p5.10+Dixiecrat+Bloc+Page

**Group Members and Rolemedia type="file" key="dixieceratgroup-period5-constcon-1011.flv" align="right" width="360" height="270"**
 * **Speech:** Greg
 * **Debate:** Mike
 * **Photographer:** Kara
 * **Facebook/Tech/Photoshop:** Brian
 * **Print Journalist:** Patrick
 * **Video Journalist:** Kevin
 * **Writer/Wiki Expert:** Lujain
 * **Radio Spot:** Mike
 * **TV Ad:** Sarah

Group Slogan
//The end of slaves, is our country's grave.//

==What Your Group Wants -- Plan for New Constitution ==
 * "persons" held to service must count as 3/5 of a person in Congress representation
 * a 2/3 majority vote for restriction in both houses of representation
 * no laws shall be passed to abolish or stomp out slavery
 * looser grip on the trade regulation of the colonies
 * Constitution must include a section that forbids the outlaw of slavery and the importation trade

Bullet Points of Your Plan

 * have colonists realize how vital and important slaves are to our thriving economy
 * without slaves, we have no economy
 * if slavery is stopped, the Constitutional Convention will ultimately fail
 * slaves bring about all of the resources that we export and need in order to sustain life
 * we will be submerged in debt and bankruptcy, if slavery is abolished, because slaves provide most resources

Orator: Text of Your Speech
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My fellow Delegates and peers, my name is Charles Cotesworth Pickney, and I am a Congressional delegate from South Carolina. I come before you today to ensure the well being of our beloved nation. I respect the opinions and feelings of every state in the union, and now I present to you the beliefs represented by the Dixicrat Bloc.

Since 1619 slaves have lived in the United States of America. Over 70 percent of the entire population of South Carolina is composed of African Americans. 20 percent of this country is made up of black slaves. In their servitude, African Americans help maintain the economy and social structure not only of the South, but also of the United States as a whole. The profitability of a Southern slave plantation is 35 percent more profitable than a Northern farm. Tobacco, sugar, rice and indigo all serve as large exportation products that could kick-start this new country’s international relations and bring in bountiful amounts of beneficial profits to the United States, that are critical in our first years as a country. The cotton clothes on your backs, the tobacco in your mouth, and the food on your family’s tables, are the results of efficient, hardworking, satisfied black men and women. African Americans are catalysts of the undivided economy of the United States; they work so that we don’t have to. For the Religious men among the throng, listen now as God supports slavery in his Holy Bible. 1 Corinthians 12:13 affirms, "For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit." Will you go against God’s word? God implies that slavery is a perfectly acceptable practice. Evidently, the wellbeing of the South and the States depends upon slavery.

For those who oppose my previous statement, the welfare of the slaves themselves depends upon this Congress and its authority. My Southern brothers and I have brought Africans into our farms and plantations, and clothed them, fed them, Christianized them, protected them, loved them. Had we left our precious slaves in Africa, then all the clothed, fed, hydrated African Americans in this realm would be engaged in tribal warfare, witchcraft, and getting mauled by lions in tumultuous Africa. So how can people argue that African Americans aren’t better off living in the south? People sure do rave about our southern hospitality! Quite frankly gentlemen, we need to whip America into shape, the end of slaves is this country’s grave.

Also, I would like to advance a clause in the United States Constitution forbidding Congress from banning or taxing the importation of slaves. The government cannot impose any limitations on slave importation and slave trade. The consequences of Congressional action on slave importation and trade would be staggeringly threatening. The very economy of the United States could be decimated by such a maneuver. Gentlemen, its no ignominy, its our economy.

The Dixicrats and myself would like to propose stronger local governments, and a two-thirds majority vote in both houses to enact tariffs, embargoes, and quotas. Local freedoms and power would benefit the country in myriads of ways, especially since the American Revolution fought to rid us of an oppressive monarchy. Strong local government would comfort the people of the nation because it would prove that we are in fact taking large steps away from our former tyrannical method of rule.

As I mentioned earlier, about 20 percent of this country is made up of blacks. I recommend that we take the necessary steps to count one slave as three fifths of a man for the just representation of the South in Congress. The principles that this nation was founded on firmly proclaim that every man should be able to seek “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” In order for laws and motions that could benefit the Southern people to be passed fairly, I call for slaves to be given their God given right for unprejudiced delineation in Congress. Wouldn’t you agree that slaves are our faves? Three fifths of a man is a generous number for the South and I to be proposing at such a time. My offer is very magnanimous towards this Congress. Such intelligent and respected leaders such as you can surely realize that this offer serves as a wonderful opportunity that is being thrust forward for your honest consideration.

Moreover, the Dixicrats, the South, and I support slavery, and strong local governments, and a ban on outlawing slave trade and importation in the United States Constitution, and a “three-fifths” compromise, and a two-thirds majority vote on tariffs, embargos, and quotas, and the overall affluence of this land of the red, white, and blue. We the Southern people, diligently, viciously, and steadfastly fought in the American Revolution. Unfortunately, as a result of our zealous revolutionary fervor, the South endured copious numbers of brutal battles. Now, we come before this Congress urging you to join with the South and prosper.

Print Journalist: Write-Up of Convention Activity
-PHILADELPHIA, PA What started out as a careful debate over the future of this new country, turned into a fiery and active argument over numerous opinions on state plans. The mission for the day was to revise the failed Articles of Confederation, but it turns out that we are to form a new Constitution altogether. The second Continental Congress that took place today was very productive, heated, and also comical as states from all over the colonies were represented today, informing the congress on their proposed plans for the future well-being of this new country.

At the beginning, the tense mood and silence was suddenly broken as the very eager-to-talk representatives presented their plans to the rest of the committee. What followed were cheers and boos from supporting and opposing parties as the speakers commenced. The Virginia Plan was presented first, as it demanded for continued democracy, fair representation for large states with large populations, and a three-branch government to limit powers.

The New Jersey Plan was next, pitching their plans for rights to taxation and taxing foreign goods and equal representation for states with smaller populations. They finished by presenting the idea for equality for all, which shocked and stirred up the crowds, and at one point, a representative from the multitude interjected rudely, “What about the slaves?”.

The Great Compromise picked up after New Jersey, stating it’s blueprints for the growing nation like a system of power that gives power to all the masses, including minorities that would normally have gotten choked out of the vote. Not called the “Great Compromise” for nothing, they wanted a compromise between the Virginia and New Jersey plans, also joining the bandwagon trend for equality for all. At this time, the cries to “free the slaves” was drowning the important details of the convention and was very distracting.

The Crispus Atticks plan was presented next, and although their speaker opened saying that he was an “honest man”, all he spoke was lies to the convention. Their plan strived for equality and the freeing of the slaves, proving that “the slaves fought for this nation during the Revolutionary War”. But, slaves were not people then, nor are they people now at the conclusion of this convention. The Crispus Atticks group believed that slaves endure unjust labor and that we must abolish slavery. But, what they fail to realize is that their labor produce great fruits and benefits that allow this country to prosper. The plan concluded with the comment, that the slaves wanted rights similar to the white men, but the speaker was white, therefore, he would not know what slaves want since he is not a slave.

The truth was spoken out as the Dixiecrat Bloc presented it’s plan to the Continental Congress, from Charles Cotesworth Pickney, an honest and truly American man. The Dixiecrat Bloc wanted to maintain slavery in America, because removing it would throw off the productive economy and social structure. In such a poor economy, it would be beneficial because in spreading slavery across the country, it would kick-start economy and bring in benefits of money and power to this emerging nation. The slaves would “work so we don’t have to”. After Pickney praised the slaves for being efficient and hardworking, he presented the idea that the United States depends on slavery; and the well-fare of slaves depends on us. The Dixiecrats also believed in stronger local government, which is what the country was apt of during the tyrannical reign of England’s far-away king, and opposed to ban the slave trade, which would threaten the economy if is was removed. The Dixiecrats concluded convincingly that to “join with the south, would mean prosperity for everyone!”

Once all the representatives had spoken, a large debate had begun and sparked like a wildfire. The Virginia Plan argued with New Jersey over representation for large versus small states, but the Great Compromise quickly settled the conflict with very insightful comments from the old Patriot Benjamin Franklin, who attended the convention. Soon after, the Dixiecrat Bloc came in dispute over the Crispus Atticks coalition, and they debated mainly over the future of slaves and slavery in the United States. Again, the great Benjamin Franklin calmed the heated tempers that were building by stating that we must put slavery on hold until we have a more unified nation. He was also quoted saying, “Slaves are important to culture, and we should keep them for the well-being of the economy.” But, the Crispus Atticks coalition tuned out and refused to listen to anything the respectful Ben Franklin or Dixiecrats had to say. They thought that the United State should not “fuel the fire (of slavery), but quench it out!” The only fire they were fueling was the fire of disunity and argument.

All in all, the Continental Congress that took place today, was fairly productive as many groups were able to present their ideas and beliefs to build up and support this great nation. As for the fate of representation of large states versus small states, a compromise will most likely be made. As for slavery, the debate will most likely continue into the years ahead, and possibly may be put off until a nation is established and can function on a strong foundation. Although their were many disputes and conflicting ideas, everyone shared a sense of national duty, patriotism, and wanted the United States to rise up in the world, be independent, and be a successful nation, which is what this convention was set up to do.

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