p1.09+Dixiecrat+Bloc+Page

Group Members and Roles

 * Colin - Speech
 * Alison - Graphics, Brochure, Statement Letter
 * Tyler - Debater
 * Nicole - Journalist, Radio Ad
 * Amanda - Photographer, Tv Commercial Video

Group Slogan
"Let the chains remain strong, or our nation won't last long."

What Your Group Wants -- Plan for New Constitution

 * We do not want Congress to mention slavery in the Constitution at all
 * There should be less national regulation of trade
 * If slaves and other blacks must have representation in Congress, then they must only count as 3/5 of a person
 * No actions at all shall be taken by the national government against the importation of African slaves
 * A clause shall be inserted in the Constitution that forbids Congress from outlawing or taxing the importation of slaves
 * The federal Congress should have the ability to regulate trade, establish tariffs and embargos by majority vote rather than a 2/3 vote system which is ineffective

[[image:Dixiecrat_p1_letter.jpg width="305" height="408" align="left"]]Bullet Points of Your Plan
NOTE: SEE OUR OPENING STATEMENT LETTER AT THE LEFT TO VIEW OR BULLET POINTS FOR OUR PLAN

Orator: Text of Your Speech
My fellow Americans, my name is Charles C. Pickney, a representative of the Dixiecrat Bloc. No matter what decisions we make in the coming days, the Constitutional Convention will be remembered as a turning point in our nation’s history, one that determines if the eagle of America will fall to the ground or soar to the heavens. I hope, for the sake of the American people, that we make the right choices.

I am a proud plantation owner from South Carolina. Why am I proud? Because I know that I am a link in the chain that is keeping this newborn country of America together. Everyone in this room will concede that America is in a less than ideal position to say the least. We are afflicted with a weak economy, a dying central government, and a rebellious lower class. In fact, one of the few stable aspects of our nation is the profit that plantation owners are receiving. Indigo, rice, and tobacco crops are continuing to be financially successful exports of America, serving as the backbone of our nation’s economy. My fellow plantation owners, along with myself, depend on slaves to grow and harvest these crops in order to keep America’s economy under control. Why, then, would anyone of sound mind find it beneficial to the United States to abolish slavery, which would lead to the weakening of our plantations and the further weakening of our nation as a whole?

Those with puerile opinions may argue that black slaves are just as human as white men, and that slaves should therefore be freed of their shackles. While this opinion may seem morally appealing, it does not factor in the reality of our nation’s current situation. The freedom of slaves, could, no, I correct myself, WOULD result in the destruction of our economy and America itself. To those that would abolish all chains of slavery if they could, do you not realize that freeing 700,000 slaves would mean 700,000 more salaries that we have to pay for? Do you realize the fatal blow that our economy would suffer, if plantation owners could not afford to keep their crops growing because they suddenly had three quarters of a million more people to pay? Even the taxation on the importation of slaves could push plantation owners and, consequently, the U.S. economy over the edge and destroy the future of a strong, Republican nation.

And have you even considered how the African people would react if given freedom? I would hope that you all remember what happened just the previous year, when several hundred farmers under the leadership of Captain Daniel Shays tried to lower taxes with the use of violence and intimidation in Massachusetts. Now imagine that same rebellion, but made up of 700,000 former slaves who, having never previously tasted that potent drink called power, thirst for more. How can we be sure that this scenario will not play out? There is no precedent to indicate how such a huge population of slaves will react to such sudden freedom, and fragile as our country is, we cannot risk even the minutest chance of another war on American soil. That is why the Dixiecrat Bloc recommends that the Constitution explicitly forbids the outlawing of slavery or any taxation on the slave trade.

We also desire for less national regulation of trade of any kind, and that it takes a 2/3 majority vote in all houses of Congress to enact tariffs, quotas, or embargoes. With a freer market, the American economy could grow at a more rapid pace than it would if weighed down by taxes and other regulation. Also, when taxation and Congressional representation is concerned, we want each of our slaves to represent 3/5 of a free man, which would serve as a compromise between ourselves and the radical abolitionists.

Remember that slavery, an integral part of growing our most profitable crops, is a link in the chain that holds our nation together. And the chain is only as strong as its weakest link. So let the chains remain strong, or our nation won’t last long!

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Debater: Possible Objections to Plan and Your Replies
NOTE: SEE "STAY AWAY FROM CRISPUS ATTUCKS COALITION" IN OUR BROCHURE FOR OBJECTIONS/REPLIES

Journalist: Write-Up of Convention Activity
"..We as a people have changed and can only move forward," stated James Madison of the Virginia plan, the first speaker of the Constitutional Convention. The delegates were seated around the crowded room, listening intently on what Madison had to say. The Virginia plan continued their argument of representation by population by pointing out the recent and infamous Shay's Rebellion and the troubles that "arise with a lack of voice." They advocate the need for a strong federal government with three separate branches of legislation. Mr. Madison's speech was met by several "booing" points from the rival members of the New Jersey Plan, as the great Dixiecrat Bloc strongly supported and cheered for Virginia's support of slavery stating, "..we are not ready to bring about its destruction...It is too risky to destroy the economic culture of the South."

The New Jersey Plan was next to bat, as speaker William Patterson also supported a stronger federal government, yet not oppressive. The New Jersey Plan calls for equal representation of the states because "no one state should be deemed more valuable" that the other. Unifying the nation is the common theme between the rival Virginia and New Jersey Plans, but with representation by population Patterson argues that smaller states will be obsolete and have no power.

As the “middle-man” between the two plans, Roger Sherman from Connecticut promoted the Great Compromise. It is, simply, a compromise between the two previous plans. The Virginia plan would be represented through the House of Representatives, while the New Jersey plan would correspond to the Senate. Laughter erupted in the room as Roger Sherman declared that, “These [Virginia and New Jersey] plans stink as much as Benjamin Franklin.” The orators of the Great Compromise also promote a strong federal government and claim that Compromise is a necessity.

Regrettably, the British Block was given the opportunity to speak next. In the beginning sentence of his speech, King George III managed to call us Americans “squabbling colonials” who will “drive these territories into the ground.” Naturally he promoted the great monarchy and taxation. The highlight of the entire show was when the Virginia and New Jersey plans (and others) coincidently walked out towards the beginnings of the speech.

Following the British Block, was the anti-American Crispus Attucks group. Their sole purpose is for the abolition of the slaves of our Southern states; our Southern states that rely on our laborers to make our plantations successful. Successful plantations in the South will lead to a stronger and more stable economy for our new nation. The Crispus Attucks coalition made the ridiculous claim that if we count our slaves as representation, then livestock in the North should as equally count as representation in government. Though we are “equal in the eyes of God” our workers in the South provide “cheap labor,” which is best for our current situation as a nation whole. Though endorsing the abolition of slavery, the members of the Crispus Attucks association are hypocrites as most of them own slaves themselves!

To argue the points of the Crispus Attucks coalition, the most-sensible Dixiecrat Bloc took the final speech of the day. Charles Pickney in his most authentic Southern accent truly stated that “America is in a less than ideal position,” proving that abolishing slavery now is not the right time while America is brand new. Abolishing slavery now will lead to a quick “economic downfall.” The slaves, or workers, are needed to grow and harvest farms so that are plantations and farms will stay successful. Pickney intelligently pointed out that if we free the currently owned 700,000 slaves, that it will produce 700,000 more salaries that we as a nation together would have to deal with. If slaves were suddenly free, it would most likely lead to the similar situation of Daniel Shay’s rebellion. And do we want that? The Dixiecrat Bloc promotes no outlawing of slavery and that in representation, our slaves count as three-fifths of a free man: an easy compromise. The magnificent Charles Pickney flawlessly ended his speech with: “Remember that slavery, an integral part of growing our most profitable crops, is a link in the chain that holds our nation together. And the chain is only as strong as its weakest link. So let the chains remain strong, or our nation won’t last long!”

Comments from Rival Plans
Dixiecrat is full o' crap. <3 New Jersey You evil mutants. -with all due respect, <3 New Jersey You're going down. :) - in a nice way. Crispus Attucks, your friendly, innocent competition. Why thank you for the lovely compliment. We like your slogan. Love, Pd. 5 Dixiecrats :)

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