The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1871-08-25
What the Republican Party has Done
for Equal Rights.

this country. 1t is record of which
we may all be proud, and all that has
been accomplished has been in the face
of rebel and Democratic opposition.
We abstract from this article as fol-
lows
The first blow at the "Divine" insti-
tuition of slavery was bill, which be-
came law in August, 1861, confscating
all property and setting free all slaves
used in aid of the rebellion.
January %, 1862, law was passed
prohibiting 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, a 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 Pres-
dent had recommended the passage of a
joint resolution proposing co-opera-
ton between the General Government
and the slave States for the general abo-
lition of slavery, on the principle of
compensation to owners. During !he
month a 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 tax
ing them for the education of white
children and denying them all benefit
from the tax, became a law in May,
1862
June 10Th, 1862, the President signed
bill, which had passed both Houses,
prohibiting slavery forever in all the
Territories of the United States.
June, 1862, law was enacted estab-
fishing diplomatic relations with the
Republics of Liberia and Hayti.
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 coast
wise slave trade.
In July, 1862, bill became law
emancipating slaves coming within our
lines whose masters were in rebellion,
and al. slaves found in places captured
by our troops.
July 7, 1862, President Lincoln APP
proved 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 con-
stitutional provision. Under the pro-
visions of this act one Gordon, captured
while engaged in the slave trade, was
tried, convicted and executed.
July II, 1862, law was enacted auss
thorizing the enlistment and military
organization of colored men.
September %, 1862, President Lin
coin issued proclamation declaring
that on the first 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 declaring all slaves forever
free in Arkansas, Texas, Louisiana,
Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, North
and South Carolina, and Virginia was
issued.
March, 1868, law was enacted incor-
porating an institution for the educa-
ton 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 National forces,
allowing loyal masters bounty of $500
for their slaves-afterwards reduced to
500 bounty. But this was wholly re-
pealed in 1867.
On the ! It'll 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 re-
pealing the infamous Democratic fugi-
tive slave law.
In 1864 law was passed allowing
colored men to contract for carrying the
mails.
The year before the act was passed
prohibiting all distinctions on account
of race or color in the public convey
ances in this district.
The law creating the Freedman's
Bureau was passed early in the year
1865.
January ~, 1865, the famous thir-
teenth amendment to the Constitution
which had previously been approved
by the Senate, passed the House of
Representatives, forever abolishing
slavery in the United States.
During the year acts were passed re-
pealing the various measures enacted
by the Southern States under Johnson
rule, designed to reestablish slavery in
another form, authorizing the disgrace
full apprenticeship system, the law in
regard to vagrancy, and authorizing the
whipping of negroes.
The same year a law passed abolish
ing the system of peonage slavery in
New Mexico.
In December, 1863, q resolution
passed both Houses of Congress APP
pointing the Joint committee on recon-
struction, to whom was referred the
credentials of all persons claiming seats
from Johnsons reconstructed States
and all measures in regard to recon
struction.
February %, 1866, an act was passed
declaring that none of the Rebel States
were entitled to representation in Con-
gress until Congress shall have declared