A Dream for Tomorrow Read Online Free Page B

attempt.”
    “Oh, my…” She frowned as she considered the implications.
    “And let’s not forget what happened in Kansas a couple years ago.”
    “The Kansas Riots?”
    “Yes. Not unlike Oregon, the majority in Kansas wanted to be a free state, but their pro-slavery neighbors stirred things up.” He shook his head sadly. “It all turned rather nasty.”
    “Is that why Oregon has voted like this?”
    “I’m not sure.” His brow was furrowed. “And quite honestly, it seems to be in conflict with the Dred Scott decision.”
    “What is that?”
    “A case that was tried in early March. I was following it before we left Boston. The question was whether or not slavery should be allowed in the West.”
    “And?” She waited eagerly.
    “Dred Scott was a slave whose owner had lived in Illinois, a free state, as well as Wisconsin, also a free territory.”
    “Wouldn’t it be illegal to own a slave in areas where slavery has been abolished?” Elizabeth felt confused.
    “That was the point of this case. Actually, it was only part of the point since there was much political motivation as well. But on the surface, the question was to determine whether or not it was legal to own a slave in a free state. Unfortunately for Dred Scott, with five out of nine justices hailing from Southern states, the Supreme Court was stacked in favor of pro-slavery states.”
    “So what did they decide?”
    “The court ruled that Scott was not free.” Will let out a frustrated sigh. “Not based on his residency in either Illinois or Wisconsin. The opinion of the justices was that according to our constitution, Negroes were not considered citizens and therefore could not be considered free men.”
    “But that makes no sense. Many Negroes live as free men in the North. Even Brady has his freedom papers. Is he not free?”
    “Lawmaking is puzzling, Elizabeth.” He gave her a weary smile. “Our government must be proven and tried with each legislative step of the way. But on this complicated issue of slavery and states’ rights, our laws are conflicted and convoluted and confusing. To be perfectly honest, I am greatly relieved to be removed from it for a while. I fear that this issue can only tear our country apart.”
    Elizabeth was trying to grasp all of this—trying to sort through and determine what needed to be done to protect Brady’s future. “So perhaps it would be in Brady’s best interest if we maintained a pretense when we settle…if we acted as if he is still our…our property .” The word tasted bitter in her mouth.
    “It seems a safe course of action. Except that most folks on this wagon train are already aware that Brady is a free man. You and your family have made that much clear. It might be difficult to turn back the hands of time now.”
    She let out a long sigh.
    “Again, I regret being the bearer of bad news today. And, please know that if you have any questions or need legal counsel, I am always at your service.” He tipped his hat, smiling as he picked up his water pails. “As you can see, I am occasionally of more value than simply that of a water carrier.” He chuckled as he walked away, swinging his full buckets so that some of the water sloshed out.
    But Elizabeth did not feel like laughing now. Not in the least. This news was greatly disturbing. So much so that it seemed almost unbelievable. But surely Will wouldn’t tell her a falsehood, and certainly not regarding such a serious subject. But if it were true, why hadn’t her father been aware? He was an avid reader. Surely he would have warned her that Brady would be unwelcome in Oregon, wouldn’t he? But then…Will had mentioned it had been put to a recent vote. Perhaps Father, like her, had been oblivious. And it wasn’t as if they’d originally planned to bring Brady along. He had made that choice in the eleventh hour.
    Even so, this legislation was so unfair and unjust. In some ways it seemed even worse than the opinions of those who