Emanicipation Proclamation(the short version)
ON THE DAY OF OF JANUARY A. D, 1863, ALL PERSONS HELD AS SLAVES WITHIN ANY STATE OR DESIGNATED PART OF A STATE IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA SHALL BE HENCEFORWARD 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 PERSONS AND WILL DO NO ACT OR ACTS TO REPRESS SUCH PERSONS, NOR ANY OF THEIR RACE, IN ANY EFFORT THEY MAY MAKE FOR THEIR ACTUAL FREEDOM.
NOW THEREFORE, I ABRAHAM LINCOLN, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, BY VIRTUE OF POWER INVESTED IN ME AS COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF THE ARMY AND NAVY OF THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES, AS A FIT AND NECESSARY WAR MEASURE FOR SUPPRESSING SAID REBELLION, DO BY PROCLAMATION, ON THE 1ST DAY OF JANUARY A. D, 1863 IN ACCORDANCE WITH MY PURPOSE SO TO DO, PUBLICLY PROCLAIM FOR THE FULL PERIOD OF ONE HUNDRED DAYS FROM THE FIRST DAY ABOVE MENTIONED, ORDER AND DESIGNATE AS THE STATES AND PARTS OF STATES WHEREIN THE PEOPLE THEREOF, TO WIT: I DO ORDER AND DECLARE THAT ALL PERSONS HELD AS SLAVES WITHIN EACH STATE ARE HENCEFORWARD FREE.
I HEREBY ENJOIN UPON THE PEOPLE SO DECLARED TO BE FREE, TO ABSTAIN FROM ALL VIOLENCE, UNLESS IN NECESSRY SELF DEFENSE; AND I RECOMMEND TO THEM THAT IN ALL CASES WHEN ALLOWED, THEY LABOR FAITHFULLY FOR REASONABLE WAGES.
UPON THIS ACT, I SINCERELY BELIEVED TO BE AN ACT OF JUSTICE, WARRANTED BY THE CONSTITUTION UPON MILITARY NECESSITY, I INVOKE THE CONSIDERATE JUDGEMENT OF MANKIND AND GRACIOUS FAVOR OF ALMIGHTY GOD.
There are some who still believe this was only a temporary act.
Yes, Helen I've had some confusion over it being temporary as well. Great information. ..never too old to learn.