Rufus Blanchard’s footnote to the broadside of the Emancipation Proclamation, 1863
The Proclamation is an incalculable element of strength to the Union cause. It makes an alliance between the Rebels and Foreign States as impossible as it is for millions of Bondsmen to love Slavery better than Freedom. They loving our Government in proportion as it becomes a free land of promise and shelter from oppression, thus saving thousands of precious lives and millions of treasure from being lost in foreign wars. It perfects the purposes of the Declaration of Independence and impairs no constitutional rights, those whom it would affect having forfeited those rights by proving false to their country, to humanity and religion. No real support to the Union cause will be lost by this Proclamation, while time-serving traitors, who always covertly opposed the war, will be exposed. It will be a powerful incentive to the slave to fight for the Union instead of his rebel master, and when it becomes executed and Freedom reigns throughout the land, the colored man will leave the Northern regions, whither he has fled from slavery, and join his kindred beneath those sunny skies where nature invites him. Labor will be rewarded, justice fulfilled, and the Old Ship of State will again sail majestic o'er the unrippled waters of Liberty and Peace. Confusion and shame rest upon those who fight against a free government, and songs of thankfulness and love glorify its defenders.
Use the excerpt to answer the question.
This statement suggests that one reason for passing the Emancipation Proclamation was to
A.
free enslaved persons across the nation.
B.
encourage African Americans to fight for the Union.
C.
promote an alliance with foreign powers.
D.
strengthen the moral footing of the Confederacy.
PLEASE, ALSO EXPLAIN WHY ITS THE CORRECT ANSWER, DO NOT GUESS, USE THE EXPERT.
B. Encourage African Americans to fight for the Union.
This is the correct answer because the excerpt states that the Proclamation will be a powerful incentive to the slave to fight for the Union instead of his rebel master. It also states that when it becomes executed and Freedom reigns throughout the land, the colored man will leave the Northern regions, whither he has fled from slavery, and join his kindred beneath those sunny skies where nature invites him. This suggests that the Proclamation was intended to encourage African Americans to fight for the Union.