The Soldiers' journal. (Rendezvous of Distribution, Va.) 1864-1865, 1864-03-16
Slavery in Virginia.

On Thursday last considerable curiosity was
awakened and some little commotion created in
camp by rapid and heavy artillery discharges in
the direction of Alexandria. Being ignorant of
the cause of this unusual proceeding, many be-
gan to think that Mosby had come within range
of some of the forts, others that it salute
in honor of the arrival of Lieut. Gen. Grant, at
Washington, and another class supposed that it
was a Notification over favorable news from the
army. Since then we have learned that it arose
| from none of the causes designated, but from an
infinitely more important occasion. The loyal
legislature of Virginia, now in session at Alex
andria, adopted, with but single dissenting
voice, on that day, the following articles,
amendment to the State Constitution:
l. Slavery and involuntary servitude, except
for crime, is hereby abolished and prohibited in
this State forever.
q The courts of competent jurisdiction may
apprentice minors of African descent like con-
ditions provided by the law for apprentcing
white children.
8. The General Assembly shall make no law
establishing slavery or recognizing property in'
human beings.
1t was beftting that such an action should be
announced by the booming cannon and the mer-
ry chimes of bells. 1t was the proclamation of
liberty to the oppressed bondmen of Virginia,
and the tidings of freedom, which, on Thursday
last reverberated among the hills of the Old Do
minion, and were echoed back from the shores,
of loyal Maryland, will, in due time, make the
| southern confederacy resound with their inspir-
ing peals, bringing joy and gladness to those who
have for years been oppressed with more gall
ing and servile than Egyptian bondage, and
sounding terror to the hearts of their taskmas-
tiers. Who would have dared, on the 18th day of
March, 1861, one week after the Inauguration of
President Lincoln, to propose that slavery and
involuntary service, except for crime,'' should
be abolished and prohibited in this State for
ever?'' To have done so would have aroused
feeling of chivalrous indignation which could
have been satiated only with the " vile abolition
ists' life. Mark the change which three years
have wrought legislative body, composed of
Virginians, the majority, if not all of whom.
were three years ago the owners of slaves and
advocates of the institution, now solemnly and
upon their oaths, declare that the further per-.
petuation of African Slavery in this, and all
other States of the Union, is incompatible with
| the spirit of our government and institutions,
and that negroes like all other human beings
are, and of right should be, forever free within
it's limits and jurisdiction. We would and con-
fidently anticipate that before the 18th of March,
1865, week after the re-iaa,gurotiom of Presi-
dent Lincoln, the guns of every fertilization
throughout the South would announce that the
loyal legislatures of every Slave State in the
! Union had adopted a similar amendment to their
Constitutions. Then will our government arise.
| reinvigorated and disenthralled, and march for
ward to the accomplishment of the great mission
for which the God of liberty instituted, and after
thoroughly purging, has saved and established
1t. Let the loyal men everywhere rejoice and
| congratulate each other that Virginia is FREE.
A LARGE force of Rebel Cavalry ed nine