The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1863-01-09
The PROCLAMATION Of Freedom.

Tho frst Of January. 1868, will be ever
momotablo in the worlds history, as tho
day on which tho Proclamation was issued
that secures perpetual freedom to three
millions of mon ir the United States of
America. No moro important was tho day
on which our forefathers declared their in
dependence of British ruo and pledged to
each othcr and tho world thcir elves, their
fortunes aud their sacrod honor" to main
tain 1t. Indeed, Il may well be doubted
whether the act OF tho fourth Of July, I7J6,
the glory os which will endure to tho eud
Of time. had such sublime moral significance
ne this act Of tho fret of January. 1863 By
the formor, our forefathors merely declared
thoir ewu political freedom, but, by tho
latter, We, ..he people of to-day. speaking
through our Chief Executive. have declared
freedom from personal bondage the most
abjoct and unjust, to three millions of our
fellow mon. Tho act inaugsra.es new
and better era in tho history of our country
and tho world.
We rejoice that our eyes are permitted
TO behold this day, for, though its sky be
.darkoned by q fearful cloud of war, II Is the
harbinger of brighter days to come. We re-
joice, also, as friend of tho slave, in the
consciousness of having contributed, in an
humble way, to this great consummation.
which has only been reached after the toll
and sacrifice of years. And sad as 10 the
present state OF tho Nation--bitter rs are
tho regrets at the wrong and folly of the
past--hoart-rending as are tho thoughts of
the noble and brave who now sleep in patriot
graves, an apparently needloss sacrifice, bo.
cause their country has been slow to "deal
justly aud love morcy'i--we cannot but ex-
claim, in view of the great good It be,okcns,
"Hail Columbia, happy iandT
Fully convinced, from tho fret, of the
Justice and necessity of this Proclamation,
We could wish it had boon issued much
earlier. There are "goldon moments" in
tho history Of nations, as well as OF indiyid-
uals--momonts which seom to invite to &C.
tiOn with peculiar promise Of success, but
which, II unnoticed or disregarded, neyor
return. Such moment was that in which
the noble aud ar.seeing Fremont issued biz
Proclamation freeing the slaves of robes II
Missouri. That was truly a most auspiciouI
moment for the inauguration of tho noces
sary policy of emancipation, and We bc
levo that, had il boon improved, many
preoious lives would have been saved tina
have been sacrificed totbe policy of post
ponement and inaction, and we sboult
now bo much nearer, if wo had not alread,
seen, the end of tho contest. How tho groa
heart of tho Nation beat responsiyoto thai
Proclamation But tho President. as eau
tious and conservative as no is homes. ant
patriotic, was not then prepared to sustuil
the policy il was calculated to inaugurate
1t needed year more OF experience will
rebels in arms to raiso him to tho STANDARD
of Fremont. But, thank God, the word has
at last, been spoken, and, onco spoken, car
mover be recalled. We wish It could b
made to apply to all the slaves in every State
aud that its vindcation wero based, not only
upon military necessity, but upon the broader
ground of eternal justice and right. SO lonl
withheld by our laws from a defenseles
race; yot. when We consider its benoticon
effect, VIC have no complaint to utter, anc
would ascribo imperisbable honor to th
name Of Abraham Lincoln.