The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1871-08-17
RECORD OF THE REPUBLICAN
PARTY IN BEHALF OF LIB
ERTY AND EQUAL
RIGHTS.

From Fred. Douglass's New National Era, July 20.l
A brief recapitulation of the various
measures enacted by the Republican party,
during its ten years of poWer,in behalf of
the cause of liberty and equal political
and civil rights TO all men, without re-
gard to race or color will DE matter of
useful information to our readers at this
time, and aidsthem in coming to the just
and correct decision as to the party they
can the most safely trust hereafter.
The first blow at the "Divine" institution
of slavery was bill, which became law
in August 1861, confscating all property
and setting free all slaves used in aid of
the rebellion.
January 25, 1862,a law was passed pro
hibiting the use of the jails of this district
for the Imprisonment of fugitive slaves.
The great measure emancipating the
three thousand slaves of this district
passed both Houses Of Congress and
was signed by the President in April
1862.
On the 18th Of March, 1862 bill be-
came 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 ofa joint
resolution proposing a co operation be
tween the General Government and the
slave states for the general abolition of
slavery, on the principal Of compensation
to the owners. During the month the
bill covering this suggestion passed both
Houses, and was signed by the President
April 10.
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 benefit from the tax, be-
came law in May, 1862.
June 10th, 1862, the President signed
bill, which had passed both houses,pro-
Eibiting slavery forever III all the terrific
ries of the United States
June, 1862, a law was enacted establish.
ing diplomatic relations with the republics
of Liberia and Hayti.
In July, Of the same year, a law was
passed comforting upon colored persons
the right to testify in courts of Justice ;
also, prohibiting the Interstate coastw:se
slave trade.
In July, l862,a bill became law eman-
cipating slaves coming within the lines
whose masters were in rebellion and all
slaves found in places captured by our
troops.
July 1882, President Lincoln approved
a 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
the slave trade, was tried, convicted, and
executed.
July 17,1862,a law was enacted author
izing the enlistment and military organiza-
ton of colored men.
September %, 1862, President Lincoln
issued proclamation declaring that on
the 1st of January ensuing he should issue
another, proclaiming all persons free in
such states as might be named. And on
that day the immortal declaration decZar-
ing all slGoes torecer free in Arkansas,
Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Ala bama.
Florida, North and South Carolina, and
Virginia was issued.
March, 1868, law was enacted incol.
porating an institution for the education
of colored youths, 10 be located in this
District, from which was grown up the
Howard University.
A law was enacted in February, 1864,
enrolling all colored men, whether slaves