Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1871-08-04

CdtI4o laN iot OluuLuS anu Po'io'Al'i - WV
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 a joint
resolution proposing a cooperation be-
tween the General Government and the
slave States for the general abolition Of
slavery, on the principle of compensation
to the owners. During the month DILL
covering this suggestion passed both
Houses, and was signed by the President
April 10th. .s
The bill abolishing the long existing,
odious distinctions in this District against
the colored people, such as taxing them
for the education of white children and
denying them all the benefit from the tax,
became law in May, 1862.
June 10th, 1862, the President signed
bill, which had passed both Houses, pro
hibiting slavery forever in all the Ter
ritories of the United States. .....,
June, 1862, a law was enacted establish
| ing diplomatic relations with the Repub-
lies of Liberia and Haytl.
In July, Of the same year, law was
passed comforting upon colored persons the
| right to testify in courts of justice; also
prohibiting the Interstate coastwlsc slave
trade ...
In July, 1862, bill became law
emancipating slaves coming within our
lines whose masters were in rebellion and
all slaves found in places captured by our
troops.
July T, 1862, President Lincoln approved
bill furnishing 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
practice, Of a plain constitutional pro-
vision. Under the provisions of this act
one Gordon, captured while engaged in TIE
slave trade, was tried, convicted and ex'
ecuted.
July II, 1862, a law was enacted author
ling the enlistment and military organ
izaton of color ed men.
September 22d, 1862, President Lincoln
issued proclamation declaring that on
the lst of January ensuing he should is
sue another proclaiming all persons free
in such States as might be named. And
on that day the immortal declaration de-
cIaring all slaUeS .toreOer free in Arkansas,
Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama,
North and South Carolina, and Virginia
was issued.
March, 1868, law was enacted incor-
porating an institution for the education
of colored youths, to be located in this
District, from which has grown up the
Howard University. ...-
A law was enacted in February, 1864,
enrolling all colored men, whether slaves
| or not, into the the national forces, allow
ing loyal masters bounty of $500 for
their slaves-afterward reduced to 500
bounty. But this was wholly repealed in
1867.
On the 18th of June, 1864, a bill be-
came law placing colored soldiers on a
footing of equality in all respects with
white soldiers.
June %, 1864, bill was signed repeal
ing the infamous Democratic fugitive-slave
law. ... .. ...,.
In1864 law was passed allowing colored
men to contract for carrying the mails.
The year before the act was passed pro
hibitng all distinctions on account OF race
or color in the public conveyances Of this
| District.
The law creating the Freedman's Blu
reau was passed early in the year 1865.
January 81, 1865, the famous thirteenth
amendment to the Constitution, which
h. d previously been approved by the Sen
ate, passed the House Of Representatives,
forever abolshing slavery in the United
States. ~.. .. ......
During this year acts were passed re-
peaing the various measures enacted by
the Southern States under Johnson rule,
designed to re-establish slavery 10 another
form, authorizing the disgraceful appren-
| ticeship system, the law in regard to va
grants, and the whipping of negroes.
| The same year law was passed ahol
ishing the system of peonage slavery in
| New Mexico.
In December, 1865, o resolution passed
both Houses Of Congress appointing the
Joint Committee on Reconstruction, to
whom was referred the credentials of all
persons claiming seats from Johnson's re-
| constructed States, and all measures in
gard to reconstruction.
February %, 1865, and act was passed
declaring that none of the rebel States
were entitled to representation in Con-
gress until Congress shall have declared
such right. ......
In April, 1866, the civil rifihts bill,
which johnson had vetoed, became law
by receiving the necessary two thirds ma
jorlty.
June IS, 1866, the fourte nth amend
ment was passed, making all persons born
or naturaliZed in the United States cit
liens, prohibiting the States from passing
any law which shall abridge the annuities
or privileges of such citizens, defining
who shall b e Senators or Representatives,
protecting the civil rights of all citizens,
declaring that the validity of the public
debt shall never be questioned, and pro-
hihiting the United States and the several
States from ever assuming or paying the
rebel debt, and rendering it Illegal and
void
In December, 1866, Congress passed
over Johnsons veto an act establishing
universal suffrage in this District.
In January 1867, bill was passed de-
clariag that within no territory Of the
United States should suffrage be denied
on account Of race, color or former con-
dition
In February, 1867, the fifteenth amend
ment, securing to colored men the right of
suffrage, and forever prohibiting its with
Grawal, passed both branches of Congress.
In March, 1868, a law was passed strik
ipg the word acAite from all the ordinances
of this District, destroying all discrin in
alton against colored men in such laws
or ordinances.
In May 1870, the bill known as the
enforcement act became a law, ITS object
being to protect colored men in all the
rights 20 which other citizens are entitled.