The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1865-02-10
The Great Amendment.

probibit'ug Slavery within the Jurisdiction
OF the United Statos, marks an important
era in the history of our country, is but
feebly to express the significance OF 30 great
m event. 1t is tho glorious consumm alton
of the hopes OF oppressed humanity the
world over, who have iopged to sec this
''iand OF the Free" their refuge and
asylum, mado such in reality as well as in
name. 1t will rejoice tho hearts of tbe
friends OF free government In every cline
and nation. It's benefcent results will be
as universal as Man, and as lasting as time.
We can hardly realize that the passage of
this Amendment is an actual verify, and not
a de'usive dream--that the curse Of Slavery
is, Indeed, 30 near its complete and final OK.
tinciion. Had any man predicted as much
ton or even fvo years ago. he would have
been regarded as little better than luua,ic.
Then, all that the most ultra political Anti
Slavery mon hoped to achieve or presume cd to
ask was the freedom of the Territories tho
abolishmont of Slavery in tho States where
it already existed being deemed an event
too far.distant or impracticabIe to DO made
a subject of political action. Even tho few
earnest Abolitionsts, who accepted the
name and the odium thereof for the cake
of their principles, while aboring and pray
ing for the redemption of tho country from
Slavery, dared not to nope that it would be-
effected in their day. Bot now, through
tho folly and wickedness of its supporters,
they arc permitted to SEQ the end, which
might otherwise have been deferred for
generations. Tho great events which have
preceded and prepared the way for this
greatest event of all, in tho progress CT
Fro cedom, have followed each other 10 such
rapid succession, since the war began, that
it has been difficult for the most Jealous and
hopeful to keep pace with them. Moro
have been crowded into the past four years
than are ordinarily comprised in centuries
OF peaco. They are too vas: to DO com pre-.
hended, in all their bearings, by those who
now wtnoss them tho future alone con ro.
voal thoir magnitude aud importance.
The Joint Resolution embodying the
Amendment is as follows:
Be il resolved bv the Senate and House
of Representatives of the United States of
America in Congress Assem- bied, two-tbirds
OF both Houses concurr,ng, that the follow
ing articles be proposed to The Legislatures
OF tho several States as an amendment to
tha Constitution Of the United States; whom
ratified bv three.fourths Of said Legisa-
lures, shall be valid TO all intents and Dur.
poses, as u part of said Constitution, ma me.
ly:
Art. l3-ScctIon !. Neither slavery nor
involuntary servitudo, except as o punish.
mont for crime, whereof tho party shall
havo been duly convicted, shall exist with.
10 tho United States. or any place subject
to their Jurisdiction.
Soc. Congress shall have power to en-.
force this article by appropriate legislation
We gavo the voto on the Amendment in
the House. last week. OF tho lI9 ayes.
tho following II woro Democrats: Bailey
Coffroth aud McAllstor, Of Pennsylvania
Baldwin, of Michigan ; Eogish, of Connect
cut; Ganson. .Qriswold Herrick Nelson OdeIl
Radford and Stoels. New York Hutchlns
of Ohio; King and Rollins. of Missouri
Wheeler. of Wisconsin; Yeaman. of Kon.
tucky. Tho Sc nays. and tho 8 absent or
not voting, were all Democrats.
The scene in tho House on tho day ap.
pointed for the Gna! voto was deeply intor-
oStiug and exciting. Says tho correspond.
ont of the Times:
1T was an epoch 10 the history of tho
country, and will be remembered by the
momhers Of tho House and spectators pres.
rnt as an event in their lives. At 3 o'clock,
amid profound silence, the Speaker an.
nounced that the yeas and nays would be
taken upon the pending proposition. Dur.
ing the call, when prominent Democrats
voted ave. there was suppressed evidence
of spplsuse and qualification exhibited ia
tho galleries, but it was evident that the
great interest ceDlerod upon tho fUaI re,
sslt, and when tho presiding officer an
n0upcad that the resolution was agreed II
by yeas no, nays 80. tho enthusiasm Of all
present. save a few disappointed politicians
kuew 20 bOunds, aad tor several moments
the scene was grand and impressive beyond
description. No attempt was made to sup
press the applause. which came from al
sides. every ono feeling that tho occasion
justified tho fullest expression of approba
tiop and JOY"
Tho correspondent of tho Tribune says:
"The tumult of joy that broke out wal
vast. laundering and uncomfortable. Rep
resentatives and auditors on tho floor. sol
diers and spectators in the gallery, Sena
tors and Supreme Judges. women and pages
gsvo way to the excitement Of the mos,
august and important event in American
Legislation and American History since the
Declaration OF Independence.