This coming January 1, New Year’s Day, will mark the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation.
In 1863, at the height of the Civil War, the executive order issued by President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed that all slaves (over three million) in Confederate territory (the south) were free, and were to be treated as free by the U.S. Army.
Lately the proclamation has been in the news after being featured in the Steven Spielberg film “Lincoln,” while the topic of slavery itself has been boldly revisited in the Quentin Tarantino film “Django Unchained;” which made its debut in theaters this week.
Organizations, universities, cities and various groups are holding celebrations in honor of the Emancipation Proclamation across the country.
This month The National Archives, where the actual proclamation is displayed, announced that it would have a yearlong celebration of the emancipation with family activities, panel discussions, author lectures and film programs. The Verizon Foundation led the way in sponsors supporting the celebration, with a $150,000 grant.
“This generous gift will enable the foundation to support our partners at the National Archives by promoting the rare display of the original Emancipation Proclamation and introducing new audiences to the incredible work of the archives,” said A’Lelia Bundles, president of the Foundation for the National Archives. Bundles is also an Indianapolis native and the great great-granddaughter of famed entrepreneur Madame CJ Walker.
Despite its financial difficulties, the U.S. Postal Service has announced that it will issue a limited edition Emancipation Proclamation Forever Stamp early next year.
As a war powers order, the Emancipation Proclamation could not free slaves in the four border states still loyal to the Union, and actual freedom for slaves in the rebellious states depended on future Union military advances into the South.
For decades, historians and scholars have debated about whether President Abraham Lincoln issued the proclamation out of a sincere desire to end slavery as an evil institution, or because the Union needed a strategic wartime measure that would help cripple the Confederacy.
Citing Lincoln’s early support for sending Blacks Americans to Africa and previous opposition to them serving in the armed forces, some skeptics believe Lincoln never truly intended to completely end slavery, and used the proclamation only as a political weapon against the Confederacy.
“Unfortunately, many people have lost our appreciation for the momentousness of the act,” said Louis Masur, a professor of American Studies at Rutgers and author of the new book Lincoln’s Hundred Days: The Emancipation Proclamation and the War for the Union. “Lincoln’s reputation as ‘Great Emancipator’ declined in the mid-20th century as leaders of the civil rights movement began to question the results of freedom and doubt Lincoln’s motives.”
Masur noted that as president, Lincoln did not have the constitutional authority to attack slavery, which was governed by state laws. However, as commander-in-chief he was able to employ a wartime doctrine. Therefore, freeing the slaves was both a war measure and an act of justice in its own right.
“Yes. In the preliminary Emancipation Proclamation, Lincoln supported the voluntary colonization of Blacks to other countries, but not in the final proclamation,” Masur noted. “He had also opposed authorizing the enlistment of Black soldiers, but he called for it in the Emancipation Proclamation.”
Regardless of Lincoln’s motives, the Emancipation Proclamation did have a major impact. While it did not end slavery throughout the nation, it placed the issue squarely on top of the wartime agenda and added moral force to the Union cause.
The Emancipation Proclamation also led to ratification of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution in 1865, formally outlawing slavery nationwide.
In addition, the proclamation decreased the likelihood of European support of the Confederacy and, as the Union armies extended their occupation of the southern states, brought freedom to the slaves in those states.
The Proclamation also invited Black men to join the Union Army and Navy, resulting in the enlistment of approximately 200,000 African Americans before the war’s end.
The Recorder would like to know your thoughts about the Emancipation Proclamation and freedom. Did it have the desired impact, and does it still have an effect on us today? Do African Americans truly have freedom, even now? Do you think people take freedom for granted? Send your thoughts to Brandon-recorder@indy.rr.com.
Local observance
Indianapolis is one of several cities where an Emancipation Day service is held every year. Usually, the event, which is styled somewhat like a church service, features a prominent guest speaker, praise music, a reminder of African American achievements since the proclamation and awards honoring people who have actively served the community.
The local service, organized by area ministers, has been held since 1944, and has featured well-known clergymen such as Rev. Jesse Jackson, Rev. Ralph Abernathy, Bishop Henry Williamson and many others.
This year’s service will be held on Jan. 1 at 10 a.m. at Christ Missionary Baptist Church, 1001 Eugene St., featuring Dr. David Hampton, who was recently installed as senior pastor of the historic Light of the World Christian Church and has been active with civil rights causes.
Rev. Melvin Girton, pastor of Christ Missionary Baptist Church and longtime chairman of the service, describes the Emancipation Proclamation as a “major milestone” for African Americans.
“We can never take for granted or forget how far God has taken us – from slavery to opportunity,” said Girton. “It is in our best interest for the entire community, not just Blacks, but people of all denominations, groups and political persuasions to come together to observe our great emancipation. Without it, many of us would not be where we are today.”
Sidebar –
Join the celebration!
150th Anniversary Emancipation Day Service
Jan. 1 at 10 a.m.
Christ Missionary Baptist Church, 1001 Eugene St.
Guest speaker: Dr. David Hampton, senior pastor of Light of the World Christian Church
For more information, call (317) 925-4132.
The Recorder would like to know your thoughts about the Emancipation Proclamation and freedom. Did it have the desired impact, and does it still have an effect on us today? Do African Americans truly have freedom, even now? Do you think people take freedom for granted? Send your thoughts to Brandon-recorder@indy.rr.com.
