The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1862-04-22
Emancipation in the District Of Colum.
bia.

events now marching past us with so
much celebrity, while dwelling. necessar-
lily, upon the more warlike, will yet find
food for HE pen greater in results, more
pregnant with the veal of the human
family, more elevating TO us as people,
than anything that can come Of our war.
like resources. our bravery in the field,
our endurance, or our patriotism. For
long years the policy Of this government
has been the policy Of slavery. Since
the prohibition of the African slave trade
but few measures in the interests Of free
d,m have received the sanction of the
General Government. On the other
hand there has been continual encroach-
ment by the slave power, acting through
the General Government, upon the pre-
negatives of freedom. The history of
the national Legislation Of the last forty
years has been the history of pro-slavery
triumphs. Wars have been made in that
interest, sacred compacts violated, the
reading OF the Constitution reversed, and
all departments of tie Government pros
tiluted. Constitution and Government
were used. not to diffuse the blessings of
liberty. but to increase. fortify and insure
the prerogatives Of slavery. Day by day
the dark fingers of that despotic power
increased its clutch upon the govern
ment, and all efforts to loosen the grip
seemed but to increase its tenacitv and
f:mness. Men going into the halls of
Congress its sworn, implacable foe, cow
cred and wavered before it, and many
gave up in despair at the hopelessness Of
the conflict against it.
But now the government is disenthrall-
ed. The long line of preeedents favora-
bic to slavery is being reversed. and the
historian will record that the year 1869
saw its greatest triumph in the COM
mencement Of American emancipation.
The message of ABRAHAM LINCOLN was
the turning point Of national policy, and
now the first grand result has come in
the wiping out from the nations Capital,
Of the foulest blot that ever defled the
capital of civilized people. The cry Of
the auc lioneer, selling human blood and
bones, will no longer be heard from the
slave pen of the District, nor the sound
of the slaves shackles be heard under
the windows OF the Capitol. Looking at
this as the beginning of the end-look-
ing at it as the ripple that must, as it
rolls onward and onward, swell into a
mighty wave of emancipation-looking
at it as the beginning of an age that must
end in seeing the most stupendous sys-
tenn of violence and outrage on God s
footstool, wiped from xistence-looking
al ii as the commencement Of a move
ment that will cleanse the government
from the only stigma that rests upon it,
and give to Republicanism that bright
ness and etfulgence that is its proper es-
tate, and which will attract TO imitation
the people of the world-looking at it as
great step onward in the march ofthose
humanitarian ideas that are to elevate,
ennoble and make glad the world-look-
Ing at it as the beginning Of glorious
triumph Ct natural rights, Of truth and Of
jastce-looking at it as a blow, to be
many times repeated. until the founda-
tons Of the only wall against our nation
al unity, our internal peace and prosper
ity, are removed, and the whole struc-
ture Of national division and internal
dissension topple to the ground-looking
at it AS the inception of a glorious move
ment for the benefit of our country and
of humanily-we rejoice in this event.
Many years may so by before the great
contamination may be reached. There
may be many reflex waves, carrying us
backward almost to the point Of starting.
But stouter arms. greater, grander sur
yes Of public opinion. Of justice and of
truth. will carry us over the breakers and
land us safely and securely upon the
shores Of emancipation.
We append tie Presidents message
announcing bis sanction of the emanci-
patti n bill
F,How citizens Of tie Senate and House Of Repre-
sentatipes:
The act entitled an act for the release of GER
tain persons held 10 service or labor in the
District of Columbia, has this day been ap-
proved and signed have never doubted the
Constitutional authority of Congress to abol
ish slavery In the District, and have ever
desired TO see the National Capital freed of the
institution IN some satisfactory way hence
there has never been in my mind any question
on the subject, except one of expediency
arising in view Of all the circumstances. If
there be matters within and about this act
which might have taken course or shape
more satisfactory to nay judgment. do not at
tempt TO specify them. | am gratifed that the
true principle OF enamel patton and colonial
lion are both recognized and practically appli-
ed in this act in the matter of compensation.