I am somewhat confused over that latest interest in the Texas celebration of Juneteenth. When President Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation it did not free all slaves but only freed the slaves in confederate states while exempting counties within those states that favored the union. Texas was a Confederate state and after the Civil War was under U.S. military rule. The commanding general at the time “freed” Texas slaves on June 19 under the authorization of the Emancipation Proclamation.
It wasn’t until the passage and ratification of the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which was ratified December 6, 1865, that slavery and involuntary service was outlawed.
There hasn’t been any celebration of the passage and ratification of the 13th Amendment and perhaps there should be. In so far as Juneteenth, it belongs in Texas and should stay there.
ROBERT C. WASHBURN
Concord