Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1871-08-09
Republican Party Record.

Republican Party Record.
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 regard to
race or color, will be matter of useful in
formation to our readers at this time, and
aid them III coming to just and correct de-
clsion as to the party they can 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 re-
bellion.
January %, 1862, law was passed pro-
hibiting the use of the jails of the District
of Columbia for the Imprisonment of fugi-
tive slaves.
The great measure emancipating the three
thousand slaves of the District passed both
Houses of Congress and was signed by the
President in April, 1862.
On the 18th of March, 1862, bill became
a law forbiddng and Furnishing the return
of fugitive slaves coming into our lines, by
naval and military Cficers.
March 6, of the same year, the President
had recommended the passage of a joint
resolution proposing cooperation between
for the general abolition OF slavery, on the
principle of compensation to the owners.
During the month bill covering this sug-
gestion passed both houses, and was signed
by tke President April TO-
The bill abolishing the long existing, odi-
Gus distinctions in the District against the
colored people, such as taxing them for the
education Of white children and denying
them all 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 Territories
of the United States
June, 1862, law was enacted establish
ing diplomatic relations with the republics
of Liberia and liayli.
In July of the same year, law passed
comforting upon colored persons the right to
testify in courts of justice also, r hibiting
the inter State coastwise slave trade.
In July, 1862, bill became law eman-
cipating slaves coming within our lines
whose masters were in rebellion and all
slaves found in places captured by our
troops
July Z, 1862, 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 prac-
tie, Cf plain constitutional provision.
Under the provisions of this act one Gordon
captured, while engaged in the slave trade,
was tried, convicted, and executed.
July IL, 1862, a law was enacted authori-
zing the enlistment and military organiza-
tion OF colored men.
September 22, 1862, President Lincoln
issued proclamation declaring that on the
lst of January ensuing he should issue an
other proclaiming all persons free in such
States as might be named. And on that
day the immortal declaration declaring all
slaves forever free in Arkansas, Texas,
LOuisina, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida,
North and South Carolina, and Virginia
was issued.
March, 1868, law was enacted incorpo-
rating an institution for the education Of
colored youths, TO be located in this District,
from which has grown up the Howard Unl>
versity.
A law was enacted in February, 1864, en-
rolling all colored men, whether slaves or
not, into the national forces, allowing loyal
masters bounty of $500 for heir slaves
afterwards reduced to 500 bounty. But
this was wholly repealed in 1867.
On the llth of June, 1864, bill became
a law placing colored soldiers on a footing
of equality IN all respects with white sol
diers
Jur IS, 1864, bill was signed repeating
the il famous ID, m ocratic fugitive slave law.
In 1864 law was passed allowing colored
men to contract for carrying the mails.
The. year before the act was passed pro-
hibitlng 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.
January q, 1865, the famous thirteenth
amendment to the Constitution, which had
previously been approved by the Senate,
passed the House of Representatives, for
ever abolishing slavery in the United States.
During this year acts were passed repeal
Ing the various measures enacted by the
Southern States under Johnson rule, de-
signed to Ieestablish slavery in another
form, authorizing the disgraceful ,appren-
ticeship system, the law in regard to va
grancy, and authorizing the whipping OF
negroes
The same year law was passed abolish |
ing the system of peonage slavery IN New
Mexico
In December, 1865, 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 reconstructed |
States, and all measures in regard to recon |
struction.
February 2S, 1866, an act was passed de-
claring that none of the rebel States were |
entitled to representation in Congress until |
Congress shall have declared such right.
In April, 1866, the civil rights bill, which