"Rejoicing Over the Proclamation" Primary Source Questions

February 1, 1863
A scanned image of the Emancipation Proclamation

Read "Rejoicing Over the Proclamation" in its entirety here.


  1. Do you think the author of this article was in support of the Emancipation Proclamation? Why or why not?
  2. Do the reactions to the Emancipation Proclamation in the article seem to indicate whether or not newly freed Blacks will support the Northern war effort?
  3. The Emancipation Proclamation was enacted two years prior to the end of the war. After the Proclamation, how do you think Blacks viewed the importance of fighting in the war?