Existing comment:
Freedom & Emancipation
Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment, for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist, within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.
I believe each individual is naturally entitled to do as he pleases with himself and the fruits of his labor, so far as it in no way interferes with any other man's rights.
I intend no modification to any personally expressed wish that all men everywhere could be free.
And, then, there will be some black men who can remember that, with silent tongue, and clenched teeth and steady eye, and well-polished bayonet, they have helped mankind on to this great consummation; while, I fear, there will be some white ones, unable to forget that, with malignant heart and deceitful speech, they have strove to hinder it.
A proclamation that on the first day of January, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty three, all persons held as slaves within any state, or designated part of a state, the people whereof shall then be in rebellion against the United States, shall be then, thenceforward, and forever free....
Negroes, like other people, act upon motives. Why should they do anything for us, if we will do nothing for them? If they stake their lives for us, they must be prompted by the strongest possible motive -- even the promise of freedom. And the promise being made, must be kept. |