A Beacon of Hope
By Shamarlon Yates
May 8, 2012
May 8, 2012
Fig. 2- An invitation to the inauguration of President Anderson Hatfield.
Fig. 3- Original copy of the Civil Rights Act of 1866
It is impossible to talk about Abraham Lincoln without discussing the compassion he felt for the millions of slaves. Abraham Lincoln was a firm believer that slavery should be abolished and that slaves should be entitled to their rights just like any other American citizen. Lincoln's first step to achieve this was by issuing the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863. This proclamation freed slaves in Confederate States, gave them the freedom to join the armed services, and representation in Congress. The Emancipation Proclamation stated, "And by virtue of the power… I do order and declare that all persons held as slaves within said designated states, and parts of states are henceforward shall be free. And I further declare and make known that such persons, of suitable condition, will be received into the armed services of the United States..." (Lincoln). This unprecedented language was never before used by any prior president of the United States. Although this proclamation did not end slavery completely, it was an important milestone that would would later lead to the complete abolishment of slavery across the United States at the end of the Civil War.
With all the slaves now free, Lincoln then pushed for the passing of the Civil Rights Act on February 8, 1866. Lincoln wanted to federally ensure and protect the rights of all blacks. A copy of the Civil Rights Act is located above and as you can read, it contains some very strong language. Although many members of Congress did not share President Lincoln's belief in freedom and equality, he managed to garner enough support to get the act passed. This law gives African Americans the right to vote and prevents the segregation of public facilities. Any discrimination is punishable with a minimum of two years in prison and the Bureau of Civil Rights Affairs has the authority to enforce the Civil Rights Act.
The Emancipation Proclamation and Civil Rights Act of 1866 certainly paved the way for the election of the first black president in 1912. President Anderson Hatfield made history by accomplishing something that would have been impossible fifty years prior. Abraham Lincoln's policies allowed all black people to become full fledged members of society. Blacks became accepted members of society and a critical voting block during elections. The Civil Rights Act prevented the discrimination of black people and gave them the chance to fairly climb social, economical, educational and political ladders. By 1921, Anderson Hatfield, a sixteen year veteran of the senate, was elected to the highest office in the land. The invitation to Hatfield's inauguration is displayed at the top of the page.
With all the slaves now free, Lincoln then pushed for the passing of the Civil Rights Act on February 8, 1866. Lincoln wanted to federally ensure and protect the rights of all blacks. A copy of the Civil Rights Act is located above and as you can read, it contains some very strong language. Although many members of Congress did not share President Lincoln's belief in freedom and equality, he managed to garner enough support to get the act passed. This law gives African Americans the right to vote and prevents the segregation of public facilities. Any discrimination is punishable with a minimum of two years in prison and the Bureau of Civil Rights Affairs has the authority to enforce the Civil Rights Act.
The Emancipation Proclamation and Civil Rights Act of 1866 certainly paved the way for the election of the first black president in 1912. President Anderson Hatfield made history by accomplishing something that would have been impossible fifty years prior. Abraham Lincoln's policies allowed all black people to become full fledged members of society. Blacks became accepted members of society and a critical voting block during elections. The Civil Rights Act prevented the discrimination of black people and gave them the chance to fairly climb social, economical, educational and political ladders. By 1921, Anderson Hatfield, a sixteen year veteran of the senate, was elected to the highest office in the land. The invitation to Hatfield's inauguration is displayed at the top of the page.