January 24, 1863
Emancipation of Negroes, The Past and the Future.
Nast gives higher purpose to the horror of war in his multi-part depiction of the past lives of African Americans and the future Emancipation could bring them. Centered around a picture of a happy black family at a hearth, the image depicts slaves' miserable past in scenes of auctions and physical abuse -- and a view of a future as equals to their former masters. This cartoon was published just a few weeks after President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation.