Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-07-31

fugitive slaves, coming into our lines, by naval
and military officers.
March 6, of the same year, the President
had recommended the passage of joint res
olution proposing cooperation between the
General Government and the slave States for
the general abolition of slavery, on the prin-
ciple of compensation to the owners. During
the month bill covering this suggestion
passed both Houses, and was signed by the
President April 10.
The bill abolishing the ong-existing, odous
distinctions in this District against the colored
people, such as taxing them for the education
of white children and denying them all bene-
fit from the tax, became law in May, 1862.
June 10Th, 1862. the President signed bill,
which had passed both Houses, prohibiting
slavery in all the Territories of the United
| States.
| June, 1862, law was enacted establishing
diplomatic relations with the republics OF
Liberia and Hayt.
| 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 coastwise slave trade.
In July 1862, bill became law emanci-
pating 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 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 plain
constitutional provision. Under the provis-
ions of this act one Gordon, captured while
engaged in the slave trade, was tried, con-
vcted, and executed
July II, 1862, law was enacted author
izing the enlistment and military organization
of colored men.
September %, 1862, President Lincoln is
sued a proclamation declaring that on the LIST
of January ensuing he should issue another
proclaiming all persons free in such States as
might be named. And on that day the i'm
mortal declaration declaring all slaves forever
free in Arkansas, Texas, Louisiana, Missis-
sippi, Alabama, Florida, North and South
Carolina, and Virginia was issued.
March, 1864, a law was enacted Incorporate
ing 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, en-
rolling all colored men, whether slaves or not,
into the national forces, allowing loyal mas
tiers a bounty of $500 for their slaves-after-
wards reduced to 500 bounty. But this was
wholly repealed in 1867.
On the 18th of June, 1864, a bill became
law placing colored soldiers on footing of
equality in all respects with white soldiers.
June %, 1864, bill was signed repeating
the infamous democratic fugitive slave law.
In 1864 law was passed allowing colored
men to contract for carrying the mails.
The year before the actwas passed prohibit
ing all distinctions on account of race or color
in the public conveyances of this District.
The law creating the Freedman's Bureau
was passed early in the year 1865.
Al e. Al
amendment to the Constitution, which had
previously been approved by the Senate, pass
ed the House of Representatives, forever
abolishing slavery in the United States.
During this year acts were passed repeating
the various measures enacted by the Southern
States under Johnson's rule designed to re-
establish slavery in another form, authorizing
the disgraceful apprenticeship system, the law
in regard to vagrancy, and authorizing the
whipping of negroes.
The same year a law was passed abolishing
the system of peonage slavery in New Mexico.
In December, 1865, resolution passed both
Houses of Congress appointing the joint Com
mittee on Reconstruction, to whom was refer
| red the credentials of all persons claiming
seats from Johnson's reconstructed States,
| and all measures in regard to reconstruction.
| February rs, 1866, am act was passed de-
claring that none of the rebel States were en-
titled 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 receiv
. ing the necessary two-thirds majority.
: June ID, 1866, the fourteenth amendmen
, was passed, making all persons born or natu
rallied in the United States citizens, prohibit
ing the States from passing any law whc
D shall abridge the immunites or privileges O
such citizens, defining who shall be Senator
or Representatives, protecting the civil right
of all citizens, declaring that the validity o
the public debt shall never be questioned, an,
prohibiting the United States and the severa
= States from ever assuming or paying the rebe
debt, and rendering it illegal and void
! Ia December, 1866, Congress passed owe
, Johnson's veto an act establishing universe
suffrage in this District.
r In January, 1867, a bill was passed declar
ing that within no Territory of the Unite
} States should suffrage be denied on account o
race, color, or former condition.
In February, 1867, the fifteenth amend
ment, securing to colored men the right o
suffrage, and forever prohibiting its with
drawal passed both branches of Congress.
In March, 1869, law was passed striking
the word White from all the ordinances of thi
District, destroying all discrimination agains
colored men in such laws or ordinances.
IN NAY, loio, tne Dill kHoWn as tHe en-
forcement act became law, its object beins
to protect colored men in all the rights t.
which other citizens are entitled.
In April, 1871, Congress passed what il
known as the Ku-Klux act, giving the Pres
dent power to protect the loyal people o.
the South against organized bands of assas
sins, and rendering the people of a county or
city, under certain conditions, responsible for
the damages done therein by these outlaws.
Such, briefly, are the leading measures
adopted by Republican Congress, and sane
toned and sustained by the Republican party,
for securing TO the colored people of the ma
ton the boon of liberty and the right of equal
American citizenship.
i, AS companion piece" to this long list of
acts in the interest injustice and humanity,
we ought, perhaps, to publish the record of
r the Democratic party in behalf of slavery,
wrong, and outrage.
But it can hardly be necessary. at least nm