Whereas, on the twenty-second day of September, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-two, a proclamation was issued by the President of the United States, containing, among other things, the following to wit:
"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; and the Executive Government of the United States, including the military and naval authority thereof, will recognize and maintain the freedom of such present, left precisely as if this proclamation were not issued.
And by virtue of the power, and for the purpose aforesaid, I do order and declare that all persons held as slaves within said designated States, and parts of States, are, and henceforward shall be free; and that the Executive government of the United States, including the military and Naval Authorities thereof, will recognize and maintain the FREEDOM of said persons.
And I hereby enjoin upon the people so declared to be free to abstain from all violence, unless in necessary self-defense; and I recommend to them that, in all cases when allowed, they labor faithfully for reasonable wages.
And I further declare and make known, that such persons of suitable condition, will be received into the Armed Service of the United States to garrison forts, positions, stations, and other places, and to man vessels of all sorts in said service.
And upon this act, sincerely believed to be an act of justice, warranted by the Constitution, upon military necessity, I invoke the consideration judgement of mankind, and the gracious favor of Almighty God.
In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed.
Done at the City of Washington, this first day of January, in the year of Our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty three, and of the Independence of The United States of America the eighty-seventh.
By the President: Abraham Lincoln and William H. Seward, Secretary of State
These words of President: Abraham Lincoln still here that ring to it today, then it did, when I first came across these word by in the mid 60's. I believe in the power of these words Brother Doctor Gregory V. Boulware, Esq. and I thought these words would never be under attack of within. WOW!!!
/* ...I too believe in the power of these words 'Good Brother Deacon Gray.'
However, we are under siege like never before...from within as well as without. Unfortunately, these are the times we are forced to live in. "The Times Are A Changing!" ...For the better, I/We Hope.