THE NEW YORK "INDEPENDENT" REPORTS ON THE EMANCIPATION PROCLAMATION
Historic Civil War-era newspaper, 8pp. folio, the Jan. 8, 1863 edition of "The Independent", a New York newspaper edited at the time by noted abolitionist HENRY WARD BEECHER (1813-1887). The front page of this edition is occupied by jubilant articles celebrating the Emancipation proclamation, which had gone into effect of Jan. 1, with headlines including "the Year of Freedom!", "' The Breaking of Three Millions of Chains!", and "Rejoicings Over the Proclamation". The entire text of the Proclamation is reproduced, followed by reports on celebrations of its passage in numerous cities. In part: "... In addition to the above, many other demonstrations were made in various Northern cities, of which we have no room here to make chronicle; nor have we space for mentioning any of the innumerable references to the Great Event which were made in the churches on the first Sunday of the year. The only regret which mingles with the general joy is for the omissions which the President has thought prudent to make. But the conviction already prevails, that, if Providence shall now give victories to our arms, the entire system of American Slavery will be speedily extinct - cleansed like a stain from the face of the land! God hasten the hour!" The paper bears minor chipping at the edges, and has been disbound from a compilation, else very good.