I agree with your idea that “John Brown’s Last Speech” and Henry Garnet’s “From a Memorial Discourse” describe the violence and loss that was necessary to eradicate slavery. Also, these writings demonstrate the struggles that were always tied to achieving the American Dream. Beginning with the American Revolution the pursuit of the American Dream has involved conflict and violence and the abolition of slavery was no exception.
To many in the northern states the loss of lives would seem a fitting sacrifice to free American from the “national sins” committed by the Americans in the south. Furthermore, to liberated African Americans in the north dying for the freedom of their enslaved friends and family or dying en lieu of slavery may have been an honor.
Both of these texts would have been very inspiring to the handful of slaves that were literate as well as the abolitionists in the north. I believe that the quote "If it is deemed necessary that I should forfeit my life for the furtherance of the ends of justice, and mingle my blood further with the blood of my children and with the blood of millions in this slave country whose rights are disregarded by wicked, cruel, and inject enactments, I say let it be done" would have prepared the abolitionist for the fight that was yet to come and the sacrifices that were yet to be made in order to fulfill the American Dream.
The Civil War has been called the bloodiest war ever fought. It was literally brother fighting brother over a cause that had come to consume a young nation. I find it interesting that you analyzed out of the texts that the North would see it as a way to "free America from the national sins." I had never thought of Northerners seeing it that way but I think it is a valid analysis. During this time the Bible was still a strong text used in everyday life and was the center of families in both the North and the South. So it would make sense that the North believed the bloody death of both sides was "payment" for the sins of those of the South, especially since the South suffered more human losses and then lost the war.
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