Delaware State journal and statesman., 1865-02-07
TaE OFFICIAL PROCLAMATION OF
FREEDOM,

The following is the official resolution
in reference to the abolishmeut of slavery
throughout the United States, by consti.
tutional amendment, as passed by Con
gress, and now made public by the au-
thority Of the State Department
[PUBIIo REsoLUr1oN-No. 10.
A RESOLUTION submitting to the Iegisla-
lures of the several States PROPOSE
tion to amend the Constitution of the
United States.
Resolved by the Senate and House of
Representatives Of the United States Of
America in Congress assembled, 1.-TWO
thirds Of both houses concurring,) That
the following article be proposed to the
legislatures of the several States as an
amendment 10 the Constitution Of the
United States, which, when ratified by
three-fourths Of said legislatures, shall
be velid, to all intents and purposes, as
part Of the said Constitution, namely
ARTICLE XIII.
SECTION i Neither slavery nor invol.
untary seryitude, except as punishment
for crime whereof the party shall have
been duly convicted, shall exist in the
Unlted States, or any place subject TO
their jurisdiction.
SECTION 2. Congress shall have power
10 enforce this article by appropriate
legislation
Approved, February |, 1865,
We commend this amendment to the
favorable action Of our Legislature. We
know that the controlling majority of that
body is politically hostile to the national
administration but we are not willing to
believe that that majority--acting in the
capacity ofsworn Legislators--is opposed
to the national unity, progress aud pros,
perity Of our country, True, many of
the measures which characterize tile
policy Of the government as administered
by Mr. LINCOLN, may be, and doubtless
are, distastelul to the Democratic party,
and would not be adopted or sanctioned
by that party if it were iu power; but it
must be acknowledged by reasonable
menof all parties and sections that this
principle OF universal Freedom is not OF
that class, hut on the contrary, is pre,
emjnenay 3cmoerodc, and therefore should
receive the hearty sanction and support OF
every lover of true Democratic Republi.
can principles, no matter whether he be
identified with the party that elected Mr..
LINCOLN, Or stood shoulder to shoulder
with the adherents and friends of Gen.
Mcclellan
But the adoption Of this amendment
should rise above all party strife Indeed,
it has no partisan character attached to
it, as its passage through Congress by the
votes Of Democrats and Republicans alike
fully shows. 1t is PEACE movement,
and II ratified by the States will open a
new era of prosperity and glory for our
whole country such as no nation in the
world ever enjoyed or had presen ted to
it before, II will consolidate all interests
and all sections in the one grand idea of
fraternal unity; and open new path to
future greatness and renown by removing
at once and forever the last and most dis
turbing clement of internal strife from
among our people, and thus cement and
unite them in the labors of common
interest and for a common oblect-the
happiness glory, peace and progress Of
common country
1t will, moreover, even if viewed in a
party aspect, prove blessing, inasmuch as
it will take FROM the forum and the stump
all sectional animositics, and enable our