaves. Hence his reason to condone the policy or statement that the government that governs the least governs the best.
"He has never permitted her to exercise her inalienable right to the elective franchise. He has compelled her to submit to laws, in the formation of which she had no voice.He has withheld her from her rights which are given to the most ignorant and degraded men- both natives and foreigners."
Plainly put, Elizabeth Cady Stanton was expressing her idea that women were being looked down upon in society. She felt that the law mainly boosted up male supremacy and belittled women. Women were not able to vote then so she fought for women's rights and advocated for equal treatment and rights to vote. Even if an American woman had higher social status and had more education, they would still choose a foreigner and even an undereducated man over her. In her statements, one can see how she is pointing out the injustice and demeaning treatment women have been subjected to.
"Now there is one thing about us colored folks; it is this, that under all these most adverse circumstances, we live, and move, and have our being..."
Frederick Douglass was born a slave in Maryland, and taught himself how to read and write despite that his "master" objecting. Through many trials and tribulations, he eventually became the leading spokesperson for the African natives who were shipped to America. He explained in his speech the adversity that they go through, and that it is not easy nor fair living in this foreign land that they were forcefully placed, just to be abused and tortured and beaten. I agree, that it is justified for anyone to question such evil brutal treatment toward mankind. There is no reason why anyone should have to suffer any consequence from evil people for having dark skin.
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