The government of the United States, including the military and naval forces, will recognize and protect the freedom of such persons, and will interfere in no way with any efforts they may make for their actual freedom.

VOA: special.2009.10.08

This was a radical concept in its day, evidently. The punishment should fit the crime, no more and no less for all free persons--granted slaves are not included--regardless of social class. Equality before the law.

很显然，这是当时最根本的概念，惩罚应该,与罪行相符，不偏向任何自由人，不顾社会阶级,当然奴隶除外，法律面前人人平等。

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