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THE PROCLAMATION OF

EMANCIPATION.

15

ward 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 selfdefence, 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, sincerely believed to be an act of justice, warranted by the Constitution, upon military necessity, I invoke the considerate judgment 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.

[L. S.]

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.

ABRAHAM LINCOLN.

By the President - WILLIAM H. SEWARD,

Secretary of State.

THE DEDICATION.

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Unveiling of the Group, by the City Architect, in presence of the Committee, at 12 o'clock.

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Read by Master Andrew Chamberlain, of the Boston Latin School.

MUSIC.

Presentation of the Group to the City of Boston, by Alderman Charles H. B.

Breck, Chairman of the Committee.

ORATION,

By His Honor, Mayor Prince.

BENEDICTION.

MUSIC.

THE DEDICATION EXERCISES.

The exercises occurred in accordance with the preceding programme, in the presence of a crowded audience of ladies and gentlemen, seated in Faneuil Hall. The committee originally intended to have the dedicatory exercises in Park Square, around the group, but in consequence of the inclemency of the weather they decided to have them in some public building; and Faneuil Hall was selected as the most appropriate place.

Upon the platform were seated a large number of distinguished officials and others, who were specially invited to be present. Among these were His Excellency Governor Talbot, Hon. A. W. Beard, Collector of the Port, Hon. E. S. Tobey, Postmaster of Boston, Hon. Geo. P. Sanger, U.S. District Attorney, Hon. John P. Healy, City Solicitor, Hon. Josiah Quincy, and other past Mayors of Boston, Hon. Geo. Washington Warren, Hon. D. K. Hitchcock, the members of the City Council, and many representatives of the clergy and the bar.

The Rev. Phillips Brooks offered the following

PRAYER.

O Father of mercies and God of all comfort, we invoke Thy blessing on the celebration which has called us here to-day.

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