New-York daily tribune., 1865-12-20
THE END OF SLAVERY.

The death OF Slavery comes wen upon lne
great anniversary of the human soul. If, in the
supreme Thanksgiving of the year, Christian
men and women rejoice that Christianity lives
through the blood of its Martyr, let them also
thank God that Slavery is dead through the
blood of many martyrs. The annulment OF our
one great legalzed tyranny throughout oil the
land is an occasion Of profound and solemn
thankfulness; for although the whole country
has anticipated it, it was only in view OF rejoc'
ing over its downfall. Such an occasion seems
one for the race moro than for ourselves; but
We have especial reason to ask our brethren OF
the South to join with us in heartiest thanks
giving that their own chains are broken, and
that their own hands, though subdued, have
approved the act which has set them Free
Whatever differences exist between earnest
patriots as to the fornality Of this act, this
much is certain-Slaycry is constitutionally
dead. Whether or not the South had the right
to help us to this end, it still remains that
Slavery is dead. Ii we might have accepted
less than deuge to sweep it away. it Is well
for all that it is swept away. Twenty-seven
States have ratified the Constitutional Amend
ment. The unanimity which will follow the
first moral confirmation Of the Law will pile
Ossa upon Pelion. We a:e certain, then, that
Slavery in the land is dead in the law and letter
beyond hope of resurrection, and that il has been
bu-ed by the official sections Of twenty-seycu
States. No more, then, for fres men the shadoF
Of legal ineubus and a mCtal nightmare TO
oyerawc their manhood, but free room aud fair
play throughout ell the undivided thirty-six
States of the Union, till even the ghost OF
Slavery is set at rost underground oris disspated
from FREQ air.
Thus far, at least, We have gone surely.
The South is so far freed from the fettsrs riy-
eted upon her industry and her commerce, cor
roding her religion, and eating out her man.
hood like a cankor; and now, If she boasts
that her own people j, IN naturc the best
If the two, if the future holds most pros
nerity in store for those whose p-idc
has been ehastenei bat. let Is hope,
whose malhood lns been strengthened,
God grant Is and speed it-but not with the
roor makoshif,s and di,ggises Of q Sla7sry
which has di ID violeu.ly oi IL own venom, and
whose garment is pollution. Tie continuation
Of the Amen Iricnt sho-ld noT prove n salye for
the fetiul cy IS of the South. Those eyes may
tun from State pride - look kindly Upon low
lisr conditions; and e the South nov looks
back to the Sodom she has lof, So. MS fate
may not be altogether lGrs. but a. LAST, .Ie
doom OF those wio tanned thar oysa|
backward Gu sin. The past j. wall
to her and Coigo,ha; the future
is ilimitable and full Of lie, unless shs,strigcs
against her own soul e. lead life Of Ofpsess,on
in the suicide of virtue. Vow. more brethren
than we were when bound T. Stacking enact
r1ents-moSe. Of fellow -oiiizeus and Americans
than when We were I'D corded together and
orr polls were at the negfo's auction-block-
North and South have odual reason torejoiee
tnat Slavery Is no more iore5er. If il has gone
ID the grave with gallant men. the decree with
which we doom il is .he best shroud with which
yye can cover them. Let rs grant, and not b.
uugateful. that the South has helped ~, foebly
r. it only oan, TO w.n a victory for tho human
ace. Let Us trust that il will 10 more.