Cabinet Battle 3 - Demo

The issue on the table
 A petition from a Quaker delegation in Philadelphia
 Calling on Congress to end the African slave trade
 And abolish slavery, in all its forms
 This petition was written and signed by Benjamin Franklin
 It cannot go ignored
 If this comes to a vote in Congress
 What is the White House's position?
 Secretary Jefferson, you first, tread lightly
 Sir, the constitution clearly states that the states have to wait
 Until 1808 to debate on whether to end the slave trade
 And whether or not you want it, guys
 That is the final compromise we made
 Sir wait
 But for a second, let us say that we can legislate
 Unanimous emancipation, freedom reigns, and yes, it's great
 We cannot cure prejudice or righteous, desperate hate
 So back to Africa or do they get a separate state?
 In 1784, I tried to float banning slavery in the West
 My notion didn't get a single vote
 Slavery's a sin, it's growing like a cancer
 But we can't address the question if we do not have an answer
 Is it my turn? Good
 Plantation states are packed with promise makers
 Do you realize the precious time these legislators wasted?
 Institutionalizing slavery only multiplies our troubles
 Wait 'til the 1800s, and their population doubles
 You all know
 This is the stain on our soul and democracy
 A land of the free? No, it's not, it's hypocrisy
 To subjugate, dehumanize a race, call 'em property
 And say that we are powerless to stop it, can you not foresee?
 Sir, even you, you have hundreds of slaves
 Whose descendants will curse our names when we're safe in our graves
 How will the South find labor for its businesses?
 How will Thomas Jefferson find his next mistresses?
 How dare you
 Yet still, people follow like lemmings
 All your hemming and hawing, while you're hee-hawing with Sally Hemings
 That's enough
 Well, you asked how I feel
 I don't pretend to know the answer, but the question is real
 If I may, Mr. President?
 Madison?
 Let's take this moment to establish a precedent
 First of all, sir, we won't involve you in this
 Imagine this debate with all of congress, it's ruinous
 I'll reassure the South, 1808 is still the year
 That was agreed upon
 That buys us time and assuages fear
 I'll tell the North that on January 1st of that year
 We'll ban importation, handling the worst
 Once I get all this agreed upon, I'll pick up a pen
 And introduce a motion, never to discuss this again
 Mr. President!
 Hamilton, if we support emancipation
 Every single slave owner will demand compensation
 And as for slandering Jefferson with talk of mistresses
 Do you really wanna -
 Really wanna have that conversation?
 No
 Madison, execute your plan to the latter
 Let's hope the next generation thinks of something better