Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1871-08-04
From Fred Douglass New National Era-July 2O.I
RBCORD or THE RBPUBLIC.f.v
P.fRTI' F.N' BRH.fLF OF LIBBR-
TT .T.VD BQU.TL RIGHTS.

it, ten years of power, in behalf of the cause
Of liberty and equal political and civil
rights TO all men, without regard TO race or
colop,wAl be a matter Of useful informa-
ton to our readers at this time, and aid
them in coming TO just and correct deeis-
ion as to the party they can the most safely
trust hereafter
The first blow at the "diyino" institution
Of slavery was bill, which became a law
in August, 1861, conhscating all property
and setting free all slaves used in aid of the
rebellion.
January %, 1862, n law was passed pro-
hlbiting tie use of the jails of this District
for the Imprisonment of fugitive slaves.
The great measure emancipating the 1000
slaves of this District passed both Houses
Of Cong, cSs, and was signed by the Presi-
~ in.April, 1902.
ON the 18th of March, 1862, a bill became
a law forbidding and furnishing the return
Of fugitive slaves coming into our lines, by
naval and military officers.
March 6, of the same year, the President
had recommended the passage of II joint
resolution proposing a corporation between
the general government and the slave states
for the general abolition of slavery, on the
principal of compensation to the owners.
During the month u bill covering this sug
gcston passed both Houses, and was sign
ed by the President April 10.
The bill abolishiug the long-c existing,
odious distinctions in this District against
the colored people, such as taxing them for
the education of white children, and deny
ing them all benefit from the tax, became II
law in May, 1862.
June 49, 1862, the President signed "a bill
which had passed both Houses, prohibiting
slavery forever in all the territories of the
United States.
June, 1862, law was enacted establish
ing diplomatic relations with the republics
of Liberia and IGayti.
In July Of the same year law was pass
ed comforting upon colored persons the
right to testify in courts of justice; also,
prohibiting the Interstate coastwise slave
trade.
In July, 1862, u bill became law emau-
cipating slaves coming within our lines
whose masters were in rebellion and all
slaves found in places captured by our
troops.
July 7, 1862, President Lincoln approved
bill punishing the infamous practice Of
using the American flag for the protection
of vessels engaged in the slave trade, in
open defiance, as had grown to be the prac-
tice, of plain constitutional provision.
Under the provisions of this act one Cor
don, captured while engaged in the slave
trade, was tried, convicted and executed.
July Il, 1862, law was enacted authorz-
ing the enlistment and military organiza-
ton of colored men.
September 22, 1869, President Lincoln is
. sued proclamation declaring that on the
lst nf January ensuing, he should issue an
other procaiming all persons free in such
States rs might be named. And ON that
day the immortal declaration declaring all
slaves forever free in Arkansas, Texas,
Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida,
North and South Carolina and Virginia was
issued.
March, 1868, a law was enacted incorpor-
ating an institution for the education of
colored youths, to he located in this Dis
trct, from which has grown up the Howard
University.
4 law was enacted in February, 1864, en-
rolling all colorcd men, whether slaves or
not. into the national forces, allowing loyal
masters "a bounty of $500 for their slaves
afterwards reduced to 500 bounty. But
this was wholly repealed in 1867.
On the llth OF June, 1864, bill became q
law placing colored soldiers on a footing OF
equality in all res ects with white sol
| diers.
June Is, 1854, Il bill was signed repeating
| the Infamous democratic fugitive slave
law.
In 1861 law was passed allowing cOlored
men to contract for carrying the mails.
| The wear before the act was passed pro-
hbitng all distinctions on account Of race
or color in the public conveyances in this
District.
The law creating the freedmen's bureau
was passed early in the year 1865.
January q, 1865, the famous 18th amend
ment to the constitution, which had previ
ously been approved by the Senate, passed
the House of Representatives, forever abol
ishing slavery in the United States.
During this year acts were passed repeal
Ing the various measures enacted by thu
southern States under Johnson's rule, de
signed to rc-establish slavery in another
form, authorizing the disgraceful appren
ticeship system, the law in regard to va
grancy, and auth, rizing the whipping o
negroes.
The same year a law was passed abolish
ing the system Of peonage slavery in New
| Mexico.
Iu December, 1866, II resolution passe,
boilf HOUSES of Congress appointing tn
Joint committee ON reconstruction, to whom
was referred the credentials of all person
claiming seats from Johnson's reconstruct
cd States, and all measures in regard to re
construction.
February -, 1865, an act was passed de
claring that meme of the rebel States wer
entitled to representation in Congress unit
Congress shall have declared such right.
In April, 1866, the civil rights bill, whic
Johnson had vetoed, became a law by re
ceiying the necessary two-thirds majority.
June I3, 1866, the fourteenth amendmen
WAS passed, making all persons born O
nauralized in the United States citizens
prohibiting the States from passing any laN
which shall abridge the annuities or priv
legos of such citizens, defining who shall b
Senators or Representatives, protecting til
civil rights of all citizens, declaring that tn
validity of the public debt shall never b
questioned, aud prohibiting the Unite
states and the several States from ever a'
suming or paying the rebel debt, and rer
deriug it illegal and void.
In December, 1866, Congress passed owe
Johnsons veto an act establishing uniyel
sal suffrage in this District.
In January, 1867, bill Was passed dc
claring that within no territory Of the Tn
ted States should suffrage be denied on AZ
count of race, color, or former condition.
In February, 1867, the 10Th amendmen
saeurinU Ia polored men the right of SUI