Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1862-03-21
No New idea.


The ground taken by President Lincoln
for the general emancipation of slavery by
voluntary acts of the people in the states
where the institution exists BY local law is
no new idea 1t is only carrying out, on
broader and more extended principles
doctrine inaugerated many years ago by
different states now free. The States OF
Maine. Massachusetts, New Hampshire,
Vermont, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New
York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and 9th
ers. took the same method to rid them
selves of what they wisely deemed to be
a curse, long ago. The step of general
emancipation was taken and put in shape of
law ia NY. in 1899 Its main feature was
that .'any child born of slave within
this State, after the fourth day of July
next, shall be deemed and adjudged to be
born free," males, however, being servants
until the age of twenty-eight, and females
until the age of twenty-five years, unless
owners should see fit to abandon their
rights. Connecticut took emancipation
grounds in 1884. Slaves were then held
in that state, and an act passed by the
legislature about that time declares that
"sound policy requires that the abolition of
slavery should be enacted as soon as may
be CONSTANT with Che rights of individuals
and the public safety and welfare" 1t al
so provided that no negro or mulatto child,
born after the first of March, 1882, should
be held to involuntary servitude, save for
the punishment of crime, after attaining
the age of twenty-one years, but should
thsreupeu become free. Subsequently the
age was reduced four years, leaving all
oolored children born after that time free
at the age of seventeen years. Slavery
gradually diminished until 1S48, when it
was provided by law that no person should
be Eeld as slave in the State, In 1879
Rhode Island proclaimed freedom to all
slaves who would become soldiers, of which
proclamation many availed themselves.
The next year the sale of slaves out of the
state was prohibited In 1884 law was
passed for general emancipation. declaring
that all children born after that date should
be free. In 1S43 this state adopted new
constitution which contained a clause pro-
vlding in express terms that slavery shall
nc longer exist within the limits of the
state.
Massachusetts, was also a semi-slave state
until the adoption of a new constitution in
1880, which, in its preamble, declared that
call men are born free and equal, and
have certain natural, essential and inalien-
able rights" She is to-day one of the
Proudest of the proud free states, showing
in glowing colors the contrast between the
''bland institution" and universal freedom
to all mankind.
Noting the success of general emancipa-
ton, the president has suggested the in
augeration of the same plan to the benefit
of the entire Republic.
There is one point upon which people of
delicate color dwell with much apparent
sorrow. They say eff you free the slaves
they will run loose, and intermarry with
u.s." Bosh. This can as easily be provid-
ed against as the crime of theft or murder
In the state of Maine marriage Statute,
adopted in 1912, makes all marriages be-
tween whites and indians, negroes, or
mulattoes void. Such law could be pro-
vided in all states, and we'believe ought to
be--whch are or shall become free.
We hope soon to see the day when the
people of the different states now holding
slaves shall, with one accord, accept the
proffered boon of salvation from tormepts
which will certainly be inflicted by just
God unless they shall mend their
ways. As to the success of the principle
of gradual emancipation, we have only to
refer the reader to the highly prosperous
condition of the states which have adop-
ted it.