The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1864-02-24
THE PROCLAMATION.

Rev. a. T. oOOd~lul writes IN the CHRISTIAN
AasoeGss and Journal,
Il is just year since the proclamation took
elect Shall say up 10 the very cav il was 8
question open 10 debate around our camp-fres
as 20 rs utilty2 l but record the truth when
say that there were among US many a true sol.
dier, rot m the least in love with the Institution
who doubted It's policy az a war measure o. as
matter OF justice. How could it affect negroes
beyond our hses? And had We not practically
liberated all within? A sefio comic occurrence
90 our mess on New Years dsy gave an inkline
to the future OF this policy. Some Of our officers
more popular with Secesh ladies' than the rest OF
Us, had arranged 10 take New Years dinner
Win one OF the widows Of Hollow Springs. whose
husband and sons were in the rebel army. tney
furnishing the material and the lady IN fixing
up lt is not saying that they were more iovsi
tnan the most OF folks, TO saw that thev hsd rsl
lled tie invited OF Us 10 little on their better
luck, and already extra boot blacking and extra
brushing OF coats had begun. when a little negro
called with the following note
January ], ls6S.-Captains --aud-
VIII please excuse me from my engagement TO
din Ter to-day, aud cal this evening for sn ex
PLANTATION.
MRS. FAULKNEE
BENG 4
little revenged by the other side We did rally
them until ne saw that it was no joke with
them What could it mean? Has She heard
some bad news from the rebel army Perhans
her friends have been killed; perhaps some less
popular ladies' man has reported US to headonar.
lcfs, and the provost marshal has interiered -
Their suImise all hatched up something terrible.
aud very carly in the afternoon they called for
an explanation, not willing 10 trust themselves out
alter night. The expression of her countenance
gave them no relief from their worst fears when
they were met az the door with less than lie
usual welcome. Few and short were the words
OF salutation, when one OF them said. sympathiz.
ingly, We hope madam that nothing serious
has betallen yon aud yours, that made it necessa-
ry Tor you TO dine alone to-day" Most serious
assure You, sir, most serious When went
into my kitchen this morning, after waiting be.
yond the usual breakfast hour, what do YOU
think saw There sat Milly, nv faithful house
seHsPIn yShe@cl gRag4eR@tb The when l was
married. have treated her kindly; | could
not help loving her, for We were raised together
There she sat over few embers smoking her
pipe, aud her best clothes all tied up in a cotton
handkerchief. Aily," said l. isn't breakfast
most ready 2 With look of defiance that never
knew a servant to put on, she very cooy said,
. don't know, ma'am; l hasn't got it, nor |
isn't gwine to, for Is free now, 'cordin to Masss
Liukum's proclamation, and Is gvine up 10
Tennessee to see my Children Aud 20 size did,
aud ! aud my daughter had to get the first
breakfast we ever got in our lives, and We felt
incapable OF getting dinner. OF course YOU
will excuse u.s."
Bully for Mily," exclaimed the Ethiopian
who did our cooking, as the captains gave us the
lady's apology in his hearing. while tie more se-
rious OF us took down our last years notions Of
the proclamation and began to revise md i'm
prove them in the light Of this DAYS experience
And when, on the next day, and the next, We
met the most molly groups of most destiinte ne
groes Of every age and complexion, burdencd
with old duds Of every texture, wei ling their
Vay to freedom from twenty miles below our
lines, again revised them, and 60 have thou
sands, in the army aud out Of it, until what was
problematical year ago receives more cordial
approval now by the millions than any measure
ever secured in one years time