istered to his wants, strengthened
his heart, and set him rejoicing on his way to manhood. The Proclamation
of Emancipation may or may not be revoked; but whom knowledge has made a
man, and discipline a soldier, no edict can make again a slave.

While the people have been working in their individual capacity to right
the wrongs of generations, our constituted authorities have been moving
on steadfastly to the same end. Military necessity has emancipated
thousands of slaves, and civil power has pressed ever nearer and nearer
to the abolition of slavery. In all the confusion of war, the
trumpet-tones of justice have rung through our national halls with no
uncertain sound. With a pertinacity most exasperating to tyrants and
infidels, but most welcome to the friends of human rights, Northern
Senators and Representatives have presented the claims of the African
race. With many a momentary recession, the tide has swept irresistibly
onward. Hopes have been baffled only to be strengthened. Measures have
been defeated only to be renewed. Defeat has been accepted but as the
stepping-stone to new endeavor. Cautiously, warily, Freedom has lain in
wait to rescue her wronged children. Her watchful eyes have fastened
upon every weakness in her foe: her ready hand has been upraised
wherever there was a chance to strike. Quietly, almost unheard amid the
loud-resounding clash of arms, her decrees have gone forth, instinct
with the enfranchisement of a race. The war began with old customs and
prejudices under full headway, but the new necessities soon met them
with fierce collision. The first shock was felt when the escaping slaves
of Rebel masters were pronounced free, and our soldiers were forbidden
to return them. Then the blows came fast and furious, and the whole
edifice, reared on that crumbling corner-stone of Slavery, reeled
through all its heaven-defying heights. The gates of Liberty opened to
the slave, on golden hinges turning. The voice of promise rang through
Rebel encampments, and penetrated to the very fastnesses of Rebellion.
The ranks of the army called the freedman to the rescue of his race. The
courts of justice received him in witness of his manhood. Before every
foreign court he was acknowledged as a citizen of his country, and as
entitled to her protection. The capital of our nation was purged of the
foul stain that dishonored her in the eyes of the nations, and that gave
the lie direct to our most solemn Declaration.