Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1865-02-25
THE AMENDMENT.

The passage by Congress Of the amend
ment to the Constitution, prohibiting sla
very in the United States, except for
crime, is triumph of all that is noble
in our Governmeht over all that is dis
loyal and base. 1t marks new era in
the life of the Nation, or more correctly
speaking, return to the principles upon
which the Government was based. This
act Is not so much an amendment to the
Constitution, as it is an authoritative ex-
position OF its true meaning and intent.
Every man who has ever read the de-
bates of the Convention which adopted
the Constitution Of the United States,
knows that il was the universal belief and
the almost universal desire that Slavery
"a noxious plant grated upon colonial
soil by European greed-would soon die
out under the benign influence of its
freedom-breathing spirit. For this reason,
soms little concessions were made to it,
but all mention of the word was carefully
excluded, and the Constitution wisely
and purposely so framed and worded that
slavery might pass away and there should
be nothing in our organic law to tell that
it ever existed-it should leave no trace
or stain to mar the beauty or impugn the
Justice of our National law.
But slavery proved pecuniarily profit
able in some of the states. Contrary to
public expectation, it grew in strength
and it's advocates became arrogant as it
grew strong.
1t is not necessary to trace its progress
how it gradually assumed the control
and dictated the policy of the Govern
ment, until IT became monster of eollos-
ISL propOrtions-a blot upon our fame
disgrace to our civilization-a reproath
TO our christIanity-a libel upon onr pro-
fessions-a disturber of our peace-a
traitor 10 our UoEern!I-ent.
But il was strong. Twelve years ago
you could Count on your fingers the men
in public life who dared openly and bold
ly resist It's encroachmenls. Good men
prayed for its overthrow, and The mass
of the North saw its evil, but it was SO
hedged about with enactmeIts, so en-
trenched behind statutes, that no way for
Its extinction seemed open. Honorable,
lnw-abiding men could see no hope, ex
cept as the long train of years might
bring nobler principles into practice, and
slowly obliterate the evil.
To-day what change from four years
ago! The National Capitol 10 longer
holds a slave. Maryland and Missouri
have joined the fair sisterhood of Free
States. Kentucky longs to be delivered
from the curse which has eEslsved her.
The great apostle of Free Soil sits Chief
Justice in our highest court, and an
American Congress has solemnly resolv-
ed that slavery shall die.
It'll proud thing to live in such a
day. when the principles of our Govern
ment are potent realities instead of "glit-
tering generalities."
Henceforth no American need blush
for the shame of slavery. 1t may linger
for while; the amendatory act may not
be ratified al once, and pass into organic
law, but slavery is Outlawed, dethroned,
doomed. The Government has purged
itself of its opprObium and shame, and
reiterated anew the sublime truths enun-
ciated by the founders of the Republic
1t is fitting that JOY should fill the heart
Of every American citizen for this most
righteous legislation, and he should give
thanks as for great victory won.
WORTH SIEALISG.-It is only a genu-