The independent. [volume] (Oskaloosa, Kan.) 1860-1874, 1863-01-10
Saturday, January 10. 1868.
The Proclamation.

Dispi,e The efforts Of semi Uaionists
OF the Border States, and the frantic
efforts Of the rebel sympathizers in the
North added 10 those of JEFF. Davis and
his oo-trai,ors, the President has issued
his Proclamation for the Emancipation
Of the Slaves in the rebel!ious States.
Missouri. Tennessee, Kentucky. Mary
land, Delaware. Western Virginia. few
counties Of Eastern Virginia, and two
Congressional Districts in Louisiana are
not included in the territory made free.
All the rest Of the South comes under
the benign influence of Liberty.
Ii is thought by some that this will
amount to nothing but the history of
the world reads another lesson. The
slaves made free by this Proclamation
are legally released from bondage. The
preeedents in proof of this position are
numerous. John Quincy Adams told
the shareholders this would be the fate
OF tl,eir institution, should they dare
TO rebel. fifteen or twenty years age
We can call 10 mind no instance in
which proclamation of this kind has
failed to accomplish the end for which
it was put forth. Indeed, there is no
surer way Of destroying Slavery. The
Courts Of sll Christendom have sustain
ed the legal status of men made free BY
such means, and secured to them the
rights Of freemen.
Once this accused blot and blight is
removed from our country. and there is
nothing to prevent the United States OF
America from springing ia.o new life,
with an impetus 10 all developments,
and growth in prosperity and great
ness even. surprising any thing in by
gone years.
Slavery has always been the dead
we.ghf in this nation. But for il tie
South to-day would have been the gar
den Of the world. Instead Of New En-. :
land having almost the monopoly Of
manufactures, the South would have
been studded over with mills. factories
forges. machine shops, and all the ap-
Piiances which belong to the develop
ment Of We lth By labor As it is she
Is. 10 very great degree, destitute o
;hese.
And the reason is very plain. l, lie'
on the surface. In country wher,
Slavery exists labor is looked upon Al
degrading. The upper classes think i
disgraceful to work; and the consc
quences is. sha, men of genius. VIII
are capable Of developing the resou' ce
OF a country. or Of unveiIing its hidlel
wealth.will not 60 where they are look
ed u, on as menials' and treated wit
contempt. They s,can rise t. position
OF social eminence in a free land, an,
there they will go and abide.
Hence the thrift of New: Engla nd
and, indeed, Of all the free States.
Take Slavery ..out o. the way. IN
the. South possesses more attraction
hlan any pant of the world for lie ret
uement Of just that class OF men Twin
will make q country. Bat if SLAYER,
remains, the South will be but psl tall
and very impe,fectly developed, even
thousanl' years in lie future. Th
truth is, the longer Slavery exists III
worse it will be f.r the country whe
is desolatiDg presence exhales ruin an
decay. The more aris,ocra;ic viii b
come tie wealthy. 'Le more desrise
the poor and tie laborer.
Thus. in merely material point {
view. The Emancipation Of Tie slave
will be life, development, wealth an
ultimate granduer to the South. Tios
who live 10 see 1909 will be as!oni.ie
at the change. L. will be more ;ha
the fulfil,ment Of the dreams Of the Wis
ionaries Of pas, ages.