Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1871-08-11

yiousy been approved by the Senate, passed the
House of Representatives, forever abolishing
slavery in the United States
During this yesr sets were passed repeating
the various measures enacted by the Southern
States under EJohnson's rule. designed to re-es-
tsblish slavery in another form, authorizing the
disgrsceful apprenticeship system. the law in
regard to vsgrancy, and authorizing the whip
/ ping Of negroes.
The same year a law was passed sbOlishing the
/ system Of peonsge slavery in New Mexico.
In December, 1865, resolution passed both
Houses Of Congress appointing the joint Com
mittee on Reconstruction, to whom was referred
the credentials Of all persons claiming seats
from Johnson's reconstructed States, and all
measures in regard to reconstruction.
February 2S, 1866 an act was passed declsr-
ing that none Of the rebel States entitled to
representation in Congress until Congress shall
have declared such right
In April, 1866, the civil rights bill, which
johnson had vetoed, became law by receiving
the necessary two-ihirds majority
June l3, 1866, the fourteenth amendment
was passed, making all persons born or natural
lied in the United States, citizens, prohibiting
the States from passing any law which shall
sbridge the snnuities or privileges Of such eiti-
zens, defining who shall be Senators or Repre-
sentaiyes. protecting the civil rights Of all citi-
zens. declaring that the validity Of the public
debt shall never be questioned, and prohibiting
the United States and the several States from
ever assuming or paying the rebel debt. and
rendering it illegal sn1 voil
In December, 1866, Congress passed over
JOhnson's veto an act establishing universal
suffrage in this District.
In January, 1861, 4 bill was passed declaring
that within no territory Of the United Ststes
should suffrage be denied on account Of race.
color, or former condition.
In February, 1867, the fifteenth amendment,
securing to colorei men the right Of suffrage,
and forever prohibiting its withdrawal, passed
both branches Of Congress
In March, 1863, law was passed striking
the word iriite from all the ordinances Of this
District, destroying all discrimination against
colored men in such lsws or ordinances.
In May, 1870, the bill known as the enforce
meat act became law, its object being to pro-
tect colorei men in a.. the rights to which other
citizens are entitled.
Ia April. 1871, Congress passel what is
known as the kuKIux act, giving the President
power to protect the loyal people Of the south
sgainst organized bands Of sstsssins, and rem
dering the people Of county or city, under GER
tain conditions, responsible for the damages
done therein by these outlaws.
Such, briefly, s.e the leading measures alop-
ted by a Republican Congress, and sanctioned
and suitained by the republican party, for Sc
curing to the colored people of the nation the
boon Of liberty snd the right Of equal American
citizenship.
As " companion piece " 10 this long lit Of
acts in the interest OF justice and humanity. We
ought, perhaps, TO publish the record Of Ithe /
democratic party in behalf Of slavery, wrong,
and outrage
But it can hardly be necessary, a least until I.
the wounds inflicted upon the backs Of the four /.
millions Of ex-slAyes have had time to heal II
col0red men bear no malice against their demo
cratic owners, they will not be apt to forget ShO
fasteue aud who broke their chains