The rich, because it relieved them of "property" which was fast becoming a disgrace, as it had always been a vexation and a tax, and because it has emancipated them from the terrors of insurrection, which kept them all their life time subject to bondage.

The poor whites--because it lifted from off them the yoke of civil oppression.

The free colored population--because it gave the death blow to the prejudice that crushed them, and opened the prospect of social, civil, and political equality with the whites.
The _slaves_--because it broke open their dungeon, led them out to liberty, and gave them, in one munificent donation, their wives, their children, their bodies, their souls--every thing! The following extracts from the journals of the legislature, show the state of feeling existing shortly after emancipation.

The first is dated October 30, 1834: "The Speaker said, that he looked with exultation at the prospect before us.

The hand of the Most High was evidently working for us.