Anti-Slavery Senator John Sherman's Speech Arguing for Emancipation Following Military Service

Sherman, John. Speech by Hon. John Sherman of Ohio on Emancipation as a Compensation for Military Service Rendered by Slaves, Delivered in the Senate of the United States. McGill and Witherow: Washington D.C, February 2, 1864. 16 pages. 5.5" x 9.5" inches. John Sherman was an antislavery senator, Secretary of the Treasury and Secretary of State. Sherman was an ardent supporter of Lincoln's 1865 Thirteenth Amendment abolishing slavery and the author of the Reconstruction Act of 1867. In this speech he argues passionately for the emancipation of slaves who fought in the Civil War. He concludes, "Although our generation may have made all the sacrifices of (truncated) the war I believe the future will reap all the benefit. Our nation, now thirty million, in fifty years will be an untold number. Throw open the South, throw open the West to emigration from all the countries of the world, and a single generation of men, free, industrious, and happy, will compensate our natio for all the losses and sacrifices of this great war." Minor penciling does not interfere with text. Fore-edge lower corner of front page with small open tear. Well preserved and presentable Senate document on emancipation during the Civil War. Overall very good condition. (Inventory #: 17939)