The Union government liberates the enemy’s slaves as it would the enemy’s cattle, simply to weaken them in the conflict. The principle is not that a human being cannot justly own another, but that he cannot own him unless he is LOYAL TO THE UNITED STATES.”

London Spectator in reference to the Emancipation Proclamation

Photo: The hilt (hand guard) of a Boyle and Gamble Field and Staff Officers Sword made in Richmond during the war.