The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1871-08-10
from Fred Douglass New National Ere, July 2O-l
Record Ofthe Esepubiicau Party In
Behalf of Liberty and FqaaI
Rights.

A brief recapitulation of the various
measures enacted by the Republican par
ty, during its ten years of power, In be-
half of the cause of liberty and equal po-
liticai aud civil rights to all men, without
regard to race or color, will be matter
of useful information to our readers at
this time, and aid them in coming to
Just and correct decision as to the party
they can the most safely trust hereafter.
The first blow at the Divine" institu
ton of slavery was bill, which became
a law in August 1861, C mis- cat
ing all property and setting free all
slavesassed IN aid of the rebellion.
january %, 1892, law was passed
prohibiting the use of jails Of this Dis
trict for the imprisonment OF fugitive
slaves.
The great measure emancipating the
three thousand slaves of this District
passcd both Houses of Congress and was
signed by the President in April 1862.
On the 18th of March, 1862, a bill be-
came law forbiddlng and pun; shiDg the
return of fugitive slaves, coming into our
lines, by naval and military officers.
March 6, of the same year, the Presl-
dent had recommended the passage OF
,oint resolution proposing co operation
between the General Government and
the slave States for the general abolition
of slavery, on the principle of compensa-
ton to the owners. During the month
bill covering this suggestion passed
both Houses, and was signed by the Pre-
sident April 10.
The bill abolishing the longe xisting,
odious distinctions ID 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 a law in May, 1862.
June 10th, 1862, the President signed
| a bin, which had passed both Houses,
prohibiting slavery forever in all the Ter
ritories of the United States.
June, 1862, law was enacted esta b.
! fishing diplomatic relations with the re-
! publics 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, a bill became a law
emancipating slaves coming within our
/ lines whose masters were IN rebellion and
all slaves found in places captured by our
! troops.
/ July I, 1862, President Lincoln ap-
! q
practice of using the American flag Tor
the protection of vessels engaged In the
slave trade, in open defiance, as had
grown to be the practice, of plain con-
! s,itutional provision. Under the provlS-
ions of this act one Gordon, captured
while engaged in the slave trade, was
tried. convicted and executed.
July II. 1862. law was enacted au'
thoriZing the enlistment and military or
ganization Of colored men:
September 22, 1862, President Lin
coin issued a proclamation declaring tha
on the first of January ensuing he shoult
issue another. proclaiming all persons
free in such States az might be named
And on that day the immortal dec!ara
iion declaring oil slttres .forere,' free Ii
Arkansas, Texas, louisiana Mississippi
Alabama, Florida, North and South Car
olna. and Virginia WAS issued.
March, 1868, u law was enacted incoT
porating an institution for the education
of colored yc his, TO be located in thi
District. fro which has grown up tn
Howard University.
4 law was enacted in February. 1864
enrolling all colored men, whether slave
o. not, into the national forces, ailowin
5 loyal masters bounty of $500 for thel
SlaV eS- alter wards reduced To SIUo pouii
". But this was wholly repealed i
1867
On the Ilth of June, 1864, bill be
came a law placing cclored soldiers on
footing of equality in all respects wit
white soldiers.
June Is, 1864. a bin was signed repea'
ing the infamous Democratic fugitive
! slave law.
In 1864 law was passed allowing co
| cred men TO contract for carrying th
mails.
The year before the act was passe
prohibiting all distinctions on account
n race or color, in the public conveyance
| of this District.
>, The law creating the Freeman Burt
an was passed early in the year 1868.
January 27, 1865, the famous thl